The advantage of the first mover

Jeroen Smit works at Het Financieele Dagblad (where what you write, must be correct), as head of economics at AD (where what you write, must also be read) and was editor-in-chief and publisher of FEM/de Week. He has been self-employed since 2002, he presented several TV-shows like NOVA, Buitenhof and various radio programs, made the documentary series 'Leiders Gezocht and the theater lecture Bruto Nationaal Geluk' (with Hans Sibbel). Between 2011-2015 he was professor of Journalistic Skills at the University of Groningen. Smit wrote three bestsellers about leadership in business: Het Drama Ahold, ijdelheid en hebzucht aan de top, De prooi, blinde trots breekt ABN-Amro and Het Grote Gevecht & het eenzame gelijk van Paul Polman (a total of more than 400,000 sold).

Prof. Dirk Schoenmaker is professor of Banking and Finance at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) and a regular consultant for the IMF, the OECD and the European Commission. He focuses on sustainable finance, central banking and financial stability, financial system architecture, and European financial integration. He is also the academic director of Erasmus Platform for Sustainable Value Creation, a non-resident fellow at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel and a research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Research (CEPR). He is author and co-author of several books, including the textbook Principles of Sustainable Finance.

Arjan Udding is director at Impact Institute and leads their Sustainable Finance team. He is committed to transforming societies and economies by changing the way financial institutions measure and manage their performance and value creation. Arjan enriches the financial sector with over 20 years of national and international management consulting and entrepreneurial business development experience. Additionally, he has advised a wide range of organisations – from start-ups to corporates – across multiple public and private sectors. He has worked extensively with clients to transform their organisations in response to often complex strategic, operational or financial challenges. Arjan strongly believes that real change starts with individuals who have the mindset, ability and drive to embrace uncertainty and to lead.

Julia van Boven works at ABN AMRO as lead Impact Nation. This programme helps entrepreneurs accelerate sustainability through collaboration with innovative parties. Julia studied applied ethics. She also teaches at the College of Applied Philosophy. Together with the students, she investigates ethical issues about sustainability, justice and innovation.

Steven Gudde is director Impact & Labor Market at Olympia, where he closely follows developments in the field of work and flexible working. Olympia is a leading company in the labour market, with a cutting-edge purpose: leading the social transition to a world in which everyone does meaningful work. Previously, Steven has worked for organisations like Brunel, PwC, Randstad and IBM. He has a history of working at the crossroads of organisation, employment relationship and the labour market. He writes, publishes and teaches about the topic as well. Steven is a lecturer at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and is a guest lecturer and trainer at the UvA, De Baak and Nyenrode. Furthermore, Steven has cooperated in various research projects, scientific studies and pilots in the field of work, the value of work and the labour transition. He is active on several advisory boards like evofenedex, ABU and LinkedIn, among others.

Annemiek Dresen is the founder and director of NewBees. She strongly believes that if we harness all talent, everybody benefits. Annemiek holds degrees in art history and social anthropology, and has local and international experience as a social entrepreneur. She lived in Central and North America, and in several European countries. With NewBees she aims to use her experience and education to bridge the gap between people and systems, so everybody can thrive and contribute.

Danny Benima is CFO and member of the Executive Board at Stedin Holding N.V. Before that, he worked at Arcadis as CFO of Southern Europe, and has held various financial positions at Arcadis and Stork. Danny studied international management at HES Amsterdam, and business administration with financial management as a specialisation at Nyenrode. He is also register controller.