Moed Board #6: Marieke Bax on taking action in the boardroom

27 October 2026

A strong vision and a healthy dose of social and strategic skills are not enough to succeed as a leader. Successful leadership also requires courage, particularly when a situation is difficult and something is truly at stake. In the podcast series Moed Board, Dave Cohen talks to influential executives and supervisory board members about a courageous, high-impact decision that shaped their careers and approach to leadership. Personal conversations with universal lessons for anyone who wants to lead with courage.

Episode 6: Marieke Bax

What does it take to make a decision that may be unpopular, but that you believe is necessary? In this episode of Moed Board, Dave Cohen speaks with Marieke Bax about courage in the boardroom, the role of fear in decision-making and the responsibility to take action when the interests of the company require it.

Shortly after taking up her role as Chair of the Supervisory Board of Hostelworld Group, Marieke asked two board members to step down early. In her view, a different board composition was needed to create room for further growth. For Marieke, a decision like this is not about popularity, but about responsibility: being firm on the substance while remaining considerate towards the individual.

Marieke also discusses how her international background shaped her perspective on leadership and risk. She compares Dutch and Anglo-Saxon boardroom culture and argues against approaching change from a position of fear. From international entrepreneurship to AI, Marieke believes that leaders need to remain open to new developments, be willing to experiment and take action when needed. Listen to episode 6 of Moed Board with Marieke Bax.

About Moed Board

The leaders featured in Moed Board come from diverse backgrounds, but have one thing in common: they made a courageous decision that had a major impact on the course of their careers. Their experiences offer recognition, fresh perspectives and practical insights for executives, supervisory board members and all other types of leaders.

The conversations are personal and reflective. Behind every choice lies a story. Sometimes it begins in the boardroom, sometimes far beyond it. These personal experiences often prove decisive in shaping how leaders think, make decisions and take responsibility. A new episode is released every week.