The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) has announced the appointment of Gwen van Berne, CMA, as chair of IMA’s Global Board of Directors for its 2023 fiscal year. 

 

Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, van Berne is the sixth woman to hold the position and the first from outside of the United States.

 

As chair, van Berne will continue to strengthen IMA’s international leadership and global commitment to educating students and members on valuable resources, certification, and professional development opportunities, said a statement from IMA. 

 

She plans to work closely with local universities, national accounting bodies, multinationals, and local businesses to connect with current and aspiring management accountants and finance executives, it stated.

 

On the key appointment, van Berne said: "I’m honoured to serve in IMA’s senior volunteer role and present a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities that are impacting businesses and the profession."

 

"As IMA moves forward, we must continue to champion an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable profession. As chair, I will focus on furthering this conversation, helping to empower accounting and finance professionals to actively and positively shape the next one hundred years," he added.

 

As the Director of Finance & Risk at Oikocredit, van Berne brings more than 23 years of financial services expertise to her position. At Oikocredit, van Berne provides strategic leadership and expertise for the Managing Board while leading the Finance, Legal, and Risk departments. 

 

Previously, she served as chief financial officer of RIPE NCC and held several roles within ABN AMRO Bank. She holds a Master of Law degree from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

 

A member of IMA’s Amsterdam-Netherlands Chapter, van Berne has been a member of the IMA Global Board since 2019. She earned her CMA (Certified Management Accountant) in 2010.-TradeArabia News Service