WBII 2011 Entrepreneurial Initiative Awards

The Women’s Business Initiative International 2011 Entrepreneurial Awards were presented on 8 March at the annual International Women’s Day Dinner Event at the Bel Air Hotel in The Hague.

The Women’s Business Initiative International presents the WBII Entrepreneurial Initiative Awards each year at this annual event in recognition of the three core values: Ambition, Social Innovation and Networking.

The Ambition Award went to Godelijn Boonman, Partner at GMW Advocaten. Godelijn was honoured as an outstanding role model for professional women. Mary Chekera, founder of Glimlacht Mode, won the Social Innovation Award for establishing a fashion company with social ambition in her native country, Zimbabwe, while residing the Netherlands and working toward her Bachelor Degree at New Business School Amsterdam. Nicolien van Vroonhoven-Kok of De Cultuurele Zaak was crowned Networker of The Year.

Nicolien van Vroonhoven, Mary Chekera and Godelijn Boonman. Photo by Guido van den Elshout

Earlier in the evening Nicolien van Vroonhoven inspired the crowd of 150 men and women with her own career adventures and discussed the impact of the Network Economy. Nicolien’s ongoing endeavors in business, politics and culture while raising four small kids are awe-inspiring. Of particular interest was her recent transition into entrepreneurship after 12 years in the Binnenhof, including two terms as a member of parliament.

The evening celebrated both the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the 5th anniversary of the Women’s Business Initiative International, based in The Hague.

About the WBII

The purpose of the WBII is to stimulate the start up and growth of women-owned businesses. WBII

Founder and Director of the WBII, Suzy Ogé said, ‘I am so pleased by the incredible turnout tonight and the amazing cross section of men and women from corporate and public sectors as well as business owners. We work hard to connect small business owners to the broader business community and to connect the international community to the local Dutch community. This event truly represents the energy and inspiration that can be generated by bringing people together and celebrating success and opportunity.’

Corporate sponsors of the event included BHP Billiton, SES New Skies, T-Mobile, GMW Advocaten, The Body Shop, ZJHT Risk & Insurance, Blue Lynx Recruitment, The Hague Expat TV and the Municipality of The Hague.

Visit the website of the Women's Business Initiative International for more information.