Your MSc Finance and Investments 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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Ceren Danis is Chief Product Officer at Obenan, an Amsterdam-based platform that manages the digital presence of local businesses and makes them discoverable and transactable by AI agents as well as people. Before that: ABN AMRO Capital Markets, product roles at N26, Zalando, and Back Market, and co-founder of the B2B payments startup, Delfyn. She also currently sits on the EWPN Executive Board and holds a Master's in Finance & Investments from RSM.

Thomas Lambert is Associate Professor of Finance and Academic Director of the MSc in Finance and Investments at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. His research interests are in Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship, FinTech, and Political Economy. His work has been presented at major conferences around the world, including the AEA, EFA, SFS Cavalcade and FIRS meetings, and published in leading academic journals, including the Economic Journal and Management Science. He received several grants, including a Veni grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Thomas holds a PhD degree in Finance from the Université catholique de Louvain, an MA in Economics from the Université catholique de Louvain and has been a visiting scholar at HEC Paris and London Business School. He was also awarded the 2016 Banque de France Foundation Prize for the best thesis in Monetary and Financial Economics and the 2020 ERIM Prize for Outstanding Performance by a Young Researcher.

Hanna Schultz studied Translation Studies at the University of Vienna before embarking on a career in professional services within Higher Education. She has held several management roles, most recently serving as Head of Professional Services at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam. Committed to continuous professional development, Hanna recently completed her MBA at TU Vienna. In her current role as Director of Engagement and Academic Services at RSM BV, she leads teams dedicated to Corporate and Alumni Relations, Career Services, Leadership Coaching, and Registrar's Services.