Your Full-time MBA graduation

Forget grand buildings – Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University began its journey in 1970, at an admittedly large villa in the Rotterdam suburb of Kralingen.  It wasn't flashy, but it marked a turning point, fueled by the city's business spirit and a desire to raise the bar for Dutch business education.

The school's roots stretch back to 1913 and the ambition to elevate commerce training.  But by the 1960s, a new era beckoned. Universities joined forces with influential Dutch multinationals, heavyweights like Shell and Unilever, recognizing the need for a different kind of business leader – one equipped for an increasingly globalized world.

The result was Rotterdam School of Management, its inaugural class in 1970 a select group of just 30 students.  This wasn't about mass education; it was about nurturing exceptional talent, fostering minds that could navigate the complexities of international business.

Those early years in Kralingen were about more than just lessons. The school tapped into Rotterdam's business networks and included technical training, giving students a real-world edge. There was a feeling that this place was building a new generation of Dutch business leaders who would leave their mark.

Of course, the villa was just the beginning. Rotterdam School of Management is now a global player, with alumni shaping industries around the world.  But as you graduate today, take a moment to think about that house in Kralingen, and just 30 students. It's a reminder that even the grandest ambitions often have modest beginnings.

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Aukje Hassoldt (1970, Dutch) earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in physics from the Free University (VU) Amsterdam. Following her studies, she held various positions in Rijkswaterstaat (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), where she worked on the implementation of European policy and was a member and a delegation leader of international working groups before moving into management at an early age.

Later, she moved to her next position in TNO Applied Technological Research Institute, where she served as a business unit manager Environment, Health & Safety and as Director of Research of Earth, Environment & Life Sciences. She then served as Head of Centre for Safety and Security at the RIVM National Institute for Public Health & Environment and as acting Chief Information Officer at RIVM before she started at TU Delft.

Aukje became the dean of RSM in December 2024. 

Jochem graduated from Amsterdam's University of Applied Sciences in 2007 before pursuing a research Master's degree at RSM's Erasmus Research Institute of Management. He completed his PhD, also at RSM, in 2014 and joined the faculty of Cambridge Judge Business School. He returned to RSM in 2022, as Associate Professor of Organisation Theory and Academic Director of our full-time MBA programme.

Jochem's research explores how institutions evolve and the lasting impact of craft traditions in modern business. His work examines trends in collective action, socio-economic inequality, and the ways history can influence contemporary businesses. Jochem's insights have been published in prestigious journals including Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Annals, and the Academy of Management Journal. 

Mirko Benischke is the Dean of Engagement and Executive Education and an Associate Professor of Global Strategy at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. He holds a PhD in International Business from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

His current research focuses on the strategic decision-making of senior executives—CEOs, top management teams, and boards of directors—as well as how firms gain political access and influence and navigate increasingly complex geopolitical contexts. His research has been published in leading academic journals, including the Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of World Business, the Academy of Management Perspectives, Human Resource Management (US), and Strategic Organization.

His work on CEOs and their role in strategic decision-making has also appeared in managerial outlets like the Harvard Business Review, RSM Discoveries (Access to affordable medicines), and Amplify (Developing purpose-driven leaders).

Mirko has received several accolades for his work, including the Alan M. Rugman Most Promising Scholar Award from the Academy of International Business, along with multiple grants and other research awards. Since 2018, he has been a high-performing member of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM). He is currently an Associate Editor at the Journal of Management Studies and serves on the editorial boards of journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management, Journal of World Business, Global Strategy Journal, and the Multinational Business Review.

As an educator, Mirko teaches topics including strategy, strategic leadership, corporate governance, global strategy, and geopolitics. He has designed and taught courses across executive education, graduate, and undergraduate levels. Notably, he has received the "Professor of the Year Award" twice for his undergraduate course on International Business.

After graduating from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, Meta moved to Brussels where she worked in recruitment. Initially working only with MBA alumni, Meta is now responsible for helping all alumni stay connected and supported after graduation – and leads our team of alumni relations professionals.