Daphne Laan
Making the unthinkable possible
Daphne Laan is a bridge builder and expert in the field of feminine leadership
During her trip around the world, Daphne Laan read the book ‘The Google Story’, and one sentence in particular stuck in her mind: “To make the unthinkable possible”. After some time had passed, she ended up having a cup of coffee at Google Netherlands, which marks a new beginning in her career.
As Head of Technology at Google, she is now involved with major clients, deal making and ecosystem development. She is ‘one of the guys’, but she starts to realise – like many other women – that she has a lot more to bring to the table. She decides to start an experiment. ‘What would happen if, in a business context, she followed her heart and let herself be led by her own values?’
So, forward she went, ignoring the fear. This opened doors to her she had never even known existed.
Daphne Laan starts her Masters in Executive Coaching at Ashridge Business School. She becomes [email protected], makes connections with various networks and speaks about increasing impact and leadership.
During that time, she hosts ‘Think with Google’, the TEDx Amsterdam Women Startup Awards, and supports Women Inc’s initiative on the role of media makers in visualisation.
She also becomes Managing Director of the ‘Down to Earth Collective’, a social enterprise that released a film that premiered worldwide during the Paris climate summit. During the lock-down, when all cinemas were closed, Daphne Laan and her team built a tech solution that allows the film to be viewed in an innovative ‘Pay as you like’ model. Shortly after, the film has been viewed 2 million times internationally and is now finding its way to an international audience.
While serving on the Education Committee at VU, the idea of bridging the gap between science and practice arose. With The Board Whisperers – in collaboration with business partner Sonja Wekema – Daphne Laan currently focuses on helping founders, executive teams and boards with their essential issues and making their vision reality. Pushing the boundaries of the impossible is their goal, in which they do not hesitate to challenge the status quo. Daphne loves sharing her story with the world. Inspired? Book her as a speaker for your event.
Daphne Laan is a bridge builder and expert in the field of feminine leadership During her trip around the world, Daphne Laan read the book ‘The Google Story’, and one sentence in particular stuck in her mind: “To make the unthinkable possible”. After some time had passed, she ended up having a cup of coffee at Google Netherlands, which marks a new beginning in her career. View more…
If you want people to support your vision, you have to look at what goes on between the lines.
"Freedom to think, act and feel is my personal mission."
Daphne Laan stirs up the fire of change in CEOs, founders and leaders of the future
What drives Daphne Laan to encourage transformation in people and (corporate) organisations? The essence of it all lies in her family history.
“My grandfather was taken prisoner of war and that story runs through several generations. First it was his story, then that of my father and after his death it became my story. Freedom of thought, action and feeling has become my personal mission and I want to let others experience this as well. I want to show them the power of following your own path, driven by personal values.”
She tells her story for the first time during the Peace Event Building Bridges, which she organises and hosts. A bridge builder, that is exactly how she describes herself. She makes the connection between practice and science, male and female values, head and heart, old and new. For years, Daphne Laan advised boards on digital transformation, so stakeholder management is nothing new for her.
“If you want people to support your vision, to achieve a cultural change, then you have to look at what lies under the carpet, not just at the tangible things on the table. Knowing what goes on between the lines, is crucial.”
With her lectures, she wants to inspire CEOs, founders and shareholders, but also light the fire of change in people who – like her – work for large corporates and recognise themselves in her story. People who want to move forward, but are stuck. She demonstrates to the young generation of future leaders that feminine leadership and intuition are very valuable.
Book Daphne Laan for your event
Would you like to book Daphne Laan as a speaker for your next event? Ask about the possibilities and her availability.
1. Lead by example
Yes, she loves to speak. But that is not her main purpose. She has personally experienced what it is like to break away from a position and choose a new direction.
2. Science-based
Masculine and feminine values are explained through scientific research on the subject. She explains how they complement each other, in organisations, but also in society.
3. Connection
Between the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Male and female values. Thinking and feeling. Facts and intuition.
4. Positive energy
Participants leave with a high level of positivity and energy, and look forward to taking on challenges with renewed creativity and joy.
5. Universal
Tech platforms, large corporates or impact makers. Pioneers or established companies looking for new business models. Founders or involved shareholders. Daphne shows those who are open to it what you can achieve by following your own heart.
