Our Mission
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I have made it my life's mission to help solve one of the biggest societal challenges of our time: safeguarding our humanity and potential in the age of AI and digital transformation.
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From an early age, I've understood that the greatest barriers often come from within. As the daughter of immigrants, I was encouraged to dream within limits, but my inner voice urged me to break free from those constraints. Resilience, determination, and a deep belief in empowerment have been the driving forces behind my journey.
For nearly two decades at NATO, the world's largest crisis management and security organization, I learned firsthand the importance of resilience, preparedness, and emotional intelligence in high-stakes environments. Collaborating with people from over 40 countries, I honed my skills in stakeholder engagement and developed a profound understanding of the human elements essential for effective leadership.
Founding Thrive with EQ allowed me to bring these insights into the world of emotional intelligence and resilience training. Our work goes beyond technical solutions; we focus on the human side of leadership and digital transformation, blending emotional intelligence with resilience strategies. This holistic approach empowers leaders to create emotionally fortified cultures prepared to face the challenges of the digital age.
Most recently I was invited to provide a keynote session on cyber security and emotional intelligence to build customer trust during the World Leaders Forum of the Universal Postal Union, a specialized United Nations Agency. Being featured in “Hacking Gender Barriers: Europe’s Top Cyber Women” by the Women4Cyber foundation was another personal highlight, a testament to my mission of integrating eq into cyber.
My love for cultures and languages has also shaped my journey—I am fluent in Dutch, English, French, and spoken Arabic, with a good understanding of Italian and German.
My strengths—creativity, kindness, bravery, social intelligence, perspective, humor, and curiosity—are at the heart of my mission. I am committed to guiding you and your organization in building emotional intelligence and fostering resilient leadership, so you can not just survive but thrive amidst the complexities of the digital world.
Our Core Values
Compassion
Embracing empathy as our core, meeting each person and business with understanding.
Community
Creating spaces that foster belonging, connection, and shared support.
Excellence
We pursue collaborative excellence, tackling business challenges with a tailored EQ toolkit.
Integrity
Leading with honesty, trust, and strong ethical principles in every interaction.
Innovation
Welcoming change and inspiring creative solutions for emotional resilience.
Humour
Bringing lightness and laughter where possible, helping ease life’s burdens and manage stress effectively.
Our Northern Star
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I am dedicated to living a life centered on serving humanity. Every action I take through Thrive with EQ is guided by our Northern Star—to build a better tomorrow. My commitment is to empower individuals and organizations with emotional intelligence and resilience, bridging the gap between human potential and AI, and fostering a more compassionate, connected world in the digital age.
Thrive with EQ Manifesto
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Empowering Through Emotional Resilience
At Thrive with EQ, we empower individuals and organizations to build emotional intelligence and resilience. By fostering emotional well-being, we help people navigate life's challenges more effectively, leading to healthier and more compassionate communities.
Global Mission with Emotional FirewallsÂ
The Emotional Firewalls Global Foundation embodies our commitment to global service. Our mission is to build emotional firewalls that protect and enhance the well-being of individuals worldwide, ensuring everyone has the resources to thrive in a complex world.
Championing Accessibility and Inclusivity
We are dedicated to making emotional intelligence education accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or location. Through free resources, scholarships, and community programs, we work tirelessly to remove barriers to entry, celebrating diversity and inclusivity in all our endeavors.
Living with Compassion and Empathy
Compassion and empathy guide all our interactions. We approach every relationship with kindness, using our platforms to amplify voices that are often unheard and advocating for social justice, equality, and human rights.
Mentorship and Empowerment
We invest time in mentoring aspiring leaders and change-makers. By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we empower others to pursue their passions and create a ripple effect of positive change.
Integrity and Authenticity
We lead by example, ensuring our actions align with our words. Integrity is the cornerstone of our work; we hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards, building trust through transparency and authenticity.
Meet My Biggest Hero in Life
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Believing in yourself when no one else does is one of the hardest things to do. For a long time, that was my reality—if not most of my life.
But then I was gifted the most life-changing blessing of all: my son.
On my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve faced countless ups and downs. There were moments when I wanted to give up entirely, but my boy was always there to lift me up. One day, as only kids can—without filters or hesitation—he said something that became my mantra for life, especially when the going gets tough:
“Mom, it’s okay to feel sorry for yourself. It’s okay to feel tired. Rest. But remember, you are an Eagle. Eagles don’t fly sideways; they only go one way, and that is up. The Eagle is the only bird that seeks out the storm to enjoy the peace beyond it. You are an Eagle, Mommy—soar high in the skies. The world needs Thrive with EQ, so never ever give up, Mommy!”
That’s my boy.
His words fuel me every day, and our shared love for Thrive with EQ shines through every interaction we have—whether with clients, partners, or the lives we are privileged to touch.
Thank you for soaring alongside us.
Join us!
Join us on this journey towards a brighter future guided by our Northern Star. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and build a better tomorrow for your business, community and the people you care about the most!
