Trust is not for sale, but you can earn it.
We celebrate the life and achievements of Saskia Stuiveling (Postkandidaats Bedrijfskunde, 1972), pioneering RSM alumna and first woman chair of the Netherlands Court of Audit.
It’s 1970, and 25-year-old former law student Saskia Stuiveling (1945-2017) arrives at a villa in Kralingen, an upmarket suburb of Rotterdam, for an unusual experiment.
She is one of just 30 students who’ve been accepted for the newly created Postkandidaats Bedrijfskunde; a collaboration that would later become Rotterdam School of Management. She is also the only woman in the class.
“From that 30, that there was only one woman sounds ridiculous these days” said classmateDiederik Laman Trip in an interview in 2021, “But the only woman [in the class] became famous, certainly in the Netherlands.”
She stood out as a trailblazer in those days. The early programme included such ‘unladylike’ elements as metalwork – students donning welding masks and overalls at the Technical University of Delft to gain all the practical skills deemed essential for management in still-industrial Europe.
Even from a young age, Stuiveling was clever, quick and unafraid to make her voice heard. She became known for her sharp intellect and attention to detail. As one of the pioneers, she and her compatriots embarked on an education that wasn’t just about lectures and textbooks; it was about forging a new generation of business leaders through collaboration and real-world experience.
“We worked together for days, not only together, but it was also hard work,” recalls one classmate, describing a programme that would be more familiar to a present-day MBA student.
But her time at RSM was just the beginning for Saskia. After her studies, she first set out to become an entrepreneur, before falling into civil service. She believed in the importance of looking at the public sector through a market approach, a somewhat unique perspective at the start of her career.
She gained a reputation for integrity, transparency – and toughness. She did not mince her words. “I am, of course, walking bad news” she said, quoted in her memorial by Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib.
Her first experiences paved the way for an impactful tenure at the Algemene Rekenkamer (Netherlands Court of Audit). For over thirty years, she served in various capacities, culminating in her historic appointment as the first female Chair in 1999.
“It’s one of the four highest jobs in the Netherlands” according to Laman Trip. The Algemene Rekenkamer, the Netherlands’ independent audit body, plays a vital role in ensuring the effective and lawful use of public funds. As Chair, Stuiveling oversaw the audit of government expenditures, championing transparency and accountability – plus a renewed focus on citizens.
“Trust does not come naturally” was her philosophy, eventually written on her memorial card. “It is not for sale, it is not given freely, and it cannot be taught. But you can earn it.”
Beyond her impactful career, Stuiveling remained connected to her alma mater, serving on the Dean’s Advisory Board, and on the Supervisory Board of the Erasmus University Trust Fund. She was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010.
She retired from the Court of Audit in 2015, with then-prime minister Mark Rutte announcing the Stuiveling Open Data Award to recognise initiatives that promote the use of open government data to recognise her achievements. Just two years later – and two weeks before her 72nd birthday – she passed away suddenly in Rotterdam.
Her journey resonates with our own mission to be a force for positive change in the world. Her dedication to transparency and collaboration, her pioneering spirit, and her commitment to earning trust – these are values we hold dear.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re reminded of the impact individuals like Saskia can have, inspiring us all to strive for a better future.
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