The end of the year has a certain quiet power. Christmas lights soften busy streets, inboxes slow down, and many of us finally pause long enough to ask an important question: Where am I actually heading in my career?

Between September and November, a group of participants came together to work on something ambitious: building their own digital businesses. The Digital Business Founders Academy brought together aspiring and early-stage founders who were ready to move from ideas toward clarity, structure, and action.

Amsterdam is often celebrated for its canals, bikes, and coffee culture, but beneath that aesthetic is something equally compelling: a city full of ambition. With international companies, startups, research institutions, and creative industries, it attracts people who want to build meaningful careers. Yet for many women working here, locals and internationals alike, the reality can feel complex. We arrive expecting connection, clarity, and direction, only to discover the opposite: professional transitions, cultural differences, and uncertainty about how to grow or who to turn to. That’s where mentoring and community become more than “nice to have.” They become tools for navigating a global city in a grounded way.

When we talk about conflict resolution and difficult conversations, our cultural preferences show up even when we are not aware of them. Here’s the important thing: whether someone tends to choose open confrontation or seeks harmony, the intention and values behind this choice are usually positive.

Sofia Tsiguro’s journey from DevOps engineer to SysOps Team Lead at Wrike is a story of responsibility, opportunity, and intentional leadership. Over the years, she has navigated the fast-paced world of infrastructure, led teams through high-pressure technical projects, mentored rising engineers, and found her own voice in a male-dominated field. In this interview, she opens up about her path into leadership, the lessons learned from missteps, the power of mentoring, and why visibility matters for the next generation of women in tech.

Mary-Brennan Minarovych has spent more than two decades helping leaders understand the power of stories - the ones they tell publicly and the quieter ones that shape them from within. Today, as a Narrative Coach, writer, and communications advisor, she guides people back to their inner voice so they can live and lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. In this interview, Mary shares how stories influence our sense of belonging, why narrative work is essential in an uncertain world, and how mentoring with Femme Palette allows her to help others reconnect with the truths that move them forward.

Adriana has spent the past four years redefining what coworking can mean for people and their careers. As the Head of Coworking at CTP, she has built Clubco into a space where collaboration, growth, and human connection come first. From strategic expansion to everyday operations, her leadership ensures that every member feels supported, inspired, and part of something bigger. Her journey offers a powerful example of how thoughtful, community-driven leadership can transform not just a workspace - but the people who move through it.

Moving to Amsterdam for a new job is exciting. The city is full of opportunities, diversity, and innovation. But beyond the canals and bike lanes, one of the biggest challenges expats face is building a strong professional network. Whether you work in tech, marketing, or design, feeling connected to like-minded professionals can shape not just your career, but also your sense of belonging. In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to grow your career network in Amsterdam. and how mentoring and community can accelerate your success.