Fabienne is the leadership mentor to female leaders who want to improve their careers and life. She is passionate about helping them expand their influence and impact while enjoying being true to themselves.
She is the founder of TalentMakers® and the creator of Start-To-Lead®. She has been in the corporate world for over 30 years and has helped thousands of employees of renowned companies learn and develop.
Her mission: Better Leadership for a Better World.
Fabienne Renders, Women’s Leadership Mentor | L&D Expert
Can you share your personal journey and what led you to become passionate about learning and development, and empowering female leaders?
My career began in a completely different place than where I stand today. I started as an executive assistant, and through sheer determination, I quickly grew in the role. But when I turned 29, everything changed. I was ‘suddenly’ in charge of a team of three—a big leap, with no training, no mentor, and no support system. My boss at the time was very dominant, with a huge ego and a patriarchal management style that left little room for honest feedback, growth, or personal development. The environment was harsh and competitive, and I was expected to lead, but the resources just weren’t there.
I often felt “stuck”, facing systemic and unconscious gender biases that limited opportunities for women like me. The words “learning and development” or “career advancement” for young women in those days were almost nonexistent. I had even left two jobs because of sexism and inappropriate behavior from my bosses, who made demeaning comments and fostered a toxic work culture. This is the first time I have ever openly talked about this.
When I turned 30, I decided to take control of my journey. I left my secure job with a royal salary package and a company car to become self-employed, determined to grow and create the opportunities I wished had existed for me.
Over the past 25+ years, I have worked with renowned companies as an advisor, project manager, and interim manager in Human Resources Management and Learning & Development. I designed, developed, and implemented corporate learning academies and curricula for organizations across various sectors, creating impactful training programs that have equipped over 20,000 employees with interpersonal, management, and leadership skills.
Through these experiences, I developed a profound expertise in leadership development, particularly in empowering women to step into their full potential. As a female leadership mentor, I am committed to helping women cultivate the self-awareness, clarity, and confidence needed to navigate complex business landscapes and become effective, authentic leaders. This passion stems not only from my professional work but also from my personal journey of overcoming barriers and biases, which taught me the transformative power of self-leadership and development opportunities.
You talk about the importance of clarity in leadership. Why is this so crucial, especially for women leaders, and what does it mean to lead with clarity and purpose?
Clarity in leadership is everything—it’s about being crystal clear on who you are, what you stand for, and where you want to go. For female leaders, this is even more vital because we often find ourselves navigating systems that weren’t built for us. A lot of women still struggle with societal and unconscious organizational biases, and without clarity, it’s easy to lose your direction or be swayed by external pressures.
When you’re clear on your mission and values, it’s easier to make decisions that align with your true self. You lead with authenticity, which is incredibly powerful. Leadership rooted in purpose is about inspiring others to follow your vision—not because of your title, but because of your authenticity and conviction.
For me, I had to carve out that space for myself because there were no role models or mentors available to me when I started. And the more women I meet in my work today, the more I realize that without a solid foundation of self-awareness and clarity, it’s difficult to break through the glass ceilings or gain the influence needed to make meaningful change.
From your personal experiences and your work as a Learning & Development expert and a Women’s Leadership Mentor, why do so many women in leadership positions struggle with defining their vision?
Many women in leadership struggle with defining their vision because they haven’t been empowered to think bigger from the beginning. Historically, the leadership conversation has been dominated by a masculine framework—competitive, ego-driven, hierarchical. Women were rarely encouraged to embrace their full potential or to see themselves as leaders of influence in their own right.
Additionally, in many organizations, there are fewer opportunities for women to develop as leaders. Women are still often expected to “prove” themselves in ways that their male counterparts are not. They’re expected to balance being empathetic yet authoritative, likable but strong, while navigating patriarchal systems that may actively limit their advancement.
This is where structured leadership development programs can make an incredible difference. Through my work designing corporate learning programs, I’ve seen firsthand how clarity and confidence emerge when women have access to the right tools, guidance, and opportunities for growth. This is why I’m passionate about equipping female leaders with the resources they need to define their vision and lead authentically.
What would you say to women who feel unclear about their leadership identity or who don’t know where to start with defining their vision?
First, I’d say: start with self-reflection. Take time to ask yourself the tough questions—who am I, really? What do I want my legacy to be? What impact do I want to have on my team, my organization, my industry, my community, on the world? If you don’t have the answers right away, that’s okay. Clarity takes time, and it’s an ongoing process.
Next, embrace your values. What are the non-negotiables in your life and leadership? These values will be your anchor, guiding every decision and helping you remain true to yourself, even when external pressures are high.
Another critical step is to develop your personal brand—this is not just about how you show up externally, but how you communicate your mission, your story, and your identity to the world. Leading with your personal brand is a form of power that can help you cut through the noise and create a strong presence.
But here’s the key: leadership is an inside-out job. It all starts with self-leadership. You can’t inspire others if you don’t first lead yourself with awareness, discipline, and integrity. It’s about mastering your own thoughts, emotions, and actions so you can model the kind of leadership you wish to see in the world. You can’t give what you don’t have—and it all starts with you.
Lastly, seek out mentorship. No one builds clarity alone. Find people who will challenge your thinking, push you to explore new perspectives, and support you in staying true to your purpose.
Could you describe what a “visionary leader” looks like, especially for women, and how can they increase their influence and impact?
A visionary leader is someone who knows exactly who they are and has the courage to lead according to their own principles, even when faced with resistance. For women, this often means having the audacity to be different, to stand out, and to redefine leadership on our own terms. Visionary leaders see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. They are able to inspire others by sharing a compelling future and leading in a way that aligns with their values.
To increase influence and impact, women must lead with confidence and authenticity. They must own their worth and not be afraid to step into spaces where their voices are needed. Creating balance and fostering inclusivity is key—not just in how they lead, but in the legacy they leave behind. For women in particular, embracing their role as leaders of change is how they ultimately expand their influence and build networks of support that can propel them forward.
Why is it so important for leaders to remain authentic in their approach to leadership, and how does this relate to the clarity of vision?
Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Without it, you’re simply performing or trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t align with who you truly are. When you lead authentically, you create trust and connection. People are more likely to follow you when they see that you’re being genuine and transparent.
Clarity of vision is intimately tied to authenticity. When you have a clear sense of who you are and where you’re going, your decisions, actions, and communications naturally align with that vision. This consistency builds credibility and influence. People trust leaders who act with integrity and stay true to their principles because they know what to expect, and they feel inspired by the leader’s unwavering commitment to their mission.
What does the future hold for you, and how do you plan to continue your mission?
The future is about expanding my impact—helping more women become the impactful leaders they were meant to be. I want to provide them with the clarity, tools, and confidence they need to not only navigate leadership challenges but to excel in them. I’ll continue to focus on leadership development, mentorship, and personal growth, helping women unlock their potential to create a more inclusive, balanced, and successful world.
Ultimately, my goal is to help women understand that authentic leadership is not just a career strategy—it’s a way to live and lead that can transform the world. By empowering women with clarity and purpose, I believe we can achieve a more just, equitable, and balanced world, one leader at a time.
Any final words of inspiration for women leaders reading this interview?
To all the women out there: You are up for so much more! The only thing you need to do is take the first step and invest in yourself. You don’t need to wait for permission or a “perfect moment”. You already have everything inside you to become the leader you are meant to be. Leadership starts with self-awareness and self-leadership—it’s all about you taking charge of your own growth, your own impact, and your own future.
The world needs your vision, your voice, and your leadership. Don’t wait for anyone else to define your worth—take that first step and watch how your influence expands. You’ve got this.
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