For much of my life, I’d been doing what everyone else told me to do. I’d gotten a corporate job in the tech industry and climbed the ladder. I was promoted to VP. My bosses said they liked my unique, fresh perspectives. But I was still expected to conform. To work crazy hours. To do things their way, i.e. the male-dominated, masculine way. I could be different but not TOO different.

I was incredibly frustrated. I knew there was more for me to contribute yet I felt so limited and confined in this role and company. In the Mastermind, I finally had the courage to express what had been eating me up inside: “I’m 38 - can I just do what I want to do and be what I want to be - now?!” Their resounding response: “YES!”

Rita continuously encouraged us to dream bigger. “What if there were no limits? What if you could do anything in the world?” Inspired by the possibilities for my life when I’m living on purpose, I took a leap of faith and quit my job. Instead of just going from one job to another, I took time off to get really clear on what’s next.

Since then, I’ve started writing a book about leadership - another dream I’m no longer putting on hold. I am launching a podcast and I’m running my own consultancy business.

I’m also laying the foundation to start a venture fund to invest in start-ups in fem tech and women entrepreneurs.What I’ve come to see with Rita’s support is that you can either believe that you will fail or that you will succeed. You can believe your success is guaranteed or not. It’s up to you what you put your faith in.

I’m choosing to believe that success is guaranteed instead of using an ounce of worry or anxiety. There is a much higher likelihood of success when I believe in myself, anyway! I would not have been able to believe in myself or have the confidence that I do if I hadn’t participated in the mastermind.

Nada Ahmed

HOUSTON

Formerly a VP of Innovation in the Energy Industry
Now, published author of the book Determined to Lead, a podcast host,and sought-after public speaker.

After working in corporations for 20 years mostly in the energy industry, I left to start my own business. I had a deep seated dream to bring environmental sustainability solutions to communities in Nigeria, so I set up my business with two arms: a profit consultancy and a non-profit foundation.

When Rita invited me to join the Mastermind, I felt overwhelmed. In addition to being a business owner and a mom, I was also working on my second master’s degree. I had a million and one things to do all the time. But I was drawn to the concept of Shestainability and the prospect of tapping into my feminine energy. So I decided to join the Mastermind with an open mind.

The experience has been very revealing on a professional and personal level. I realized I was putting all of my time and energy into my consultancy business because it’s what was familiar. But my purpose —my big dream—was more aligned with my non-profit, which I still hadn’t gotten off the ground. I also saw how I’d been getting in my own way by thinking I needed to be the one to know how to run a foundation.

One of the biggest shifts Rita helped me make was to slow down and get a lot of things off my plate.

I became more receptive. Instead of being a do-er all the time, I began to trust more in going with the flow and allowing things to fall into place for me.

In 7 weeks I did what I hadn’t been able to do in several years: found and hired someone to help run the non-profit. She actually found me and is a perfect fit for this role. We’ve already started to implement our first clean water and sanitation project on the ground in Nigeria!

Had I not taken this opportunity to join the Mastermind, I’d still be swimming against the tide, facing resistance. Whereas now I’m in the flow, everything is coming to me and that feels so rewarding.

My husband recently told me that he can see how this experience has been good for me: I’m calmer, more patient and peaceful. I’m being even more of the woman and leader I aspire to be.

Osen Iyahen

Lagos, Nigeria

Founder, Optimal Greening

I worked in the oil and gas industry - a very male dominated industry - for 15 years, successfully moving up through the ranks. But then I had children, who brought out my vulnerability, and everything changed. Not only did I struggle with work-life balance, I also wrestled with how to lead. The masculine style of leadership that I had learned no longer fit me, yet using a more feminine approach was still very new—almost foreign—to me. I got into a lot of conflict because I was inconsistent. I lost the confidence of my team. This served as a wake up call: what kind of leader did I want to be?

I left that job for a position where I could hide in the background. This was not good for me, but it allowed me a chance to study to become a coach. Through all of this I realized I’m here to do something more, but I had scared myself into a corner. I knew something was new in me, a seed of an idea that wanted to emerge, but I didn’t have the courage to act on it.

I knew that if I wanted to make this change I needed help—I needed a coach. Around that time, Rita entered my life. In my first 1:1 session with her, she lifted me from nothing to feeling really inspired by myself and possibilities. I left that session flying! And she does that everytime. She brought me to a much higher level and has held my hand all the way.

