Women leading in Brussels are navigating one of Europe’s most diverse and internationally connected cities, while often working across communities, and sectors. This expedition helped women discover a way of leading that is authentic to them, while also exploring how women leading can build bridges, strengthen connections, and contribute to a more connected and collaborative Brussels.

Expedition for Women Leading in Brussels

Essence Map

Nathalie shares what she’s discovered about the pieces of  Essence that shapes how she leads.

Poems

Lissette Ma Neza, an Explorer on the expedition for Women Leading in Brussels shares 

Explorer, Women Leading in Brussels

Podcast

Explorers join Julia Middleton to reflect on insights, breakthroughs, and the moments from the expedition that reshaped how they lead.

Nathalie Essence Map For The Group

A visual map that captures how different pieces of Explorers’ Essence influence how they lead

Mask 1

Sharona’s Creative Mask

This mask shows two inner worlds in one face. On the left, a sun shines over a sprouting branch, in bright colours with the words hope and action, a space of growth, Energy, and forward movement. On the right, everything turns grey: a single eye, a broken heart, and rain clouds holding the words pressure, fear, and vision; a quieter space of weight, struggle, and uncertainty. Together, they reflect a a woman leading by holding light and heaviness at the same time, still moving between hope and pressure, becoming through both.

Mask 2

Aarushi Khanna’s Mask

Aarushi Khanna’s mask feels like a quiet tension between doubt and intention. The blue notes linger above with the words: the need to be heard, discomfort with taking space, self-doubt like thoughts that hover, shaping everything but not quite grounded.

Closer to the face, the pink strips speak louder: empathy, standing up for others, collaboration, community, building + connecting. These are rooted, like the kind of person she is becoming as she leads. It’s a mask that doesn’t ignore insecurity but refuses to let it lead.

Mask 2

Ankita’s Mask

Ankita's mask unfolds like a butterfly in motion; soft, yet intentional.

Each wing carries a strength: collaborative, empathetic, confident, action-oriented, qualities that feel balanced, like a person who knows both how to move and how to hold space. There’s a quiet grace in being both approachable and in control.

But beneath, the mirrored wings tell a different story; overthinking, imposter syndrome, fear of being judged, feeling overwhelmed. It’s as if the same wings that could lift her also hesitate mid-flight. And yet, it doesn’t feel stuck, it feels like a leader learning to trust her own wings.

Mask 4

Dishti’s Mask’s Mask

The front of Dishti’s mask radiates warmth; joy, love, empathy, belonging. It’s a presence that makes others feel safe, seen, and held. Words like authentic and patient suggest a leader who shows up with intention, someone people naturally lean toward.

But the back tells a heavier truth; self-hate, imposter, anxiety, low energy, people-pleasing. It reveals the unseen cost of being that light for others.

What’s powerful is not the contrast, but the coexistence. This is a woman leading by continuing to offer belonging even while searching for it within themselves. She is learning, slowly, to extend that same compassion inward.

Explore other expedition discoveries

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