The Graduate - Graduation Magazine 2023 ENG

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The Graduate

“Reward for Life”

Colofon

EDITORIAL BOARD

Simone Daniëls, Dine van Dijk, Michiel Munneke

DESIGN

Verloop printing company

WITH THANKS TO Koen Becking, Sebas van Dongen, Laurens Ekelmans, Hans Groen, Renske Haafkes, Marlotte van Herksen, Marc der Kinderen, Sanne van der Kroft, Lies Oudemans, Loïc Schreurs, Rose-Marie van der Weijden, Ondernemend Nyenrode.

CONTACT

Nyenrode Development Office

Attn: Liselotte van Dedem and Maxime Groenen

Straatweg 25 - room 2.67

3621 BG Breukelen

+31 346 29 15 13

communicatie@nyenrodealumni.nl www.nyenrodealumni.nl

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Edition #1, 2023

PUBLISHER

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This is an excellent moment to reflect on the years of hard work and unforgettable moments shared with your fellow students. Perhaps you are eager to put all your acquired knowledge and experience to good use in a new career. Or maybe you plan on investing a few more years into earning another degree. Either way, it is important to realize that learning is a lifelong process. You have laid a solid foundation with us at Nyenrode, and I would like to encourage you to continue with your personal and professional development. Stay curious and look for new experiences and opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Seeking lifelong learning will help you stay relevant in a world that is changing at a breakneck pace.

You are now entering the incredibly strong network of Nyenrode Alumni; a network that offers you unprecedented opportunities. On behalf of the university, I am therefore pleased to offer you a year’s membership in the Nyenrode Alumni VCV. It is a highly active community of former students who share the same passion for entrepreneurship, and who are always eager to lend a hand when needed. I encourage you to look for a mentor within this community. A mentor can be an invaluable source of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration in the next phase of your personal and professional life. Have the courage to ask and be prepared to learn from others. Collaboration and networking are essential for your further growth and success.

Once again, let me congratulate you on achieving this important milestone. You are now our ambassador, and I truly believe that you will have a positive impact on our society as a responsible entrepreneur. So please stay involved with your Alma Mater and bear the Nyenrode philosophy with pride!

Prof. Koen Becking Rector, Chair of the Executive Board Nyenrode Business Universiteit

“With a wonderful diploma in hand, you are entering a new, exciting phase in your life.”

Did you know...

• 52% of Gen Z trusts the advice of a social influencer when it comes to products and/or brands.

• Almost three out of 10 young employees between the ages of 18 and 24 (28%) considered starting their own business last year.

• In the first quarter of 2023, 9.7 million people were in paid employment (corrected for seasonal employment). That is 72.9 % of the population between the ages of 15 and 75.

• Figures published by DUO show that the number of students taking more than one master’s degree has increased over the past 10 years (DUO: Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs - the Education Executive Agency)

• We spend an average of 90,000 hours of our lives at work.

• According to research, your ideal ambient temperature prevents your brain’s energy sources from being rapidly depleted.

• 29% of recruiters have turned down a candidate based on what they found on social media.

• Figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) show that more than 300,000 people have a relationship with a colleague at the same company. That is an amazing 4% of the working population.

alumnus noun (m.)

Anyone who has obtained a degree at Nyenrode and anyone who has followed an open program of more than 4 full days and where the intellectual property of the program is owned by Nyenrode. Only programs for which it is the intention to offer them for more than one year are eligible.

30.000+ Alumni

3 locations: Breukelen, Amsterdam & The Hague

500+ Scholarships granted since 1996

100+ countries we’re represented in

JOIN THE NETWORK!

OUR NETWORK IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ABROAD. AND EACH YEAR, OUR NETWORK GROWS THANKS TO ALUMNI LIKE YOU!

What can we do for you?

• You are joining one of the strongest networks in the Netherlands and abroad via our online platform.

• Contact other Nyenrodians easily via the interactive map & chat features on our online platform and in the mobile app.

• Access to Nyenrode circles: groups related by branch, topic, or region, in which news and experiences are shared with like-minded individuals.

