Roula Clerc-Nassar

Introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us who you are and what you are currently focused on.

I am a former Senior Corporate Executive, turned recently into entrepreneur, in pursuit of passion, more meaning, and to get to a more acceptable balance - continuous travel was throwing me way off balance. I am totally multi-cultural, and a living symbol of diversity: a national of 3 countries across 3 continents, perfectly trilingual, I have had the privilege to live in 7 countries, and manage and grow teams Globally.

How would you define your professional mission?

My mission is to inspire women to thrive. To this end, I work at 2 levels: with professional women, based on a Life Leadership model that I apply in coaching, training, and as a speaker in key women forums; and with organizations and companies that are seeking to improve gender diversity, to help them create an environment and culture that promotes retention & development of women.

What are some career challenges on your radar?

Business Development - now that I am all set up with an offer that resonates strongly, my challenge is to connect as broadly as possible to spread the message and drive conversion.

We’d love to hear more about your career path. What led you to where you are today?

Prior to founding Ellumine, I had the privilege to work for 24 years in 2 great companies: P&G and PepsiCo, and to climb the Corporate ladder up to Vice President level, while retaining my female leadership style. As a a young girl, I had wanted to become a psychologist, but had let myself be dissuaded, and did Economics, and then an MBA instead. But I still took my passion for understanding people to my Corporate career, through specializing in Consumer Understanding & Insight. And what I excelled most at was developing the people in my team. I further built my skills in this space through multiple coaching certifications. It was therefore clear to me that the 2nd part of my career would focus on people development, and women were the obvious target. Early in my childhood, I had felt less considered because of my gender. I now want to ensure that no woman feels this way, and that we are empowered instead to live the life of our choice, and command the consideration that is ours.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It is a bit early in my new career path, but what amazes me, is that work does not feel like work. Whether I am having a coaching session, writing an article, doing a video, preparing a training or workshop, or doing a research, work feels so meaningful, that I can't think of better ways to spend my time. And seeing a client become more confident, motivated, and/or happier makes me feel so fulfilled, that pay becomes more of a bonus. Ultimately, it feels to me like work that feeds the soul.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your work?

More fulfilled women who are living a life that plays up to their aspirations, values, and strengths, and profoundly impacting their families and work, while making the world a better place.

What would you say your personal superpower is?

Passion, compassion, and ability to see the big picture and simplify complexity.

What does success look like to you?

Creating a profound impact on the women of the clients I have the privilege to serve.

What is one piece of advice you’d offer working moms?

Define what is important for you to achieve in life. Based on this set your priorities, and the trade-offs you are prepared to make in your key life roles, to get there. And seek help - you do not need to do it all on your own. Making conscious choices of what you will do and not do will help you reduce guilt and feeling like a victim.

Tell us about your favorite Ellevate Network memory or success story. Why are you a member?

When I was still working to establish my business, I was considering Illumine as a name, as light is important to me, and I wanted my work to bring more light into women's lives. It is at this point that I was introduced to Ellevate, and its name provided instant & wonderful inspiration for me to call my company Ellumine. Thank you Ellevate for the inspiration here, and on multiple levels!