Anouk Phielix appointed Co-Chair for The Netherlands Chapter, succeeding Valerie De Bruin

We're thrilled to announce that Anouk Phielix – Unilever has joined our volunteers' team as the new Co-Chair of The Netherlands Chapter, succeeding Valerie De Bruin. 

Anouk says: "Hi, I am Anouk, a passionate business leader with a people-first mindset, a huge optimist, and an ambitious learner. To sum it up, my purpose is ‘Laughing together; we aim for the Horizon.’ The reason to join LEAD Network was two-fold. First, I believe in diversity on every axis, specifically the gender axis. I have first-hand experience of all the advantages a balanced team can bring, and simply put, it's more fun, it leads to better results, and we must do better. Secondly, I love learning and sharing, and what better way to join a network of people working in the same industry, with the same passion, coming from different companies."

Anouk holds a master's degree in Econometrics. She has eight years of work experience at Unilever, both in sales and marketing. She currently leads the deodorants marketing team in the Netherlands and is finishing her MBA at the Amsterdam Business School.

In addition to welcoming Anouk Phielix, LEAD Network thanks the exiting Co-Chair Valerie De Bruin, Head of Global Supply Chain at Unilever, for her outstanding leadership and contribution to our mission in the last years.

Sharon Jeske, executive director of LEAD Network, said: "Valerie has been an exemplary Chapter Co-Chair. Under her leadership, the Chapter community has grown to 1500 members, our second-largest Chapter! Valerie demonstrated agility and led the team of volunteers to quickly react during the pandemic to convert our member offerings to virtual. Throughout her tenure, she's challenged LEAD Network to professionalize, offering even greater service to our members and making a stronger impact on changing lives. A warm word of thanks goes out to Valerie for her contribution to the mission of LEAD Network."

And Petra Brand, Consulting Partner Consumer Industries– EY  and Co-Chair of the Netherlands Chapter said: "The Dutch Chapter has thrived under Valerie’s leadership as co-Chair over the last 3 years. We tripled the number of chapter members and achieved the highest ratings for our (virtual) events organized during COVID-years. I look forward to working with the incoming Co-Chair Anouk. We have an amazing team passionate to improve inclusion and diversity in our companies and to support LEAD Network’s mission. We are fortunate to have had the pleasure and privilege to work with and learn from Valerie and are committed to continue with the same level of high energy, passion, commitment and – above all - fun!"

More about The Netherlands Chapter here: https://www.lead-eu.net/netherlands-chapter/