Maria Carmen Punzi

Maria Carmen Punzi

Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
3K followers 500+ connections

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About

I am a PhD researcher, consultant, and activist. Since 2017 I have been building bridges between the for-profit, the non-profit and the academic world to advocate for menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health and gender equity.

My PhD research on menstrual health and social enterprises starts from the recognition that while data shows that menstrual health affects women’s opportunities, health and inclusive participation in society, the topic is widely missing in current agendas around gender equity.

I translate insights from my academic work to media conversation and social change projects. I contributed to debates on menstrual leave (France24) and free period products in international media and my input was brought into Dutch Parliament, during the Kamervragen (Parliamentary Question time). In 2021, in collaboration with other stakeholders, I have advocated and obtained funding for free menstrual products in the university campus.

I am regularly consulted by companies on how to accommodate menstrual needs in the workplace and I work as research consultant on projects focused on menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equity.

When I am not busy writing and teaching, I curate the @periodswithmariacarmen Instagram page, where I translate evidence on the menstrual cycle into fun, shareable content.

#genderequity #menstrualhealth #menstrualproducts #reproductiverights #periodsatwork

© header image courtesy of Clue
© profile picture shot by Josine Olivia

Activity

Experience

Education

  • Graphic

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    Activities and Societies: Events Committee "Erasmus Sustainability Hub"; Committee Member "Erasmus Sustainability Days" - Green EUR Student Organization

    Master Thesis: "Turning Taboo Into Opportunity: How Social Enterprises are Changing Menstrual Experience Worldwide".

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    Activities and Societies: Green Challenge - Student association to spread sustainability awareness

Volunteer Experience

  • Women's Business Network Graphic

    Mentor

    Women's Business Network

    - Present 1 year 5 months

    Economic Empowerment

    In the WBN Mentorship Programme, I coach female students on overcoming perfectionism and fear of failure, through mindset and vision setting. I help them discover their values and ambitions and together we chart the next steps in their career.

    The Women’s Business Network (WBN) is a study association for ambitious female students and graduates at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.

  • Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Graphic

    Career Coach

    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

    - Present 2 years 2 months

    Education

    RSM MentorMe connects students in the business school and alumni through mentoring. I coach students on topics such as choosing the next step after graduation, how to turn their passion into a career and how to build their CV and LinkedIn profile in an authentic and effective manner.

  • Volunteer

    Casa della Mamma Onlus - Shelter for underage mums and their children

    - 2 months

    Human Rights

Publications

Honors & Awards

  • TOPX Inclusive Award 2024

    TOPX Network

    I was awarded the first edition of the TOPX Network Inclusive Award, for raising awareness about menstrual health and wellbeing at Erasmus University Rotterdam, combining my academic research with the introduction of free menstrual products on campus and the delivery of several menstrual health workshops for students and employees.

  • Featured in the 200 Trailblazing Leaders in Women’s Health and FemTech list

    Women of Wearables

  • FAME Athena Award 2023

    Erasmus University Rotterdam

    The FAME (Females in Academia Moving towards Equity) Athena Award shines a spotlight on those who have made an outstanding contribution to gender equity. I was awarded the FAME Athena Award for my menstrual health research, media engagement and on-campus initiatives in raising positive awareness about menstrual health throughout the university.

  • RSM Positive Change Award 2021

    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

    RSM’s mission is to be a force for positive change in the world, and this award is intended for a recipient who best embodies that mission. I was selected for this award for my work advocating the distribution of free menstrual products across the campus of Erasmus University, breaking widespread taboos and raising awareness of women’s health by drawing on my PhD research.

Test Scores

  • GMAT

    Score: 680

Languages

  • Italian

    Native or bilingual proficiency

  • English

    Full professional proficiency

  • Spanish

    Professional working proficiency

  • Dutch

    Professional working proficiency

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