Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, wondering what’s next, feeling the weight of expectations, or questioning who you are beyond the roles you play? If so, you’re not alone.
At Female Ventures, we believe in creating spaces where women can share these experiences openly, find support, and gather tools to navigate change with confidence. This belief sparked our newest initiative: “Life as a Woman”, a recurring event series dedicated to exploring the pivotal transitions and reinventions that shape modern womanhood.
Our first edition, Life as a Woman: Reinvention, takes place on Friday, September 26 at voco The Hague, and it’s all about navigating turning points, whether that means stepping into motherhood, recovering from burnout, or making bold career shifts.
“We realized we wanted to talk about all the different aspects of a woman’s life—and not just in passing, but in a meaningful way,” says Kristin Unger, City Director of Female Ventures Delft/The Hague, as she reflects on the moment the idea for Life as a Woman was born. “We wanted to create a space where women can share their stories, feel seen, and know they are not alone in whatever they are facing.”
It sounds simple, but as every woman knows, life rarely is. Behind the professional titles, family roles, and societal expectations lies a reality filled with transitions, reinventions, and invisible challenges. That’s what this series aims to uncover, one authentic conversation at a time.
The Spark: Where It All Began
The seed for this event was planted during an informal brainstorming session within the Female Ventures Delft/The Hague team. “We were sitting together, talking about what topics we wanted to explore in future events,” Kristin recalls. “Very quickly, we realized one workshop or the topic introductions during our networking drinks wouldn’t cut it. Life as a woman is too layered, too complex.”
For Ana Maria Mitrofan, Community Manager in Delft and the driving force behind the first edition, the concept was deeply personal. “Motherhood, burnout, and career transitions shaped me in ways I never imagined,” she shares. “I know how lonely it feels to juggle everything and think you’re the only one struggling. If I’d had more support back then, the road would have felt lighter. That’s why this series matters to give women the space I once needed.”
Her words are met with nods from the team. “Much of history has been written from the viewpoint of men,” adds Zanni Miranda, Community Manager for The Hague. “We need our own spaces, our own stories, and the chance to feel truly seen and heard.”
What Does “Life as a Woman” Mean?
The phrase is simple, yet the interpretations are as diverse as the women behind it. For Ana, it’s about multiplicity: “Being a professional, a mother, a partner, a friend; but also remembering to be there for ourselves. It’s an invitation to come as we are, raw and beautiful at the same time.”
Yu-Chia Huang, part of the marketing team, puts it another way: “Life as a Woman is an adventure full of roles, challenges, and discoveries. This series creates a space where those stories can be shared openly and safely.”
And Melanie Bertaud, who crafts words for the community, adds a note of nuance: “The motto invites conversation. It’s about exploring the complexity behind what it means to be a woman today without falling into clichés.”
“For me, Life as a Woman is about connection through authentic stories,” says Linh Nguyen, part of the marketing team. “It’s not just about promoting an event, it’s about turning challenges into shared experiences that inspire others.”
Why a Panel? Why Now?
In a world dominated by quick takes and polarized debates, nuance often gets lost. “Panel discussions create space for multiple voices,” says Melanie. “They allow us to explore complexity, find common ground, and even challenge each other respectfully.”
Ana agrees. “Real women, real journeys. That’s what touches us in ways statistics never could. Each story is different, but when told together, they reveal patterns we all relate to.”
The timing feels urgent too. Research shows that women continue to carry a disproportionate share of emotional labor, caregiving responsibilities, and workplace biases. The pandemic amplified these challenges, leaving many women at breaking points. “Now, more than ever, we need spaces for honest dialogue,” says Kristin firmly.
Who Is This For?
“Every woman who wants to feel seen, supported, and less alone,” says Ana without hesitation. Whether you’re a mother navigating burnout, a young professional considering a career pivot, or an expat searching for belonging this series is for you.
“It’s for anyone feeling like they’re in a season of reinvention,” adds Zanni. “We want them to leave thinking: I’m not alone. Others have walked this path too.”
Jay Vedala, who helps manage the Delft community, adds: “We want attendees to leave feeling uplifted and inspired. This isn’t just networking, it’s a space for vulnerability, authenticity, and real support.”
Beyond One Night: Why a Series?
One evening isn’t enough to capture the full spectrum of womanhood. Future editions will tackle themes like financial independence, motherhood and choice, health and well-being, cultural identity, creativity, and leadership.
“Womanhood is too vast for a single event,” Ana says with a smile. “Each theme deserves its own stage.”
The Heart of the Event: Collaboration & Community
Organizing the first edition is no small feat. “It comes together through the magic of our community,” Kristin says. “Our speakers – Karla Calinawan, Vassia Sarantopoulou, and Tessa de Flines – are part of our network, voco Hotel graciously opened its doors, and our host, Nuthan Manohar, radiates the energy we need to make this conversation flow.”
Even behind the scenes, the effort reflects the essence of the series: women supporting women. “It wasn’t easy – summer holidays, limited budgets – but we made it happen,” Ana adds. “Because when women come together, incredible things happen.”
“Every time women come together in a safe, empowering space, magic happens,” adds Alexandra Sima, Community Manager in The Hague. “Life as a Woman is that space, a chance to connect beyond job titles and talk about what truly matters.”
The Bigger Picture
For Female Ventures, Life as a Woman is more than an event, it is a movement, a shared story, and an experience. “You can’t separate the personal from the professional,” Kristin says. “Empowering women means addressing the realities of their lives, not just their careers.”
If You Remember One Thing…
“We don’t have to do it alone,” says Ana softly, and the room goes quiet. Heads nod in agreement. That’s the heartbeat of Life as a Woman: connection, courage, and community.
Or, as Zanni puts it: “A space to redefine our paths as women and grow unafraid to launch into something new, at any age.”
Join Us for the First Edition: Reinvention
- Where: voco The Hague
- When: Friday, September 26 | 18:00 – 21:30
- Host: Nuthan Manohar
- Speakers: Karla Calinawan, Vassia Sarantopoulou, and Tessa de Flines
- What to expect: Honest stories, practical insights, interactive reflection, and networking that feels like community.