Margriet Vonno is facing the greatest challenge in her diplomatic career – a job of a lifetime as Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada. She is quick to credit the MBA she earned at Erasmus University Rotterdam for helping open doors to exciting opportunities, particularly her move to Ottawa.
“Although I had a degree in International Relations from Utrecht University, I felt something was missing. Many C-suite directors wouldn’t take me seriously as a diplomat because they didn’t think I would understand their world. I needed to prove them wrong with an MBA and, when I looked for the university with the highest ranking in the Netherlands, it had to be RSM. The Netherlands needs diplomats who understand the private sector and know how to talk to a CEO.”
Margriet already knows and loves Canada. The MBA programme took her twice to Toronto where she discovered the glories of Niagara Falls. Then, while head of the economic section at the embassy in Washington DC, she gained a closer insight into the USA’s neighbours.
If you just wait to be asked, you won’t be successful
Environmental issues have always been important and led to her appointment as Ambassador to Singapore and Brunei in 2017. Knowing the region was at the heart of exciting developments in sustainability, the young diplomat applied for the job. “If you just wait to be asked, you won’t be successful. Up to then, only men had been ambassadors there, but I sought advice and support and stood up for myself. Maybe I only felt 80 per cent ready, but I went for it.”
In those first few months, she established a network of women leaders in the vibrant yet traditional country, meeting the first female President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, the CEO of Shell and many other top women executives: “Some people didn’t believe a woman should have the top job but I persevered and they went on to say I was the best-connected ambassador with local businesses, when I moved on to my next role.”
Now Canadians are seizing the initiative in sustainability with green energy in Nova Scotia and restaurants offering Michelin star flavours by sourcing organic ingredients, underpinned by significant research from the country’s world-class universities, Margriet will be using her networking skills again to capture hearts in a cooler climate, beginning by presenting her credentials to the nation’s first Indigenous Governor-General Mary Simon.
Out of 110 students, only six were female, so we stuck together to support each other
Growing up in Kampen, a small farming community 90 km northeast of Amsterdam, Margriet always knew she wanted to fly further: “When I was 12, I told my father I was going to leave as I didn’t want to be a housewife, the boys in church weren’t handsome and I wanted to see the world, rather than settle for life in one small village. Of course, I still go back when I can and my parents are my biggest supporters.”
Margriet is sure her MBA was key to gaining the confidence to become more critical in her thinking, increasingly outspoken and happy to voice dissenting opinions, as well as learning from talented students from different cultures and lifestyles: “Out of 110 students, only six were female, so we stuck together to support each other. A few of the men insisted that all diplomats do is throw parties. I did my best to prove them wrong but, when the programme took us to South Africa, I called the Embassy and, sure enough, they put on a great party for us.” Many of her MBA cohort remain good friends and regular curry nights are organised to catch up when they are in the Netherlands.
Kindness makes you stronger
She remains passionate about improving the role of women and minorities in the workplace, especially young leaders. As she often says, ‘It’s OK to be female’. As a role model within the diplomatic service, she takes time to listen, coach, and offer practical help to more junior colleagues navigating challenging issues. Her motto on LinkedIn is ‘Kindness is no weakness, kindness makes you stronger’ but she’s no pushover, insisting her negotiating style at work is fair but tough, always in the best interests of the Netherlands.
In turn, Margriet was supported by colleagues and friends when she received a breast cancer diagnosis and decided to go public on LinkedIn, both about the experience and her joy when she was given the all-clear that the cancer had gone. At the 2023 RSM Leadership Summit, she delivered a talk titled ‘My Imperfect Life,’ sharing personal stories that had taught her valuable lessons. Her speech earned a standing ovation from the audience.
Erasmus University Rotterdam is still a big part of Margriet’s life, even as she packs for Ottawa. She vows to connect with fellow alumni during her travels in Canada, and her daughter Leda has even followed in her footsteps by pursuing an Economics degree at EUR.
