Posted on
15/10/2026With smiling eyes and a gentle presence, Caroline Oosterbaan’s calm confidence belies the decisive grit and firm hand required of a woman whose career has scaled the heights of corporate leadership.
Having built a stellar career across Europe’s international banking and finance industry, Caroline was this year announced as the Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank Australia, and Regional Manager Australia and New Zealand.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Melbourne-born Caroline, who left Australian shores as a three-month-old, embarking on an intrepid ex-pat childhood adventure with her Australian mother and Dutch father.
“My father worked for Shell, so growing up I lived in Oman, Japan, Venezuela, and Nigeria, before we finally settled in The Hauge, Netherlands.”
Here in the Netherlands Caroline gained a Master of Science, in Business Economics, and carved a career - her appointment as director on a number of European boards, ranging from the food, retail, education, automotive/transport and not-for-profit sectors, reflective of her talent, and impact.
Rabobank's Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank Australia, and Regional Manager Australia and New Zealand, Caroline Oosterbaan with South Australian grain growers, Sam and Paul Correll.
With the exception of a year spent in Australia while her husband, a trauma surgeon, completed a specialisation in Liverpool Hospital 20 years ago, Caroline never expected to have the opportunity to live in Australia again.
“Australia feels very familiar, and very special to me, it’s my mother’s homeland, I have many holiday memories from my childhood here, and it was an easy decision when the role with Rabobank presented.”
With three children – the two eldest currently studying in the Netherlands - Caroline is also thrilled they too can experience the Australian way of life.
“Our eldest son is 22, and studying business while our daughter is 20 and pursuing medicine like her father,” Caroline explains of her equally accomplished household.
“Our youngest son is 17 and in Year 11 here in Sydney, and while difficult that our two oldest children are so far away, it’s incredible that they get to visit us here, and that our youngest son has this wonderful opportunity to experience living in Australia.”
And whilst her deeply personal Australian connection has negated any culture shock, the Australian birds still manage to shock.
“They’re so loud!” she laughs.
Rabobank Rural Manager, Tom Brown with Tasmanian strawberry producers, Jack and Lisa Beattie, with Caroline Oosterbaan.
Hitting the ground running
Since beginning her tenure in March, Caroline has visited Rabobank clients on-the-ground across Australia, and credits getting out and about in rural Australia as the highlight of her role.
“Visiting our clients and speaking with them is what really energises me, I’ve been so impressed by their resilience, and how entrepreneurial and progressive they are running such large, complex and successful businesses,” she smiles.
“The depth of relationship we have with many of our clients is often decades long, and the fact we’ve been supporting their businesses, and communities, for generations sets Rabobank apart, and is very special.”
A keen runner, it’s a hobby that also affords Caroline an opportunity to immerse herself in the communities she visits.
“Usually I try to run when I’m out and about in the regions, it’s never about the speed or the time, I just like to clear my head and be outside in nature.”
“I have a beautiful running track in the national park close to home, and when I’m travelling it’s a wonderful way to get a feel for a new town and its environment.”
Women supporting women
Having enjoyed impressive career success, Caroline says there are many women who helped her along the way, particularly from the generation before her, back in the Netherlands.
“I’m very curious, so I really try to learn as much as I can and have as many new and different experiences as possible, and try to always maintain a ‘can-do’ attitude.”
“My values are courage, curiosity and connection – and by choosing courage, curiosity and a growth mindset I try to overcome any perfectionism that I might have, or doubts for that matter!”
“My mantra is ‘I want to make a difference as a female leader’, and that keeps me improving every day.”
And Caroline reflects that the values she holds so dear are also shared by rural women across Australia.
“When I talk about courage, curiosity and connection, I think they’re shared traits,” she smiles. “Many women are playing an important role creating connection in their rural communities, which is not always easy in remote areas, and they have enormous courage running large family farming businesses in isolated regions, that is very unique and special.”
Drawing from her rich reserve of global insights, this International Day of Rural Women, Caroline observes that Australian women tend to run farms in genuine partnership with their husbands and partners.
“Here in Australia, I always meet the men and the women together, and this is certainly different to other regions I’ve met clients in, such as North America and Brazil.”
“I’m very impressed by the teamwork, and the involvement of women in the family business here – they are clearly visible and valued contributors.”
With her mother having family and friends’ with farms in Australia, Caroline has childhood holiday memories on-farm, and gained agricultural experience in her previous role as Global Head of Clients and Portfolio Management for Rabobank’s international Wholesale and Rural Business, based in the Netherlands.
Whilst not the traditional ‘on farm’ rural woman, this International Day of Rural Women Caroline is proud to be contributing to rural Australia by leading a bank that supports agriculture.
“I marvel at the complexity of our clients’ farm businesses, and I just feel very happy to be supporting rural women through Rabobank’s unique and ag specific offering, whether that’s by providing knowledge and networks, or farming solutions, contributing through our Community Fund, or sharing inspiring rural women’s stories.”
“It feels very special to be able support rural women, and I will do as much as I can in my capacity to make sure we maintain this support across Australia.”
And it seems the feeling is mutual, with rural women welcoming Caroline enthusiastically.
“I have received so much support from rural women across Australia, everyone has been so encouraging, and I’ve even had a few ‘you go girl’ type of comments, so I’ve really felt a lot of support from Australia’s rural women.”
“This is such an amazing region to live in, and I feel privileged to work with the clients that we do, and the rural women who are so often the lifeblood of these businesses, and community.”