Redefining Leadership in Tech – Reflections from the Fe+male Tech Heroes Conference

Still buzzing from the energy of the Fe+male Tech Heroes Conference on 15 May at High Tech Campus Eindhoven—a place I can only describe as Europe’s smartest square kilometre and a true innovation powerhouse.

What made it special? It wasn’t just the state-of-the-art surroundings—though being surrounded by 300+ high-tech companies and 12,500 engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs certainly sets the tone. It was the bold, honest conversations that reshaped how we think about leader communication styles, particularly for women and underrepresented voices in tech.

As a communication coach, this is the kind of event that sparks real change. We weren’t just talking about leadership. We were redefining it.

From thought-provoking keynotes by Ingrid Tappin 🏳️‍🌈, Dr Meike Nauta and Beatrix Bos, to panel discussions with Miriam D.A. van der Meer, Yolanda van Dinther and Joseph Zekry, PhD, the day offered constant opportunities to challenge assumptions and reflect on how we show up as communicators and leaders. These are conversations at the heart of executive presentation work.

A highlight for me? The interactive workshop led by Gerda Slagter, where collaboration met creativity. With participants from SAP and other companies, we dived into real scenarios and new ideas—exactly the kind of environment that supports persuasive presentation skills and impactful communication.

The setting couldn't have been more fitting. Just this month, the High Tech Campus announced a major milestone: over 300 companies now call this place home. That’s triple the number from just 2011! But this growth isn’t just impressive on paper—it’s a testament to the power of collaboration. This ecosystem brings together minds from different fields, cultures and countries. And it works.

I saw that ecosystem in full force at the conference.

Throughout the day, I connected with inspiring professionals—software engineers, AI experts, and tech leaders—from the Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia, Tunisia, Egypt, China and beyond. The exchange of ideas was matched by warmth and generosity. Special thanks to Ichrak Jerbi and Kateryna Saprunova for your insights and openness.

And yes—the summer tent was a vibe. Great food, meaningful conversations, and one fabulously informal group photo I’ll treasure. A big thank you to Maria Lacalle, CRISTINA CARBONELL GUTIERREZ and Ines Baricevic for being part of that moment.

Huge appreciation to Ingelou Stol and Hilde de Vocht for curating such a powerful event. The day reminded me of the impact of well-designed speaker workshops and the role of skilled facilitation in shaping future leaders.

In short? The future of tech leadership is collaborative, inclusive and deeply human. And it’s going to take strong, clear and persuasive communication to lead the way. And I’m thrilled at the prospect of being part of the conversation.