Women in Business

Investment banker turned start-up founder who eventually found her passion for Product Management, with over 9 years of experience in finance & strategy, venture building, and shipping physical & digital products.

As Chief Operating Officer, I’m excited to contribute to shaping the future of our business while pursuing an Executive MBA at Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University. This combination allows me to put new insights into practice and continue growing together with the amazing Heleon Group team.

I am passionate about inclusivity and diversity, continuous learning, and building authentic relationships. I believe in staying curious, being open and vulnerable, embracing challenges, and creating an environment where people and ideas can thrive.

Karen de Lathouder is the Chief Operations Officer - Assets and a member of the Executive Board at Eneco. In this role, she is responsible for both Eneco’s existing assets and the development of new assets, with a particular focus on sustainability as part of Eneco’s One Planet plan, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.

Beyond her work in the energy sector, Karen is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. She is especially dedicated to empowering women in STEM and leadership, mentoring and supporting the next generation of female professionals in the industry.

Irina is a data science & analytics leader at adidas with 13+ years of experience driving transformation through data & AI across industries. She is passionate about mentoring others, scaling teams, and leveraging data & AI to deliver business impact.

Michèle Sparreboom is a Rotterdam-based entrepreneur focused on social impact, transition, and empowerment. She facilitates inspiring experiences and meaningful connections that support people, organizations, and communities in times of change. Transition is at the heart of her work — personal, social, and systemic. She believes true impact starts with personal leadership: knowing what matters to you and daring to act on it.

For her, Rotterdam embodies Connection, Caring, Courage, Community, Co-creation, and Contribution — values that have shaped her journey from adversity to success. Michèle carries the city’s resilient, can-do mentality into everything she does — from leading creative initiatives to hosting conversations that matter.

Today, she channels that energy into championing inclusivity and empowerment as the host of this year’s Women in Business event, “Empowering Women: Championing Gender Equality through Transformative Leadership.” With her signature warmth and bold curiosity, Michèle will guide conversations on breaking barriers, fostering allyship, and redefining leadership — amplifying voices like keynote speaker Ceren Danis (Delfyn CEO) and trailblazers Hannah Timmer (Heleon Group), Karen de Lathouder (COO at Eneco), and Irina Mihai (Data Director at Adidas). 

Because to Michèle, leadership isn’t just about success — it’s about lighting the way for others. Join her in building a future where diverse voices thrive, together.

Colin Delaney is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion with over 15 years of experience in the energy sector and is currently completing his Executive MBA at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. He has served in multiple leadership roles within ExxonMobil's LGBTQ+ employee resource group, most recently as the Global President of ExxonMobil PRIDE where he led the global strategy to foster a more inclusive workplace. As a leader, Colin works to combine his strong technical background and business acumen with a deep commitment to creating safe, empowering spaces where every team member can thrive.

Erika Harriford-McLaren holds a degree in Business Communications from the University of San Francisco and a Law degree with a focus on International Human Rights. Her background includes working with not-for-profits, NGOs/IGOs and higher education in the US and Europe. She previously served as Global Strategic Marketing Manager for ESOMAR, the worldwide market research association, Communications Manager for the International School of Amsterdam and  Corporate Communications and PR Manager at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. As COO of Blueyse, Erika blends strategic insight with a deep understanding of global policy and advocacy, using communications and marketing to drive impact and inclusivity. She is passionate about building connections with people and other cultures and believes deeply in the power of good storytelling and strong leadership for bringing an organisation's mission, vision and strategies to life.