Katrien has an engineering degree in microelectronics.

She joined imec in 1992 as analog design engineer and specialised in design of low-noise readout electronics for high-energy physics.

In 1999, she became press responsible and scientific editor at imec's business development division and was responsible for authoring and editing the research organisation's numerous company technical documents and publications. In 2001, she was appointed corporate communications director at imec.

Her responsibilities expanded in August 2007, when she got the position of external communications director including corporate, marketing and outreach communications. 

In October 2016, she became VP corporate, marketing and outreach communication.

Since April 2020 she is Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and member of the executive board of imec.