About Carmen Breeveld
In 1980, my parents decided to emigrate to the Netherlands. As a 15-year-old teenager, I had little choice and moved with my entire family to the Netherlands. After successfully completing secondary school (Mulo), I continued my education at the Rembrandt Scholengemeenschap in Leiden, where I entered Havo 4. Following a three-year program at the Pedagogical Academy in Oegstgeest, I joined the American multinational 3M Netherlands as a department secretary in the Finance & Control department.
After working for three years, I decided to take my career in a new direction and enrolled in a part-time HRM program at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, while also holding a personnel advisory position. Three years later, I was appointed to my first (HR) management position in Commercial Services, where I quickly developed as a member of the management team. In this role, I came into contact with commercial colleagues and discovered that I thrived in customer interactions, VIP lounges at Ajax and PSV, and customer engagement days.
After four years, I transitioned from this dynamic role with broad responsibilities to entrepreneurship and, in 1996, founded the first HR recruitment agency in the Netherlands. With this pioneering HR recruitment agency, I achieved market leader status and, in 2003, was honored with the title of International Black Businesswoman of the Netherlands.
As the national chairwoman of the umbrella organization Federation of Businesswomen, I organized the first edition of a European Women Leaders Conference in 2011, which was attended by approximately 850 prominent figures. The conference was opened by Princess Laurentien, and Fatima Bhutto from Pakistan was the guest of honor.
Background Information on Carmen Breeveld
Experience
2021 – Present: Founder of Topvrouwen Academy
2021 – Present: CEO/Founder of Expat Real Estate Suriname
2018 – Present: CEO/Founder of Triple Talent BV
2012 – Present: Director of Carmen Breeveld & Partners
2012 – Present: Entrepreneur, CEO of Carmen Breeveld & Partners
1996 – 2012: Entrepreneur, CEO of Team Care
1992 – 1996: HR Manager in Commercial Services
1988 – 1992: Various HR Advisory roles at organizations including the Court of Justice, an insurance company, an engineering firm, and a solar energy production company
Education
2007: Commissioner Training, Governance University
1992: Personnel & Labor Studies, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
1986: Pedagogical Academy, Oegstgeest
1982: Rembrandt Scholengemeenschap, Leiden
Board and Advisory Roles
2020 – Present: Chairwoman of the Women Empowerment Foundation Suriname
2010 – 2015: General Board Member of VNO-NCW
2010 – 2015: Chairwoman of the Federation of Businesswomen
2008 – Present: Member of the Supervisory Board of Stichting Anno
2007 – 2009: Member of the Ambassadors Network for Diversity
2007 – 2010: Member of the Advisory Council for the Amsterdam-Amstelland Police Leadership
2005 – 2007: Vice Chairwoman of Stichting Pafemme
2005 – 2007: Advisor to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Economic Affairs
2004 – 2008: Chairwoman of Women on Board
2003 – 2005: Advisor to the Pavem Commission
2003 – 2010: Political Commission – Federation of Businesswomen
1998 – 2003: Chairwoman of NVP Gelderland