GWF Voices — Alina Navarro Melendo M&A Lawyer Germany & Luxembourg – Squire Patton BoggsVice President – Féminin Pluriel BerlinEntrepreneurial Mindset / Builder of Projects & Networks When you meet Alina, what strikes you first is her warm smile and the sparkle in her eyes. Something that immediately puts people at ease. Based in Germany, Alina Navarro Melendo works as an M&A lawyer across Germany and Luxembourg, navigating an environment that is deeply international by nature. But law is only one part of the picture. Beyond her legal practice, Alina has always been drawn to initiating and growing projects and connecting people. She is particularly interested in the spaces where different actors meet - business, digital products, management, and the broader ecosystem. GWF: Alina, did you always want to become a lawyer? Alina: No. At the beginning, I wanted to do something related to languages. I’ve always loved languages. I speak French, English, German, Spanish, and Russian fluently and I am currently learning Chinese. I also sing. Language has always been something important to me. Later, I realized that law is also a language: a structured language that helps you understand how systems work. GWF: There are still very few women lawyers in M&A. Why do you think that is? Alina: M&A is very demanding. It requires a lot of time and availability. If you don’t have support from your partner, your family, or your professional environment ; it can be very challenging. Especially if you have children and you are managing both business and family responsibilities. Access to certain circles can also be difficult. There are environments that are not easy to enter if you are not already part of the network. There are unconscious biases. Most of the time, they are not intentional. But they influence how competence and authority are perceived. There is a well-known example from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They introduced blind auditions to reduce gender bias, but the initial impact was limited. More women were selected only after additional sources of bias were removed, such as the sound of high heels, by asking musicians to take off their shoes.   It shows that perception can influence decisions, even without awareness. It’s also linked to education and society. From a young age, women often receive messages about what they should prioritize. And sometimes, women can be hard on other women. Often because they struggled themselves to reach their position. These are psychological dynamics. They are not always conscious, but they exist. GWF: You are Vice President of Féminin Pluriel Berlin. What does that involve? Alina: Through Féminin Pluriel Berlin, we support women across industries. We organize networking events, mentoring, and thematic discussions. We connect women from business, culture, and different sectors. Every year, we choose one main topic to focus on. Last year, it was women’s health, and this year, it is women’s financial security. In 2025, we launched the Féminin Pluriel Berlin Cultural Award at the French Embassy in Berlin. It honors women whose work advances the cause of women in society. This year’s award went to Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank. Last year’s award went to Barbara Schock-Werner, former chief architect of Cologne Cathedral and a contributor to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. As part of the wider Féminin Pluriel Global started in France in 1992, we are connected to a strong international community with various locations worldwide. The idea is that women are not alone. There are mentors. There is support. There is a network. GWF: You describe yourself as having an entrepreneurial mindset. How does that fit into your life? Alina: I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset.  I love initiating projects. I enjoy turning ideas into reality. I also enjoy building bridges between people and opportunities. Over the past few years, I have gained valuable insight into the startup ecosystem through my husband’s startup, Jocoda Tech, a mobility software solution. This experience sharpened my interest in innovation, digital products, and strategic networking. It showed me how legal thinking (structure, risk analysis, contracts) can combine powerfully with entrepreneurial drive and vision. At the same time, it deepened my passion for connecting people and creating meaningful relationships. I’ve always loved attending events. At the beginning, I would go with a group. It felt more comfortable. Going alone is very different.When you go alone, you need to introduce yourself. You decide who you want to talk to. You focus on your target audience. I learned that I don’t need to attend everything. I choose the events that match my goals. GWF: How do you manage your time with all of this law, project-building and networking, association work, and family? Alina: It’s about priorities. Not everything can happen at the same time. Sometimes work requires more focus. Sometimes family does. You have to accept different phases. And you need to be clear about what you want to achieve. Otherwise, you just react to everything. For me, it’s also about living intentionally: choosing high-impact activities whether professional collaborations (like growing my Luxembourg practice with great co-counsel), empowerment initiatives through Féminin Pluriel, or supporting innovation ecosystems while protecting time for family, self-care, and recharging (lake swims, Zumba, learning Chinese).

