Authentic leadership
for women
More impact by staying true to who you really are.
*NEW* Registration for 2025 is open
Challenges that may keep you busy
Taking space: dare to shine
You feel that modesty and self-doubt get in the way of your growth, making it difficult to occupy the space meant for you. This keeps you from steadfastly expressing your values and vision and letting your unique voice be heard.
Authentic leadership in a masculine world
Your career has developed in an environment dominated by traditional values. You have managed to adapt well to this, but the development of your own leadership style has been underexposed. The challenge lies in finding your authentic leadership style as you struggle with uncertainties and search for a balance between strength and vulnerability.
Is this all?
You have a good job, everything is running smoothly at home, yet you experience an inner turmoil and ask yourself, "Is this all?" There is a longing for more depth and meaning in your life and relationships, indicating that you are ready for a new phase in which you remain true to your own heart and mission.
That it is difficult to lead from your feminine power, I know better than anyone else.
70% of us – well-educated, successful women – suffer from imposter syndrome. Distorted images about leadership and womanhood not only affect your psyche and the voice of your inner-critic. They affect every fiber of your body. They make you insecure, anxious, tired. They determine how much you love yourself. How much energy you can give. And with which radiance you go through life. I recognize it like no other.
I have experienced it myself as a consultant, manager and change leader. And as a coach with many women seen and guided.
I believe women are key in transforming the world we live in.
Journey to Wholeness®
My Journey to Wholeness® offers a unique approach to leadership development. This approach is specifically designed to address what many women struggle with in their professional and personal lives. Whether it’s overcoming modesty and self-doubt, finding your authentic leadership style in a masculine world, or seeking deeper meaning and fulfillment in your life – Journey to Wholeness® guides you on your path to self-discovery and growth. If you’re interested in my vision, check out this video.
Authenticity as the key to impact
Do you want to lead more authentically, overcome your insecurities and find a balance between strength and vulnerability? Do you long to unleash your true potential and make a lasting impact? Then “The Women’s Leadership Program” is just what you need!
In a world where true connection and authenticity are increasingly important, it is essential to lead from your true self. This program is designed to help you increase your self-awareness, stay true to your heart and mission, and powerfully express your unique voice, vision and insights.
With “The Women’s Leadership Program,” you will discover:
- your inner strength and learn how to harness it to lead confidently and authentically.
- the courage to follow your own path and pursue your personal and professional goals without losing your authenticity.
- the skills to communicate your vision and insights clearly and persuasively, making you an inspiring and impactful leader.
“Stronger female leaders emerge from these leadership programs and so do stronger companies.”
Authentic leadership for women
The Women’s Leadership Program is an exclusive six-month coaching program designed specifically for a select group of women leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs. Within this program, you will gather with other women leaders in a powerful circle of like-minded people, where recognition, understanding and sisterhood are central. This community provides not only valuable networking opportunities, but also the psychological safety essential for personal and professional growth.
McKinsey research shows that women-only leadership programs have a major impact not only on the careers of women leaders, but also on the organizational cultures in which they work. The program helps you develop your authentic leadership style, overcome your insecurities and find a balance between strength and vulnerability.
Upon completion of the program, you will become part of a vibrant alumni community with women leaders at all levels and from diverse industries. This community provides ongoing support and inspiration so you can continue your leadership journey and increase your impact.
The Women’s Leadership Program consists of:
- Group training: 5 sessions totaling 8.5 days, where you work intensively on your leadership skills and personal development.
- Individual coaching: Five personal coaching sessions tailored to your unique needs and goals.
- Peer-to-peer coaching: Weekly email challenges and mutual coaching with other participants, to share experiences and learn from each other.
What others are saying
“On my way to Carla Clarissa, I feel the anticipation of my growth that each session brings. Her warm welcome in the doorway – always with a radiant smile and open arms – dissolves my tension every time. In her space, surrounded by other sisters, I find a unique form of mentorship and training that I have not experienced anywhere else.
From intensive training to in-depth personal development, Carla Clarissa’s approach is a perfect balance of keen insights, loving feedback, and actionable guidance. She listens, understands and responds with a rare blend of intuition, experience and knowledge, tailored exactly to what you need to grow. That’s the beauty of her.
She doesn’t just keep asking questions, but sometimes gives her unvarnished opinion, advice or explanation based on her rich experience and inner wisdom. Her guidance inspires reflection and action, a movement from within to without, making an impact as a woman leader.”
