Meet Ineke Vermeulen
I believe growth starts with communication.
In the words of Charles de Gaulle: “I speak. I must. Action puts enthusiasm into practice. But it is words that inspire it.”
(Je parle. Il le faut bien. L’action met les ardeurs en œuvre. Mais c’est la parole qui les suscite.)
I fundamentally believe that when leaders tell compelling stories, when teams understand each other across cultures, and when people feel confident to speak up – organizations thrive.
My work focuses on creating meaning before action – developing leaders who communicate with confidence, credibility, and clarity.
I bring over 20 years of experience as a senior marketing and communication leader, consultant, lecturer, and speaker, working at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and communication in complex, international environments. In my corporate career, I led multicultural marketing and communications teams of around 40 people across 11 countries, with responsibility for an eight-figure (EUR) budget, shaping strategy, developing talent, and creating clarity at scale.
My leadership style is characterised by calm authority, depth of thinking, and a strong focus on developing people. I am known for helping leaders and teams think more clearly before they act, express ideas with confidence, and anchor communication in values, context, and meaning – especially when operating across cultures and borders. I work in English, German, and French and regularly support global leaders navigating growth, change, and complexity.
That’s why I combine my three passions into one mission:
- Public Speaking: Helping professionals use storytelling, data storytelling, and humor to make their messages unforgettable.
- People & Performance: Guiding teams and leaders to collaborate across cultures, adapt to the ever-changing world of work, and unlock their full potential.
- (Selective) Marketing & Brand Strategy: Supporting organizations in aligning vision, brand, and strategy when it matters most.
Alongside my corporate and consulting work, I have been an active member of Toastmasters International for over 15 years and a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) for more than a decade. I have held leadership roles at club, area, and division level, served as a club mentor and coach, chartered new clubs, and mentored countless members in both speaking and leadership development. I have also won multiple speech contests, including at District level. This long-term engagement deeply informs my work in helping people speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose – without forcing them into styles that don’t fit.
How you can work with me: I design and deliver workshops and trainings, give keynotes, moderate strategic conversations, and support leaders and teams in strengthening their communication, leadership presence, and impact. My focus is always the same: developing people and capability, not scripts or short-term performance.
If you are looking for someone who combines senior leadership experience, strategic depth, and a human, thoughtful approach to communication – someone who helps people speak with confidence, lead with credibility, and grow together – let’s connect.
"Clear communication isn’t just a skill. It’s a force multiplier."
My Core Values
These are the principles that guide how I work with individuals, teams, and organizations.
Excellence
“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
Excellence is not a finish line – it’s a way of thinking and working.
I believe excellence is built through clarity, reflection, and consistent, thoughtful practice. I bring this mindset into everything I do, and help others develop the capability to do high-quality work with confidence and integrity over time.
Team Spirit
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb
I value collaboration that is thoughtful, purposeful, and human.
While I enjoy deep, focused solo work, I have seen time and again how much more becomes possible when people think and work well together. I create spaces where teams can build trust, align on purpose, and intentionally leverage each other’s strengths.
Trust
“When you explain to people what you’re trying to do, as opposed to just making demands or delegating tasks, you can build instant trust, even if it’s just for that short time you’re on the phone.” – Simon Sinek
Trust is the foundation of all meaningful progress.
I believe trust is built through transparency, respect, and clarity of intent. When people understand the why behind decisions and feel safe to show up as themselves, real growth, learning, and leadership development become possible.
Discover how I bring these values into my work
Credentials
I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning. While I love training, advising, and mentoring others, I can only do that effectively if I stay on top of my own game. Here are the credentials that underpin my work.
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
I’ve held my DTM – Toastmasters International’s highest achievement – for over 10 years. Earning it requires mastering communication and leadership through extensive practical experience, and maintaining those skills means never stopping the work.
Data storytelling and visualisation
In a world increasingly swamped by data, storytelling isn’t optional – it’s essential. I recently completed this certification because I’m acutely aware that data literacy is no longer a luxury for leaders or their teams. This training deepened my ability to help others transform insights into action.
Coming soon
I’m currently undertaking another intensive training program that will expand my toolkit even further. New certification expected early 2026 – watch this space.
Ready to start growing together?
Whether you’re looking to build communication confidence across your team, sharpen your storytelling with data, or tackle a specific leadership challenge – let’s explore what’s possible.