Carmen Breeveld (1965), Businesswoman, Inspirer, Mission Leader of Female Trade Missions, International Black Businesswoman 2003, CEO Woman of the Year 2011, Digital Woman of the Year 2017, President of Women Entrepreneurs Netherlands, Chairwoman of the Women Empowerment Network Suriname.

Since my election as International Black Businesswoman in 2003, I gained significant exposure both within and outside the Netherlands. I became acquainted with the Dutch political and administrative landscape. In addition to my extensive network in Corporate Netherlands, where my clients were primarily based, I took on advisory roles at various ministries and the largest police force in Amsterdam-Amstelland. Due to the widespread media attention, I came to the attention of the PaVem Commission. I was appointed as a permanent advisor to this commission, during which I had the privilege of guiding Princess Máxima through numerous working visits to the G-20 municipalities.

Over the past 15 years, I have frequently taken the stage both nationally and internationally to speak on female leadership, diversity and inclusion, obstacles for female leaders, and female entrepreneurship. The venues where I have represented the Netherlands as a speaker include the Women in Leadership Conferences in Beijing, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, New York, Cyprus, and London. I am also a regular guest at WNL and BNR.

After the successful launch of my first book, “The Secret of the Old Boys’ Network” there was an immediate call from society for more. In my book, I provide an analysis of the pitfalls faced by highly educated women on their way to the top, along with concrete advice and tools that can lead to a top appointment in a major executive or supervisory role.

The demand for more led to the establishment of the Top Women Academy, where ‘board-ready women’ are taught the final skills necessary to secure appointments at management, executive, or governance levels. The collaboration during the launch of SER Top Women TV at the SER Top Women TV show directly inspired the formation of this new Top Women Academy.