Vanda Hagen
Governor Type:
General
Vanda Hagan lived in the Rochdale Borough for 13 years, following her move from her native Czechoslovakia to the UK. She graduated from Comenius University in Bratislava in physics and then worked in the microelectronics industry, in a research institute in Prague. During her first visit to the North West and Rochdale in the late 80s, Vanda had an opportunity to join an afternoon class of contemporary dance at Rochdale College and she has always had a warm memory of the welcoming environment of the College.
Vanda worked for a few small private businesses in the Rochdale Borough whilst also studying to become an accountant. Later, regularly visited the Middleton Campus when auditing the apprenticeship training provision, in her capacity of an auditor at Rochdale Borough Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise.
Vanda’s career in professional finance continued at Oldham Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise and then at Business Link North Manchester.
Vanda has always been a strong believer in life-long learning and this led her to obtain an MBA from Manchester Business School, in 2006. She strengthened her business management skills whilst working for almost seven years at Arts Council England, North West as Head of Finance & Business Support.
Vanda joined the College’s Corporation in May 2010. She currently works for a medium-sized charity, Foundation in Leeds, as Finance & IT Director. She has a keen interest in arts and leisure sporting activities, particularly tennis, walking and swimming.