1.0Faces Onlinehttps://faces-online.nl/en/Chairmanhttps://faces-online.nl/en/author/chairman/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="yElbWr9fLD"><a href="https://faces-online.nl/en/a-boardyear-at-asset-financials/">A Boardyear at Asset | Financials: Chairman & Treasurer</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://faces-online.nl/en/a-boardyear-at-asset-financials/embed/#?secret=yElbWr9fLD" width="600" height="338" title="“A Boardyear at Asset | Financials: Chairman & Treasurer” — Faces Online" data-secret="yElbWr9fLD" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://faces-online.nl/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://faces-online.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LinkedInBanner-Faces-15.png1640924Maaike van der Hulst As chairwoman, I am responsible for policy, communication with the university, and other parties such as financial study associations. That may sound boring, but it’s actually incredibly fun. I represent the association to these parties, which allows me to accomplish a lot. After all, we work closely with the university to promote our events. In addition to these tasks, I coordinate the two most exciting committees within our association: the alumni committee and Asset Financials Investments. With the alumni committee, we organize three great events per year for our former members so they can stay in touch. The schedule includes two annual dinners for a group of more than 50 alumni and a networking boat event. Furthermore, Asset Financials Investments holds weekly meetings to improve its portfolio, where I participate as a coordinator.  In this article, I will elaborate on my responsibilities as chairwoman of Asset | Financials.  Who am I? I am Maaike van der Hulst, 23 years old. I was born and raised in Zoetermeer, a beautiful city in the Randstad. In September 2020, I started my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, where I had a great time. However, due to COVID-19, I never lived in student housing there. That’s why, at the end of my studies, I decided to look for a university where I could pursue a master’s in Finance and also experience student housing. After starting my studies, my housemates took me to the Asset Kick-off party. In January, I joined a committee at Asset | Accounting & Finance: the Financial Business Dinner, the largest event we organize, together with three other committee members.  Why did I choose a board year? Before I became an active member of Asset A&F halfway through the first year of my master’s, I never had a clear idea of what a board year at a study association entailed. Because of this, I had never seriously considered it. However, when I got involved with Asset | Accounting & Finance during my master’s, I quickly discovered how social it was and how many people you get to meet. Shortly after joining, I went to the lustrum event, where I initially knew no one but quickly made friends. It was a great way to take a break from studying, as the Master’s in Finance is quite challenging.  Moreover, during formal events with companies, you get the opportunity to explore the job market. After attending the lustrum event and nearing the end of my master’s thesis, I felt like I had missed out on fun activities during my bachelor’s. I had only experienced half a year of it, and I wanted more. I also felt that I could develop myself further before entering the job market by interacting with various stakeholders such as companies, the university, and the management team. Finally, companies find it highly valuable to see a board year on your CV because of the responsibility you carry for an entire year.  What does the role of Chairwoman entail? As chairwoman, I am responsible for overall policy. This means I review our event schedule with the university during monthly meetings. I also keep them updated on how events are progressing, and we assist each other where needed. Additionally, I communicate every two months with financial associations across the Netherlands during our FAN meeting, where we share tips and coordinate policies with partners. I also coordinate two committees: the alumni committee and Asset Financials Investments. The alumni committee organizes elegant dinners and a fun activity each year for graduates. I also have weekly meetings with our investment club, Asset Financials Investments—a group of 45 enthusiastic students who manage their own portfolio and attend guest lectures from companies. Together, they maintain a stock portfolio and regularly pitch new stocks during meetings. Additionally, they participate in case competitions and workshops. On behalf of our association, I arrange these guest lectures and maintain corporate contacts.  These are two very different committees, which makes coordinating them both exciting and diverse! Besides my roles within my own board, I also hold a position on the general board of Asset, known as Asset General. Here, I serve as treasurer, managing all the financial transactions within Asset. And let me tell you—that’s a lot! Asset General itself organizes a few events each year, such as the Asset Kick-off, Asset Pre-Carnival, Big Informal, and the Champions League. I handle the bookkeeping and payments, ensuring that we can afford certain expenses—like extra beer during Pre-Carnival! This role takes about one to two days per week because I attend the General Board meetings every Tuesday. In these meetings, we discuss topics such as event organization, budgeting, and Asset’s overall promotion.  What have I truly learned this year? Many people ask me why I chose to do a board year after graduating. One reason, as I mentioned earlier, is for the great parties and unforgettable memories—but of course, it’s also about personal development. You don’t learn everything in lecture halls, even after completing a master’s degree.  Being responsible for an event, communicating information effectively, and speaking in front of large groups—including companies—are all valuable skills. A board year teaches you a great deal on both a personal and professional level. You also face challenges that require you to manage stress effectively and maintain oversight. Additionally, you learn how to work intensively with a team and how crucial good communication is. We constantly keep each other informed about what we are working on and any challenges we face. This helps us stay sharp and support one another. You also realize the importance of setting boundaries when things become overwhelming and learning to ask for help when needed.  Advice for my successors. At first, a board year can feel hectic, and it may take some time to find your rhythm. But don’t stress about it too much. You always have your fellow board members to support you, and it’s completely normal to have a learning curve at the beginning. Everyone