“I faced the challenge of making more impact in my organization, not by working harder, but through transformational leadership.
I wanted to combine my strong analytical skills with emotional intelligence and intuition, and find a balance between my masculine and feminine leadership qualities. The WLP program taught me to value myself for who I am and what I do, and to be open and vulnerable. This has brought me much peace and control personally, and business-wise I received above-average ratings, and was praised for my energy, initiative and vision.
I have learned to follow my heart more often and see myself as an equal to the board, resulting in a direct reporting line to the CEO. These changes feel like a significant step forward in my career and personal growth.”
Manager Strategy Office
“I was looking for ways to remain authentic and powerful in my role. I felt like I had to ‘earn’ my place which made me adapt and work harder each time.
This distracted me from my goal. Namely, I want to make connections in order to strengthen cooperation within our organization and achieve joint successes. I also want to bring peace in my leadership in order to get to the essence and make room for creativity. The turning point came when I started to listen more to my intuition, which allowed me to better set my boundaries in both my work and private life, without losing connection with others. My childhood taught me to set aside my boundaries and tune into the needs of others. Now I have learned to use my sensitivity for my own well-being and the goals I pursue, which means I now contribute more effectively to Achmea, true to my values and vision.”
Achmea Investment Management
Carla Clarissa
COACH, AUTHOR, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
As an experienced executive coach, I focus on empowering women in their personal leadership. With a background as the youngest consultant at a leading consulting firm, a strategic position at the board table of a major energy company before the age of 30, and a pivotal role in leadership development and culture transformation, I have experienced and understood firsthand the unique strengths and challenges of female leadership.
Through my unique coaching methodology, the Journey to Wholeness®, I offer a holistic approach that helps you unlock your true leadership potential. My in-depth expertise and experience, enriched by my academic background at Nyenrode and my coaching courses at The Tavistock Institute in London and Deep Coaching Institute in San Francisco, provide the foundation through which you become the leader you are proud of.
A new perspective on leadership development: Journey to Wholeness
These women went before you
Would you like to know what desires previous participants started the program with? What results they got out of it? What impact it had on their leadership vision? And on their business? I’ve collected the stories of some of our participants here for you.
We have since inspired and helped hundreds of women move forward with their leadership challenges. From ABN AMRO to start-up ZZP’er. From KPN to municipalities. From The Medical Export Group to smaller consulting firms. Program participants come from all kinds of organizations. And with the group coaching sessions, that not only yields wonderful networking of connected women; the very disparity makes for priceless dynamics and many insights.
"Everything I need to be a powerful leader is within me, what a realization! With self-confidence, I now use my power not only for others, but especially for myself. This makes me even more decisive and visible as a leader. A wonderful transformation that has impact both professionally and privately.
- Marjon Veenendaal, Program Manager Alliander
"The impact and synergy my composure and thoughtfulness bring to a team full of extroverted leaders; I can only now really see how much added value I bring to my leadership."
- Ankie Balgit, PMO Lead Future Credit Landscape, ABN AMRO
"I have learned to be of value not only through the things I do, but also precisely through my 'being' and the space I create.
- Maria van Boxtel, Change Manager, De Volksbank
"Of all the leadership programs I have attended, there is none like the Journey to Wholeness. Here I discovered, but above all felt so strongly how important the connection between Mind, Body and Soul is. And what powerful leader emerges when I bring in my whole self."
- Marjolein Bot, Lead Energy, Amsterdam Economic Board
"I am much more balanced, less hectic and can deal better with my own and others' emotions. I can now really enjoy the work I do."
- Carina Krastel-Hoek, Director Business Guidance TenneT
"I experienced the challenge of not becoming a different type of leader in a male environment. Now I manage to stand for the tough decisions I make while bringing my feminine energy. That does justice to who I am."
- Johanna Meijer-Wolfbauer, Global HR Director FrieslandCampina Professional
I know you long to live and lead from your feminine power.
The Women’s Leadership Program lasts six months. I coach you weekly in your leadership development. It’s the combination of two-day group training sessions, individual coaching calls, peer-2-peer coaching and weekly email challenges that keep you continually engaged in your development and making strides.
