The Women in Leadership Programme was part of the Shiraka Training for Women in the Judiciary, which brought together 25 women in the legal profession from 10 different countries across the Middle East. This Shiraka Training was managed by Joke Pisters and Fleur van Lit of the Center for International Legal Cooperation.
Here’s what Joke and Fleur have to say about the Women in Leadership Programme:
"As the Shiraka Training Project Manager, I had the pleasure of working together with Annemarie on female leadership for 25 legal professionals from the Middle East and North Africa. Annemarie developed and facilitated a personal leadership journey, which she hosted through a series of online sessions. Her professional, constructive and open attitude gave an incredible boost to the overall Shiraka Training! Annemarie makes sure that everyone's leadership questions and dilemmas are addressed by creating a safe space for participants to grow. Throughout the programme, participants connected to their core values, inner critic and inner mentor. Through her background as an arabist, Annemarie easily established a meaningful connection with the participants, which was exactly what we were looking for in this programme. I would highly recommend Annemarie to any organisation that aims to organise a meaningful leadership journey for individuals or groups!" ~ Joke Pisters, Project Manager Center for International Legal Cooperation
"As a Project Manager, working with Annemarie is a breath of fresh air. She really connects with the group, even in an online format. She helps each participant find her inner strength and motivates everyone to move forward in their leadership journeys. With her meticulous preparation and flexible approach, each session is valuable and makes everyone look forward to the next one!" ~ Fleur van Lit, Project Manager Center for International Legal Cooperation
This is how participants in the Shiraka Training Programme look back on their experience:
"I learned from Annemarie’s sessions during Shiraka training programme on Female Leadership how to face my self-doubts and fears, how to deal with my inner critic voice, and to connect with my inner mentor, not only at work, but also at all levels of life. I’m no longer as hesitant as before. Othe contrary, I have become more daring to step towards experiencing everything new to unleash my dreams, achieve my ambitions, to become a change maker. I was inspired by Annemarie’s character. She influenced me greatly. Her sessions were a starting point to live my core values more fully, to get out from my comfort zone, and to move forward to my leadership goals. Her energy, creativity, inspiring vision, deep passion for empowering women, high level skills, and professional technique are extremely empowering and motivating. I highly recommend her as a trainer and coach in the field of self-development and leadership." ~ Sewar Alrashdan, Judge at Amman First Instance Court, Jordan
Coachees I have worked with in one-on-one sessions look back on their experience in these ways:
"You have a wonderful, warm energy and a beautiful way of holding space that felt reassuring to me. This created room for me to explore my dilemmas. Also, the action plans we made were very helpful to me: I moved forward on things that had kept me stuck for ever! The accountability bit made me feel more supported and less lonely." ~ Aziza, entrepreneur, the Netherlands
"I loved your good, powerful questions. You really challenged me! But in a gentle way that kept me on track, and allowed me to gain clarity. It feels like a very safe space with you, even through Zoom. Like there is no screen between us and you’re right here with me in London, while in fact you’re across the Channel in the Netherlands." ~ Sarita, Senior Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Officer, UK
"Annemarie is a masterful coach. She helped me identify my core values and self-limiting doubts. Her coaching questions guided me to find my own authentic inner voice of wisdom. I highly recommend her to anyone wanting to work with a coach." ~ Chris O'Halloran PhD, CEO Healthy Oceans Healthy People, USA
"After our sessions together I feel more confident and it's much easier for me to speak up. My job is very demanding and it's now so much easier for me recognise and assert my boundaries. I have a much better work-life balance and more time and energy for my creative love: painting." ~ Janneke, Associate Professor, the Netherlands