Introducing Franka Rolvink Couzy: ABW New Supervisory Board Member

We are happy to announce our new ABW supervisory board member: Franka Rolvink Couzy!

Franka plays a vital role in expanding ABW’s reach. With more than 20 years of experience at top Dutch business media, a research background at one of the largest Dutch banks and extensive experience in advising C-level about change for the better, she is well equipped and passionate increasing the presence of ABW. The SDGs are always here starting point and she believes analytics make the big difference.

We asked Franka a few questions to get to know her better!

Why do you think data and analytics are important for a Better World? 

I know how important data is in creating a better world and to do what is right to do. Every organization should have the power to use this data, drive tangible change and make a difference.

Why did you choose to take on this role at Analytics for a Better World?

Analytics for a Better World aligns perfectly with my experience and ambition. It creates impact by combining the power of non-profit organizations, academia and business. C-level executives and senior managers are trained on how best to use data analytics to transform into a better world. If I can make an impact anywhere, it’s here.

Is there a specific project in which ABW has participated that stood out for you?

Another reason why I chose ABW is because of their fantastic projects that actually get results. One of ABW’s great examples is their partnership with the Ocean Cleanup. Two organizations seeking the best for the world. The Ocean Cleanup’s mission is to clean up 90 per cent of plastic pollution in the ocean. To this end, they have developed a technology similar to a fishing net to catch floating plastic. ABW, in collaboration with Ocean Cleanup, has designed an efficient dynamic optimization algorithm to find routes that maximize the amount of plastic collected. My goal is to let the world know how they can achieve the same impactful results, for a better world.

About Franka Rolvink Couzy

Franka holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Change and has spent the past 25 years helping organizations to gain insight into future-proof scenarios. She advised C-level in various types of sectors about the effect of socio-economic developments on their business operations and guided them in their decision-making process. As a manager, she has gone through various change processes herself.

Franka started her career as a financial journalist in which role she worked for leading Dutch business media. In 2016, she became editorial manager and was one of the driving forces behind the transformation from a paper-first to a digital-first newsroom, the first in the Netherlands. In 2017, she became head sector research at ABN AMRO, where she was responsible for identifying the risks and opportunities of the bank’s customers. She changed the way they worked, making ABN AMRO the bank with the most quoted specialists for four years in a row. Senior managers invited Franka and her colleagues to guide them through complex, even wicked problems.

Franka left the bank this summer to work independent as a change advisor and strategist. As an assistant professor she is affiliated with the master Leadership and Change at Vrije Universiteit.

Welcome Franka, we are very happy to have you on the Analytics for a Better World team!