Francesca Willemsen

_{Note: This interview was conducted at the end of August 2025, shortly after Francesca gave birth.} 

1. What motivated you to start your Executive MBA at this point in your career - and in your life?

“I chose to start my Executive MBA at the beginning of this year because I had reached an inflection point where my professional trajectory, personal growth, and long-term aspirations intersect. Over the past years, I built a strong foundation of international experience, operational and strategic skills, and people agility. I had the opportunity to progress quickly, but at some point along the journey I realized that long-term impact requires more than just performance: it requires a broader perspective, and the ability to mobilize and lead others around purpose. At the same time, I want to strengthen my ability to lead authentically, balancing my natural drive for results with the capacity to connect and empower others. 

To do so, this programme came at the right moment to prepare and expand my skills’ toolbox for the responsibilities ahead.”

2. When you found out you were expecting, where were you in your EMBA journey, and how did it shape your perspective on continuing the programme?

“I found out I was expecting just two weeks before the start of the programme, at the end of January. From the very beginning, I was clear that I wanted to go on with the EMBA journey. In fact, for me the pregnancy was not an obstacle but a personal milestone that would support my commitment to growth: being my first pregnancy, everything was going to be unexpected, a real opportunity for me to practice letting go. Therefore, I chose to view the EMBA and my pregnancy as parallel journeys, constantly enriching one another and both being opportunities for development, one professionally and the other personally.”

3. How have you been balancing pregnancy and the demands of the EMBA? Any unexpected challenges or uplifting moments?

“In hindsight, I was fortunate to have a very smooth pregnancy, allowing me to stay fully engaged with the programme. The real challenge came when I changed role within my team at work due to a rebuilding phase at the beginning of my second trimester, just as my energy levels were dropping. Managing all these transitions at once was quite demanding, but it also created an additional opportunity for growth that I’m very glad for. I had to learn how to manage my time even more effectively, through setting clearer boundaries with myself and others, delegating more effectively to both my colleagues and my EMBA peers, and prioritising with discipline to create some breathing space. 

There were many uplifting moments along this journey. From the outside, the support and solidarity within the cohort, but also from the EMBA team, made the journey smooth and even energising. To have people around you who fully trust in your capabilities is truly empowering. Also, the power of collaboration within the cohort and especially my leadership council was remarkable and a true highlight. From the inside, (re)discovering parts of myself, like the joy of learning, the love of ‘guiding’ others, my inner drive and energy. I think the pregnancy made everything more tangible and visible to me.”

4. What has been the most rewarding part of experiencing the EMBA while preparing for motherhood?

“The most rewarding part has been experiencing two deeply transformative journeys in parallel and seeing how much they reinforce each other. Preparing for motherhood has sharpened my sense of adaptability, pragmatism, and balance, while the EMBA has equipped me with new tools, fresh perspectives, and a safe environment to practice balancing drive with authenticity. I almost did two EMBAs at once, with one being very personal.”

5. Have you noticed the Personal Leadership Development (PLD) component taking on a different meaning for you during pregnancy?

“Linked to the feeling of “doing two EMBAs at once,” the PLD component took on a very different meaning during pregnancy. Going through so many internal changes, while simultaneously exploring myself as a leader, and how I lead myself before leading others, was both empowering and, at times, unsettling. I questioned myself a lot: am I still the same person, or am I now defined by being pregnant?

What made the difference was how the ‘Life Journey’ element brought clarity to many of the questions running through my mind. It became almost like a tool to prepare me for motherhood: helping me truly understand myself, where my strengths and patterns come from, and how I’ve become the person I am today. In many ways, PLD was not only about preparing to lead others, but also about preparing to lead in a new, deeply personal role: becoming a mum.”

6. Looking back, what has been a highlight or most rewarding part of the curriculum for you?

“I already relied heavily on data to shape my recommendations and strategy, but Finance gave me the tools to take this to the next level. My prior knowledge had been focused mostly on commercial finance and product P&Ls, through my current and previous roles. The courses expanded that view, allowing me to understand full financial statements and link them directly to a company’s health, direction and strategy.