• You receive a discount for all the regular events & our circle events.

6000 + VCV members

40+ Circles

How can I become a member?

• Scan the QR code and wait for your account to be validated! Nyenrode Business University offers the first year’s membership for free. After that, the fee is €85 per year.

Nyenrode Alumni VCV info@nyenrodealumni.nl +31 346 291 513 Nyenrode, Room AH-2.64/2.66

You’re graduated! What’s next?

As you enter this new phase in life, remember to stay curious! What is the next step in your career? Explore new opportunities, meet new people, and keep learning and growing. The world is full of endless opportunities and have faith that you have the potential to achieve great things.

Networking is an essential part of your personal and professional development, and we encourage you to keep having those conversations over a traditional Dutch ‘cup of coffee’. Build new connections and maintain old ones, because you never know where they will take you in your career. And when it comes to the future, perhaps one day our students will come to you for help and inspiration.

CV TIP #2

If you don’t have much work experience yet, there are probably some interesting or relevant projects and assignments you have worked on during your studies. Explain the part you have played in them, and which of your personal qualities came in handy.

Benefits of a traineeship

Learn while you work

Gain insight into your own abilities

Guidance from coaches

Work alongside other trainees and learn from each other.

Gain a clear picture of the organization. Working in different departments will help you find out what you enjoy.

Earn a salary while you discover your talent. Move on to the job that suits you best.

CV TIP #1

Write a short and interesting CV; no more than two pages. If you really want to stand out, make a creative CV with a video, a CV game or one in the form of a magazine cover! Stand out from the crowd!

Thinking of doing a master’s degree?

All things considered; a master’s degree offers many benefits . Although you’ll have to invest more time in your studies and you won’t be able to work full-time yet, you’ll gain important knowledge from a master’s program.

Specialize in a specific field

Acquire practical and academic skills

Enter the workforce at a higher job level

Looks good on your CV

Higher starting salary

How do you negotiate your salary when you’re just starting out?

YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR FIRST JOB, AND YOU ARE EAGER TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY. BUT FIRST, YOU NEED TO NEGOTIATE YOUR SALARY.

How do you do that?

Salary negotiations can be difficult, even for people with years of experience in the job market. When you start your first job, everything is new, and that includes talking about your pay. A few tips and things to consider are provided below.

Think about your future right now.

Starting your first job can be both exciting and stressful, as you are entering a new phase in your young life. But amid the excitement of this new adventure, remember to address the subject of your salary. Do not simply agree to everything your new employer presents in the

contract. According to financial consultant Paul van der Kwast, you should always remember that the employer wants to have you, and therefore expects to pay you a competitive salary. So, negotiate your first salary in a professional and businesslike manner. Also remember that your first salary has major implications for the rest of your career. The higher you aim now, the better your chances for future growth. And the higher your salary is today, the stronger your negotiating position will be with a future employer. So do not be too modest in the negotiations.

What does Career and Personal Development (CPD) have to offer?

CAREER AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR ALUMNI: WHETHER YOU ARE A NEW STUDENT OR A RECENT GRADUATE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IN PERSON OR VIA CPD@NYENRODE.NL IF YOU NEED ADVICE, CAREER COACHING, OR JUST A CHAT OVER A CUP OF COFFEE.

Get active in the Nyenrode Community: CPD organizes career-focused workshops and events for current and former students. If you have the opportunity as alumni to share your own insights and experiences with future Nyenrodians, please let us know. As an alumnus, your stories and insights add considerable value to new students’ experiences.

Access to the online Career Center: As an alumnus, you can continue to use your Career Center account even after you

graduate. The only thing you must do is open your current account and change your Nyenrode e-mail address to your private e-mail address.

Are you already following ‘Nyenrode Career Network’ on LinkedIn?

Our ‘Nyenrode Career Network’ is a networking group for current and former Nyenrode students. The platform features job openings and tips/tricks for career development. Definitely worth becoming a member off!

Marlotte van Herksen

How do you get some bang for your buck?