GWF Voices — Maya Persaud Co-founder & Director, ESPERO France Maya Persaud was born in Austin, Texas, raised in Hawaii (Oahu), and now lives in Paris—where she co-founded ESPERO France  and leads it as Director. Her story has the kind of elegance Paris loves: a first life in fashion, a second in impact. Maya worked as a model between Paris, Milan, London, and New York. Yet she never describes it as a dream. More like a door that opened and she walked through, curious, disciplined, and unafraid to reinvent herself when the time came. What she carried from the beginning wasn’t glamour. It was an insistence on fairness. A belief learned early: if you have more, you give back. Before ESPERO, Maya deepened her understanding of the world through development work and a Master’s at SOAS (University of London)  in the Social Anthropology of Development . It left her with a question that still anchors everything she builds: what does “development” mean if it doesn’t lead to dignity, stability, and real autonomy? A Paris atelier with a very different purpose Founded in 2016 , ESPERO France  creates social and professional integration pathways , often for migrants and refugees, by linking employability to the ecological transition. ESPERO works across three fields— upcycling sewing , permaculture , and urban agriculture —and in each, the method is the same: give people a real métier, and surround them with the support that makes work possible again (language, admin, confidence, the right rhythm). In July 2025 , ESPERO presented a collection at the Musée d’Orsay , created with designer Joy Acevedo  and made by a team of ESPERO artisans, using recycled or dormant materials—some sourced from major luxury houses. The partnership went beyond a simple venue: the museum’s own artisans collaborated on unique pieces  as part of the collection. It started small—three hives ESPERO didn’t begin with sewing. It began with beekeeping and urban agriculture—launched with just a few hives. Maya knew nothing about beekeeping at the start. But she believes in starting before you feel ready: one step, then another, learning in motion. Over time, the project grew, and one participant built a livelihood around beekeeping—an outcome that became one of Maya’s anchors during difficult moments. When doubts came, she kept going because the work was not abstract: it changed someone’s daily life. Then came the shift to couture—by listening The pivot to fashion came from listening. When Maya visited housing centers, she saw how sewing could become a portable skill—something you can carry anywhere in the world. She mobilized her network, found allies inside the industry, secured early support, and built the next version of the project with the same principle: start small, grow organically, and let reality guide the direction . The part people don’t talk about: the “blockages” Maya doesn’t romanticize integration. She talks about blockages —the invisible walls that keep someone out of work even when they have talent: paperwork, trauma, language, isolation, self-doubt . This focus aligns with ESPERO’s own emphasis on social-professional support alongside training. For Maya, employability is not just a skill problem. It’s a re-entry into society . What’s next Today, her priority is sustainability—ensuring the women trained through the atelier can reliably live from their craft. That means working on the economic model, commercial products, partnerships, and ways for the program to generate revenue while protecting its mission. Impact that lasts requires a structure that holds. At the same time, she is preparing a new chapter: moving to Brazil, a country she calls her dream destination, to develop a project centered on children—especially street children—learning first through observation, then building something locally, step by step. Maya’s advice Her advice to women who want to enter fashion—or anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur—is direct: There is no “perfect” choice. The real risk is staying stuck in indecision. Move. Choose. Start small. Adjust as you learn. Keep flowing—like water.

GWF has always been international—not as a branding angle, but as lived reality. Many of us have moved countries, built careers across cultures, raised families far from home, started again after a personal turning point, or rebuilt our professional identity in a new language, a new system, a new context. We know what it costs. We also know what it unlocks. That’s why we’re launching a simple country chapters that allows GWF to grow without losing what makes it work. Introducing GWF Chapters ✨ We are building country chapters —starting with France, Japan, and Singapore —with one intention: keep it only good intention, fun , and safe . No big announcements. No inflated community promises. Just real circles that create real moments: small gatherings, dinners, conversations, collaborations. We choose these 3 countries to begin with because📍 France : a strong European base—creative energy, reinvention, new beginnings. Japan : depth, nuance, trust-building—an ecosystem that rewards consistency. Singapore : the bridge—international by design, fast-moving, and deeply connected to Europe and Asia. Together: Europe × Japan × Asia hub —with real people inside it, not just a concept. What a chapter actually does (simple + concrete) ✅ 1 curated gathering per month (small group) occasional Voices  moments (one woman’s story, not a panel) warm introductions when relevant (no spam) aligned partners when it makes sense (venues, cultural spaces, ecosystems) Want to help shape a chapter? 🤝 We’re opening a small circle of contributors for France / Japan / Singapore . You can help by: hosting a small gathering (home, café, gallery—simple is perfect) suggesting a Voices  guest connecting us with a venue or partner welcoming newcomers who fit the spirit If this speaks to you, please reach out with your city  + one line on how you’d like to contribute to : globalwomenfounders@gmail.com We’re starting small on purpose. So it stays real.