This perspective is more than just technical knowledge; it’s something I can leverage to step up in my career. Being able to connect market execution, commercial expertise and financial insights equips me to contribute at a more strategic level and influence decisions with greater authority. For me, this is one of the most valuable outcomes of the programme, alongside PLD, because it’s not only about learning, but about positioning myself for the next level of leadership.”

7. How has your cohort – peers, professors, or the RSM community – supported you through your pregnancy during the EMBA?

“The support I received from my cohort and the wider RSM community was truly remarkable. From my peers, there was an incredible sense of solidarity and trust: people stepped in without hesitation when I needed to delegate or rebalance priorities, and they always treated me as fully capable, which was both empowering and motivating. Within my leadership council especially, the collaboration and encouragement became one of the highlights of the journey.

From the EMBA team, I will also always remember Carol’s response when I first called her to share the news and ask about the programme: “That’s awesome! And don’t worry: we’ve seen this and many other life changes. We’ve seen it all. Of course you’ll be able to manage, and we’ll be here if you need us.” That reassurance reflected not only her kindness, but also the EMBA team’s confidence in me, which gave me the courage to trust myself even more.

The professors and EMBA team overall played a big role. They created an environment where I could continue to challenge myself without feeling limited. That combination of trust, care, and empowerment made the experience not just manageable, but uplifting.”

8. Has combining pregnancy and the EMBA changed the way you see your career, leadership style, or personal growth?

“Yes! Throughout my life, I’ve experienced many transitions that demanded adaptability and an open mindset, like moving between France and Italy as a child and teenager or later relocating from Paris to Sydney and then back to Europe in Amsterdam. Each of these transitions shaped me and I embraced them fully. I’ve always looked at change as a beautiful opportunity for growth, if you are ready to go through the discomfort first. 

Combining pregnancy with the EMBA felt like the culmination of this mindset. It pushed me to lean even more into adaptability, resilience, and focus. On a personal level, it reinforced my belief that growth comes most meaningfully when we welcome change, even when it arrives in multiple dimensions at once. It also deepened my leadership style through managing more intentionally my time and my brainpower, while staying grounded while navigating personal uncertainty. In terms of career, I joined the EMBA already knowing I wanted something more. Now, after this dual journey, I have much greater clarity about the direction I want to take for my next step.”

9. For women considering an MBA while also planning to start a family, what insights or advice would you share from your own journey?

“I would say: don’t rule it out. At first, the idea of combining an MBA with pregnancy can feel overwhelming. But the two journeys can enrich each other in powerful ways. For me, it was about accepting that I couldn’t (and didn’t need to) do everything alone: learning to delegate, set boundaries, and prioritise with discipline was not only essential for balance, but also a real leadership lesson.

My advice would be to lean on your support system (your cohort, your peers, your family) and allow yourself to ask for help. Trust that people will rise to support you. Also, give yourself permission to embrace imperfection: there will be moments when you can’t give 100% to everything, and that’s okay.

Most importantly, see it as an opportunity to grow in multiple dimensions at once. Pregnancy brings clarity, resilience, and perspective, while the MBA gives you the tools, community, and structure to apply those lessons. The combination can be demanding, but it’s also incredibly empowering.”

10. Looking ahead, how do you see your EMBA and your experience of motherhood influencing each other in the future?

“Now mum of a beautiful almost 3 weeks old baby, I’m preparing to go back to the EMBA after the summer break for the electives season. I’m genuinely looking forward to it and already see how closely the two journeys will continue to be linked. Motherhood has given me a deep sense of calm and trust, especially in others, and most importantly in my baby. At the same time, my mind is eager to stay stimulated and challenged, which I know will make the EMBA even more fulfilling. 

Of course, I’ve carefully planned my support system, with both my parents and my partner stepping in when I need to be in Rotterdam. But beyond logistics, I feel an incredible sense of freedom: freed from limits and boundaries I might have once imposed on myself in the professional world. That feeling is something I really treasure and I believe it will shape how I grow both as a mother and as a leader.”