NAME Lies

AGE 32

Oudemans

DEGREE Msc23 - 20140063

WORKS AT VanEck

LOVES financial freedom thanks to ETFs

COOL won her MSc Scholarship with Nyenrode Business Game

DONATES in “Fonds op Naam 1958”

INSTAGRAM @investeren.met.lies

FILM TIPS The Big Short and The Gamestop Saga. I learn something new every time I watch them

Start of career: I graduated from Nyenrode and wanted to find a job at Heineken. The ink on my Nyenrode degree was still wet when I flew to the Republic of Congo for an internship with Heineken. Unfortunately, I was rejected for a job after the internship. Instead, I found one at ABN AMRO, where I was given the assignment of promoting the then-unfamiliar ‘Tikkie’, specifically on the commercial market. From there I moved on to the investment department at MeesPierson for a few years, then switched to VanEck. This company suits my profile even better, and they encourage me to develop my entrepreneurial skills alongside my job, which came in handy for me and my Instagram!

First salary: I spent it on a hideous lounge sofa. Truly horrendous, ha ha! My whole paycheck down the drain! I also fell into the trap of spending everything at once. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing: enjoying the freedom of spending your first salary on whatever you want!

Investment interests: I discovered my interest in investing when I was working on a project for Tikkie and decided to start investing myself. It gave me a sense of

control, but also the freedom to make my own choices. Two years ago, I started an Instagram account to get young people acquainted with investing in an accessible manner.

Tip from Lies: Investing seems complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with a monthly investment in ETFs, short for exchange-traded funds, which are baskets of shares, bonds or real estate assets that follow an index. They’re an easy way to invest, and ideal for beginning investors. It creates financial freedom and makes you more aware of your own money.

No-go’s: Don’t let your emotions get the upper hand. Fear and greed can have a negative influence on your decisions. Only invest money you don’t need and start with a monthly investment in ETFs for financial freedom over the long term.

Biggest financial mistake: That must be the hype around NFTs (non-fungible tokens – ed.)! I let myself be seduced by influencers who claimed that I could earn a lot of money with it. I bought an expensive course on NFTs and started investing at random. Resulting in a lot of stress, and I ended up

5 mistakes to avoid (as a beginning investor)

1. Making investing too complicated, so you never get started

2. Giving up and selling everything after the first dip in the market

3. Only buying individual and ‘hype’ stocks

4. Trying to time the market when deciding to get in or out

5. Confusing investing with gambling: you don’t have to be a day trader or crypto expert in order to invest

losing €5,000. That was a classic example of ‘FOMO’. It turned out to be a high-risk, empty way of investing.

Biggest success: That I started investing at all. By investing in ETFs spread all over the world, I learned a lot and it simultaneously grew my wealth. I don’t focus on specific profits; my main goal is to accumulate wealth for the future.

Specific goal: For some people, it can be nice to have a concrete goal, like saving for a big trip or your children’s studies. But it’s important to remember that investing is for the long term. Short-term goals can be risky, because yields can fluctuate. I focus on growing my wealth, and I enjoy the process without having fixed goals.

Influencing: You can follow me on Instagram @investeren.met.lies, where I share tips and tricks about investing, with a focus on ETFs. I’m not a typical influencer who’s constantly posting content, but I do share valuable information for beginning investors.

Tips for young investors:

1. Choose a strategy that works for you and stick to your plan

2. Avoid buying or selling individual stocks based on hype

3. Stay patient and focused on the long term

4. Investing is a powerful tool for building wealth, so start early and stay consistent

You’re now working at McKinsey & Company! How does it feel to work for a large company?

I find it incredibly rewarding! Currently, I find it very beneficial to learn in a setting where professionalism is a top priority, and everything is well-organized and thought through. I feel that this accelerates my personal and professional development. Additionally, I’m surrounded by like-minded individuals of the same age, which fosters a sense of friendship and mutual support; it feels like a close-knit group progressing together, like Nyenrode campus life.

Did you feel prepared for the professional world when you graduated from Nyenrode?

If yes, could you elaborate?

