Erasmus Centre for Women and Organisations (ECWO) is committed to fostering inclusion. Our founding purpose in 2014 was to empower women and to create a level playing field by building communities for organisational change. Today, ECWO has expanded its perspective to embrace a wider vision of a world of inclusive prosperity. Our new mission is to create a sense of belonging for everyone within organisations through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), anchored in social safety. We strive for settings where everyone feels valued, respected and supported. We conduct research and produce evidence-led educational programmes, events, coaching, advocacy, and advisory services. We stay true to our roots, and we have evolved to recognise that achieving true inclusion and equity requires encompassing all, regardless of gender or identity.

Empowering. Engaging. Driving positive systemic change.

Our values

  • Gender Balance

  • Community Empowerment

  • Sense of Belonging

  • Systemic Change

Latest updates

Stand Up, Reach Out

Helping organisations create social safety in the workplace

More information

About ECWO

What ECWO can do for you, your organisation and society

The perpetuation of biased power dynamics in workplaces – and the implicit loss of talent – is holding society back. At Erasmus Centre for Women and Organisations, we focus on inclusion by building healthy, safe and human-centred environments that provide support to all members, regardless of identity.

Our work is built around empowering individuals, engaging communities, and driving societal change. We do this through a suite of programmes, events and coaching. All our initiatives are grounded in continuously updated applied research. Our dedicated research team undertakes original and collaborative research into how to create settings where everyone belongs. As we cherish the value of collective effort in achieving true progress, we frequently collaborate with various organisations, ranging from companies to academic institutions and non-profits.

Our flagship Stand Up, Reach Out is designed to create a socially safe and inclusive culture of care within organisations by addressing harmful behaviours and fostering dialogues. With in-company customised programmes, we nurture connections while targeting specific needs. We also continue to empower women through our trio of signature open programmes, including Women in Leadership which has been instrumental in enabling women to excel in their careers and become change-agents.

Join us in our journey towards a world where everyone belongs, contributes and succeeds.

Get to know ECWO

Team

Dianne Bevelander, PhD

Founder

Portrait of Dianne Bevelander

Hanneke Takkenberg, PhD

Executive Director

Portrait of Hanneke Takkenberg

Dorothy Grandia, MA

Associate Director of Programming

Portrait of Dorothy Grandia

Michael Page, PhD

Senior Researcher

Portrait of Michael Page

Diane Coetzer, MA

Senior Project Manager

Read more

Portrait of Diane Coetzer

Rianne van Reeuwijk

Client and Operations Manager

Portrait of Rianne van Reeuwijk

Hetty Brand-Boswijk, CPCC, PCC

Head of Coaching

Portrait of Hetty Brand-Boswijk

Joana Vassiliopoulou, PhD

Project lead, EQUAL4EUROPE

Portrait of Joana Vassiliopoulou

Natalie Cleton, PhD

Women in Leadership programme facilitator

Portrait of Natalie Cleton

Wiley Davi, PhD

Women in Leadership programme facilitator

Portrait of Wiley Davi

Stephanie Mitrano, PhD

Emotions in Business Programme facilitator

Portrait of Stephanie Mitrano

Karen Stephenson, PhD

The DNA of Networks programme facilitator

Portrait of Karen Stephenson

Programmes

Our diverse programmes uplift individuals to unlock their potential and become agents of change. They offer the tools and insights needed for personal and professional growth in today's dynamic business landscape. From boosting leadership skills to developing supportive ecosystems and tailored solutions, you will gain a transformative learning experience.

Acquire the skills to identify a safe environment and effectively tackle harmful behaviours in your daily interactions. Experience a supportive, confidential and highly interactive setting that fosters mutual respect and open dialogues on workplace dynamics. Having partnered with diverse organisations, our tailored programme empowers all levels to navigate challenges and build a socially safe and inclusive culture. More information can be found here.

- Get in touch: Rianne van Reeuwijk

View our open programmes below: 

Take a decisive step forward. Women in Leadership challenges you to explore your own leadership, build knowledge and acquire the negotiating, influencing and networking tools to take real ownership of your career. Debate, exchange and engage with women in leadership positions and experts from a broad diversity of backgrounds. Learn how to translate challenges into opportunities. And prepare to take your career to the next level.

Gain the understanding, tools and the confidence to empower your leadership. Craft effective messages, develop presentations that persuade, align your verbal and non-verbal language to your objectives. Through exploration of theory, open discussion and role-play, you will enhance your potential to influence and impact others through communication. More information can be found here.

Evidence suggests that there are clear differences in the outcomes of male and female negotiators depending on a variety of factors, ranging from time spent in the negotiation to how they frame the value of the outcome. Regardless, studies show that women perform better when they are trained and when they adapt their approach to the context of the negotiation.

In this interactive, one-day workshop, you will understand the role gender bias plays in negotiations, identify your default approach, and practice techniques you can use in your daily professional and personal life. More information can be found here.

Our expert faculty and facilitators work in partnership with you to identify and diagnose your organisational needs and design a tailor-made solution that maps to your objectives.

