Here are 10 things about me that will give you a glimpse into who I am, where I come from and what I stand for.
1. I was born in Poland.
Just when I was finishing high school, Poland joined the European Union and a whole new world opened up for me.
I grabbed it by the horns, packed my bags and left to the Netherlands for my gap year. 20 years later, and I am still exploring this wonderful world, calling beautiful Switzerland my home.
2. I’ve lived in 7 countries on 3 continents:
Besides Poland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, I’ve also lived in Guatemala, Mexico, Denmark, and Thailand! I’ve had plenty of opportunities to explore my own biases, to experience exclusion, and to put my master’s degree in Intercultural Communication into practice. I wouldn’t have traded these experiences for anything else in life!
3. I have always loved being on stage.
I played leading roles in school theatre and entered various competitions for fun (do you remember mini playback shows?) Once, I won a singing competition even though I sang the same part twice and didn’t even notice! I really can’t sing, but my enthusiasm must have been contagious (or maybe the other children were truly dreadful!)
Back then, I dreamt about becoming an actress. These days, I channel this creative energy into my workshops and panel discussions, making sure that the audience leaves inspired and equipped with practical tools to drive positive change in their personal and professional lives.
4. My first training experience was nearly 10 years ago.
Part of my previous role as a Sales Manager was teaching store staff how to use and sell more shoe-care products (think: shoe polish or waterproof spray….) Learning how to make such a (frankly) dull topic exciting, engaging, and fun, stretched my creativity, taught me a lot about the art of facilitation and teaching, and gave me the first taste of what it means to help others develop theirs skills and knowledge.
Hardest training? A full-day classroom workshop in Japan via a translator!
Best training trip so far? Australia!
5. I believe that everyone has the right to be included and appreciated for whom they are and what they bring to the table.
That’s why I teach about unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, allyship at work, and recognition and appreciation in the workplace. This is also why I volunteer my time as a Co-Leader of a women’s group called “Lean In Network Switzerland” and as a Board Member of an NGO called “Capacity Zurich,” where we help refugees and migrants find a job in Switzerland or start their own business.
6. My corporate training business on the topic of gratitude and mental health started ‘by accident’.
In 2021, I created ‘My Gratitude Challenge’ – a 28-day program that shows you how to practice gratitude to be happier, healthier, and more resilient – and invitations from companies to share that knowledge with their colleagues followed. I know from personal experience that looking on the bright side is easier said than done, so I find it deeply fulfilling to support people in finding the joy in their lives, even when the circumstances are tough.
7. I have co-organised, co-hosted or moderated nearly 100 events by now.
I know the enormous amount of work that goes into organizing an impactful event or training, and I understand that a speaker can make or break it. I’ve been in your shoes, so when we work together, it is important to me that you get what you need, that your colleagues absolutely love it, and that your boss is impressed with the impact and results.
8. Until recently, I worked as a Relations Manager at Advance – an association of over 140 companies committed to gender equality in the workplace.
It gave me a front-row seat to the best practices on hiring, retaining, and promoting women that go beyond a ‘ticking a box exercise’ and truly move the needle. Nearly 10 years with Lean In have also taught me about the many challenges women face in the workplace, how important peer support is, and what we, as individuals, can do to create a more gender-equal world.
9. I’ve got a little boy and a little girl, and I want them to thrive regardless of their gender, nationality, or any other characteristics.
They are multicultural and multilingual and will grow up as true citizens of the world. As a speaker and educator, I want to build a brighter future for the generations to come. In my workshops, I challenge the outdated notions of gender, race, and any other societal construct that can limit our potential.
10. My clients often comment on my positive energy and ability to create a safe learning environment.
I strive to combine thought-provoking facts with memorable stories and empower employees to turn insights into actions.
I believe that training needs to be practical and engaging to be impactful, and that a bit of laughter can help.
If this resonates, reach out and let’s see what kind of results we can create together!