Shaping the Future: Ghislaine Duijmelings, a woman in Heavy Equipment Leadership

[Breda, Netherlands. 6th March 2025] – As International Women’s Day approaches, the conversation around diversity and leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries takes center stage. At Ritchie Bros., progress is already underway. Ghislaine Duijmelings, General Manager for the International Region (EMEA and APAC), is driving growth and transformation in the heavy equipment sector, paving the way for more women to step into leadership roles.

With more than a decade of experience in the industrial auction industry, Duijmelings joined Ritchie Bros. in October 2024, bringing a strong track record in customer-focused strategies and data-driven performance. Now, she is spearheading the company’s international growth plan, implementing key initiatives to enhance market share, engagement, and revenue across diverse regions. Under her leadership, Ritchie Bros.’ End-of-Year International campaign saw over 19,000 equipment lots sold across construction, agriculture, transportation, and mining—marking a 25% year-over-year growth.

Building a career in an industry historically led by men presents unique challenges, but Duijmelings has consistently turned them into opportunities. “Throughout my career, I have worked in industries that are traditionally male-driven. While at the beginning I used to feel I had to work harder than my male counterparts to succeed, I have learned over the years that staying true to your values and yourself is the key” she explains. “Confidence, self-assurance, and embracing opportunities as they come are crucial.”

Despite the progress, challenges remain. “Many women still doubt themselves when stepping into leadership positions. My advice is simple: go for it. Trust in your capabilities and don’t feel the need to play a role—being authentic is a strength.”

Duijmelings believes this sense of insecurity often stems from cultural norms. “If you look at history, or at least over the last decades, women were traditionally the caregivers while men were the breadwinners. Many people were raised with that mindset. But I’ve been working for quite some time now, and I see the position of women improving. Today, women are more accepted in leadership roles.” Over time, she has also witnessed a shift in male colleagues' perceptions. “Men are becoming more accepting of women in leadership, and companies that actively foster diverse leadership teams see the benefits in their decision-making and performance.”

She also highlights the importance of a supportive work environment and leadership-driven change. “Change must start from the top; it cannot be bottom-up. It’s also essential to be surrounded by good people and work in a place where you can be yourself.”

Ritchie Bros. actively promotes diversity, with several women holding key leadership positions. In addition to Ghislaine Duijmelings as Ritchie Bros. General Manager for the International Region, the female leadership team includes other members, like Kristin de Prins —Vice President People Team—, Emma Tuckley —International Operations Director—, or Shirin Bazargan —Regional Operations Manager in United Arab Emirates. “Of course, there’s always room for more, but it shows that we are truly open to diversity at the top,” she says. “The company has a very open-minded culture—there is still work to do, but I will continue doing everything I can to build more diverse teams”.

People development has always been a priority for Duijmelings. “At Ritchie Bros., I want to ensure that our teams feel empowered to take ownership of their growth and career progression.” Her leadership philosophy is rooted in strategic thinking and a people-first approach. “Personal development has always been a priority for me, and I believe that a company can only grow when its people grow,” she says. “At Ritchie Bros., we foster an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to learn, take ownership of their careers, and step into leadership roles.”

For Duijmelings, representation is key to lasting change. “Seeing women in leadership roles makes a difference. It is important for companies to not only hire more women but also to create environments where they can thrive,” she states.

She believes that true inclusivity goes beyond gender diversity. “At Ritchie Bros., we have women in key leadership positions across the globe, from operations to people management, but diversity isn’t just about gender —it’s also about bringing in people from different cultural backgrounds and those with diverse abilities. Our culture is open-minded, and we are committed to furthering diversity at all levels.”

Her message to women aspiring to enter traditionally male-dominated industries is clear: “Dare to step into new environments, whether it’s a different country, a new role, or an unfamiliar challenge. Be confident, be open, and most importantly, be yourself. Vulnerability is not a weakness—it’s a strength that fosters real leadership.”

As she continues to lead high-value transactions and drive international growth at Ritchie Bros., Duijmelings is proving that expertise, determination, and leadership transcend gender—reshaping the industry for future generations.

Ritchie Bros., an RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) company, is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance® equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Ritchie List, a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales; and sector-specific solutions GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy. The company's suite of solutions also includes financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.