As Wijnand van den Brink states: “The end of my second term on the Executive Board (EB) is approaching. After many exciting years, in which I’ve contributed with great joy, enthusiasm and commitment to the development of this wonderful university, I’ve decided to focus on striking a better work-life balance. This means that my board membership is coming to an end. To give the Supervisory Board (SB) and the Executive Board the chance to find a successor, I will resign from the Executive Board on 31 March 2025.
Wonderful collaboration
"This wasn’t an easy decision, especially because of how wonderful it is to work with my fellow board members Sarah Wilton-Wels and Hanneke Reuling. I feel like I could move mountains with them. So telling them that you want to move into a different direction is hard. It is thanks to them that I have been able to do my job with such enthusiasm and enjoyment throughout this term on the board. It’s been an absolute honour for me to be involved in co-directing our beautiful university. Although the moment to say goodbye hasn’t quite arrived yet, I would like to thank everyone for how wonderful it has been to work together in recent years.”
Member of the Executive Board Wijnand van den Brink.
Reactions to Wijnand’s decision from the SB and EB chairs
Anja Oskamp, Chair of the Supervisory Board: “I see an Executive Board that works together with a lot of energy, enjoyment and synergy. Wijnand is confirmation of this, but I also understand how the intensity of the role, which he has poured his heart and soul into, has demanded a lot from him. So I understand his desire to find a better balance between his work and private life, although I think it’s a pity we will no longer be able to benefit from his knowledge and straightforward and calm manner. I’m grateful for everything he has given to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. We’ll miss him on the Executive Board.”
Chair of the Executive Board, Sarah Wilton-Wels: “When Wijnand told me about his plans, I noticed that it affected me emotionally although I also completely understood. It has been an intense period. I’ll miss his positive attitude, his ability to put things into perspective, sense of humour and matter-of-factness, as well as his keen eye for leadership and good teamwork skills!”
From left to right: Member of the Executive Board Hanneke Reuling, Member of the Executive Board Wijnand van den Brink and Chair of the Executive Board Sarah Wilton-Wels.
A heart that is still in education, the university and the city of Rotterdam
As Wijnand van den Brink continues: “35 years ago, when I first entered the world of education in Rotterdam - I would go on to spend 26 years at the university - my heart started to beat faster for education, for my highly committed colleagues, for the students and now also for the city of Rotterdam. I won’t say goodbye too abruptly either, as I will remain involved in our beautiful university for some time.”
That’s why Wijnand will contribute his knowledge, experience and educational heart for about another year after stepping down, in the role of Senior Project Leader for Strategic Housing. There, he will contribute to the challenges we face in housing in connection with the outside world and what housing can mean for our strategic agenda. Wijnand shares: “I’m very excited about starting this.”
We wish Wijnand all the best in this new role.
On behalf of the Supervisory Board,
Anja Oskamp
Chair of the Supervisory Board