If not, what would you have needed to be prepared? Yes and no. No as in at Nyenrode, I did not feel prepared at all. Yes, because gradually, in the working world, I realized that I had indeed learned a lot that proved valuable. For instance, the entrepreneurial ‘can do’

A glimpse in the life of Loïc

LOÏC SCHREURS (25), LIVING IN AMSTERDAM, COMPLETED HIS BSCBA IN 2019 AND SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED MIM AT INSEAD IN 2021. HE HAS WORKED AT MULTIPLE COMPANIES INCLUDING ADYEN, AVEDON CAPITAL PARTNERS, STRATEGY&, AND IS CURRENTLY A CONSULTANT AT MCKINSEY & COMPANY ENJOYS COMMITTING TO YOUNG NYENRODE ALUMNI, YOU CAN CONTACT HIM VIA LINKEDIN.

mentality instilled at Nyenrode or my comfort in approaching others.

Work can impact your personal life. How would you say you balance your work and personal life?

I believe it is about setting priorities and doing what you enjoy. Currently, I approach weekdays as work-focused, while weekends are dedicated to spending time with family and friends where I can be fully present. This approach works remarkably well for me and fuels my energy.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Apart from the cliché examples like Barack Obama, I have to say my younger brother is a big inspiration. We’re 15 months apart and I’ve noticed that we complement each other well. We share a close bond, yet our pursuits are completely different. This allows us to support each other by offering different perspectives and pushing one another. When making certain decisions, I always seek his input and we brainstorm.

This consistently leads to fresh ideas and is highly effective.

What’s something in your career that you’re really proud of?

That would be the conscious effort I’ve put into my development. Continuously checking in with myself: ‘Am I still content with what I’m doing?’, ‘Is my work still energizing?’. And above all, being persistent and never giving up, which can lead to remarkable achievements.

What message would you like to convey to this young group of recent alumni?

Identify the point on your horizon that you’re aiming for! You might not head straight to it, but keeping your purpose in mind makes it easier to chart your path, even if there are detours. Reflecting on what I want and where I want to go has greatly aided my decision-making, so I’d love to share that with everyone. And most importantly, don’t give up when things get tough and enjoy the ride!

CATCHING UP WITH...

Sebas

YOUNGPROFS

Making a difference. That’s what we do. By working on impactful projects with our clients and following our unique leadership program, top talent forms into the leaders of tomorrow. With strong intrinsic motivation and a healthy dose of guts. This is how they shape the world of tomorrow together with our clients.

We weren’t allowed to do anything, but of course we did all sorts of things. I think that made us a uniquely close cohort. We didn’t have any other options but to spend the time together, and it was rather nice to be stuck on campus with 300 friends. In 2021, the time of not being allowed to do anything came to an end, and we could finally hold big events. They were bigger and more popular than ever, because everyone had missed them so much.

SEBAS VAN DONGEN AGE 26

DEGREE MSC29 – GRADUATED IN 2022 NOTEWORTHY STARTED SCHOOL AND DID HEEREN V FOR A YEAR DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC BEST MEMORY WINTER 2020, DURING THE PANDEMIC, SKATING AROUND THE CASTLE WITH THE WHOLE COHORT. WHAT A GREAT DAY!

LAST YEAR YOU STARTED YOUNGPROFS WITH CHRIS (SWINKELS – ED.). TELL US MORE!

YoungProfs arose from our concerns about the current state of the world and the fact that our generation wants to do something – feels the need to do something – but we are too often stuck on the sidelines. How can we accelerate the major transitions of our time? Our Accelerators (YoungProfs employees - RED.) work with different clients toward that same goal, and they all attend a unique leadership program. So, our professionals are not only making a difference for our clients, but also developing into the connecting leaders of tomorrow. There’s a good reason for our mission statement: ‘to empower the next generation to shape the world of tomorrow.’

Chris Swinkels & Sebas van Dongen

AND ARE YOU THAT NEXT GENERATION THANKS TO YOUR NEW IMPACT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM?