There is a specific kind of noise that collects over a year. The meetings that drained you. The people you tried to please. The moments you minimized yourself. The projects you carried alone. The things you “should” have done—according to someone else’s calendar, not yours. At GWF, we’re not interested in perfection. We are interested in momentum—and in making space for the next chapter to start clean. So here is a simple year-end ritual you can do in five minutes. No apps, no complicated prompts, no performance. The GWF Reset Ritual (5 minutes) Take one sheet of paper. Write down everything you didn’t like in 2025.Not the polished version—the honest one. Fold the paper. Throw it away (or tear it up, or burn it safely). One last step: breathe, and name what you’re choosing next. That’s it. This is not about pretending the hard parts didn’t happen. It’s about refusing to carry them into the next season as if they were your identity. A Second Chapter Is Not a Resolution Resolutions can feel like punishment disguised as ambition. A second chapter is different: it’s a decision to move forward with more clarity, more self-respect, and more intention. If 2025 taught you anything—let it be this: you are allowed to change your mind, change your pace, and change your story. If you do this ritual tonight, consider sharing one line with us: What are you letting go of? And if you prefer to keep it private, keep it sacred. That counts too. See you in the next chapter.

Cooking is more than a skill — it’s a quiet form of strength. In Aomori - JAPAN, Naoko Nagisa has spent nearly 20 years nurturing that strength through “food” and “connection ,” building warm, resilient spaces where people feel they belong. Next year marks 20 years since she started her entrepreneurial journey. A food-education specialist, a disaster-prevention advisor, and a creator of places where people feel they belong — her work has always circled around the same axis: food as life force, community as support system . All while raising a 23-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son, and navigating earthquakes, pandemics, and the slow shifts of society, Naoko has remained rooted in the same question: How do we protect the simple act of living well? The moment everything changed Her turning point arrived during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. “People had rice and water… but didn’t know how to cook it.”Watching this, Naoko felt a sharp realization: Cooking isn’t just a hobby — it’s survival. Since then, she has taught everything from clay-pot rice to rolling-stock cooking with dried foods and canned goods. Preparedness not as fear, but as part of daily life. And yet, she laughs when she admits: “I was never good at cooking. Being clumsy helps me understand people who struggle.” In her classes, she teaches from the same eye-level, the same starting point. She knows exactly where people trip — and how to guide them past the moment they want to give up. Food, heart, and the invisible threads between people In her early twenties, she worked in an elderly care home — an experience that shifted how she saw “eating.” Very few people can eat what they want, with their own strength , she learned. Some residents had family visiting often. Others waited for no one. Through this, she realized: Food is not just nutrition. It’s dignity. It’s connection. It’s a form of love that doesn’t need words. Her own upbringing shaped her too. As a teenager, her father fell ill; her mother, with no license and no work experience, struggled. She grew up without a model of “a working adult.” It wasn’t until her late twenties that she felt a quiet voice inside: “This can’t be my whole world.”And she stepped out and decided to start her own path. A community kitchen, a children’s dining room, a home for everyone Naoko once let go of her shop during the pandemic, but eventually opened a new café, a kitchen studio, and a guesthouse. She’s now building what she calls “the town’s dining table” ; a space that is both a community diner and a children’s cafeteria. Her time volunteering in Noto deepened one wish: A place that is a community hub on ordinary days,and an emergency refuge when life shakes unexpectedly. Aomori deserves that, she believes and she intends to build it. The future? She doesn’t force it. Naoko’s philosophy is simple: Do what you genuinely want. Even losing a little sleep doesn’t matter. Don’t do what you don’t want to do. But sleep  and time in the onsen  are non-negotiable. “I don’t plan my future by deadlines,” she says. “I just want to create what feels right for the moment , things that look fun.” Naoko loves Aomori, but she could be herself anywhere. That softness, that flexibility, is what makes her “second chapter” feel airy, open, unbound. Her story reminds us: When the feeling of “I want to do this” appears, quietly and honestly — the future begins to move. From Naoko, you sense that kind of courage.A still, steady determination that comes not from ambition, but from choosing life , one meal, one conversation, one connection at a time.

