MBA Alumni Reunion 2024

About the session: What is the world you want in 2030 – Play a game to find out! 

The 2030 SDGs Game is a multiplayer, in-person, card-based game that simulates taking the “real world” into the year 2030.

Designed in Japan in 2016, this experience has become a powerful and impactful social phenomenon in Japan, earning extensive media coverage and reaching over 350,000 participants. At RSM, we’ve been playing this game since 2022 with MBA, MSc and BSc students, with alumni and with our staff. It provides a deep learning experience and reflection on what is needed for sustainable development. Join us to see what the world is you would create!  

About the speaker

Michel Lander is RSM’s  Dean of Education.  His research interests include organizational theory, the influence of organizational design on objective functions, Professional Service Firms and trust in M&As. He received his Ph.D. from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in 2012 (Cum Laude) for his dissertation, Profits or Professionalism: On Designing Professional Service Firms. 

Eva Rood is director of RSM’s Positive Change Initiative, and a driving force behind numerous positive change ventures across the school, such as the SDG teaching case series that received a special mention in the FT, 4 free online courses, including the award-winning MOOC ‘driving business towards the SDGs’, the Hummingbird Fund and an escape room. She received the Top Support Award of Erasmus University in 2017.  

About the Session: How to become a truly inclusive leader: Beyond stereotypes and surface 'wokeness'

In the workshop, "How to become a truly inclusive leader: Beyond stereotypes and surface 'wokeness'," participants embark on a journey towards authentic and inclusive (self and team) leadership. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, we will bust some of the common myths and stereotypes present in the workplace, across topics like mental health, the impact of hormones and the effect of DEI policies on company culture, to craft personal definitions of inclusive leadership. By the workshop's end, participants will have a deeper understanding of inclusive leadership principles and a personalized action plan to drive meaningful change, transcending the limitations of stereotypes and embracing a more profound approach to fostering inclusivity in the workplace.

About the Speaker

Maria Carmen Punzi is a PhD researcher, lecturer and consultant. Since 2017 she has worked to build bridges between the for-profit, the non-profit and the academic world to achieve gender equity. In her research, she investigates the key role menstrual health can play to achieve gender equity and studies how different stakeholders organize around it. Maria Carmen translates insights from her academic work to media conversation and social change projects. She contributed to debates on menstrual leave and free period products in international media and her input was brought into Dutch Parliament, during the Kamervragen (Parliamentary Question time). In 2021, in collaboration with other stakeholders, she has advocated and obtained funding for free menstrual products in the university campus and continues her activism within and beyond the university. As a consultant, she regularly works with companies on themes of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, how to accommodate menstrual needs at work and how to conduct social impact evaluations. Her past clients include PwC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Vodafone and the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (part of the UN).

About the Session: Grit vs. quit: Balancing the benefits of perseverance versus walking away

In her best-selling book “Grit”, Angela Duckworth writes, “As much as talent counts, effort counts twice” and "It was this combination of passion and perseverance that made high achievers special. In a word, they had grit." However, is “grit” or persevering in the face of challenges/failure always the right or best path forward? There is a considerable amount of research in the field of behavioral science about poor decision-making caused by escalation of commitment (“sunk costs”) and other cognitive biases. This session will discuss the research and application of these two, seemingly contradictory, perspectives on decision making as they affect our work and lives.

About the Speaker

Bill Collins is an experienced lecturer and consultant in business including leading & managing across cultures, leadership & engagement, performance & motivation, and negotiations. His vocational passions are (1) integrating quantitative methods (people analytics) to the design and assessment HR and leadership initiatives and (2) addressing the challenges of leading and managing across cultures. He is also interested and works in the area of wellness and positive psychology. Bill holds a PhD. and a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station. Currently Bill teaches courses at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), Antwerp Management School (AMS), and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

About the session: Leading change

Be a catalyst for change.

Frustrated by resistance when leading change within your organisation? Join renowned professor Barbara Banda for her dynamic "Leading change" session. 

Based on a longer programme offered at RSM, this hands-on session offers tailored role-play, insights from both faculty and peers, and a focus on overcoming resistance, collaboration, and influencing without authority. With over 20 years of experience helping businesses develop their leaders, Dr. Banda is committed to empowering change agents. If you're ready to become a practical and inspirational change leader, this session provides immediately applicable tools and techniques.

About the speaker

Dr Barbara Banda is visiting professor at the Rotterdam School of Management and author of the acclaimed book The Model Black: How Black British Leaders Succeed in Organisations and Why It Matters, Dr. Banda will guide you in understanding the complexities of change and developing essential leadership skills.

About the session: Storytelling as a powerful communication tool 

Storytelling is a very effective and dynamic tool to communicate and share ideas, strategies, norms and values. The aim with the storytelling workshop is to deliver a story in such a way that touches the hearts and minds of your audience. Storytelling is a useful tool for many instances: for the sales of your product, gaining support for a new strategy, for building trust and confidence for change management, facilitating a difficult or uncomfortable discussion, and creating a stronger connection with your colleagues, clients or stakeholders.  

After this storytelling workshop, you will realize the power and value of an impactful story by understanding how our minds react to hearing and telling a story. You will learn how to structure and tell an impactful story, with the right Storytelling tools and through practice. 

About the speaker

Antonie T. Knoppers is a trainer, coach, facilitator, speaker and actor. He is the co-author of the book Leading with Presence published by Emerald Publishing, and author of the article How To Have Effective Zoom Meetings—And Make Them Less Boring published in Forbes magazine. He works with a broad range of international and national corporations on leadership and personal development.  He holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University (Summa Cum Laude), and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre.

This year's reunion will have a special session focused on the positive impact our alumni make in the world. Do you have an impactful story to share? Let us know in your registration form and we'll reach out to you!