When analyzing some statistics in econometrics and related fields, the gender ratio emerges as a notable aspect. Historically, like many other areas in STEM, econometrics has experienced a disparity between the number of males and females. Reflecting on my personal experience, I've observed significant differences in gender ratios across various institutions. For instance, at my current institution, econometrics classes are predominantly male, with females comprising only about 30% of the cohort. Conversely, during my exchange time at Nova University, there was a more balanced representation, with women making up around 45% of the students. This contrast underscores the varying levels of gender diversity efforts in different programs, particularly those focused on mathematical sciences versus social sciences. But, how can we change the status quo?
FAECTOR is renowned as one of the largest associations of econometricians globally. Throughout the academic year, FAECTOR organises a variety of events, from significant career-oriented events like Econometric Career Days to social gatherings such as the After Exam Drink. However, we have rarely addressed the gender disparity within our program. There is a notable imbalance between the number of male and female participants, prompting us to create events specifically designed to encourage female participation. Our goal extends beyond econometrics to support women in any field offered at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Today's article features InspiHer Dinner, a project initiated by Marjolie, Veerle and Roos to encourage more women to explore various fields without the fear of male domination. Their initiative aims to inspire women by not only affirming their intelligence but also by demonstrating their potential for success. The InspiHer Dinner seeks to show young women that the future is full of promise. By highlighting the achievements of successful women, the event provides concrete examples of female excellence in their chosen fields. This approach moves beyond mere motivational quotes, offering real-life stories of women who have made it happen in the man’s world. The goal is to prove that gender does not determine capability and to inspire confidence and ambition in these talented young women.
The event organised on the 29th of May featured prominent female figures in leadership roles, including Awura Abena Simpe (Managing Editor at Cosmopolitan, Founder Creative Women Agency), Ella van den Heuvel (Gender Adviser, Defence Staff at Dutch Armed Forces), Graciëlla van Vliet (Co-Founder and CEO of Closure, Top Rotterdam Business Woman of 2019), Karine Casanova Munnik (Vice President, Integrated HR Leader & Strategic partner Commercial at Versuni, formerly Philips Domestic Appliances), Vera Roersma (Quantitative Researcher at Robeco), Mary Pieterse-Bloem (Professor Financial Markets ESE, Chief Investment Officer Rabobank), Sylca Vellinga (Vice President Real Estate & Facility Contracting KLM). As the evening unfolded, each dinner course was accompanied by a speech from one of the previously mentioned powerful women. In total, there were four speeches that not only enriched our dinner but also paved the way for us to explore their fields, empowered by their words, and putting aside gender stereotypes.
Ella van den Heuvel, the first speaker, emphasised the increasing importance of societal defence, particularly regarding safety. As a gender advisor with 17 years of experience, she noted that while many now recognize her role, some still misconstrue it as advocating for positive discrimination for women.
Ella's appointment as a gender advisor was not her choice but an assignment from a two-star general who wanted a military woman in the role. Initially, the position was unpopular due to misconceptions, and conforming to the male-dominated environment was challenging.
She gradually understood the significance of her role, especially in light of a 2000 UN resolution initiated by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This resolution emphasised protecting women in conflict zones, ensuring their participation, and making their voices heard. The Dutch government created a national action plan, and the Ministry of Defense was tasked with integrating gender perspectives into all activities.
Ella led this program within the Dutch Armed Forces, facing an uphill battle but making progress. Leaders now recognize the importance of a gender perspective in all operations. However, challenges remain, such as the fact that only 12.3% of the Dutch Armed Forces are women, making it harder to engage effectively with local populations during missions.
Despite these difficulties, she encouraged perseverance. Her experiences in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Palestine underscored the importance of listening to women's voices in global peace and security. She advised those considering a military career to see beyond stereotypes, as the military values diverse skills and perspectives.
Ella's message was one of commitment and resilience. "Keep going! Never give up! If you believe in something, stay committed," she urged. Reflecting on her career, she acknowledged the challenging days but affirmed that the work was rewarding. She concluded with a call for mutual support: "Together, we can make the world a better place."
Sylca Vellinga introduced herself as a generalist with over twenty years of experience in various roles and capacities. With a master's in international business science, she considers herself both a specialist and a generalist. She shared examples of embracing diversity and seeking solutions, such as collaborating with a colleague on strategy at Schiphol Airport. She noted the gender dynamics in professional interactions, highlighting how she couldn't imagine herself as a woman, saying, "Yes, I will have dinner with a male colleague."
