About

We believe organisations are better off when more women lead.

We help talented women keep growing at the moments that matter most in their career, instead of dropping out, and we help them lift each other up along the way.

Meet the founders

Woman in a white shirt laughing, hand at her chin

What we believe

Three things we hold on to.

Women don't need fixing.
They need the space, tools and support to use what they already have.
Growth happens in context.
We look at each woman in the context of her work, not in isolation.
We rise further together.
When women support each other's success, everyone benefits, including the organisation.

Who we are

The people behind the academy.

Founder · Programmes & method

Lisanne van Bunderen

Lisanne is a social and organisational psychologist. She studied at the University of Amsterdam and holds a PhD in organisational behaviour from Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University), where her research covered leadership, teams and power dynamics in organisations.

During her PhD at Erasmus and later as an assistant professor at the Amsterdam Business School (UvA), she taught from bachelor to executive master and MBA level across the full field of organisational behaviour, from leadership, teams and culture to negotiation, HR and diversity and inclusion. Her teaching won several awards. In 2020 she founded Connectors Lab, a training agency for personal, professional and leadership development, and has since worked with thousands of students and professionals at universities and in companies.

She founded the Women’s Leadership Academy in 2024 because she kept seeing the same thing: capable women holding themselves back, and organisations losing talent they had worked hard to find. At WLA she develops the leadership model and the programmes. Her approach is practical and personal: participants work with real situations from their own jobs and look at the patterns behind their behaviour.

Co-owner · Brand & growth

Michelle van Nugteren

Michelle holds an MSc in Business Administration, specialising in Leadership and Management, from the University of Amsterdam. Her thesis explored happiness at work, reflecting her interest in how people build careers in which they can grow, contribute and feel fulfilled.

Her career spans corporate environments and entrepreneurship. At Accenture, where Pinterest was her main client, she advised brands and agencies on digital marketing strategy, audience engagement and business growth. In 2025, she founded Maison Nōuvo, a strategic marketing and growth agency for hospitality, real estate and travel brands. Alongside her client work, she has delivered masterclasses on entrepreneurship and the future of marketing in the age of AI, translating ideas into practical steps people can apply in their own work.

She joined the Women’s Leadership Academy as co-owner in 2026, sharing Lisanne’s ambition to help women recognise their capabilities and take ownership of their careers. At WLA she leads brand, marketing and growth, helping bring the academy’s work to more women and organisations. She brings the perspective of an emerging leader herself, drawing on her experience of moving from corporate employment to building a business. Her focus is on making personal leadership tangible: finding your voice, making deliberate choices and building the confidence to act on your ambitions.

Our network

Experts who share our approach.

For specific programmes, such as our Executive Leaders Programme, we work with carefully selected experts and experienced executive coaches who share our approach.

Let's talk.

Curious what we could do for your organisation, or for you? We'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch