Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen
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Chief Broking Officer of Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Aon Risk Services
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Age: 43
As the first chief broking officer of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for Aon Risk Services, Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen continues to be a trailblazer. Ms. Soeteman-Reijnen is Aon's representative on the Industry Insurance Panel, which is a European group that shares ideas and best practices in risk management. She also was the first female chairman of the Dutch Reinsurance Assn., an office she held from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, she was named honorary chairman. Between 2006 and 2008 she chaired the Aon Women's Network and is active in groups that include the European Professional Women's Network and Women in Financial Services Netherlands. In addition, Ms. Soeteman-Reijnen is a board member of a Netherlands-based charity that fights amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?
You need to create your own style of leadership. Don't copy anyone else's style—don't do “karaoke management.” Set targets for yourself, but also do what you love and love what you do. Have some fun; do something you enjoy. Treat everybody as you would like to be treated. Everybody in the company has a role; a company is like a car and a car needs a mirror as well as an engine.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
“Soldier of Orange” directed by Paul Verhoeven. It's a Dutch movie about the Dutch resistance in World War II. It was filmed near where I live in The Hague. The key message is to guard your freedom. It is about people who stood up for freedom.