She is also a mother of two and balances her professional and personal life, striving to be a role model for her children. She emphasised the importance of continuous learning and mutual support. Studying organisational behaviour during her master's program at Maastricht University and through a course similar to an MBA has been crucial in her career.
Her roles have included leading IT project development and managing operational teams. At KLM, she oversaw logistics and implemented new technologies to improve efficiency and communication. She often encountered assumptions about highly educated individuals but found it rewarding to work closely with different teams, leveraging her background in behavioral science for strategic thinking and project management.
She highlighted the importance of inclusivity and adaptability in leadership. Looking to the future, she is open to roles that contribute to society or government, using her skills for broader impact. She advised broadening horizons and exploring operations early in one's career for valuable insight and flexibility.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared that embracing change and finding the right environment are key. "If your current situation doesn't resonate with you, don't hesitate to pivot," she said, emphasizing the need to assert oneself and align one's career with personal values and aspirations. "If one seat doesn't suit you, find another that does. Your career path should reflect your values and aspirations."
Mary Pieterse-Bloem, the third speaker, shared her insights from a 30-year career in both academia and industry. She emphasized the need for young professionals to approach their careers like running a marathon, offering five key tips.
First, she highlighted the importance of pacing oneself. "A marathon cannot be completed at full speed," she advised, cautioning against viewing a career as a sprint to avoid burnout. Second, she acknowledged that failure is inevitable. "You will fall," she said, encouraging resilience and the importance of prioritizing oneself and getting back on track after setbacks. Third, she warned about power struggles and tough situations in long-term careers. "Don't take things personally," she advised, focusing on the role rather than personal feelings. Fourth, she emphasized the power of intuition. "Trust your intuition," she said, urging people to find environments aligned with their values. Fifth, she reminded everyone of their agency. "You're in charge of your own destiny," she stated, advocating for using one's talents where they are valued and moving on when growth ceases.
Mary also addressed the challenges women face in balancing personal and professional life. She shared her experience of stepping back to focus on family and later returning to her career, emphasizing the importance of organization and structure.
She ended her speech by highlighting the potential for greater gender balance in the financial industry and its role in supporting societal contributions.
Graciëlla van Vliet, the fourth speaker, shared her journey from student to entrepreneur. While studying Quantitative Marketing in Rotterdam, she worked part-time in China, commuting monthly via KLM. Despite planning to work full-time in China, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to start a food truck business during her master's program, which failed but helped her make many friends.
Offered her first full-time job, Graciëlla realized she lacked passion for it and missed having a co-founder. Just as she was about to start, her friend Chantal suggested a business idea sparked by a Facebook reminder about a deceased relative. Realizing the need for managing digital legacies, they launched a service now handling one-third of such cases in the Netherlands, saving costs for institutions like banks.
Graciëlla recently attended a startup event in Rotterdam and noticed the gender imbalance in funding, with only 1.6% going to female founders. Her startup received 8% of that limited funding, a disappointing figure. She emphasized the quote, "Don't be a victim, be a victor," and highlighted the different questions female founders face during fundraising.
Her company culture attracts diverse individuals, and she encouraged anyone interested in entrepreneurship to reach out to her.
As the dinner concluded, Roos, Marjolie, and Veerle handed out bouquets to the organizers and speakers, thanking them for their efforts.
Roos: Thank you, Graciëlla for the amazing speech. I'd like to thank everyone for attending this dinner. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Special thanks to Awura Abena Simpe, Ella van den Heuvel, Karine Casanova Munnik, Vera Roersma, Mary Pieterse-Bloem , Sylca Vellinga. Also, I would like to thank Erasmus University Rotterdam for making this dinner possible in the first place. Enjoy the rest of the evening, and we hope to see you again next year!
We hope this dinner has inspired young female students who are navigating their career paths, empowering them to no longer feel intimidated by male counterparts. Some might argue, "Can one night change thousands of years of patriarchy?" Certainly not, but every journey begins with a single step. This evening serves as a catalyst for future events that will continue to push the boundaries of what women can achieve, challenging outdated expectations. We are the generation poised to bridge the gender gap and declare, "So what if I am a woman? I can do it too."