About Us
Across the Globe, We Are United in Our Dedication to Inspiring Women to Become Leaders
Our Story
Inspired Women Lead grew out of Bonnie Fatio’s conviction that women are the world’s change catalysts. She had a vision of a world of peace, collaboration and understanding where each person is valued and respected for their uniqueness. For this to come true she envisioned women leading in all areas of society, around the globe.
To act on this vision, Bonnie Fatio founded Inspired Women Lead in June 2016. She crafted a unique peer-to-peer mentoring program starting with 10 women from 9 countries on 4 continents. In turn, each woman then mentored another woman. Since then, a fast-growing number of Inspired Women Lead’s alumnae are changing the world – so far in 85 countries, and on every continent.
In September 2017 Bonnie Fatio was joined by Andrea Oostenrijk, Annette Ebbinghaus, Geraldine Ang, Laetitia Fatio Gaillard and Margherita Brodbeck Roth to become the Charter Members of the Inspired Women Lead Association. Since then, more inspired leaders have come on-board IWL to continue and solidify the legacy of these imaginative women and founders.
Bonnie Fatio has been frequently recognized for her contributions to empower women globally. She was celebrated with the WIN Global “Inspiring Women Worldwide” award for “opening new paths and improving the confidence of senior women, mentoring young ones and bringing an innovative voice to the space of women’s leadership.” The International Alliance for Women “World of Difference” award was given to her in recognition of her outstanding contribution in “making all the difference in the world” to the economic empowerment of women. Female Wave of Change honored her with the “Accelerating the Change Process and Re-Creating the Future” award.
Executive Council
Brought together by the shared desire to empower women globally, Independent Women Lead’s Executive Committee is focused on the future.
Mariska Reinerink
President,
Executive Council Member
Netherlands
I’ve always been passionate about helping women stand fully in their power—especially when it comes to money, confidence, and creating a life that feels aligned from the
inside out. Over the last few decades, I’ve had the privilege of walking beside women through all of life’s seasons—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. No matter
the moment, I’m always looking for ways to make things feel more at ease, more grounded, and truer to who we really are.
I love creating room for more clarity, more spaciousness, more connection. I’m at my best when I’m helping someone reconnect with their inner wisdom, letting her brilliance shine brighter, find her purpose and create her best life. I’m both a solution-finder and a space-holder.
My journey has taken me across different industries – physiotherapy, financial services, entrepreneurship – and across continents and cultures. Born in the Netherlands, I
moved to Canada in my 20s, built a life there, and returned to Europe in 2021. These
days, I split my time between my Dutch home base and life on the open road—living a
semi-nomadic life filled with culture, connection, and discovery.
Through it all, the thread that’s never changed is women—how we lead, how we relate
to ourselves and each other, and the extraordinary potential we hold when we feel truly
empowered.
That’s what drew me to Inspired Women Lead. The connection. The mentorship. The
global sisterhood. The shared belief that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about
presence. It’s about showing up, supporting each other, and creating real, lasting
change in our lives, in our communities, and in the world.
One of my favorite quotes says:
“A woman standing in her power is unstoppable. A community of women standing
together is a revolution.”
That’s the kind of revolution I want to be part of.
Francesca Toso
Executive Council Member
Organizational Development
Switzerland
Empowering You to Live a Life You Love!
For over 30 years, I have been studying and implementing transformational success principles, while simultaneously pursuing a full-fledged career as a high-ranking official in the United Nations system. I held international posts in Colombia, India and Switzerland and managed socio-economic development projects in over 40 countries, in
cooperation with governments, businesses, local communities and academia.
In line with my quest for inner growth and deeper awareness, I have gradually shifted my professional focus from socio-economic development on the macro level, to the personal development of individuals who long to effect positive change for themselves and for greater impact. I believe in inner development for outer change.
As a Transformational Life Coach and Life Mastery Consultant, certified with the Brave Thinking Institute ®, I empower people to create and live a life they love. I work especially with people who define themselves as Changemakers and Leaders, at all
levels. Through a proven system of transformation, I help them break through limitations and achieve greater results in accelerated time.
I also love to speak and teach on the international scene, offering lectures, interactive workshops and personalized programs that take participants on a journey in which they design, define, test, and experience a crystal-clear vision of their preferred life, in alignment with their highest purpose.
I love my life, and my mission is to empower others to gain mastery over their lives too!
Anouke Kluiters
Executive Council Member
Community
Netherlands
My passion for personal growth and curiosity why humans act as they do, made me change the course of my life several times.Working and living with all walks of life showed me that despite differences in beliefs, gender or background, everyone wants to be seen for who they are. Streeter or president. Maid or queen. With our natural ability to bind, I believe women play a key role in creating harmonious communities, where people are valued and respected for who they are and what they do.
I grew up in an art family. Because the theaterworld lured, I left art school early. I became an entertainer and make up artist which gave me an exiting life for many years. At the age of 33 my son was born and I made a radical change to become a full-time mother. The ungoing search for my purpose in life brought me many jobs, new studies in personal growth & health, and two divorces. In 2017 I allowed myself to pursue my mission. With a desire to inspire people around the world to reconnect with their heart & inner light through art, I founded Embrace of Love.
Life has shown me many ways to take on leadership as a woman. Being a high school principal of my fellow students, leading a group of make-up artists at a theater company, managing a household as a mother and wife, becoming an entrepreneur. I learned that true leadership is not about whether you have studied or have a high position in society. It is about being confident of your unique talents and traits, becoming a positive example to those around you
In 2017, I joined a Dutch organization for women entrepreneurs and led one of the groups for a year. This sparked my interest in guiding women to become the best version of themselves. In 2018, I joined IWL. Since then, it has become a source of inspiration and sisterhood to me for which I am very grateful.
