As a former senior executive, entrepreneur, wife and mother of two sons, I know how challenging it can be to balance ambition, responsibility and well-being. This experience has profoundly shaped both my life and my work.
For more than 25 years, I have worked at the intersection of leadership, organisational development and human potential. Before founding Brussels Mindfulness, I held senior leadership positions in Brussels, including Head of the Brussels Office of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – Europe’s largest applied research organisation – and Managing Director of Impact Europe (formerly the European Venture Philanthropy Association).
These experiences gave me first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by leaders and professionals today: constant change, high workloads, competing priorities and increasing pressure to perform. They also taught me that sustainable success depends not only on expertise and strategy, but equally on resilience, emotional intelligence, self-awareness and the ability to lead with clarity and purpose.
Like many professionals, I tried for years to balance a demanding international career with frequent travel, family life and raising two young children. Eventually, the pressure caught up with me and resulted in a severe burnout. What felt like a crisis at the time became a turning point. Through mindfulness, self-compassion and positive neuroplasticity, I discovered powerful evidence-based practices that helped me recover, regain balance and reconnect with what truly matters.
This experience profoundly shaped both my life and my work. It inspired me to found Brussels Mindfulness and dedicate my career to helping others develop the inner resources needed to navigate challenges with greater resilience, confidence and well-being.
Today, I work with international organisations, leaders and professionals to build resilience, emotional intelligence, focus and sustainable performance through evidence-based approaches that combine mindfulness, neuroscience, positive neuroplasticity and practical leadership development. My clients include organisations such as NATO, the European Commission, the European Parliament, Amazon, Meta, Bayer, IKEA and Brussels Airlines.
I hold Master's degrees in Languages, Intercultural Relations and European Affairs (College of Europe) and am a certified mindfulness teacher, Positive Neuroplasticity Trainer, executive coach and supervisor. Over the past decade, I have trained more than 3,000 professionals and leaders through workshops, coaching programmes, retreats and leadership development initiatives.
My approach is warm, practical and evidence-based. I believe that when people cultivate greater awareness, resilience and kindness, they not only transform their own lives but also contribute to healthier organisations and a more compassionate world.
I work in English, German (mother tongue), French, and Dutch, and understand some Spanish and Italian. I am an accredited member of the worldwide Association for Positive Neuroplasticity Training and the European Association for Mindfulness Trainers (EAMBA).
I am grateful to contribute as a team member and trainer at several inspiring organisations, including: IASO Spaces, Arbor Seminare, Brussels Mental Health Center, and Abilways. Collaborating with these teams allows me to bring mindfulness and resilience work into diverse and meaningful contexts.
Outside of work, I enjoy nature walks, playing music, and discovering new ideas and practices that inspire personal growth.
Mindfulness and neuroplasticity-based training journey
Longer trainings and certifications
- 2-year MBSR teacher training (Arbor, Germany – Stefan Machka et al.)
- Certified Positive Neuroplasticity Training teacher (Foundational & Advanced – Rick Hanson)
- Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness (Introductory & Advanced – David Treleaven)
- Mindfulness Supervision Training (Lot Heijke, Günter Hudasch, Petra Meibert, Camilla Sköld – certified supervisor)
- Mindfulness in Schools (Teach Paws Programme – certified instructor)
Specialised shorter trainings
- MBCT and Frame by Frame (Mark Williams)
- Authentic Communication (Oren Jay Sofer)
- Finding Peace in a Frantic World (Oxford Mindfulness Centre – Chris Cullen)
- MBI-TAC Masterclass (Rebecca Crane)
- Inquiry and deepening presence (Florence Meleo-Meyer, Claude Maskens)
- Interpersonal Mindfulness (Sandrine Rauter)
- Self-compassion & heartfulness (Kristin Neff, Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg, Christopher Germer)
- Internal Family Systems (Ana Cristina Pires, Govinda Bader – Arbor Seminare)
- Clear the Air – Conflict resolution (Aline Menden)
- Silent retreats with Christina Feldman, John Peacock, Jon and Will Kabat-Zinn, Jake Dartington, Tara Brach, Christiane Wolf, and Plum Village teachers
