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Event Overview

Roots Inspire’s mission is to increase ethnocultural diversity in corporate leadership. Not only do we aim to impact individual careers, we want to transform companies and change industries. Our Emerging Executives Programme is designed to identify, develop, and support senior ethnocultural professionals on their journey towards leadership positions.

During this Pre-Launch Event, you will hear directly from leaders who have navigated their own paths to the top, get honest answers to the questions rarely asked openly, and find out whether the 2026 programme is the right next step for your career.

 

The Programme
10:30 – 11:00 | Doors Open & Registration
11:05 – 11:15 | Welcome by Maarten Edixhoven (CEO, Van Lanschot Kempen)
11:15 – 11:40 | Opening Keynote by Sergio Panday (CEO & Co-founder, Roots Inspire)
11:40 – 12:00 | Live Q&A with Roots Inspire Programme Alumni
12:10 – 12:55 | Leadership Panel with:

  • Kyoko Tollenaar (Partner, AKD) 
  • Abhijit Das (Head of Urban Growth, Rabobank)
  • Shirley Tewary (Partner, Deloitte)
  • Julien Linger (Partner, PwC)

13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch

 

More than an event, a turning point

Building a leadership career requires more than expertise. It demands strategic positioning, the right networks, and access to insights that are rarely shared openly. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with leaders who have broken barriers, navigated corporate politics, and shaped their industries. Through candid discussions and first-hand experience, you’ll gain a clearer picture of what it truly takes to step into senior leadership with confidence and impact.

  • Unfiltered leadership insights: Hear directly from Kyoko Tollenaar, Abhijit Das, Shirley Tewary, and Julien Linger on the defining moments, unexpected setbacks, and strategies that shaped their paths to the top.
  • Alumni perspective: Engage with next-generation leaders from our 2024 cohort who are actively shaping the future of their industries, and learn what the programme meant for their careers.
  • High-level leadership thinking: Join Maarten Edixhoven as he shares his vision on the evolving landscape for senior leadership, and the qualities that will define tomorrow’s executives.
  • The right connections: Connect with senior professionals, decision-makers, and peers who understand the unwritten rules of career progression, in an environment designed to foster meaningful dialogue.
  • A candid, unscripted conversation: Participate in a discussion where leaders reveal real career-defining decisions and the leadership strategies that set them apart.

 

About the Programme

Launched in 2024, the Emerging Executives Programme advances senior ethnocultural professionals towards corporate leadership. The 2026 cohort kicks off 29 May 2026. This event is your opportunity to find out if it’s right for you.

Event Details:
  • Event Date: 21 April 2026
  • Time: 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
  • Location: Van Lanschot Kempen, Amsterdam
  • Register Your Interest: Click the button below to secure your spot and join us for an unforgettable experience. Space is limited, so register now to confirm your attendance.
  • Registration Deadline: 14 April 2026