The document discusses the value of diversity to the individual. They have experience living and working in several countries, which has led them to value cultural, gender, and racial diversity. In their current role, they interact with colleagues from 22 European countries and promote cross-cultural client projects. Privately, they have a diverse friend group from around the world. They have been actively involved in diversity initiatives at previous employers, and currently champion diversity within their organization. They believe diverse workforces are more innovative and successful organizations.

1. At RSM we value total diversity, how does that apply to you?
Diversity resonates with me on several levels; not only am I a woman professional in a
man dominated work environment, but I have also been an expat in: Canada
(childhood), Ecuador (exchange student), United States (Illinois studies and New Jersey
work) and the Netherlands. These experiences have led me to value cultural, gender and
racial diversity immensely.
One of the main reasons I was recruited back to NL, was my background and experience
with cultural diversity and cross border/cultural projects. My day-to-day work involves
interacting with colleagues from 22 European countries and I actively promote and
support cross-cultural client projects.
Privately I also live as I learn. My closest friends come from Finland, the Netherlands,
USA, India, China, Ghana and Scotland, and they live all over the world. I have spent
considerable time visiting friends around the globe and learning about their different
home locations. Some of my best memories are from friends weddings I have attended
in San Francisco (USA), Napoli (Italy), Galway (Ireland) and of course, Finland and the
Netherlands.
During my years in the US, I was actively involved in the US based Deloitte internal
organization called WIN (Woman‟s International Network). I was part of the Deloitte East
Coast WIN Steering Committee as the Princeton representative, and was one of the main
drivers in building up the WIN organization in the Princeton office. Our main objectives
were focused on promoting women networking and professional/personal development.
We actively organized workshops and seminars around topics applicable to diversity,
open to both genders. Deloitte actively promotes diversity in many different areas, such
as race, gender etc. I attended several of the other diversity initiative organized events.
After returning to the Netherlands in 2007, I became involved in the Diversity initiative
within Deloitte NL and I am a “Diversity Champion” representing Enterprise Risk Services
(ERS). We have provided input to the Global Diversity Program being rolled out globally
and actively interact with the Talent Leadership team in order to keep the diversity issue
on the table.
I believe that the work environment becomes more interesting and innovative with a
diverse work force. There is plenty of research that indicates that the most successful
organizations are the ones with a Board of Directors containing more women (statistics
show that revenue has grown in Norway after more women have joined the boards), and
projects are more innovative and comprehensive when you have input from different
countries and diverse cultures. Working with several nationalities has always been an
imperative to me during my career and I have learned continuously along the way. It
has taught me to work on challenging issues from different angles, always be open to
different views and opinions, and to consider the reason for someone saying „no‟ before
launching into a discussion. In today‟s global world, all employees should be aware of
these facts and learn while doing. For me it is a way of life.