Future Game Changers | Anne den Breejen

As part of our Future Game Changers blog series, meet Anne den Breejen, fourth-year student, former Excellence Programme coordinator and Chair of the HSMAI Europe Student Council. In this story she shares her experiences, ambitions, values and vision for the future of hospitality.

Anne den Breejen

Most opportunities don’t arrive when you feel ready. They arrive when you are unsure, slightly intimidated, and tempted to say no. That’s exactly why you should say yes.

My name is Anne den Breejen, born in Breda, the Netherlands, and currently following the minor Strategic Revenue & Real Estate Management at Hotel Management School Maastricht (HMSM). If there’s one pattern in my journey, it’s this: every meaningful step started with a decision that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Anne’s Experience

Participating in the Excellence Programme edition 10 was where it all began. I didn’t know what was coming, but it set the stage for everything that followed. A few weeks after edition 10 ended, I found myself in Dubai for my operational internship at Rockfish, a Michelin-listed fine-dining restaurant in Jumeirah Al Naseem, at the time recognized as the Middle East's Leading Hotel. Challenging as it was, it shaped me, strengthened me, and prepared me for what came next.

Back at HMSM, I took the next leap. As Internal Coordinator of Excellence Programme editions 12 and 13, I got to support students, shape the programme, and learn what it means to lead by example. I also got the chance to support the Development and Public Relations (PR) of edition 14 and the ongoing edition 15, contributing behind the scenes to help the programme continue growing. Alongside this, I joined the HSMAI Europe Student Council, broadening my network across Europe and eventually stepping into the role of Chair.

“The moments that scare you a little are usually the ones worth saying yes to. That’s where growth begins and where you discover what you’re truly capable of.”

Anne’s Values

If there’s one HMSM value that resonates with me, it’s 'Courage'. For me, courage isn’t about never feeling doubt; it’s about saying yes anyway. It’s about leaning into uncertainty, embracing challenges, and trusting that growth comes from action. Courage is what allows us to take the next step, even when it feels uncomfortable, and to keep learning along the way.

It’s the mindset that turns hesitation into opportunity and doubt into momentum. Saying yes, over and over, is how we stretch ourselves, discover what we’re capable of, and keep moving toward our goals, even when the path isn’t clear.

Anne’s Ambition

Looking ahead, I want to keep exploring, learning, and taking on challenges that push me further. I see myself in the luxury hospitality industry, focusing on development or asset management, and discovering opportunities beyond the Netherlands, as the world is too big not to.

HMSM has given me the tools, the network, and the confidence to take on responsibilities, collaborate with people from all over the world, and turn ideas into reality.
In five to ten years, I hope to still be surrounded by people who inspire me: colleagues, mentors, and peers who challenge and motivate me every day. For me, being a gamechanger isn’t about a title; it’s about choosing to say yes, to take the next step, and to keep moving forward with purpose.

Anne’s Tips

If I were to give one piece of advice, it would be this: the moments that scare you a little are usually the ones worth saying yes to. That’s where growth begins and where you discover what you’re truly capable of.