When women start a second chapter in their career, the focus often falls on what they “lack.” In reality, many mid-career women step into entrepreneurship with strengths that are powerful, quiet, and deeply underestimated. These skills don’t come from business school. They come from life. Clarity — knowing what truly matters After years of experience, women know what they won’t compromise anymore: toxic cultures, roles without meaning, unnecessary pressure. This clarity becomes their inner compass , helping them build businesses aligned with their values rather than external expectations. Emotional intelligence — leadership through empathy Mid-career women often lead with nuance. They know how to read people, navigate conflict, build trust, and create safe spaces. In international contexts , this emotional intelligence becomes a strategic advantage. Cultural fluency — a quiet global superpower Women who have lived between cultures understand context intuitively: how decisions are made, how trust is built, how teams collaborate. This cultural intelligence makes them naturally suited for global entrepreneurship, where nuance matters as much as strategy. Resilience — the endurance of someone who has lived Transitions, relocations, parenthood, career shifts, personal upheavals — women carry resilience shaped by real life. Entrepreneurship requires exactly this: the ability to continue, even when the path is unclear. Perspective and taste — the long view With experience comes a refined sense of what works: better intuition, better discernment, a deeper sense of quality. This perspective becomes an asset in fields where meaning and experience matter ; travel, wellness, consulting, culture, community. A mature network — fewer contacts, stronger ties By mid-career, women have networks built on trust rather than convenience. Relationships formed over years become an accelerator the moment they launch something new. The truth Women who reinvent themselves mid-career are not starting late. They are starting with  experience, resilience, and clarity ; the foundations of meaningful entrepreneurship. At GWF, we see every day how these “invisible skills” shape the strongest, most intentional second chapters.

People imagine that the hardest part of quitting a big corporate role is the risk, the money, or the uncertainty.But every woman who has actually done it knows: the real difficulty is invisible. It’s identity. You don’t just leave a job. You leave a title , a system where you knew exactly who you were, your inbox full of people needing you, and a clear ladder of what “success” meant. Starting your own project — whether a business, a studio, or a second life — requires building a whole new definition of yourself. And that is the part nobody prepares you for. 1. The Hardest Part: Losing the “Corporate Identity Shield” Inside a big role, you carry a badge that opens doors:a respected brand name, a title, a team, a rhythm. The day you leave, you lose your shield. Suddenly: no one introduces you anymore no one needs your approval your calendar is empty and silent your old confidence doesn’t work in this new world You are no longer “Director”, “VP”, “Manager”, “Head of”. You are simply you  ; which sounds poetic, but feels extremely naked. This loss of identity — not money — is what shocks most founders at the beginning. 2. The Second Difficulty: Re-learning How to Be a Beginner In corporate life, you are the expert. When you become a founder, you are the intern, the sales team, the accountant, the creative director, the IT support, the PR manager — all at once. You are a beginner again. Your ego hates it. But your future depends on it. Many women delay their launch for months because being “bad at something” feels unacceptable after 15–20 years of career excellence. But competence comes later. Curiosity must come first. 3. The Third Difficulty: Loneliness — the One Nobody Talks About Leaving a big job means leaving behind: hallway conversations a team that laughed at your jokes colleagues who understood context someone to complain with when things got tough Entrepreneurship, especially in the early months, can feel extremely lonely. This loneliness makes many women question if they made the right decision ; even when their idea is strong. So… How Do You Actually Start Something New? Here are four steps that make the difference. 1. Start with a “Small Life Experiment,” Not a Business Plan Before you commit to the big concept, test a mini-version: one workshop one prototype one Instagram series one newsletter one client Small experiments build confidence and momentum. Perfection kills both. 2. Build a New Identity Sentence You need one sentence that feels true and light: “I help women design their next chapter.” “I create things that make life easier for travelers.” “I build joyful spaces for founders.” This sentence replaces the lost title and becomes your new compass. 3. Create Your Personal Board of Allies Not advisors.Not investors.Just 3–5 women who get it : one who has built a business one who knows you deeply one who challenges you one who supports you emotionally These voices become the anchors you need to keep moving. 4. Accept That You’re Not “Starting Over” — You’re “Starting With” You are not beginning from zero. You are beginning with: 10+ years of experience emotional intelligence international perspective resilience a network instincts taste values clarity Your “second chapter” is not a rebirth. It is a recomposition. The Truth Leaving a big job is not the end of something successful ; it’s the beginning of something intentional . The hardest part is identity. The bravest part is beginning again. The reward is a life where your work and your values finally meet.