I do not believe in quick fixes, but I do believe in an instructive transformation process. Leadership development requires space to reflect on yourself and your environment, it requires perseverance, the courage to learn and experiment, the willingness to go in depth and above all a healthy dose of self-mockery and curiosity!
Two-Day Group Training
The program
“Daring to be more yourself also has to do with daring to be uncompromisingly female.”
Here you will learn to look at yourself through the eyes of the female psyche. You will discover what adaptive strategies you have used to survive in a system dominated by men and masculine values. And how to outgrow these strategies so that you can express your individuality in your leadership. I also help you see what your own shadow sides are; what are you not allowed to be – fed by your upbringing, culture and business environment -, what do you not want to see in yourself, and what have you condemned in yourself that prevents you from bringing your whole being into your leadership.
“The degree to which a woman feels at home in her leadership role has a direct relationship to her self-esteem.”
In this module, you will discover how to unlock your natural executive presence and what charisma really means. Leadership is about influencing groups of people. That includes standing up there. Radiating what you believe in. Charisma is expressed in your posture, tone of voice, eye contact and your way of entering a room – all aspects that emanate from your body.
Many leadership programs ignore the connection to the female body, while the authenticity and power with which you lead are directly linked to your confidence and body awareness. In this safe environment, we will explore how to integrate and express your whole being in your leadership, including the challenges that come with body image and gender perceptions.
We also explore how presence – being fully present in the moment – is enhanced by a deep connection to your body, essential for impactful moments and decision making. This module invites you to embrace your individuality and experience yourself as a “whole being,” making your leadership more authentic and powerful.
“You must know what you really desire in life; what has meaning for you. A woman who leads her own life naturally exudes authority.”
This module focuses on developing a strong inner compass, essential for strengthening your inner authority. I help you pay attention to and trust your inner signals, whether they come as intuitions, emotions or physical sensations. Together we explore how to transform even the most challenging experiences into sources of love, power and wisdom. This is about cultivating an inner connection that allows you to lead authentically and connect with others on a deeper level. Embracing this connectedness allows you to truly connect with others from your heart, making your leadership both personally resonant and professionally effective.
“Discover the art of inspirational speaking so that your audience, whether one person or a group, feels your passion and spirit in every word you utter.”
In this short half-day module, you will receive the tools and techniques to transform your public speaking skills into an inspirational force. You’ll learn how to communicate authentically and let your true self be seen and heard, ensuring that every word you speak is infused with your unique spirit. Whether you are addressing a room or having a conversation with one person, you will learn how to deliver your message in a way that can be heard and create connection.
“Live and lead from a deep connection with yourself.”
The last two days of our journey are a carefully created space dedicated to reflection, integration, and celebration of the transformation you have undergone. We take time to reflect on the essence of your leadership journey. This module is an invitation to focus on what is most important to you in your life and leadership right now. It is a time to celebrate how far you have come, to acknowledge how your leadership has changed and how you will carry these changes forward and share them with the world.
The program concludes with a festive “Graduation Ceremony. This is not only a closing but also a new beginning. With the support of alumni events and further deepening opportunities, you will continue to be inspired to grow and be a role model for other women and men on the path of authentic and balanced leadership.
But that's not all...
INDIVIDUAL COACHING
Five individual coaching calls are part of the program. At the start, in between each group training and at the end. The individual coaching sessions help you reflect more deeply on yourself, offer support and where necessary some extra challenge. The conversations take place at my location or online, whatever you want.
PEER-2-PEER COACHING
Weekly half-hour peer-2-peer conversations with another participant provide the necessary levity, laughter, recognition, support and encouragement to take the steps you long for.
Would you like to receive a personalized quote that includes your coaching question that you can discuss with your employer? Then I would love to meet with you! You can call, email or ask me directly for a quote.
Everything I need to be a powerful leader is within me, what a realization!
With self-confidence, I now use my power not only for others, but also for myself. This makes me even more decisive and visible as a leader. A wonderful transformation that has impact both professionally and privately.
Program Manager Alliander
Of all the leadership programs I have followed, there is not one like the Journey to Wholeness.
Here I discovered, but most of all felt so strongly how important the connection between Mind, Body and Soul is. And what powerful leader emerges when I bring in my whole self.
Lead Energy, Amsterdam Economic Board
Start Dates and Investment
*NEW* Enrollment 2025 open
The investment is 5,250.
Excluding VAT and excluding any overnight stays.