Absolutely! It’s an intensive program that revolves around developing the leadership we’ll need in the world of the future. Leading administrators and experienced impact makers like Herman Wijffels and Petri Hofsté share their experience and expertise with our Accelerators. Leadership professionals and coaches take you under their wing, helping you to find out what motivates you and where you will be able to make a difference. In addition to the work for our clients, the program should eventually provide you with all the tools you need to develop yourself, so that in a few years’ time, you’ll be able to take over from our mentors.

AND WHAT IMPACT HAS ENTREPRENEURSHIP HAD ON YOUR WORK-LIFE SITUATION?

I live together with Chris and Ole in Amsterdam. Ole is also a club member from Nyenrode. At a certain point, our entire living room was full of plans and ideas; it was more like an office home than a home office. When Ole came home and stared around at all the walls covered with papers and sticky notes, we said: never again. We’ll keep our work and our home separate. However, I really enjoy everything we do, so I don’t mind too much if work occasionally intervenes with my private life.

DID YOU FEEL YOU WERE PREPARED FOR THE WORKING WORLD WHEN YOU GRADUATED FROM NYENRODE?

I don’t think any study program can truly prepare you for the working world. But I do think that Nyenrode managed to bring in a lot of practical knowledge by engaging lecturers with a lot of real-world experience combined with guest lectures.

I think that the student life on campus contributed to making us ready for the

working world as well. The many NCV committees make it easy to contribute. And I’ve seen countless examples of things I learned there in the real world. That makes it a bit easier when you encounter a difficult situation and know what to do about it.

WE’LL PASS ON THE COMPLIMENT! WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?

That would be Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever. He is one of the first leaders in the corporate world to really do something about sustainability: ‘we shouldn’t only create as much value as possible for our shareholders, but also for the stakeholders’. The people who harvest the tea should earn a living wage, for example. When you look at how the role of companies has changed since then, I think that Paul Polman was a real pioneer and a driving force. Thanks to him, I started to learn more about the stakeholder perspective. And now I believe even more in what we’re doing.

HAVE YOU ALREADY STARTED LOBBYING FOR PAUL TO BECOME A MENTOR?

No, that will still take some time. But if you ask me again in a year or so, perhaps. How awesome is it to be able to spar with people like him? I’m truly convinced that it will help our generation make a difference even faster.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO! WHERE CAN WE KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PROGRESS?

You can follow YoungProfs on LinkedIn and Instagram!

FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE GRADUATES FOR ADVICE?

I think that all the people about to graduate from Nyenrode should look for places where they can apply their talents, so that they can make a real difference. That will not only make you happy, but also the people around you!

Marc & Laurens

Marc der Kinderen, a longtime resident and working in New York, opened his door to Laurens Ekelmans , who, thanks to his courage, got an internship at Marc’s private equity firm 747Capital. We spoke to them about working abroad, New York and their motivations.

Marc, tell us when you left the Netherlands, and why? When I finished secondary school at 16, I knew that I didn’t want to go to university right away. So I went on an adventure and applied for a high school year in America. Every day was a new experience, especially for a kid from Brabant. After that year, I came back to study, then I worked for the Fentener van Vlissingen family in Atlanta. After that, I earned my MBA at Nyenrode. Once I was done, I went to New York and never looked back!

Laurens, you went to New York for a while too. What prompted you to do that, and how did you come into contact with Marc? My ambition was to work abroad! I didn’t have the opportunity to do an internship abroad during my studies, so when we went to New York with GIP and visited Marc’s office, I seized my chance. After Marc’s presentation, I went up to him to ask for his business card, and when I came back to the Netherlands, I sent him an e-mail to ask whether there were any internships available. I wanted to see if working abroad in private equity would be something for me!

Marc, what was that like for you? I thought it was great! If Laurens hadn’t asked, then he never would have had my business card. Laurens reminded me of my younger self, back when I took chances that opened a whole new world for me, so I was eager to help him get ahead.

You two are a perfect example of networking between the older and younger generations of Nyenrodians. What are your thoughts on that?