The Alumnae Community offers a sense of belonging and continuity, and the opportunity for all alumnae to stay connected, well beyond the 12-month program. Together, the beauty of Inspired Women Lead can be harnessed, by sharing ideas, promoting leadership, inspiring, and motivating both personal and professional growth as authentic feminine leaders.
![Daeyoung Kim photo top[67].jpg](https://inspiredwomenlead.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Daeyoung-Kim-photo-top67.jpg-r4tscaeia6opse3jo5eqcmrxnvnxkwufphq2q77zao.jpeg "Daeyoung Kim photo top[67].jpg")
Daeyoung Kim
Executive Council Member
Programs
South Korea
Daeyoung Kim, head of programs of the Inspired Women Lead, is a self-care coach and entrepreneur. With her vision to build an inclusive society for all she helps people to discover their values and contribute to each other by sharing their own gift.
As a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, she believes in international exchange. She used to
serve as a public diplomacy specialist at the U.S. Embassy Seoul for 20 years.
She enjoys her life by becoming a bridge between the world and her fellow Koreans.
Santhi Elizabeth Liju
Executive Council Member
Business
India
Santhi is the CEO of KOLATH, a leading Audit and Advisory firm with five offices across India. A Chartered Accountant with a Master’s in Commerce, she brings over 25 years
of experience in finance and management, with deep expertise in accounting, audit and
assurance, corporate structuring, and sustainability.
She has played a pivotal role in building KOLATH into a trusted partner for listed and unlisted companies, banks, and NGOs, helping clients strengthen their enterprises through robust financial and strategic support.
Santhi’s vision for KOLATH extends beyond business: she is committed to creating meaningful impact by fostering sustainable employment and supporting social initiatives
that uplift marginalized communities.
A seasoned professional and purpose-driven leader, Santhi has also dedicated more than two decades to pro bono work, volunteering with national and international NGOs in various leadership capacities. Her extensive travels across 10+ countries have
enriched her cultural understanding and enhanced her ability to collaborate across diverse backgrounds.
Known for her ethical integrity and belief that quality always outweighs quantity, Santhi is a strong communicator and team builder who leads from the front. She values
empathy, continuous learning, and inclusive engagement—qualities that define her leadership and her approach to creating lasting impact.
Our Mission
At Inspired Women Lead, we empower individuals, organizations, communities, and society to cultivate a peaceful world by nurturing existing and emerging women leaders around the world with cross-cultural mentoring in authentic feminine leadership.
Our Values
Inspiring women is our fundamental aspiration and the power behind our sustainable growth and ever-increasing impact on bettering the world.
Unconditional Acceptance We are a multicultural and inclusive community, a safe haven where every woman is free to express herself – just as she is.
Authentic Leadership We foster and encourage an authentic and sustainable female leadership style through personal mentoring, one woman at a time.
Feminine Expression We spark the transformative power of feminine leadership and promote the feminine value as a valid complement to the masculine.
Change Catalyst We ignite the vision of each woman to light up communities and society as a whole for lasting positive change.
Our Approach
Our world needs a new form of leadership.
It is time for authentic, feminine leadership, defined by our unique qualities, skills and experiences.
At Inspired Women Lead, we empower individuals, organizations, communities, and society to cultivate a peaceful world by nurturing existing and emerging women leaders around the world with cross-cultural mentoring in authentic feminine leadership.
Connect globally with authentic feminine innovators passionate to make a difference, gain confidence, and explore ways to step into greater leadership roles.
For Partners: in order to make this program available to women in your organization, please contact our program coordinator.
IWL mentoring is for the women who seek to be...
You have a fire within you to make a positive difference at home and beyond.
You want to express your ideas and opinions effectively, and to be heard.
You desire the support to accept greater leadership roles.
You seek meaningful connections with other women leaders globally.
You are comfortable communicating in English and have reliable access to the internet.
The Magic of Mentoring
Your overall commitment is for 12 months: six months of being mentored and six months of mentoring a woman from a different country, culture and life experience. Each month’s time commitment consists of two 45-minute sessions with your mentee/mentor plus a 75-minute group call.
Begin Your Journey
You’re the investment! You pledge your time and commitment, corporations underwrite the experience. Click Begin Your Journey to complete the questionnaire. When the application has been submitted, we will contact you for an interview.
Match With a Mentor
Once selected, you are matched with a mentor who comes from a different world experience than your own. She will be your mentor during the first six months.
The Mentee Process
Mentees commit to two 45-minute sessions a month, plus a 75-minute group call. The monthly group call allows you to meet others in the program, and to become part of a global network. For mentees, these calls facilitate discussions around a monthly theme and lay the foundation for the next.
Become a Mentor
During the second six-month period, you will become the mentor to another woman. Our carefully curated monthly mentor training sessions will prepare you to become a confident guide for your future mentee. You are supported and trained throughout the program by a team of Inspired Women Leaders.
The Mentor Process
Mentors commit to meeting with mentees for 2 sessions a month and are required to participate in the monthly mentor training group call. As a mentor, your monthly call is mentor training for the following month.
Alumnae Journey
Once you successfully complete the 12 months IWL mentoring program you are invited to join an elite sisterhood of alumnae from 80+ countries. This is your invitation to transform the world one woman at a time.
