Empowering Change: Helena Demuynck on Purpose, Philanthropy, and Breaking the Inner Glass Ceiling

HELENA DEMUYNCK - Catalyse for smart, conscious women transforming

We sat down with Helena Demuynck—transformational coach, author, and catalyst for smart, conscious women—to dive into the themes that define her mission and impact. In our conversation, we asked Helena a series of questions about her personal journey, the driving vision behind her book It’s Your Turn, her unique approach to philanthropy, and the powerful concept of the “inner glass ceiling” that so many women face.

What followed was an inspiring exchange on purpose, empowerment, and building a legacy through compassion, consciousness, and contribution.

"Helena, your journey from recruitment to coaching has focused on recognizing potential beyond what’s on a résumé and helping people, particularly women, access their inner strength. Can you tell us about this journey and how it has shaped your mission to help women realize their potential?"

I have learned that a resume is only a picture of experiences and capabilities, and especially for women. Women very often underestimate their value and their contribution.

A resume doesn't show contributions, so for me it is also important to support women to understand their value and to be able to create a vision around who they want to be and what they want to contribute to in the world, and to bring this in a compelling way.

This is basically how and why I went from the search industry to coaching. And evolved from the traditional executive coaching to women-centered, holistic transformation coaching. It's a whole different ballgame.

"Your book It’s Your Turn goes beyond being a personal project—it incorporates philanthropy by supporting causes that empower women through the 'Buy One, Give One' initiative. What inspired you to integrate this philanthropic aspect into the book, and how does this reflect your values and vision?"

The mission of my book, It's Your Turn, is to show women a way to go beyond their personal aspirations. It's about understanding how they can make an impact, not only for their families, communities, or teams, but also for the underrepresented in our world.

You don't have to be important, super famous, or super rich to make an impact. With the Buy One Give One initiative, I want to create the awareness that we can contribute and make a significant difference in the lives of women all over the world.

This can be achieved through simple acts of contribution, donation, and being aware of how women in other parts of the world are leading grassroots initiatives for their families and communities.

Basically, it is about walking the talk and contributing at a higher level. It involves looking further than what we can see or read about. It's about opening our minds, opening our hearts, and being willing to open our wallets to contribute to a bigger cause.

"You often emphasize that philanthropy isn’t solely about financial contributions; it’s about intentionality, gratitude, and the skills we share. How do you think this perspective could transform how corporations and individuals approach philanthropy?"

Philanthropy is not only about money. It is about consciousness, awareness, and intentionality. Financial contributions are very important, but there are many other things we can do to create value and contribute to other people's lives. Philanthropy is about kindness, sharing expertise, sponsorship, and validation.

Philanthropy is not only about what is going on in another part of the world. It is about being present in the world, in your world, and seeing where you can make a meaningful impact. This can be with your neighbor, for nature, or for children. Philanthropy is universal and transcendent.

If individuals and corporations can see philanthropy this way, it opens many possibilities to do good and create a better world.

"You’ve spoken about the concept of an 'inner glass ceiling'—the limitations women often place on themselves. What advice do you offer to women facing these self-imposed barriers, and what steps can they take to start breaking through?"

Our inner glass ceiling is the limiting beliefs that we put on ourselves, including the unkind words we speak to ourselves. These beliefs are the result of our upbringing, education, as well as historical, cultural, and even epigenetic factors.

The best way to confront these self-imposed barriers is to connect with our power centers, to reconnect with who we really are, and to understand our purpose. We need to create a vision based on our purpose and have a clear understanding of our values. By combining all these elements, we can develop an inner compass to guide us in decision-making and choices, supporting us in living a purposeful life by design.

This is how we can live a live by design and define success on our terms, unapologetically and without any regrets.

"Your commitment to philanthropy reflects a focus on creating lasting impact through kindness, love, and support. What legacy do you hope to build through your philanthropic work and the message of It’s Your Turn?"

I want to build a sustainable community of conscious women who support and sponsor each other to bring out the best in one another. I wish for this community to be resourceful, creative, and to embody a spirit of abundance, gratitude, and generosity.

I hope that the community will look beyond the visible and understand that philanthropy is the path to real humanity. My book "It's Your Turn" serves as a guide to embark on this path and to build sustainable communities that can do good. I aim for our female leadership qualities to be integrated into the system in a sustainable manner, creating a lasting impact.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Helena Demuynck is not just a coach or a writer—she is a guide for those who seek to realign their personal and professional lives with deeper meaning. As a transformational coach, author, and advocate for women’s empowerment, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals unlock their potential and move beyond the limitations they often unconsciously place on themselves.

Her career began in recruitment, but it was in coaching that she discovered her true mission: supporting women to break through what she calls the “inner glass ceiling.” These are the invisible barriers rooted in conditioning, beliefs, and systemic narratives that keep women from stepping fully into their power. Through her book It’s Your Turn and initiatives like Buy One, Give One, Helena’s work expands far beyond one-on-one coaching—it’s about building conscious, generous communities that act with intention and vision.

"You don't have to be important, super famous, or super rich to make an impact." – Helena Demuynck

This quote perfectly captures the spirit of Helena’s work: accessible, intentional, and deeply empowering. Her book It’s Your Turn is a guide and an invitation for women everywhere to live and lead with clarity, generosity, and purpose.

Discover the book and join the movement: www.itsyourturnthebook.com.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dr. Giulia R. Tufaro, ART DIRECTOR: Angela Melandri ADVERTISING & PARTNERSHIPS: Fiona Schmid