Laurens: I have the feeling that Nyenrode alumni are always willing to lend a hand; you just have to ask. It requires some courage and persistence, but there’s no harm in asking! You can’t manage everything alone, and the network can really help.

Laurens Ekelmans

“I recognized my young self in Laurens”

Marc: Exactly! Laurens was the first person to approach me like this, and I was definitely willing to help. Especially since he was very clear about what he wanted, and what he was asking me to do! Timing and luck are also important, of course, but you should take advantage of the powerful Nyenrode network.

Marc, what motivates you to give something back or return a favour to Nyenrode? I think the realization about how many opportunities I’ve had in my life, including my parents helping me get where I am today, as well as the help of others like Mr. Fentener van Vlissingen, who offered me the chance to go to Atlanta. I want to be able to give others opportunities like that as well!

You need a special kind of winner’s mentality to survive in the American business world. Working hard, having the courage to try new things, especially in New York. A career is an adventure that can have a happy ending, but it definitely isn’t without risks. How has that played out in your own career?

Marc: The first 10 years of setting up our company were objectively very difficult. Convincing European investors that two kids from Brabant (my business partner Gijs is also from Brabant) could bring in millions and invest successfully in American private equity wasn’t easy! And all the financial and other crises didn’t help either! In the end, the most important thing in this world is not to give up; but to push through, believe in what you’re doing, and to always make it fun! You shouldn’t have too many other responsibilities. You need to be able and willing to invest the time and effort, and you need to have support from the home front to make it as an entrepreneur in New York.

Laurens, now that you have experience abroad, are you keen to do it again? Absolutely! In America, I thought about what I’d like to do next and what I liked – and didn’t like – about my internship. With those insights, I started looking for a job, and I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be starting in the financial due diligence department at Ernst & Young on September 1st. That will eventually give me another chance to work abroad in the future!

Marc, will you ever come back to the Netherlands? For holidays, definitely. I still love being in the Netherlands. But I’ll never move back full-time. I love the adventure!

Do you have any tips for our graduates?

Laurens: The most important thing is that when you ask someone for a favor or advice, you should know what you want, and you should express it clearly in your communications. Thinking about your professional and personal actions will also help you keep growing. Try to always apply that in order to take your next step. Plus: don’t let yourself get discouraged. Just go for it! Looking at other people can sometimes hinder your growth. You’re the only person who can decide what you want to do. So, focus on that, and strive for it!

Marc der Kinderen

“By watching others, you sometimes limit your growth; you alone are the one who is willing to do it.”

Hans Groen IN CONVERSATION WITH

Michiel Munneke chats with Hans Groen about his formative years at Nyenrode and his commitment to his Alma Mater. At a special place on Keizersgracht... In 2011, Nyenrode bought the New Business School with the financial support of a few alumni, including Hans, after which the Amsterdam adventure for Nyenrode began.

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR OWN GRADUATION FROM NYENRODE? The first thing I remember is how totally unexpected it was when I finished in June. I hadn’t thought about that at all. The only thing I can remember about the ceremony is how we stood in the forecourt with our parents to raise the flag and sing the NIOB anthem. What a great tradition! And that evening we celebrated in the Kelderbar, with live music. I used up all my drink tokens in no time, and I have no idea how I ended up back in my bed on campus. The next January, I had to report for military service, but in the meantime, I did an internship at Ballantines Whisky. I had to investigate which major clients hadn’t submitted an order in a while. And you know who turned out to be the biggest buyer? The Vatican! Hilarious, right?

Why did you choose to study at Nyenrode? That’s also an interesting story. I was fully prepared to study medicine, but a friend of mine went to an open day at Nyenrode and asked me to come along. I was sold immediately. Getting to exercise every day, and learning all about business administration was a perfect fit for me. So, I decided to go for it. But it wasn’t easy – only one out of seven applicants were accepted. One important criterion was whether you could share a room together with one or two other people. Your social skills – your suitability for campus life –

was a major consideration. One day, one of my roommates, who had the best score of all 200 first-year students, said to me: I’m quitting! So, I asked: why? This just isn’t my thing. Management is a lot of hassle with money and people. The funny thing is that he’s been living in Curaçao for years now and is the director of the hospital there. He’s sorry that he didn’t finish the degree at Nyenrode, and later he ended up doing a MBA elsewhere.

