Top Women Academy is an initiative by Carmen Breeveld, following her book *The Secret of the Old Boys Network*. SER Top Woman Mariëtte Hamer received the first copy at the time.
In large Dutch companies, relatively few women occupy top positions. To address this, the "ingrowth quota and target figures" law, commonly known as the "women’s quota," was introduced on January 1, 2022. This law aims to create a more balanced gender ratio in corporate leadership. The goal of the women’s quota is to ensure 30% female participation on Supervisory Boards. However, women themselves can also take significant steps to achieve their dream positions.
That’s why Top Women Academy helps highly educated, ambitious women prepare for the transition to their next leadership role. While other institutions focus on knowledge, Top Women Academy emphasizes skills. Our participants already possess the right qualifications and work experience, but often lack some crucial skills necessary for those highly coveted top positions. Frequently, our female participants also lack the right contacts at the executive level who can act as sponsors and recommend them to key decision-makers.
Experience from selection committees shows that the causes are not related to a lack of knowledge but to unwritten rules, the so-called soft skills. With the right soft skills, a top position is within reach. That’s why the Top Women Academy program offers tailor-made training, focused on raising awareness and mastering the unwritten rules. This enables you to make the most of your potential and be ‘ready to board!’ After completing the program, you will have the skills to successfully transition to your desired position. Additionally, Top Women Academy can assist you by leveraging its extensive executive network.