Theme: Resilience and Renewal

"Resilience and Renewal" is an event dedicated to exploring the remarkable journey of women through the various stages of life—from birth and education to career, motherhood, and aging. This event will delve into the unique challenges and triumphs that shape the female experience, celebrating the strength and adaptability that women embody.

Our theme is inspired by the story of Coolhaven, a vibrant neighborhood in Rotterdam that has undergone a significant transformation over the past decades. Once built from scratch and plagued by a troubled past, Coolhaven was considered "rough" just a few decades ago. However, through the resilience and determination of its residents, the neighborhood has been reborn, emerging as one of the coolest and most sought-after areas in Rotterdam. This remarkable renewal, achieved through community spirit and perseverance, serves as a powerful metaphor for the individual journeys of women everywhere.

Throughout their lives, women encounter a myriad of transformations that require resilience, much like the story of Coolhaven. Whether it’s navigating the demands of education, advancing in their careers, embracing the role of motherhood, or finding purpose and fulfillment in later years, each stage presents its own set of challenges, opportunities, and moments of renewal. Just as Coolhaven’s revival was driven by the unwavering spirit of its community, women, too, harness their inner strength to overcome life’s obstacles and embrace new beginnings.

This event will feature inspiring talks from women who have overcome adversity, shattered barriers, and redefined success at every turn. We will hear from those who have forged new paths in their careers, balanced the complexities of family life, and embraced the wisdom that comes with aging. Their stories, much like the revitalization of Coolhaven, will highlight the power of resilience in facing life’s obstacles and the beauty of renewal in embracing change and growth.

By focusing on the female circle of life, "Resilience and Renewal" aims to empower women to see their own potential for transformation, fostering a community of support and inspiration. This event will be a celebration of the strength, adaptability, and enduring spirit of women, echoing the spirit of renewal that has breathed new life into Coolhaven.

Join us as we explore the dynamic and inspiring experiences of women, illuminating the pathways to resilience and renewal at every stage of life, and celebrate the vibrant legacy of Coolhaven as a testament to the power of community and transformation.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets for the event are now sold out. However, we have opened a waitlist! If any tickets become available due to cancellations, those on the waitlist will have the opportunity to purchase them. Make sure to sign up to be notified if a spot opens up!

OASE Rotterdam
Schiehaven 15-A
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, 3024 EC
Netherlands

Dorona Alberti

Performer, Singer and Actress

Dorona Alberti is a performer. She has been performing on stages in the Netherlands and abroad for almost two decades. Her projects include industrial music act KMFDM, Hobson, Fairocious, Old Shoes, Pick up the Pieces, Briskey, and Gare du Nord. From the age of 14 she regularly worked in the US and Germany, studied theater at the University of Amsterdam and jazz at Rotterdam Conservatory. She began working with KMFDM in 1992, and performed regularly on albums in the 1990s. In 1999, she had a role in a short film called 'To Speak'. Dorona graduated from the Rock Academy Tilburg in 2004 with her completely self-produced musical theater concert Mental Striptease. In 2006, she was invited to contribute to Sex 'n' Jazz (the best-selling Dutch jazz album ever) by band Gare du Nord, the most famous lounge jazz band in the Netherlands. For the past two summers she was André Rieu's special guest during the Vrijthof concerts in Maastricht and she will travel with André Rieu's world tour in 2024!

Maria Alves

Senior Scientist, Clinical Genetics

Maria Alves is a post-doctoral fellow working at the Department of Clinical Genetics of the Erasmus Medical Center (MC), Erasmus University Rotterdam. Maria's research focuses on the study of Congenital Intestinal Disorders combining Genetics and Molecular biology techniques. She is originally from Portugal, lives in Rotterdam with her beautiful 8-year-old daughter and with her husband.

Nina Aziz Justin

Traction Strategist and Business Mentor

Nina Aziz Justin is a Malaysian-born traction strategist and business mentor based in Amsterdam. She is also well known as The Resilience Mentor. Qualified as a lawyer in England, she has over 20 years of experience scaling businesses internationally. She launched 3 ventures and served as a juror in startup awards. Passionate about writing, long-distance running and sourdough baking, Nina pivoted her career to focus on helping small companies to maximise profit. As a mother of two daughters, one studying at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and one who will never speak, read nor write, Nina aims to leave a legacy for other women and mothers of neurodivergent children. She is recently selected as one of the Voices of Leaders of the New Era 2024 by The Female Factor. Her work has spanned over 40 countries, uniquely integrating Eastern wisdom and Western innovation in her approach.

Nina Benoit

Sustainability Director

Nina Benoit is a young female leader in sustainability. A graduate of the Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Nina developed a deep connection to Coolhaven during her studies, often finding inspiration at local landmarks like the Euromast and Het Park. As the Sustainability Director at the startup Brightest, she has become a recognized voice on LinkedIn, frequently sharing insights on sustainable practices and business innovation. Recently, she was invited to speak at Google’s Paris office, discussing the intersection of Female Leadership, AI, and Sustainability. Passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable future, Nina’s work reflects her commitment to empowering Gen Z as the next generation of leaders.

Richel Monpellier

Mindset Coach and Business Owner

After completing her vocational education, Richel was determined to continue her studies. She chose the Social Legal Services program and soon discovered that the subjects in which law was central aroused her interest. Studying with a six-month-old daughter was not easy, but Richel persevered and passed with flying colors. Today, as a successful entrepreneur, Richel wants to contribute to the feeling of happiness at work every day. She was recognised as a Rotterdam Businesswoman of the Year in 2021. Richel represents a diverse group of Rotterdam female entrepreneurs.

Victoria Murtazina Wickli

International Business Leader

Originally from Russia, Victoria has moved to Switzerland at the age of 18 to become an investment banker. After obtaining Masters degree from the University of St. Gallen and gaining short experiences at Coca-Cola and UBS Warburg, she has chosen marketing and has joined Unilever in 2002 where she spent close to 22 years across 4 different categories, and working in 3 different continents. Her last role was leading Beauty&Wellbeing business across BNX, France, Eastern Europe and DACH based out of Rotterdam. Victoria‘s purpose is to 'create a playground for people to excel’ and to be the magnet for the most diverse talent and inspire them to tackle real challenges while delivering exceptional results. Victoria speaks 10 languages and enjoys cooking&rating restaurants and wines. She is passionate about culture and loves Rotterdam International Film Festival as well as Dance and Opera Festivals!