Whether your goal is to promote inclusivity among your team, enhance recruitment, retention, or career progression, we offer the flexibility in execution, evaluation and follow-up to deliver immediate and lasting impact for your people and your organisation.

Contact our team today to discuss the best approach for your company and find out how ECWO can be a trusted partner in transformation.

Alessia Senes

Research Scientist at TNO, The Netherlands

I really enjoyed the Women in Leadership course, the speakers were very inspiring and enthusiastic. We received many practical suggestions, which I am implementing in my daily work. The course also made me aware of the importance in educating the younger generations on gender equality.

Portrait of Alessia Senes

Wendy Hompes

Principal product manager commercial cards at ING Wholesale Banking Netherlands

The Woman in Leadership course was very inspiring and got me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was great to share experiences with other women, for example to practise our negotiation skills and speaking with impact. I got some great learnings from it that I will use in my daily work.

Portrait of Wendy Hompes

Se-Yun Bohnhardt

Tax manager at ING-DiBa AG Germany

RSM has shown me women’s position in the ING world and my own biases. The Women in Business programme taught to focus on women’s strengths without bending your principles, and to focus on women’s network by encouraging ourselves.

Portrait of Se-uYn Bohnhardt

Katharina Stumpf

Referent controller (financial controlling) at ING-DiBa Germany

I really appreciated to be part of the course because of the inspiring and shining lecturers. Becoming aware of unconscious biases is critical and as a take away, I will support other women in business as a first step to gender equality.

Portrait of Katharina Stumpf

Lina Sun

Risk research analyst at ING Netherlands

The course was a very inspiring and empowering experience. It has increased my awareness on the importance of diversity, stimulated women to speak out ambitions on professional development and – most importantly – we learned to support each other in business.

Portrait of Lina Sun

Stephanie Stiernon, Women in Leadership participant

Client Services Account Manager ING Bank, Switzerland

I went home with new energy and very interesting tips and tricks to continue having a balanced career. The speakers were extremely good and contributed to keep us passionate about Gender Diversity

Portrait of Stephanie Stiernon

Diana Verkade, Women in Leadership participant

Business Manager International Trade & Export Finance ING Bank, The Netherlands

After three intense but inspiring days, I realized that leadership is a choice and that it is all up to us whether we are prepared to do what it takes to make it happen.

Portrait of Diana Verkade

Carolien van der Vliet-Hameeteman

IR at TNO, The Netherlands

The Women in Leadership course made me more aware of gender diversity aspects. Now I see diversity as an opportunity to enhance cooperation in project teams, using the strength of both feminine and masculine qualities.

Portrait of Carolien van der Vliet-Hameeteman

Research

We delve into diverse organisational experiences, addressing barriers to progress and real change. By examining unconscious bias, we contribute to a broader understanding of inequitable practices and nurturing a sense of belonging. Additionally, we are currently developing cutting-edge tools to measure gaps in organisational inclusion. Our work is published in the world’s leading journals and books, as well as practical resources for businesses and leaders.

We are one of six organisations that are part of the EQUAL4EUROPE consortium. Largely conceptualised by our late founder, Prof. Dianne Bevelander, EQUAL4EUROPE is an H2020-funded four-year project. Starting in January 2020 and running to December 2023, the project is tasked with developing and implementing gender equality plans that accelerate the process of removing barriers to the recruitment, retention, and career progression of female researchers, address gender imbalances in decision-making processes and integrate the gender dimension in research and educational/innovation content. You can discover more on the EQUAL4EUROPE website.

Our original research has recently incorporated a study on women's organisations in the Netherlands, their collaboration, and shared goals. Read more here.

Professor Dianne Bevelander's inaugural speech: The 8th summit women's ascent of organisations

Speaking as Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë stated as long ago as 1846 that “women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, to absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer …” and that “… it is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.” Less than a year later in 1847, these views resulted in an attack on the character of Jane as the “personification of an unregenerate and undisciplined spirit” by Elizabeth Rigby in the leading literary and political periodical of the time – The Quarterly Review.

I mention this as a preface to my inaugural address because the opinions raised by Jane Eyre are as relevant today as they were almost 170 years ago, and because the criticism of her character came from none other than another woman. Gender bias is as much a female issue as it is a male issue. Changing the gender paradigm will require extreme effort, commitment, and on-going attention from both men and women.

Read the news item about the inaugeral address.