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1. Lead by example
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Yes, she loves to speak. But that is not her main purpose. She has personally experienced what it is like to break away from a position and choose a new direction.
-
-
2. Science-based
-
Masculine and feminine values are explained through scientific research on the subject. She explains how they complement each other, in organisations, but also in society.
-
-
3. Connection
-
Between the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Male and female values. Thinking and feeling. Facts and intuition.
-
-
4. Positive energy
-
Participants leave with a high level of positivity and energy, and look forward to taking on challenges with renewed creativity and joy.
-
-
5. Universal
-
Tech platforms, large corporates or impact makers. Pioneers or established companies looking for new business models. Founders or involved shareholders. Daphne shows those who are open to it what you can achieve by following your own heart.
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Five questions for:
Daphne Laan
For Good: what does it mean to you?
“I know from family history that living in freedom is not something to be taken for granted. So I think that if you do have that freedom, you have a responsibility to do something good with it. What is considered good is very personal for everyone. That’s exactly what I want to raise awareness for, make people think. That is what ‘For Good’ means to me.”
Walk the Talk: what is your added value?
“I thought: ‘my goodness, if even with my privilege I don’t speak out, what does that mean for other women in organisations who are stuck in the hierarchy?’ I hope by raising my voice I can inspire and show people that positive change is possible by letting yourself be guided by your own intuition and values.”
Who is your great example or inspiration?
“That’s not one particular person. Actually, we can all be impactful if we want to be. Okay, if I have to name someone then I would say my four and a half year old daughter. We can all learn something from her confidence, purity and fearlessness. Children can still be genuinely amazed and don’t see boundaries, which we only impose on ourselves later on.”
What makes you typically Daphne?
“I speak out, but I like to keep it light-hearted and cheerful. No heavy stuff and doom scenarios, but hopeful stories full of energy, lightness and fun. That is the way I tackle challenges and also the way I want to inspire others.”
What can the audience expect from you?
“I create space for new opportunities in our way of thinking, through positivity. I demonstrate that the way we think can be stretched to create something new.”
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For Good: what does it mean to you?
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“I know from family history that living in freedom is not something to be taken for granted. So I think that if you do have that freedom, you have a responsibility to do something good with it. What is considered good is very personal for everyone. That’s exactly what I want to raise awareness for, make people think. That is what ‘For Good’ means to me.”
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Walk the Talk: what is your added value?
-
“I thought: ‘my goodness, if even with my privilege I don’t speak out, what does that mean for other women in organisations who are stuck in the hierarchy?’ I hope by raising my voice I can inspire and show people that positive change is possible by letting yourself be guided by your own intuition and values.”
-
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Who is your great example or inspiration?
-
“That’s not one particular person. Actually, we can all be impactful if we want to be. Okay, if I have to name someone then I would say my four and a half year old daughter. We can all learn something from her confidence, purity and fearlessness. Children can still be genuinely amazed and don’t see boundaries, which we only impose on ourselves later on.”
-
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What makes you typically Daphne?
-
“I speak out, but I like to keep it light-hearted and cheerful. No heavy stuff and doom scenarios, but hopeful stories full of energy, lightness and fun. That is the way I tackle challenges and also the way I want to inspire others.”
-
-
What can the audience expect from you?
-
“I create space for new opportunities in our way of thinking, through positivity. I demonstrate that the way we think can be stretched to create something new.”
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A selection of companies that Daphne Laan already had impactful collaborations with….
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“Daphne moderated our client’s event and did a great job. Her role went beyond just announcing speakers; she also participated by asking the right questions at the right time. She brought the right energy on stage and also behind the scenes. She is very pleasant to work with and is tremendously positive and driven to put on a good performance.”
– Jeroen Brands, Marketing Operations
Vanenburg
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Women Inc.
Women Inc
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Google.
Google
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“Very inspiring and motivating. Her personal story connected well with the content and the story flowed very organically.”
– Rose Marie van Leeuwen, Growth Hacker
Sprints & Sneakers -
TEDx Amsterdam Women.
TEDx Amsterdam Women
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EY.
EY
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The Optimist.
The Optimist
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The Happy Start-Up School.
The Happy Start-Up School
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Festival of Consciousness.
Festival of Consciousness
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Building Bridges.
Building Bridges