You are still extremely involved with Nyenrode. Why is that? To me, Nyenrode feels a little like home. You’ve just gone through an extremely intensive period, of course. You have lived on campus for three years, you share everything, and I rarely left the premises while I was there. On the weekend, I also worked as the manager of the gym. And later, when I started my own seminar organization, I quickly recognized that a few strong brands could really help me with it. I’ve always seen Nyenrode as a very strong brand, and I still do. So, it seems only logical to bring management speakers to Nyenrode. For example, we brought management gurus like Michael Porter, Philip Kotler and C.K. Prahalad to Breukelen. I basically used Nyenrode to improve my position in the market. That means I owe a lot to my Alma Mater, so I’m happy to give something back. I help brainstorm about potential speakers, I’m a member of the Friends of Nyenrode Castle, and a

CV Hans Groen

BORN in Amstelveen on May 18, 1963. BIKED to Brussels when he was fourteen (alone, nobody wanted to come along), which was then 1000 years old. HAVE HAD an Ajax season ticket since 1991. ORGANIZES “theater lectures” since 2017 - a word he coined himself. HIS BOOK “Volle Zalen - The best strategy for a sold-out event.” released in 2019. With cases from, among others, the musical Soldaat van Oranje, the seminar with Johan Cruijff, TEDx and André Rieu.

few years ago I helped buy the school in Amsterdam. I still come to Nyenrode often, and I appreciate the small scale and the personal attention. I feel right at home when I walk around campus. Recently, I found myself drinking a beer during the stunt week, and it immediately felt like the good old days. You feel that atmosphere right away. It’s so great! The next generation is still doing stunt week! Wow.

You are also a member of our alumni association VCV. Can you explain why that is important to you? The VCV is mainly useful for networking. You can meet great new people, and sometimes that results in surprising business relationships and opportunities. I really enjoy the Refreshment Day that VCV hosts every year. And not just because I helped initiate it around 25 years ago. The VCV has a lot to offer. Some people enjoy the golf day and/or the convertible day, while others appreciate the informative programs.

If you had to mention one thing that Nyenrode gave you, that made your career what it is today, what would it be? Nyenrode had a big influence on me later in life. There’s one memory that stands out. We had a lecture on entrepreneurship, and the lecturer said: ‘There is a correlation between success and the age you start a business. You have the best chance of success when you start at the age of 27.’ So, I became an entrepreneur at 27. That’s funny, right? It’s a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, and you let yourself be guided by it. There’s also

something else. I really enjoyed studying. I had a thick book by Kottler, and I thought: who is this Kottler guy? What kind of person is he, and why did he write this book? Later, I decided to ask him to give a seminar. One thing led to another, and I’ve never let go of the link with those books and those gurus. To me, Nyenrode has been like an anchor!

What was the biggest mistake in your career that taught you an important lesson? I tend to get very excited about a project that I could invest in, and I do that with friends’ projects too. But that doesn’t go well sometimes. In fact, it often ends badly. You should keep your friends and your business separate. I was talking about that with a notary recently, and he said: but you shouldn’t change, because your attitude and enthusiasm also make you successful. And that’s true. And sometimes it also works out great!

What advice would you give to new graduates from Nyenrode? Take full advantage of the fact that you’re a Nyenrodian. Join the VCV and benefit from the extensive and close-knit network. There are plenty of stories of former students travelling the world and visiting all sorts of alumni. And all of them enjoy meeting you. When you start applying for a job, always check if a Nyenrodian works there and don’t be afraid to call them!

CV Michiel Munneke

IS Director Development at Nyenrode since 2022 WORKED no less than 12 years as director at World Press Photo, then at Enactus Netherlands ASSISTED 4 MAVO pupils as a career coach at JINC in finding out what they are good at and in making an appropriate choice for further education. DID his SLP at Nyenrode in 2015 HAS a great love for (endurance) sports.