Dianne Bevelander
February 2016

Other publications

Beyond the Bottom Line: Integrating the UN Global Compact into Business Practice
Chapter: Our Need, Your Interest: Responsible Decision Making in Private Equity
Dianne Bevelander
Accepted to be published Dec 2016 ·

Humor or Harassment?
Dianne Bevelander, Jacqueline Nolan, Michael Page
Jun 2015 · Harvard Business Review

On a mission: Achieving distinction as a business school?
Dianne Bevelander, Michael Page, Leyland Pitt, Michael Parent
Jun 2015 · South African Journal of Business Management 

Integrating gender equality into business and management education : lessons learned and challenges remaining
chapter 22: The Eighth Summit: Women's ascent of organizations
Edited by Patricia M. Flynn, Kathryn Haynes and Maureen A. Kilgour
May 2015 · Sheffield, UK : Greenleaf Publishing Limited

Who is engaging with whom? Internationalizing opportunities for business schools in emerging economies
Dianne Bevelander
Sep 2012 · International Journal of Educational Management

Ms. Trust: Gender, Networks and Trust--Implications for Management and Education
Dianne Bevelander, Michael Page
Dec 2011 · The Academy of Management Learning and Education 

Business schools and lifelong learning: Inquiry, delivery or developing the inquiring mind
Michael Page, Dianne Bevelander, David bond, Ella Boniuk
Dec 2006 · South African Journal of Business Management 

Positioning the Executive MBA Product: Let's not forget the requirements of the corporate market
Michael Page, Dianne Bevelander, Leyland Pitt
Aug 2004 · Journal of General Management 

Gender: Ms—ed opportunities for business schools?
Gender: Ms—ed opportunities for business schools? in Chinese 
Dianne Bevelander and Michael Page
Oct 2016 · EMFD Business Magazine

De Economische Kracht van de Ondernemende Vrouw
Monique Brummans, Nicolette Loonen, Ingrid Verheul, Dianne Bevelander, Kim Boersma
February 2015 · Stichting Maatschappij en Onderneming

Coaching

Identify your goals, objectives and values. Develop the personal strategies to drive your career and enhance your life.

Our coaches empower you to explore your passion, your skills and the factors that motivate you, helping you unlock your full potential and tread a path of personal and professional discovery.

Our coaches

ECWO coaches empower you to get the best from yourself. And from others.

Our experts work one-to-one with you or your organization to pinpoint areas for growth. They challenge you to re-think your perspective, re-frame your goals and objectives and unlock your fullest potential to achieve them. They develop and guide you as you acquire deep insights and new skills. And they accompany you on every step of your journey of personal and professional transformation.

If you are ready overcome the barriers to success, to be empowered and to empower others, and to transition towards fulfillment in your life and career, get in touch with us today.

Coaching at ECWO

Community updates

Welcome to our ECWO community!

Our founder, Prof. Dianne Bevelander, believed in the power of the collective.

“Creating a posse is vital for every part of your professional journey. Find people who believe in you. Throughout my life, I have had great mentors and sponsors who believed in me, probably more than I believed in myself. They gave me the courage to do what I wanted to do. Building your posse amplifies your courage and makes the previously unthinkable just a step forward! Remember that you also build your posse by asking, by having the courage to ask for help.”

Connect with us on LinkedIn and apply to join our closed LinkedIn community for sharing your own stories, successes, insights and successes into the journey to gender equality. You can follow our Instagram and join our Facebook community for inspirational moments, updates and more. We are also active in the ongoing conversation for positive change on Twitter.

Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on International Women’s Day 2023

Do keep in touch. You can email us on ecwo@rsm.nl for more information and with any additional questions or suggestions that you might have. Together we can climb mountains.

Here are some resources in support of belonging for all, as well as valuable advice from our experienced faculty:

  • If you’re in need of a refresher about how to get the best out of online meetings, watch our suite of videos under Virtual updates.
  • ECWO facilitator, Stéphanie Mitrano-Méda, has created an #emotionsatwork video series for our community.

Virtual updates

Our Assistant Director, Dorothy Grandia, gives tips on how to prepare and use your online meeting audio, for the most substantive, effective communication.

Here is the link to the paper by Steffen R. Giessner, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Change at RSM, referred to in the video.

Watch the video below for tips from Dory Grandia

Watch the video below for tips from Dory Grandia

ECWO facilitator, Stéphanie Mitrano-Méda, has created an #emotionsatwork video series as a special contribution to our initiative to support women during this time.

The series on YouTube details:

  • the mechanics of emotions; 
  • the purpose of emotions; 
  • the approach to take for your emotional development journey;
  • building emotional strategies;
  • and person of value techniques. We are sure you will find great value in Stéphanie’s series.

Our story

ECWO’s founding in 2014 was motivated after founder Professor Dianne Bevelander observed gender bias in business education. Her vision was to promote women’s equitable engagement, leadership and influence to enable individual, organisational and societal change.

In her inaugural address, on 5th February 2016, she said: “In my role as an endowed professor of Management Education with a Focus on Women in Business I intend to play a significant role in advocating for, supporting, and furthering the needed paradigm shift for the benefit of women, for the benefit of men, for the benefit of all organisations – including universities – and for the ultimate benefit of our collective society.”

Dianne Bevelander Memorial Fund

Established in 2022, the Dianne Bevelander Memorial Fund supports women and promotes gender equality through the awarding of an annual prize and other activities.

Dianne Bevelander Prize

2022 winner: Geke Rosier
2023 winner: Karen De Souza Pesse

ECWO's founder's story

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