On the University of Twente’s 61st Dies Natalis, International Business Administration alumna Nicole Vermeulen (graduated 2005), will receive the 20th Marina van Damme Grant. Over the past ten years, Vermeulen has worked passionately on the energy transition at Shell. She also had a key role in the Holland Hydrogen project (the construction of a green hydrogen plant on the Maasvlakte). In addition, she has given guest lectures at educational institutions while also serving as a mentor within a number of women’s networks.
At the age of 42, Nicole Vermeulen can already look back on an impressive career at Essent, P&G and Shell, respectively. Her next challenge starts in January 2023, when she will join the executive board of a solar energy scale-up based in Switzerland. She is motivated by her drive to make a positive impact on both diversity and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) in as many companies as possible, and within the energy industry as a whole. Nicole will use the Marina van Damme Grant to fund her further education.
EDUCATION
Nicole started her academic career at what is now Saxion University of Applied Sciences, where she completed the Construction Management and Computer Science programmes, earning cum laude distinctions in both. She then earned a Master’s in Supply Chain Management from the Open University and a Master’s in International Business Administration from the University of Twente in 2005.
JURY
The jury was very impressed by Nicole Vermeulen and her academic and professional track record, as well as by her perseverance and ambition. “Given her personality and drive, we are convinced that she has what it takes to realise her stated ambitions, and we are happy to support her in this endeavour.” The jury believes that Nicole will make a valuable addition to the Marina van Damme network, and that the network will likewise be of value to her.
THE MARINA VAN DAMME SCHOLARSHIP
The Marina van Damme scholarship is awarded each year to a talented female alumna from the University of Twente, and was awarded this year for the 19th time. The scholarship is awarded by the Twente University Fund and was made possible thanks to a donation by Dr M.A. van Damme-Van Weele. In 1965 she was the first woman to obtain a PhD at Twente Technical College, the institute that went on to become the University of Twente. The scholarship is intended to support the career development of a talented, ambitious, and enthusiastic UT alumna and to help her achieve new ambitions. The scholarship consists of a work by the artist Mohana van den Kroonenberg and a scholarship of €9000. This year 17 candidates had been put forward for consideration.