When women founders move across borders ; Paris to Tokyo, Tokyo to Singapore, Singapore to Paris . The biggest shock is rarely culture or language. It’s how differently each region understands risk . Risk influences everything:how quickly we launch, how much we dare, how society reacts, and how failure is interpreted.And while “Asia” is often grouped together, Japan and Singapore show just how diverse the region really is — even though certain shared patterns exist. Understanding these nuances is crucial for women building a second chapter abroad. It protects us from unnecessary self-doubt and helps us navigate transitions with clarity. France: Risk as Debate and Personal Identity In France, risk is approached intellectually . People debate, question, push ideas to their limits.If a project “makes sense,” you are encouraged to try — and France’s strong social safety net helps soften the consequences of failure. But the entrepreneurial path is slowed by bureaucracy and a culture of perfection.Founders prepare extensively before launching. For women, risk often translates into intellectual legitimacy : “Do I know enough? Am I credible enough?” The pressure is internal rather than social. Still, the French ecosystem ; BPI, Station F, women-led networks provides strong support. Japan: Risk as Social Consequence and Lifelong Responsibility Japan sees risk as something that affects not just the individual but the group ; family, colleagues, community.The fear is not failure itself, but the social ripple effect  it can cause. Entrepreneurship is still unconventional, making the decision to start a business feel extremely heavy. Once committed, however, Japanese founders show deep dedication, discipline, and patience. Women feel this weight even more. Expectations around stability and modesty mean many wait years until everything feels “safe enough.” Still, emerging ecosystems in big cities are creating new space for women to step into entrepreneurship. Singapore: Risk as Strategy and Momentum Singapore could not be more different.Risk is treated as a calculated strategy , supported by grants, accelerators, venture capital, and a global mindset.The environment encourages trying, testing, refining, and scaling quickly. Where Japan asks, “Is it stable?” and France asks, “Does the idea make sense?” Singapore asks:“ Is it scalable? ” For women founders, this creates both opportunity and pressure. Networks are diverse, mobility is high, and social judgment is low but performance expectations are strong . Risk is simply part of the game. Asia Is Not One Thing — But Some Patterns Repeat Japan and Singapore are incomparable, yet compared to France, some shared tendencies exist across Asia: Decision-making is more collective Reputation and trust matter deeply Failure is less publicly celebrated Long-term stability influences decisions But the speed and strictness vary enormously: Japan = cautious, reputation-first. Singapore = fast, opportunity-first. Your Risk Culture Is a Lens — Not a Limitation Women often internalize these differences as personal flaws: “I’m too slow,” “I’m too cautious,” “I’m not bold enough.” But risk culture is not personal; it’s systemic . Seeing risk through multiple lenses can be a strength, not a weakness.This is why communities like GWF exist: to help women compare experiences, understand their regional influences, and design new chapters with confidence, freedom, and joy wherever they choose to build their next life.

A Small Guide to What Women Are Loving in Paris, Tokyo & Singapore. At GWF, we speak often about transition, second chapters, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. But reinvention doesn’t start with strategy — it starts with inspiration . The tiny sparks that remind us who we are, what we love, and where we want to go. Here is a light, cross-cultural moodboard of what’s inspiring women across three GWF cities: Paris, Tokyo, and Singapore .A reminder that inspiration is fuel for the second chapter. Paris — Slow Confidence & Creative Curiosity 1. The Café Reset A 20–30 minute pause at a neighborhood café .In Paris women use this moment to think, sketch, or simply breathe. Inspiration through slowing down. 2. Pharmacy Beauty Secrets The tiny 10€ creams and balms that French women swear by. Simple, practical, and a reminder that elegance often comes from the essentials. 3. The Parisian Playlist .Music that feels like walking along and makes ideas flow. 4.Podcasts Passed Between Friends Women in Paris are sharing podcast episodes — short, sharp, and perfect to give a new idea or a new direction. Tokyo — Small Rituals, Big Imagination 1. The Konbini Spark A favorite snack or drink grabbed between two trains.A tiny moment of comfort that resets the mood and boosts creativity. 2. Hidden Calm Spaces A small shrine, a quiet bookstore, a leafy corner in Aoyama. In Tokyo women use these places for quick mental resets that often lead to fresh ideas. 3. Micro-Rituals Matcha breaks, vending-machine warm drinks, or even a capsule toy. Playful, simple, grounding. 4. Stationery as Inspiration Beautiful notebooks, pens, stickers.Tokyo proves creativity begins with paper. Singapore — Energy, Movement & Light 1. The Pre-Storm Sky That dramatic moment before the tropical rain ,wind rising, colors shifting.Singapore women call it their “inspiration minute.” 2. Wellness Hacks Quick sauna sessions, cold plunges, foot massages.Not for luxury — for mental clarity and fresh thinking. 3. The Tropical Reset Bowl Bright fruits, bold spices. Foord that wakes you up creatively. 4. Evening Bay Walks Despite the humidity, Marina Bay at night feels like “new beginnings.” Inspiration Is the First Step of the Second Chapter These sparks , music, rituals, storms, notebooks are not trivial. They are data  about what energizes us, what we’re drawn to, and how we want to feel. Before strategy, before business plans, before the big decisions ; inspiration is where the second chapter truly begins.

