Chrissy van der Valk

1. What was the main reason for you to do an MBA? 

“After 10 years in the same role, I felt a strong need for personal and professional growth to take on a higher leadership position. I wanted to broaden my horizon beyond the hotel industry, which I’ve been part of my whole life. Working in a family-owned business means you’re often surrounded by familiar perspectives. I wanted to step outside to peek into other work environments. I also saw the MBA as a way to structure and validate all the work experience I had gained. I chose RSM because of its strong global focus. At the Hotelschool, I loved learning about international business and global trends. I wanted that same exposure again, but at a more advanced level. The Global Executive MBA offered exactly that.”

2. In what ways does the Global Executive MBA prepare you to be a leader in an uncertain world?

“The programme is incredibly relevant to the challenges businesses face today. For example, we had a course on platform thinking, and although I use platforms every day, I had never really considered how they could make an impact in my job. That class opened my eyes to the possibilities and helped me think about how I can prepare my employees for technological shifts like AI. The RSM MBA makes you aware of global developments that can directly affect your industry. It forces you to ask: How can I use these trends to my advantage? How can I adapt? How can I think differently? This programme ensures that we don’t just react to change but actively shape the future.”

3. How would you describe your RSM MBA experience so far?

“It’s challenging, heavy and inspiring. From day one, my cohort has been incredibly supportive, open and humble. We have a strong sense of connection. The workload is demanding, but being surrounded by ambitious, like-minded people is truly motivating and unique. We help each other, share insights, and apply our learnings to real business situations. Each course builds on the previous one, making it easier to retain and apply knowledge. The programme is structured in a way that ensures we don’t just learn – we internalise and use what we learn.”

4. What has been the most challenging assignment or course during the GEMBA so far?

“Time management is tough. There is just so much to learn, so many topics to explore, and so much I want to dive deeper into. If I had to pick one specific challenge, it would be the Global Operations Management simulation. The course focused on supply chain management, which was all new to me, so I had to put in extra effort. The simulation format made it engaging and hands-on, so even though it was difficult, it was also one of the most interesting learning experiences.”

5. What impact does the Strategic Leadership Development (SLD) component of the programme have on you?

“SLD has been one of the most confronting yet rewarding parts of the programme. It’s not just about leadership techniques. We constantly reflect on our learning goals, our ambitions, and who we want to become as leaders. Every management book says you need to know yourself before you can lead others, but actually sitting down and doing that self-reflection is hard. I came into the MBA wanting to grow, and after just six months, I can already feel the change. The programme forces you to ask yourself difficult questions, so you gain clarity about your strengths, areas for improvement, and long-term aspirations.”

6. If you had to choose one Sustainable Development Goal, which one would you choose?

“I would choose SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In the Leading Digital Transformation course, we explored how overproduction is harming the planet and how digitalisation can help solve this issue. Before this, I never really considered the end-of-life of a product. But now, I see that there is no such thing as ‘throwing something away’ – everything has consequences. This realisation has inspired me to go back to my job and ask: What can we do differently? How can we minimise waste? How can we use technology to make better, more sustainable choices?”

7. Has your MBA journey changed your outlook on what your career will be like? 

“That’s a big yes! Before starting the MBA, I had a clear goal: I wanted to have a seat at the table and be a strong, influential leader. I feel much more confident now, and find myself engaging in discussions about business topics I had never even considered before. I became curious about how different industries operate. Being in the same job in our family business for 10 years, I had already started questioning the traditional ways of doing things. The MBA has reinforced that. It’s given me the knowledge and analytical skills to challenge the status quo, backed by research and best practices from other industries. I don’t just want to continue in my current role – I want to transform it.”

8. What advice could you give to people who are considering doing a Global Executive MBA?

“It’s a big commitment, so you need to be sure you’re ready for it. But if you are, then go for it. Attend an open day, sit in on a class, and see how it feels. If you get that spark of inspiration – like I did – then don’t hesitate. There are very few opportunities in life where you can push yourself this much, grow this fast, and be surrounded by such ambitious, supportive people. Every time I tell someone I’m doing an MBA, I hear the same response: ‘I thought about doing that, but I never did.’ And that makes me sad, because I know how much they’re missing out on. I’m proud that I took this step. This programme isn’t just about climbing the career ladder. It’s about transforming yourself. If you’re ready to grow, challenge yourself, and see the world through a different lens, then the RSM GEMBA is the perfect place to do it.”