Meet @Marina Ketelslegers — our May 2025 Community Member Spotlight! As a Certified Master Anaplanner with five years in the Anaplan Community, Marina has shared valuable insights and ideas that have helped other members along the way. Check out her spotlight to learn more about her path, her favorite Anaplan tips and tricks, and her perspective on the Community.
About Marina
With a background in Economic Statistics and over 12 years of hands-on experience in FP&A, I’ve always enjoyed being the bridge between finance teams and digital transformation. About six years ago, I dove into the world of Anaplan as a freelance consultant. Since then, I’ve grown into a Solution Architect and a Certified Master Anaplanner, working with multiple partners and customer teams across various industries and geographies. What started as implementing a platform has become a true craft, helping finance teams become more agile, empowered, and future-ready.
Lately, I’ve expanded my toolkit with AI-powered solutions for Finance — exploring the practical applications of tools like ChatGPT, Excel with Python, and Microsoft Copilot. I'm passionate about showing how AI can support scenario planning, automate analysis, and become a true sparring partner for better business decisions.
We asked Marina a few questions to get to know her.
Please share an Anaplan success story you’re proud of.
There are so many success stories with Anaplan but for me, the most meaningful ones always start the same way: by connecting people first, then dealing with data, and only then jumping into model building. That human connection — between the customer team and the implementation team — is where real transformation begins.
The magic happens during solution design. That’s when we co-create the future planning process together, listening deeply to what really matters and shaping an Anaplan solution that reflects a shared vision and ambition for Finance. It’s not about fitting every company into the same box — it’s about enabling efficiency and process optimization in a way that truly fits their unique needs.
Then comes data. Data has rules and limitations. One-to-many, many-to-one… we can’t cheat the fundamentals 😊. But by being transparent about data quality and availability from the start, while also highlighting the opportunities “clean” data can unlock, we build trust and clarity.
When it’s time to build the model, we’re simply bringing it all together. A trusted connection with the client means we can adapt fast when the plan evolves. Clear expectations around data keep us focused on what matters. That’s the foundation of every successful Anaplan project I’ve led.
Please share something you can teach about Anaplan — any tips and tricks you'd like to highlight?
Okay… now for the real stuff!
Dear Anaplan Model Builders, whether you're working client side or partner side, if you’re reading this, here are three of my go-to tips. I picked them because they’re fast to explain but pack a real punch.
1. Keep an eye on calculation effort, not just cell count!
We all know to check the cell count when modeling in Classic. But now, there's a powerful new metric you should treat with the same level of scrutiny: Line Item Calculation Effort.
Just go to your model, open all line items, export the list, sort by calculation effort (descending), and… face the truth 😅. You’ll start to really understand the Planual, when before it felt like, “Trust us, don’t do this or your model will suffer.”
👉 Read more in this Community article
2. Use multi-model pages in UX like a pro
Yes, you can connect multiple models to the same UX page — and here’s why you absolutely should.
When working with ALM, it’s common to have multiple structurally identical models (DEV, TEST, PROD). Instead of maintaining separate UX apps for each one (a true nightmare), connect them all to the same page and simply switch between models using the dropdown at the top of the page.
Benefits:
- Seamless testing: Add new line items in DEV, test them directly in the same app, users in PROD won’t even see the changes.
- User-safe: The dropdown is access-controlled, so users only see models they’re allowed to.
- One-time setup per page: Yes, it takes a few clicks to set up, but the time saved later is worth it.
👉 Step-by-step guide on the Community
3. Hidden gem: Customize Excel exports from UX with extra columns
This one’s been around for a while, but many builders overlook it. When users export data from a UX grid, you can allow them to add extra columns to the export, like product attributes or segment codes, without displaying them in the grid.
Here’s how:
- Add list properties with relevant details (yes, this is one of those valid exceptions to have properties on the list, otherwise use SYS modules 😉!).
- Link them using a formula that refers to the SYS module.
- In the Export this view dialog on the page, under the Labels tab, users can now select additional properties to include in the export. Just don’t forget to tick Include row label headers.
👉 Basic help on Anapedia
I hope I made your day 😊
What do you enjoy about the Anaplan Community?
Sure, every Certified Master Anaplanner has a pocket full of tips and tricks, but the truth is, many of mine came from working alongside other brilliant Anaplanners, or learning directly from them. And when I’m stuck on something or exploring a new idea, my very first stop is always the Anaplan Community.
What I value most are the super practical “How I Built It” articles and videos, especially the ones that walk you through real use cases. I also find a lot of inspiration in the posts of Anaplan gurus like @rob_marshall. And lately, I’ve been loving the LinkedIn updates from @IvervandeZand and @seymatas1, who share best practices with tireless enthusiasm.
A recent example? During the tricky winter-to-summer time switch, one of Iver’s posts helped me solve an actual challenge my client was facing right at that moment. That’s the kind of timely, generous knowledge-sharing that makes this Community such a powerful place to grow.
What's one thing on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Yes, there definitely is! Thanks for asking. For the past few years, I’ve been learning French (et j’adore ça!). One thing on my bucket list is to join an Anaplan project with a French-speaking team. The idea of combining my love for languages with the work I’m passionate about? Magnifique! That would be a dream come true.
So if you're planning your next project en français… à bientôt, maybe? 😉
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We hope you enjoyed learning more about Marina in this month's Community Member Spotlight. Thank you, Marina, for being an outstanding Community contributor and advocate!
Check out one of Marina's Community videos!
How I Built It: Fast, efficient model build of scenario planning with P&L impact analysis
Interested in learning more about our Community Member Spotlight series? Check out this post.
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