Netherlands, Full-time MBA (Class of 2021)
Caroline Beelen
Head of Acquisition & Development
VolkerWessels Invest
Pre-MBA: Development Manager
G&S Vastgoed
Architecting Success in Real Estate and Beyond
This March, we celebrate International Women’s Day by spotlighting some of our most inspiring alumni from the NUS MBA program. With this series featuring five remarkable women, we celebrate their achievements and hope to inspire a dialogue on female empowerment. Each story showcases the resilience, determination, and innovation of women who have navigated the challenges and opportunities of business and beyond.
Alumni spotlight: Caroline Beelen
An alumna of the NUS MBA program (Class of 2021), Caroline’s journey is remarkable. Hailing from the Netherlands, she had her newborn baby while enrolled in the full-time NUS MBA program. At the same time, she learnt to adapt to a new country whilst juggling her work responsibilities.
Now Head of Acquisition & Development at VolkerWessels Invest, we talk to her about her journey and her thoughts on diversity and inclusion. She also shares more about balancing the demands of motherhood and leadership.
Listening, Learning, and Learning
As Head of Acquisition & Development, Caroline works in environments dominated by male colleagues. In such settings, the temptation for female professionals to adapt their approach to align with the prevailing male norms can be strong. Yet, Caroline chose a different path. “While some female counterparts may have chosen to adapt their approach to align with their male counterparts, I have steadfastly remained true to my values and methods,” she shares. To her, being authentic and inclusive has defined her career trajectory. It has also enabled her to amplify the voices of those with diverse backgrounds.
This openness to diverse perspectives has shaped her approach—uniquely hers and resonates with her personality. When it comes to leadership, it’s all about listening and learning from a broad spectrum of voices. “In my professional journey, I have prioritised listening to a broad spectrum of perspectives to inform my own approach,” she explains. By maintaining receptivity to dialogue, articulating thoughts effectively, and demonstrating tangible successes, Caroline has navigated her way through the challenges of her field with confidence and integrity.
It’s clear that Caroline’s concept of diversity in the workplace goes beyond a mere buzzword—for her, it is an essential ingredient for innovation, creativity, and optimal problem-solving. “I firmly advocate for the value of fostering diversity in the workplace,” she asserts, emphasising how individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives contribute to a richer tapestry of opinions and solutions. In her experience, encouraging participation from people of diverse genders and backgrounds adds complexity to discussions and significantly enhances the potential for identifying innovative solutions.
Balancing Studies, Career, and Motherhood with a Newborn During the MBA
Facing the daunting challenge of balancing an MBA program with motherhood, Caroline’s story is one of resilience, meticulous planning, and the invaluable support of those around her. “The journey into parenthood is undeniably beautiful yet inherently fraught with stress for both individuals,” she reflects on the profound impact of becoming a parent. This experience resonated deeply with both her and her husband.
“Our transition to Singapore with a two-month-old infant was a testament to our resilience and meticulous planning,” she recounts, highlighting the complexities of managing family life alongside academic and professional commitments. Amidst the whirlwind of breastfeeding and preparing for the GMAT, Caroline embarked on her MBA studies, a decision made even more remarkable by discovering her second pregnancy just six months into the program. “Our ability to navigate these challenges stemmed from proactive planning and the invaluable support extended by our families and our dedicated caregiver, Vickey,” Caroline shares, underscoring the crucial role of a supportive network in her journey.
Throughout this challenging period, Caroline confronted feelings of inadequacy as she juggled her studies and motherhood demands. “Grappling with feelings of inadequacy as I juggled academic pursuits and motherhood was a recurring struggle,” she admits. Yet, through these challenges, she learned to cultivate a sense of equilibrium, embracing the coexistence of her roles as a student, professional, and mother. “Balancing the demands of nurturing our newborn while advancing my career aspirations proved to be a challenging task,” Caroline reflects, highlighting the delicate balance between personal and professional life.
She also adds that the temporary trade-offs were necessary during this phase of early parenthood, such as a reduced social life and diminished involvement in sports. “Acknowledging the temporary trade-offs…has been a necessary concession, one that I’ve come to embrace willingly,” she concludes.
Transforming Leadership and Development Projects Post-MBA
Reflecting on her MBA’s profound impact on her architecture career and her transition into a leadership role, Caroline recounts the significant changes in her professional perspective.
“Upon graduating from a technical university, I realised my grasp of commercial and economic principles was limited,” she begins, highlighting the moment she identified a crucial gap in her expertise as she moved towards real estate development. This realisation prompted her to deepen her understanding of commercial strategies essential for the successful development of valuable property projects. “Transitioning into real estate development, I recognised the necessity of incorporating a robust commercial perspective,” Caroline elaborates.
The push to pursue an MBA came from a personal desire for growth and encouragement from her employer to enhance her skills. “My employer recognised the importance of augmenting my skill set and encouraged me to pursue an MBA,” Caroline recalls, reflecting on the transformative nature of her MBA journey. It wasn’t merely about gaining knowledge but also about expanding her worldview. “This educational journey provided me with a comprehensive understanding of operating a commercial enterprise,” she adds, highlighting how the MBA opened her eyes to the complexities of business.
Caroline emphasises the significant impact of her MBA studies on her career, particularly in making informed decisions. “The insights garnered during my MBA studies have proven invaluable in my current role,” she notes, detailing how the program equipped her with a global perspective and the confidence to tackle complex decisions. “Armed with this expansive knowledge, I have gained the confidence to navigate complex decision-making scenarios,” she reflects on her enhanced leadership capabilities.
Leadership, to Caroline, goes beyond traditional team management; it’s about engaging with stakeholders and making critical decisions. “While I may not currently oversee an entire team, leadership manifests itself in various forms,” she points out, expanding the concept of leadership. “Engaging with numerous stakeholders and taking responsibility for decision-making at this level was once beyond my imagination prior to embarking on my MBA journey,” she concludes, illustrating the profound growth and broadened leadership perspective gained through her MBA experience.
Above all, she highlights that it is about the art of decision-making, a pivotal act for carving out sufficient time, at work or home. From Caroline’s story, it seems that while a balancing act is often necessary to do it all, a supportive work and home environment can make achieving your dreams more accessible. Indeed, the presence of trailblazers like Caroline in the workplace fosters hope for transformative changes that will further empower and support the aspirations of women.
