Dr. Asma Naimi, chair of the NewBees board, is a social impact advisor and Assistant Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at VU University Amsterdam. She specializes in creative methods to bring knowledge about social change into practice.
What motivated you to join the board of NewBees?
Asma: “I became acquainted with NewBees a few years ago when I did my research into social entrepreneurship and migration. The organisation’s mission, to focus on the talents of newcomers, and the broader focus on an inclusive and just society, appeal to me enormously. I am happy to use my expertise to support NewBees in this. Migration is also a personal subject for me. I was born in the Netherlands, but my parents fled from Afghanistan. I grew up with their stories. Their journey, the obstacles they had to overcome and also the opportunities they created.”
What is your role and responsibility?
Asma: “Annemiek has the social objective of NewBees as first priority. With my expertise I can support her in this. In addition, I am happy to help the organization with the changes that take place due to growth. How do you make an impact with a larger social enterprise? And if the structure of the organization changes and the company develops a more systemic approach, how do you ensure that the group of people for whom you do the work continue to receive the benefits?
“Organizational growth is also an opportunity for NewBees to make a systemic impact by sharing knowledge and collaborating with various actors in the ecosystem.”
From growth phase to next level: How do you view the future?
Asma: “The organizational growth is also an opportunity for NewBees to make a systemic impact by sharing knowledge and collaborating with various actors in the ecosystem. In addition, NewBees can use communication and storytelling as a tool to show what works and what doesn’t, and to mobilize more people and create more awareness for the theme of migration and inclusion.”
Oversee and monitor NewBees’ mission
NewBees is a social enterprise. This means that while remaining a healthy and sustainable company, making an impact is always our top priority. To guarantee this, there is an independent advisory body that monitors NewBees’ management on the social mission and its implementation: the board of the ‘NewBees Foundation’, priority shareholder of ‘NewBees Inclusion Solutions B.V.’ that carries out all activities of NewBees.
