At a time when gender equality and inclusion are under pressure worldwide, WIFS (Women in Financial Services) is deliberately choosing to strike a positive counter-note. Because leading by example matters.
On 4 March 2026, in the lead-up to International Women's Day, WIFS presented the Allyship Awards for the first time at an event hosted by MN in The Hague. Through these awards, the association recognises leaders and organisations that do not stop at words when it comes to inclusion, but turn intention into demonstrable action. Particularly in the current social climate, that form of allyship is essential.
The winners of the Inclusive Leadership Award are Kaya de Lange (CEO, BeFrank) and Martijn Scholten (Co-CEO, MN). The Inclusive Workfloor Award has been presented to Bencis.
Through the event and the awards, WIFS aims to accelerate and inspire the movement towards greater balance in the financial sector by highlighting best practices.
Who dares to take the lead? A shortlist to be proud of
During the seven-week open nomination period, it became clear how many companies and professionals are already taking concrete steps in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. At a time when inclusion cannot always be taken for granted, that sends a powerful and hopeful signal.
"We see that more and more organisations are approaching inclusion not as a checkbox on a checklist, but as a natural part of good leadership," said Indra Frishert, board member of WIFS and owner of Dazure. "With these Ally Awards, we want to amplify that message and encourage others to take the lead as well."
Many organisations are not driven by a mandatory protocol, but by intrinsic motivation — inclusion as a matter of course, with respect for talent in all its forms.
From the submissions, the seven-member WIFS board compiled a shortlist of six leaders and three organisations.
Nominees for the Inclusive Leadership Award:
- Jellie Banga – Executive Board Member, Invest-NL
- Judith Jeuring – Director of Savings & Investments, Argenta
- Kaya de Lange – CEO, BeFrank
- Ronald Kleverlaan – Chairman, Stichting MKB Financiering
- Bas Rapati – Chief Analytics Officer, Van Lanschot Kempen
- Martijn Scholten – Co-CEO, MN
Nominees for the Inclusive Workfloor Award:
- Bencis
- De Nederlandsche Bank
- Triple Jump
Inclusion requires action, not a wait-and-see approach
That progress on gender equality cannot be taken for granted was once again underscored by the keynote address from Emma Agricola. She emphasised that women's rights and equality require sustained attention, and that vigilance is needed to prevent setbacks.
During the expert discussion, Marijn Wiersma (2X Global) and Maritza Cabezas Ludena (Triodos Bank) explored the role of gender-smart capital: how do we make it the norm rather than the exception?
The event was chaired by Nelsy Salden-Rebbens and Henk Jansen, and was opened by Aartie Hoeblal on behalf of MN, who welcomed the more than 100 attendees.