December is always a good moment to look back on the year. And I have to admit that its beginning was rather challenging. Due to the geopolitical situation — among other factors the return of Trump and the ongoing war in Ukraine — several of my communication projects were abruptly put on hold so that clients could “reassess their overall communications approach”. This felt like a punch in the face, as I had already planned the year ahead, and I began to wonder whether my current way of working was becoming obsolete in a rapidly changing world shaped by AI and global uncertainty.
However, the Universe sometimes sends signals to push us in new directions. This forced pause opened up time slots that allowed me to finally pursue some more personal projects that had been “cooking inside” for a long time, but for which the timing had never felt quite right. With no excuse left, I decided to take action and launch my LinkedIn newsletter Women Who Inspire the World, where I share the stories of women I have met through my international communications work across the globe — women who impressed me through their community engagement, their work, or their way of life, and whose paths can inspire others. We are now nine editions in and have reached 791 subscribers.
Two other personal projects also saw the light this year. Together with my colleague Jeff Alberghi, I developed an online training programme on how to access EU funding for your projects, primarily aimed at smaller organisations, research institutions, and individuals who are new to this field. So far, we have run two editions in Spanish and have opened a waiting list for our upcoming English edition: https://mailchi.mp/2dd946dbf446/online_course
Last but not least, in September 2025 I co-organised my first retreat together with my long-standing friend, actress and yoga teacher Maja Müller, in Oliva, Spain.
Had it not been for the crisis at the beginning of the year, I am not sure whether I would have engaged in all these new activities – alongside continuing my own learning journey through the Speaking & Influence Mastery with Eric Edmeades (Mindvalley), which I completed this autumn, and my participation in the transformative I Am Creation Retreat in Bali in November. Both experiences are paving the way for new online and on-site formats in 2026.:-)
One guiding principle throughout the year was simply to “keep going”, regardless of whether things were immediately working out or not. And I also decided to stay authentic to who I am and how I want to contribute to the world. Looking back now, I can only say: it all paid off. Not only did my communications agency bounce back with a series of exciting new projects — including a new urban cooperation programme with North America and several initiatives in Africa — I was also able to hire my first full-time staff member, in addition to the network of freelancers I regularly work with.
Endurance, it turns out, enabled growth in all directions: personally and professionally.
I am therefore closing the year with a deep sense of gratitude for all the connections and collaborations – none of this would have been possible alone – and I am entering 2026 with a genuine sense of excitement for what lies ahead.
Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful start to the New Year. I hope our paths will cross again soon.
