Alumni were welcomed to the dinner by Dean of RSM Prof. Aukje Hassoldt, Dr Mirko Benischke, RSM’s Dean of Education and Dean of Engagement and Executive Education, and Richard Hageman, Managing Director of RSM BV.
Nominated by the RSM community
For the Distinguished Alumni Awards, 10 nominees were proposed by the RSM community earlier this year. Their achievements range from creating a foundation to support education for slum children in Uganda, being a role model for responsible leadership in European private banking, being a mentor for more than 100 RSM students, and building the RSM alumni community in New York City. It's a small snapshot of the impressive contributions of thousands of RSM alumni around the world.
Five decades of a global community
RSM celebrates alumni whose achievements embody its values of purpose, learning, and shared impact through these awards. The RSM alumni network is now in its fifth decade and continues to represent a vibrant and supportive international community.
Fast-paced and entrepreneurial
The Alumni Achievement Award went to Jan Baan (MSc Finance & Investments 2016). The award acknowledges alumni who are a force for positive change in business or society as a part of a corporate community, as an entrepreneur, or as an individual who improves the lives of others or the environment. In under a decade, Jan Baan transformed Omoda and Assem into leading omnichannel fashion retailers, integrating technology with customer-focused innovation. The jury described his career as ‘impressive’ and ‘fast-paced’ and emphasised his entrepreneurial vision and ongoing contributions to the RSM community. Other nominees were Gloria Marin-Querol (BScIBA 2019) and Vincent de Wildt (MBA).
Continuing the spirit of guidance
The Alumni Volunteering Award recognises alumni volunteers who share their time or resources to contribute to the school’s reputation, research, education and student experience, or help promote alumni relations. The award went to Aditya Sharma (MScBA 2018), a Global Data Foods Analyst for Unilever and an enthusiastic mentor for RSM students with 118 career consultations under his belt – more than any other alumni volunteer. He was commended for his extensive mentoring activity and amazing number of consultations. The jury praised Aditya Sharma’s commitment to giving back while holding a senior role in a major international company, noting that he exemplifies the same spirit of guidance that once inspired him. Other nominees were Ceren Danis (MSc Finance & Investments 2018), David Catanho (MBA 2022), and Stefanie Eimesser (MSc Marketing Management 2013).
Driving sustainable action in Albania
The Force for Positive Change Award focuses on a different UN Sustainable Development Goal every year. In 2025, the award recipient was chosen in line with SDG 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It was presented to Denisa Kasa (MSc Business Information Management 2023)
for her work to address environmental challenges in Albania. By combining her professional expertise in venture capital with grassroots activism, she has driven local clean-up campaigns, forged community partnerships, and inspired sustainable action. As one jury member noted, ‘Her commitment to restoring and protecting rivers is admirable... Denisa stands out as a powerful role model.’ Other nominees were Bart Bergmans (EMBA 2017) and Philip Groeneveld (MSc Business Administration 2021).
Selection process and jury members
Award recipients were chosen by a jury of a previous award winner, an RSM faculty member, and a staff member, combined with votes from the RSM and alumni communities and the general public. The jury evaluated nominees according to RSM’s mission and core values.
Jury members were RSM members Eva Rood, director of RSM’s Positive Change initiative; Willem Koolhaas, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications and head of International Relations; Mirko Benischke, Dean of Education; Fleur Osté, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award in 2024; and David Dodman, general director of the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Planting seeds of positive change
In the 600-year-old surroundings of Olof’s Chapel, two generations of RSM alumni, mother and daughter Caren Vermaat (Doctorandus Bedrijfskunde 1996) and Robine Vermaat (MSc Marketing Management 2025), spoke to alumni about their efforts to be a force for positive change.
Robine was a successful applicant to RSM’s Hummingbird Fund to create seed boxes that help to support mental health. They were given to students in her cohort at their graduation ceremony in October. Robine extended her seed-planting invitation into wider communities at the dinner by handing out seed boxes to alumni, asking them to give them to people in their neighbourhoods or communities.
RSM’s values in the wider world
“I am truly impressed by our community. So many of our alumni are deeply engaged in supporting our students, our programmes and our school in countless ways,” said Meta Haag-Mikec, Associate Director, Corporate and Alumni Relations. “At the same time, they exemplify our values in the wider world, being a force for positive change across so many different spheres. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and impact.”