Every new chapter begins with a question: What if I chose differently? For Diane , that question came after several years in venture capital  — a world of numbers, innovation, and fast-paced decisions. As former Head of Investor Relations at Super Capital , she helped startups raise funds and grow. But one day, she realized she wanted to invest in something else — herself. 🌿 Rewriting Success “I realized I had built a wall of happiness — protecting myself from negative emotions, but also from life itself.” This moment of clarity led Diane to take a bold step: leaving finance to focus on her passion for music and writing . Under her artist name Didiz , she now writes and performs songs that explore emotion, identity, and transformation.Her latest single, “Le Mur du Bonheur” , is both a confession and a liberation — a reminder that true balance isn’t about perfection, but about allowing every feeling to exist. ✨ From Numbers to Notes Diane’s story perfectly embodies the spirit of VOICES — women who reinvent themselves, bridge worlds, and redefine what it means to succeed. She proves that one can be both analytical and creative, disciplined and intuitive, serious and joyful. Her message to women entering the world of venture capital is clear: 💬 “ Be aware of your value. Don’t be intimidated — bring your own vision .”   🎧 Discover Diane’s world Listen to “Le Mur du Bonheur”  by Didiz  on Spotify, and read her full conversation on the Voices  page of Global Women Founders . From finance to Artist, Diane reminds us that the most meaningful investments are the ones we make in ourselves. #VoicesOfGWF #GlobalWomenFounders #WomenInFinance #SecondLife #JoyFirstBusinessSecond

At Global Women Founders , we meet extraordinary women — founders, artists, mothers, teachers, dreamers, and changemakers  — each shaping her own path, sometimes in the spotlight, often quietly, always with courage. VOICES  was born from one simple idea:to celebrate authentic journeys ,to share stories that inspire confidence ,and to shine a light on alternative ways to work and live . Because success doesn’t always follow a straight line — sometimes it’s about reinvention , curiosity , or simply daring to begin again. 🌍 The New Chapter Spirit Around the world, women are redefining what ambition looks like.They balance creativity and leadership, business and purpose, ambition and well-being. Through VOICES , we want to highlight these women — not as exceptions, but as examples of a broader movement:the freedom to design one’s own life. 💬 What we do Every month, VOICES  features one woman who shares her story — her lessons, turning points, and the mindset behind her second chapter . From Asia to Europe, these women remind us that there are many ways to succeed , and even more ways to live with meaning and joy. ✨ At GWF, we believe in doesn’t always start on stage or in the media. It starts in small circles, honest conversations, and moments of vulnerability shared between women. Together, these stories form a collective message: you can start again, grow differently, and still shine. 🕊️ VOICES  is our way of amplifying these stories. To remind every woman out there: you are not alone, your story matters, and your second chapter can begin anytime. #GlobalWomenFounders #VoicesOfGWF #WomenInspiringWomen #SecondLife #BusinessSecondJoyFirst #FromParisToTokyo

Starting over is hard. Starting over abroad ? Even harder — and maybe, more honest. When Yuka moved from Japan to Paris at 48, she thought she’d continue her corporate path. Instead, she found herself lost in translation — professionally and personally. “The systems were different. The pace was different. The way people saw me was different. I couldn’t rely on my old title, or my old rhythm. I had to ask myself: what do I really want to build now? ” At GWF, we see this story again and again: A French woman launching her first solo project in Japan A Canadian returnee using her bilingual edge to build a bridge A former exec in Singapour finally writing the book she’d shelved for 20 years Changing countries shakes your identity. But it also gives you space to reinvent — without all the old labels. ✅ So, what helps? 1. Safe Circles Not networking. Not pitching. Just space to speak and hear: “You’re not the only one.” 2. Micro-Wins Reinvention doesn’t have to mean a 5-year plan.→ Start small: offer a workshop, update your bio, try a co-creation. Movement matters. 3. Mirror People You need people who get it  — not just culturally, but emotionally. 🌐 GWF is for women navigating the in-between: new country, new chapter, new questions. We hold the space — so you can hold the pen.