Professor Bevelander is the founder and director of the Erasmus Centre for Women and Organisations (ECWO). Over the course of her career, she has been a steadfast supporter of female colleagues and students. She is seen as a real ambassador for improving the position of women and as a champion of gender diversity. Her hard work and her own research have significantly contributed to progress in diversity-related issues. She will be presented with the FAME Athena Award during Erasmus University’s 106th Dies Natalis on Friday, 8 November by Dr Liesbeth Noordegraaf and Rector Magnificus Professor Rutger Engels.
Interim Dean of RSM, Prof. Dirk van Dierendonck said: “This award is well deserved. For the past 15 years at RSM, Dianne has shown her determination and consistency of purpose in changing mindsets in business and management, and in the school. She has been instrumental in RSM integrating equality and empowerment as an aspect of leadership into its education and research. We offer Dianne our hearty congratulations.”
Hands-on initiatives
Dianne Bevelander’s dedication is also reflected in a number of initiatives that she has set up, or helped set up, to improve the position of women. Examples include the RSM Women Empowering Women Kilimanjaro Leadership Project in 2011 and subsequent years, and RSM’s current Women in Leadership executive open programmes. A great many people have benefited from these programmes – both in and outside the university. Listing its reasons to honour her, the jury wrote: “Dianne is a figurehead, has achieved concrete successes and has made a substantial difference for many people.”
About the FAME Athena Award
Erasmus University Rotterdam and Female Academics Moving toward Equity (FAME) network work to achieve equality of representation for female members of staff. FAME established the Athena Award to honour university staff members who have made an exceptional effort to promote female talent – and who have set a fine example for their colleagues in the process. Candidates are nominated by their colleagues.