Earlier this month, the economic school association EFR once again hosted its highly anticipated Women in Business event, drawing aspiring professionals and students eager to gain insight from some of the most accomplished women in finance.
This year’s panel featured four industry trailblazers: Jacqueline Govers (Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group), Wendy Hohmann (Head of Benelux Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan), Karin van Baardwijk (CEO, Robeco), and Carin Gorter (Supervisory Board Member, Ebusco). The discussion was skillfully moderated by Sophie van Odijk, a consultant at RD Recruitment.
Breaking barriers and embracing the unknown
A key takeaway from the event was the panelists' candid reflections on their unpredictable career paths. Both Wendy Hohmann and Jacqueline Govers reassured attendees that success does not always follow a predetermined roadmap, and that embracing uncertainty is part of the journey. Karin van Baardwijk, named Top Woman of the Year 2024, encouraged attendees to see less desirable roles as opportunities for growth. Meanwhile, Carin Gorter shared a personal anecdote about overcoming self-doubt, reminding the audience that confidence is crucial: ‘Do you know anybody who can do this job better than you?’, she recalled her husband asking; a question that changed her perspective.
Finding balance in the business world
The conversation also tackled the challenge of balancing personal and professional ambitions. Jacqueline Govers emphasised the importance of self-check-ins every few years to assess career satisfaction and personal growth. Wendy Hohmann echoed this sentiment, advising young professionals to set priorities and act on what matters most, as ‘you cannot have everything.’
Addressing gender bias and supporting one another
The panelists also acknowledged the persistent gender imbalance in finance, an issue visible even at the university level. They stressed the importance of fostering strong female networks and advocating for gender equality in the workplace. Carin Gorter shared a humorous yet striking memory of being asked how many children she planned to have early in her career—her bold response of ‘TEN!’ underscored the outdated expectations placed on women.
Confidence, the key to success
Closing the discussion, Karin van Baardwijk left the audience with a powerful message: ‘If you try to be the smartest in the room, that’s the first thing you’re going to fail at.’ She urged women to stay true to themselves and carve their own paths in business, emphasizing that every failure is simply a steppingstone to the next success.
A lasting impact
The Women in Business event once again proved to be an inspiring and empowering experience, offering invaluable insights for the next generation of female leaders. As these successful women demonstrated, the key to a thriving career is not about having all the answers from the start, but about resilience, growth, and unwavering self-belief.
- More information
Established in 1925, EFR is the school association of Erasmus School of Economics that sets objectives for their 7,000 student members, by filling the gap between theory and practice. They do this by organising many activities during the academic year. For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, mobile +31 6 53 641 846.