Q1, Q2, Q4 2024
fully booked
Quarter 1 2025
Module 1 “Cultivating Authentic Leadership”: Thursday, Feb. 6 and Friday, Feb. 7
Module 2 ‘Leadership Presence and Influence’: Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14
Module 3 ‘Purpose Driven Leadership’: Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18
Module 4 “Public Speaking for Inspirational Leadership”: Friday, May 30, from 9:30-12:30 a.m.
Module 5 ‘Holistic Leadership Integration’: Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4
Module 1: ‘Cultivating Authentic Leadership’
Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28
Module 2: ‘Leadership Presence and Influence’
Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11
Module 3: ‘Purpose Driven Leadership’
Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9
Module 4: ‘Public Speaking for Inspirational Leadership’
Friday, May 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Module 5: ‘Holistic Leadership Integration’
Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20
Quarter 2 2025
Module 1 ‘Cultivating Authentic Leadership’: Thursday, Feb. 6 and Friday, Feb. 7
Module 2 ‘Leadership Presence and Influence’: Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14
Module 3 ‘Purpose Driven Leadership’: Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18
Module 4 “Public Speaking for Inspirational Leadership”: Friday, May 30, from 9:30-12:30 a.m.
Module 5 ‘Holistic Leadership Integration’: Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4
Coming soon.
The Women’s Leadership Program is a six-month coaching program where we work with you to build balanced and authentic leadership. It’s for you if you:
- Want to increase your self-awareness as a leader;
- Want to learn to manage your adaptation strategies;
- Wanting to live and lead from a deep connection with yourself as a woman;
- Want to increase your impact and develop your Personal Leadership Vision ;
- Want to show (rather than hide) your personality ;
- Through TED-style Speaker Coaching want to learn inspirational speaking so that every listener feels your spirit as you speak.
The underlying design contributes to the transformative nature of the program. For six months, we guide you weekly in your leadership development. It is the combination of two-day group training sessions, individual coaching calls, peer-2-peer coaching and weekly email challenges that keeps you making strides.
We don’t believe in quick fixes, nor do we believe in miracles. Leadership development requires space to reflect, perseverance, the courage to learn and experiment, the willingness to go into depth, discover your shadow sides and above all a healthy dose of self-mockery and curiosity!
Program content
Two-day
group training
We meet four times in two-day group training sessions. In this circle of women leaders, we work on:
Rediscovering yourself using feminine psychology
Rediscovering yourself using feminine psychology
Outgrow adaptation strategies that hinder our authenticity and true power.
Unlock your natural executive presence and discover what charisma really is.
Accomplishing shadow work as a leader. What is in your own shadow should not be there from yourself. And with that, this piece may not be there in others or in your organization either. Shadow work is essential in developing compassion, both to yourself and to others.
The development of a strong inner compass which you translate into your Personal Leadership Vision.
The development of a strong inner compass which you translate into your Personal Leadership Vision.
Living and leading from a deep connection with yourself. Daring to trust the wisdom of your body and the signals it sends and being able to listen to the voice of your intuition are also part of this. From this connection with yourself, you can also connect with others from the heart.
Through TED-style Speaker Coaching, learn to speak inspiringly so that every listener – in a group or alone – feels your spirit as you speak.
INDIVIDUAL
COACHING
Five individual coaching calls are part of the program. At the start, between each group training and at the end. The individual coaching sessions help you reflect more deeply on yourself, offer support and where necessary some extra challenge. The conversations can take place at my location or online.
PEER-2-PEER
Weekly half-hour peer-2-peer conversations with another participant provide the necessary levity, laughter, recognition, support and encouragement to take the steps you long for.
I have learned to be of value not only through the things I do, but precisely through my “being” and the space I create.
Change Manager, De Volksbank
The impact and synergy that my composure and thoughtfulness bring to a team full of extroverted leaders; I really see now how much added value I bring to my leadership.
ABN AMRO
Women leaders who have taken this program know how to:
- Leveraging feminine values in authentic leadership;
- Strengthen their natural inner authority;
- Building and nurturing relationships from self-esteem;
- Executive presence embody;
- Linking meaning and purpose to their leadership;
- Stand by their leadership vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
“A group program with only women? I don’t know if that’s for me.” This is often the first response I get. And it makes sense. In our organizations and our society, it is the male psyche and masculine values that take center stage. You are used to working with men, even being the only woman in certain environments. An environment in which you do just fine and thrive. And yes, in which you also enjoy. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten where you are today.
