We are delighted to share that Carmen de Hoog, Director of Strategic Planning & Operations at the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), has received The President’s Staff Award for Leadership. The award is presented to staff who demonstrate a high level of problem solving, creativity or innovation and who communicate a compelling vision for their colleagues, influencing others to build consensus among individual and organizational objectives. The award honours staff who lead by example and contribute to developing the leadership capacity and strengths of those around them.
“Carmen is instrumental in driving the SBME’s vision of excellence in education, research and innovation. Her leadership exemplifies a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic community. We are thrilled to see her recognized for her contributions.” comments Peter Zandstra, Director of SBME.
Carmen joined SBME in 2019, just two years after the school was created. She skillfully navigates and aligns the diverse academic and administrative structures of the Faculty of Medicine and Applied Science towards common goals in SBME.
“The five years I have been at SBME have been amazing and I have enjoyed every minute. I truly value the SBME community and am honoured to be recognized for doing something I love. I am grateful to the incredible team I work with, as we collaborate to make SBME a wonderful place to learn, work, and discover.” comments Carmen.
With her people-first leadership style, Carmen creates an environment of inclusivity and respect across various operational areas. One hallmark of her leadership is her focus on mentorship and professional development, which enables her team to feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. She oversees complex projects with meticulous detail and masterful coordination between multiple stakeholders. Carmen is leading the project for SBME’s new building, set to open in January 2025. She manages multiple stakeholders for the project who are working towards the shared goal of building a state-of-the-art facility that will conduct research to impact health locally and globally. She also organizes community-centric events such as the SBME Symposium, Research Day, and seasonal gatherings, strengthening team cohesion and engagement.
Carmen leads by setting a standard of excellence by lifting up others to also pursue and achieve excellence.