Name: Bas van Lieshout, Chair

Age: 24

Program: Msc31 (220000219)

I would like to make a career as an Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist. After graduation, I would like to work at a private equity firm to learn more about financial structures and organisations.

Why did you want to participate in the podcast Ondernemend Nyenrode? I listen to a lot of different entrepreneurship podcasts, and I think it’s fascinating to hear how entrepreneurs manage to set up a successful business. So, it seems fun to be able to produce podcasts myself!

The most inspiring podcast episode to me was: The podcast with Michael Pilarczyk. As a young entrepreneur, he made some big mistakes. So, it’s fascinating to hear how he got out of that situation, and then built up several major companies. What I remember most about his podcast is that you should pursue your passion, and use that to build on your strengths, and that will take you far.

Who would you most like to have at the podcast microphone? It might be a bit far-fetched, but I think it would be fascinating to be able to interview Elon Musk. He’s constantly pushing the envelope and follows his own vision. I’m curious where his vision and drive come from. He also experienced a lot of setbacks when building his company Tesla. So how has he dealt with those setbacks?

What I have learned about entrepreneurship over the past year: The most important thing I’ve seen and learned is that you should do something that you are passionate about. When you do something that you don’t have a passion for, the work will start to irritate you. And I’ve learned that you should just go for it!

My favorite podcast is: The podcast with Jasper Lijfering. It was a really good conversation. We also sat in his bar and drank a good whisky while we chatted.

ONDERNEMEND NYENRODE

Name: Yvette Schuurmans, Vice-Chair

Age: 24

Program: MSc31

I would like to become a CEO.

Why did you want to participate in the podcast Ondernemend Nyenrode? I wanted to talk with entrepreneurs to learn what they had to do to get where they are today. Not just the good things, but especially the problems they encountered along the way that taught them valuable lessons. Those lessons are extremely valuable, especially for us rookies.

The most inspiring podcast episode to me was: Dolf van den Brink.

Who would you most like to have at the podcast microphone? Jeffrey Bezos.

What I have learned about entrepreneurship over the past year: If you have a good idea, just do it!

My favorite podcast is: Dries Wajer.

Name: Sofia Konincks, Head of Promotions

Age: 19

Program: BscBa 2023

I would like to make a career as an entrepreneur.

Why did you want to participate in the podcast Ondernemend Nyenrode?

Ondernemend Nyenrode isn’t just about our association, because we also collaborate with Nyenrode itself. I also saw an opportunity to make the podcast grow, and I was extremely motivated to make that happen together with a fun team!

The most inspiring podcast episode to me was: Jasper Lijfering. I was there when it was recorded, and I was captivated by listening to him. It was just so inspiring to hear.

Who would you most like to have at the podcast microphone? Danique Bossers of Most Wanted.

What I have learned about entrepreneurship over the past year: Networking really is key. I’ve already got a lot out of that.

My favorite podcast is: ‘The really good podcast’ by Bobbi Althoff is hilarious.

Scholarship

Nyenrode Business University educates ambitious students to become responsible leaders who want to have a positive impact on the world. Each year, there are highly motivated and talented young people who can only enroll in Nyenrode if we can help them with a scholarship. Dirk Schröder talks about what a scholarship has meant to him.

“I got my scholarship granted from Cohort 1985. Otherwise, I would not have been able to pursue the MSc 31 program. I would have missed out on not only the education but also the memories on campus such as Jazznight, Dies Natalis, Stuntweek and the skiing trip. The scholarship has brought me more than education alone, the memories and the year club are things that will live on long after my time on campus.

“The Revolving Scholarship is about more than just receiving money. It’s about mentorship and the connections you make with the people who have supported you. I’m sure after I graduate, I will donate money and provide mentorship myself to help the next generation of Nyenrodians.“

Do you want to help others have the same Nyenrode experience? Would you like to contribute to a scholarship fund like so many of your fellow Nyenrode alumni? Then scan the QR code and help offer someone else a chance at this amazing experience!

Highlights of the Year