Blessing
Another pair of eyes
Since the start in 1995, The House of HR expanded and became a success story. However, as a woman at the head of an international company, I was the odd-one-out. Excellence didn’t automatically grant me a seat at the table. I had to fight to be taken seriously as a businesswoman: in the boardroom, among competitors and towards investors.
That’s shameful, unjust and short-sighted.
Fresh look
Having another pair of eyes take a fresh look at your business is a blessing. The eyes can belong to different people and it’s useful at any stage of your business. It could be a personal mentor when you start up or when you need to take a step back. Or an external board member who gives you a reality check when you’ve been in business for some time. Or a private equity player that takes your company to a whole new level.
Excellence didn’t automatically grant me a seat at the table.
Female leadership ventures
That’s why, in 2014, I founded Stella P., a company that sources potential new board members for companies in order to add value to their board. With boards traditionally having a low number of women, we focus on head-hunting female executives for these companies. In 2016 I also set up We Are Jane, an investor fund – 100% fuelled by women – that finances businesses run by women.
Female role model
In addition to that, I “leaned in” and became the female role model that I missed out on when I was younger and in desperate need of examples. To inspire women to follow their dreams and to dream big – on their own terms.
Meet the women from Stella P. From left to right: Tessa Dugardin, Axelle Vandendriessche, Sylvie Van De Velde, Lynn Rambour and Sarah Struyf.
“The world needs female role models. You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Recent articles
Employee Engagement: View Of The Experts
Met de Employee Engagement Awards krijgen organisaties in België de kans om hun betrokken medewerkers in de spotlights zetten en hen te belonen voor hun uitzonderlijke inzet....
The female role model post-pandemic
Who’s with me in leaving comfort zones and taking down silos? ...
Inspirational woman
Conny Vandendriessche is the founder and owner of Stella P., a firm specialising in selecting external directors for company boards, and House of HR, a firm specialising in everything about people &am...