Rita connected my seed of an idea to my purpose. Suddenly I could understand why the idea came to me. I fell in love with it and it became more important to me than ever to act on it.

Getting non-judgmental support and perspectives from the other very intelligent and very different women in the Mastermind allowed me to stop hiding, start trusting myself, and find the courage I needed to start a new company.

In the process of turning my idea into an actual business, I’m becoming more of the leader I want to be. Instead of ‘having to do things’, I’m giving birth in a creative, relaxed way and allowing things to come to me. Everything I’ve needed, including a business partner and money, have come to me. This is the feminine way.

Everyone in my life is benefiting from my participation in the Mastermind, even if they don’t know it! I’m calmer and my stress levels are much lower as I worry less and trust more. I’m able to see things from a bigger perspective, enjoy myself more and show up as the best version of myself in each moment. I’m so grateful I chose to get Rita’s support and join the Mastermind.

Vorian Maryssael

StOckholm, sweden

Formerly a General Manager in the Oil and Gas Industry, and former Director at the CTBTO; a UN Organization. Now, Founder of HÄNGA, a social community with a mission to connect people by hanging out together.

I have worked in the development and energy industry for 20 years, developing infrastructure projects and wind farms from idea to construction and into operation. Making the world a better place for people to live and thrive in has always been one of my core values.

However, I wasn’t enjoying where I was working or really, much of anything. I felt stuck at home and work. I was a people-pleaser and felt stuck helping other people and not looking after myself in the proper way. I didn’t know what to do. Being in lockdown didn't help.

I felt pulled into many directions but none really satisfied me. So although I was hesitant to sign up for the Mastermind as it was a big investment, I finally signed up at the last minute. And oh did it pay off!

In working with Rita I came to realize that I’d moved away from my zone of genius. She helped me come back to my core and appreciate what’s important to me rather than serving everyone else.

The women in the Mastermind helped me see that my ability to show up with love and compassion for everyone is so powerful. I realized I could own this, not be scared of it, and use it to drive my purpose. Yet even more powerfully, during our 6 months together, I started learning how to bring the same love I showed to others to myself.

Drawing on my zone of genius I’m taking responsibility for my life and designing it how I want it to be. I’m learning how to practice self-love, create new opportunities and set boundaries. I’ve learned to say “No” to the things I don’t want to do and the people I don’t want in my life anymore. It’s been a huge relief to let go of the drama and no longer serve others at the detriment to myself.

I have also come to see I don’t have to act like a man to succeed. I feel more confident being myself. I’m letting more of my female traits come into my work and am not scared if senior male managers judge me.

Working with Rita, and participating in the Mastermind, has helped me tap into my desires. Now I see clearly how I can truly fulfill my purpose, attract and create new opportunities, get recognition for my skills and be appropriately awarded for the value that I bring. I can use the extra money to contribute to causes I care about and do the things I want to do. The biggest return on my investment for the Mastermind is that I’ve discovered my true worth. This is priceless!

Laura Fleming

Edinburgh, Scotland 

CEO-  Energy Industry

Before joining the Mastermind, I had a traumatic experience at work: I lost a higher up position because I was emotional in a certain situation. I blamed myself and felt a great deal of shame and guilt for making what I saw as a mistake.

I needed a circle of supportive, inspiring, non-judgmental women, and that’s what I got with the Mastermind. With their super loving and uplifting support, and Rita’s intuitive and powerful guidance, I shifted out of blame and into seeing the gifts in this situation.

Over the past six months I’ve experienced a lot of inner shifts: I’ve let go of my perfectionist tendencies and put less pressure on myself and people around me. I am more relaxed, which supports my family and everyone else around me to be more relaxed. This in turn allows me to be more intuitive and trusting of the guidance that comes from within.

I used to be driven solely by ambition but now I’m inspired by my purpose. I’m clearer on what my values are and am no longer willing to sacrifice them.

I also used to doubt that I could have my own company, but now I see that I could do this. I’m now preparing the ground for a very different future for myself and my family. Rita and the other women in the Mastermind have helped me see how I can be the version of me that I dreamed of being as a little girl.

Elena Malkina

Paris, France

Geoscientist / Energy Industry