Empowered women empower the world, igniting change, fostering progress, and shaping a future of boundless possibilities for all. These women represent a global community of influential leaders shaping industries and driving transformation worldwide. Through their leadership, they inspire, empower, and pave the way for future generations to thrive in leadership roles. These women leverage their diverse perspectives, talents, and experiences to tackle complex challenges, foster collaboration, and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Tamar De Leeuw, (Interim) CEO, is one such dynamic leader renowned for her talent driving companies towards unparalleled success. With a background in finance and wealth management, she embarked on a remarkable journey that saw her ascend to pivotal roles, including COO and CEO, navigating transformative organizational changes with finesse.

Tamar's leadership is marked by a strong focus on operational efficiency, honed through her tenure in performance management consultancy. She has spearheaded initiatives to maximize team productivity and effectiveness, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness.

Recognized for her global networking prowess, Tamar fosters collaboration and synergy across international teams, leveraging her keen understanding of group dynamics. Her decisive risk assessment abilities keep companies at the forefront of innovation and reliability in an ever-changing market landscape.

Passionate about empowering teams, Tamar emphasizes authenticity and self-trust, a philosophy she shares through her upcoming book on women leadership in tech. With a proven track record in navigating challenges and driving growth, Tamar De Leeuw epitomizes leadership excellence, steering companies towards new heights of success.

In an exclusive interaction with Global Woman Leader, Tamar De Leeuw enlightens us more about her professional traits and leadership attributes that drive success in the global market.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What were some key early influences in life that shaped you as an individual?

My parents separated in the late seventies when I was three years old, leaving me without the day-to-day support and guidance of my father. As I grew up, I became a strong, independent individual, learning early on that the best person to rely on is yourself and to be your own best supporter. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have mentors who nurtured my ambitions and provided growth opportunities. Now, approaching fifty, I strive to inspire and support my employees, helping them realize and surpass their potential, both personally and professionally.

Give us a glimpse of your expansive professional journey so far. What have been some of the most crucial junctures throughout your professional journey?

My professional journey has been both expansive and transformative. Over the last decade, my professional journey has been marked by significant milestones. I began as COO of the Dutch market leader in gift cards. When the founder sold his shares and departed, I continued as CEO for another six years. During my tenure, I grew the company's revenue from $15 million to $40 million and expanded the team from 35 to 50 people. As CEO, my focus is on enhancing team cohesion, empowering employees to reach their full potential, and driving operational excellence, all while pursuing significant annual revenue growth.

A pivotal moment in my career was transitioning from COO to CEO after the acquisition. This role required me to gain the trust of the new Board of Directors while leading a team that had been with the company lon­ger than I had. I adopted a transformational leadership style, fostering teamwork and leveraging each mem­ber's strengths, which was a shift from the previous micromanagement approach. Additionally, I served as Chairman of the Association of Gift Cards in the Neth­erlands, representing a $1.7 billion market, and recently stepped down after six years of service. Currently, I'm writing a book on the impact of female leadership and di­versity in tech companies, highlighting how collab­orative leadership can drive company success.

Throw some light on the key areas of expertise you have developed as a business leader over the years.

Over the years, I have honed my expertise in performance management and leadership. My career commenced in finance and wealth management at a Dutch investment firm and an insurance company, followed by a consultancy role at a global agency specializing in performance management. This discipline focuses on optimizing team efficiency and effectiveness while prioritizing company performance.

As a business leader, I am committed to operational excellence and transformational leadership. I advocate for leveraging employees' strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses. By streamlining work processes and fostering a positive work environment, employees can maximize their potential and productivity. My leadership style emphasizes efficiency, operational refinement, and creating a supportive workplace culture, ensuring both organizational success and employee fulfillment.

Introduce us to your current project as CEO. Throw some light on the key responsibilities you shoulder as the company’s CEO of Yesty.

Yesty is a tech company specializing in software solutions for the market research industry. As CEO, I oversee the international expansion, leveraging their market position to rapidly scale up operations. Currently operational in 15 countries, they are now poised to enter the UK market and conquer the US next year. Their software-centric model has been innovated this year to ensure seamless global scalability, requiring minimal adaptation for new markets.

Throw some light on the major challenges you encounter in your current role. How do you overcome the said roadblocks?

Navigating the challenges inherent in leadership, entails a multifaceted approach. One prominent challenge lies in fostering a team culture grounded in mutual trust and self-reliance. I prioritize empowering my team members to take ownership of their actions, offering support when needed but allowing them to shine independently. This entails refraining from seeking credit for successes and taking responsibility when things go awry. Transitioning from a directive leadership style to one emphasizing autonomy requires patience and deliberate effort, especially when team members are accustomed to different management approaches. However, through consistent encouragement and targeted guidance, I've witnessed significant shifts towards greater self-assurance and initiative within the team. Ultimately, building self-standing teams is a gradual process, but one that yields substantial dividends in terms of organizational effectiveness and resilience. I've often experienced how significant changes in a team's behavior and performance can be achieved in a relatively short period.

Going forward where is it that your major focus is going to be in terms of leading this company and its next stage of growth?

As they are entering their next stage of growth, my primary focus is on scaling the teams to match the rapid expansion. It's crucial to avoid the pitfalls of fast scaling, ensuring cohesion and alignment within the growing organization. I'm committed to maintaining strong connections across all teams, fostering a cohesive and collaborative environment to sustain the momentum. With strategic management, I am confident in the ability to navigate this growth successfully.

In your opinion what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey?

One of my most significant achievements in my professional journey was the transition from COO to my first position of CEO, navigating a new role within an international company. This shift required me to stay true to myself, a mantra I've adhered to throughout my career. Authenticity, I've found, is key to success. When I embrace my true self, work doesn't feel like work; it becomes a natural extension of who I am. This philosophy propelled me forward, even in moments of insecurity. Now, as I write my book, 'Women in Tech: How Female Leadership Boosts Profits', I see the power of authenticity in leadership. Female leaders bring unique perspectives and qualities that drive revenue and profit growth, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself in any role or industry. In the book I combine loads of empirical and scientifical based research and the input of 20 CEOs I’ve personally interviewed from US, Canada, UK and Europe.

Tamar De Leeuw, (Interim) CEO, Yesty

Tamar De Leeuw is a visionary Interim CEO known for driving performance and growth through strategic leadership and innovation. With a background in finance and wealth management, she has led companies to remarkable success, fostering collaboration and team empowerment. Tamar's upcoming book on women in tech leadership underscores her commitment to authenticity and transformative leadership.