But there is also another side to this story. You have been fed feedback, reflections and mirrors from these one-sided glasses for years. This has allowed you to develop and mature a certain side of yourself. But there are other valuable parts in you that contribute to a balanced leadership style, and they have been underexposed. The value of this women-only leadership program is that you get and take the space to take off your masculine glasses for once. To look at yourself, your experiences and your organization through the eyes of the female principle.
It greatly enriches your outlook, doubles your leadership and increases your natural authority. Time and again we see what a huge difference it makes for women to be alone in a circle with other women leaders. You not only look at yourself differently because of the mirror that I give you, but also because of the loving mirror that you receive from your sisters. And that is truly magical.
The Women’s Leadership Program is designed for any woman with a desire to
connect more with herself, rediscover her strengths and develop
her vision. In this, it is important that you have several years of experience as a leader. Whether that
is within a large corporate, a new startup or as an independent entrepreneur,
doesn’t matter. Just all the different functions, industries, motivations and experiences
from the past give an awful lot of unique insights to the group. And we are always
open to a personal consultation in which one of the coaches listens with all her heart
to your desires and leadership challenges. Then together
we can discover if it will help you move forward. Schedule your call here. We’d love to meet with you
.
The investment for participation in The Women’s Leadership Program in 2024 is €4,950 excluding VAT. This includes all the training days (8.5 days), the five individual coaching calls, the weekly email challenges and continuous support. I am for the duration of the entire program, so about six months, really your coach and am there for you when you need me.
The right time is there when you make it the right time. When you consider it important
enough to make this time and investment in yourself a priority. For one it
is the right time when she has just started in a new job because she could use some extra
support to avoid stepping into old traps. And for another, it is precisely
when she has already gained some experience in the job so that she feels in control and experiences
space to work with herself. Whatever stage of life you are in, the
is mostly about realizing that you deserve it. In the busy life you lead, there are always
other responsibilities, obligations and expectations. And we women are often
good at cutting ourselves away and adjusting to the expectations of an
other person, thereby enjoying the journey less and less ourselves. If you have any doubts that
is the right timing for you, contact us to help you through this process and
feel what it’s all about right now.
Leadership development does not usually proceed in the same way for men
and women. In part, because a woman’s psyche works differently than that of
a man. There are different inner dynamics at work that influence behavior.
Developing self-awareness therefore requires that women begin to understand and learn to use their own
inner dynamics effectively. In that process, it is
so powerful to discover what it is like to be alone with other women leaders in a
circle. Then you not only start looking at yourself through the mirror I give you, but
you get a mirror back from all kinds of still other women. It creates recognition and
understanding. And I have seen that this creates the psychological safety to lovingly explore your
inner world and feminine power. It is an environment
where you are allowed to let everything you have inside you be. And that is exactly where you will reinvent yourself as a
leader.
If you want to go for it, I will give you an offer that will also appeal to your employer
. And, of course, I will gladly help you think about how best to conduct the conversation
about this, should you feel the need.
The Women’s Leadership Program is different from other leadership programs,
because it’s not about developing skills and abilities alone. It is about you
reconnect with all the wisdom and all the leadership you already have within you.
Women who go through the program take on more challenging jobs, are more often
asked for a promotion, increase their hourly rate – sometimes even doubling it –
and all this without having obtained a new degree or title. Only because they
have come to see their value. Also, women who work with us find joy back in their
work and work environment, experience deepening in their private relationships and feel
empowered to develop the leadership and create life they desire.
Of course! We always begin with a conversation about your desires and
leadership challenges. One of our coaches listens to
your story with all her heart and soul. Schedule a no-obligation consultation here to get a feel for us. You can ask all your questions during the call so that together we can discover if
it will help you further in your leadership challenge.
I experienced the challenge of not becoming a different type of leader in a male environment. Now I manage to stand for the tough decisions I make while bringing my feminine energy. That does justice to who I am.
I am much more balanced, less hectic and better able to deal with my own and others’ emotions. I can now truly enjoy the work I do.
P.S. While there can always be reasons to put off your personal development – a busy schedule, unmet goals, work commitments or family life – these can be the exact same reasons to take action right now. The choice is yours. Remember: no one will prioritize your leadership development more than you.