Esther Westerweele ─ creating powerful and memorable experiences to drive loyalty and advocates for products and services...
November 17, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Esther Westerweele
Owner
LEF Marketing & Events
If you are looking for someone who can create a powerful and memorable experience that drives loyalty and builds advocates for your products and services, we know the person─Esther Westerweele!
Esther has created, launched, and grown the ultimate experiences for IT companies across EMEA and North America with customers and partners. Whether in-person or virtual experiences, she knows how to deliver the right touchpoints. Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Esther Westerweele!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I wanted to become a ballet dancer and went to a ballet academy when I was 11 years old.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
By car: over 60.000 km a year. By airplane: many, many… Prior to this pandemic, I was travelling 2 or 3 times a week by airplane.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Fried insects in Beijing, China.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
My first job was at a marketing agency. I was supposed to work for the hospitality branch, but they reassigned me to do all the direct mail campaigns in 13 European countries for Progress Software. This was my first experience with IT marketing and it was a fantastic experience. Ever since then, I have loved the energy in this industry!
My biggest achievement is the introduction of VMworld into the European market. It is now one of the largest in the EMEA region. As I worked on the EMEA introduction, my manager pushed me to keep expanding what I was doing and continually take extra steps!
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I had a mentor who taught me to be successful in a male dominated world you can’t be shy and you have to let your views and voice be heard.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
To be confident in myself.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I give them support and I try to make it clear that they need to be straight forward, tell me what they want, and make a plan of what they want to achieve.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Before I started my own events business, starting VMworld Europe was the most interesting project. Since I launched my agency, I have worked on many interesting projects.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I have a trainer that guides me. Sometimes we are working on my management skills, other times he advises me to do a training out of the box. Important for me as a leader is that I have a personal trainer as well so that I keep in shape both body and mind.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
COVID-19 🙁
