
Master
Certified
Coach
About Heidi Kempenaers
Below I tell you a little about me and my professional background as an international C-level leadership development coach.
Curious how others experienced working with me? Read what my executive clients have to say about our collaboration in their testimonials.
My personal story
Since I was a young girl, I have been intrigued by the endless variety of people. At the age of six, I spent hours playing different characters, like the know-it-all, the pleaser, the happy one, mister grumpy…. By the time I was 18, I had already read the entire psychology section of the local library. I started my psychology studies with one goal: understanding and helping people. With every insight I gathered, I asked myself: “How can this help me to help others?” I summarized each book on one single page. I love essentialism and efficiency.
I discovered various psychological disciplines, in Belgium and beyond, such as experimental psychology at the University of Exeter, consumer psychology in London, recruitment in India and assessments in Shanghai. Through my work with countless leaders and top executives. I experienced first-hand how much impact a manager has on the team. While one manager lifted me up, another completely demotivated me.
At 36, I was promoted to a senior leadership position. I struggled to cope with my workload and felt insecure in my new role. The support of an external coach made all the difference. It ignited a deep desire in me to support managers as an executive coach, based on my own experience.
In 2010, I decided to follow my dream. I started my own business in Talent Management, and I invested strongly in upgrading my coaching skills. Since July 2024, I have been a Master Certified Coach.
Today, I combine my three areas of expertise – assessment, executive coaching and leadership training – in one integrated accelerated development program. It’s my mission to empower C-suite leaders and directors with the confidence, decisiveness, and resilience to drive strategic impact by blending psychological insights with actionable leadership tools.
My professional experience
For nearly 20 years, I held a range of senior leadership roles, mostly within leading HR consultancies. I managed leadership development centers for hundreds of leaders, totaling over 10,000 hours. This was the perfect springboard for me to launch my own global talent development agency in 2010.
To date, I have accumulated over 7,000 coaching hours, partnering with hundreds of high-potential executives from Fortune 500 companies as well as successful entrepreneurs.
As a certified executive coach, I have shaped and progressed my clients’ leadership development journeys, achieving lasting transformations that have prepared them to confidently move forward.
My international experience
My work has taken me across the globe, collaborating with clients from more than 35 countries across industries including pharma, healthcare, biotechnology, automotive, and manufacturing.
Additionally, I have worked in over 15 countries, including China, India, South Korea, Germany, France, and the UK. One highlight includes leading the establishment and launch of an international HR consulting firm in Shanghai.
I work fluently in English, French, German, and Dutch.
My technical skills
My technical expertise includes:
I bring this extensive experience to every leadership development journey, ensuring carefully selected assessments and tools tailored to each client’s unique path.
My coaching style
While my credentials may reassure you, my clients often say it’s my personal approach that makes the biggest impact.
From our very first meeting, I strive to create a professional, stable, and trusting working relationship. I work sensitively and responsively, helping you craft career plans that support a healthy work-life balance – something I practice myself as a senior manager, wife, mother of two young adults, culture enthusiast, dancer, runner, and tennis player.
Clients consistently describe my style as inspirational and motivational, yet down-to-earth and supportive.
All this will provide a strong platform for us to explore options and firm up the details of a realistic, systematic yet flexible leadership development plan for you, leveraging your skillset to the maximum.
Hear from the leaders I’ve worked with
Curious what others say about working with me? Discover how senior executives and directors experienced our collaboration – and what impact it had on their leadership journey.