You can care deeply without losing yourself.

1:1 Coaching for mission-driven professionals wanting to balance impact, purpose and wellbeing

the weight of systems change can be heavy to carry.

You built a career around making a difference.

But slowly, the work stopped being something you do, and slowly became who you are.

Your purpose, identity, relationships and sense of self became intertwined.

You became very good at supporting everyone else, but find it harder and harder to hear yourself.

The work still matters deeply to you.

But something feels… different.

You find yourself wondering where your responsibility ends and where your life begins.

You’re wondering…

Who am I outside of my job, organisation, or title? 

Am I burnt out, or have I simply changed?

Do I still believe in this work?

Why does work that means so much to me feel so exhausting?

I worked hard to get here, why do I feel empty?

Does wanting something different mean I am betraying the cause I work for?

Can I change anything, or is this just the way it will be if I want to make an impact?

Do I stay, leave, or find a different way forward?

About

Hi! I’m Annika. I spent a decade working across global policy, human rights, and technology.

My career took me from the European Parliament to working with the United Nations, governments, NGOs, and mission-driven corporate organisations.

Working alongside leaders and change-makers, I saw the same challenge emerge.

Brilliant, deeply committed people were giving so much of themselves to the causes they believe in, that they often lost sight of who they really are.

That experience led me to found my coaching and advisory company, the Eleven Group.

Today, I work 1:1 with leaders, policy professionals, founders, and change-makers around the world.

I help them reconnect with their purpose, navigate the pressures of their work with confidence, and build careers that are both meaningful and sustainable.

Book a free call

TESTIMONIALS

  • “Annika has been a changing force in my life, when we were working together against the patriarchy in Parliament and way beyond that. She is a strong feminist leader who can hold a delicate balance between caring deeply but also holding you accountable to your true purpose.

    I was so happy to see she chose the path of (job) coaching as I think everyone needs a coach & mentor like her in their lives.

    Especially now in the sector of politics, human rights and the NGO space, I hear so many people around me that feel hopeless, feel they need a shift but don’t know where to start.

    If you feel stuck and in need of some guidance, send Annika a message!

    I’ll promise you, she will change your life.”

    Myrthe Bovendeaard, Gender Justice , Oxfam‍ (The Hague/Brussels)

  • "Annika's coaching skills allowed me to set a healthier relationship with my work at a time when I felt overwhelmed and unable to set boundaries to both properly recharge and look back on my daily progress in a positive light. 

    I now feel more connected to my purpose, and more capable of taking time for my wellbeing, as much as for the movement I work in. 

    I cannot express how valuable Annika’s support was in finding this balance.”

    Lucia Posteraro, International Federation for Human Rights FIDH (Oslo/Paris)

  • “I wish everyone gets the opportunity to be guided by Annika’s wisdom and embodied knowledge. She sets out a path for change-makers that is sustainable, healthy and real. What a gift it has been!

    Annika’s someone who will always, and consistently, remind you that joy sits at the heart of purpose.

    What we are supposed to do in life will make us feel aligned, grounded and powerful. Not overwhelmed and anxious.

    This is something I’ve learned from her, and it has changed my life forever.”

    Anuna De Wever, Climate and Human Rights Activist, Author (Antwerp)

  • “I met Annika through our work at the European Parliament, and during one of the biggest political and personal challenges of my life, she was a trustworthy and steadfast source of guidance and support.

    Throughout that experience, she has shown me that it’s possible to stay true to one’s values and mission, even when it feels confusing or scary.

    Fighting the good fight will never be easy, but it’s less hard with her by your side.”

    Mia Müller, European Parliament (Brussels)

  • “The impact of Annika’s coaching on my work is immeasurable. 

    It was an absolute honour to spend time with her, to receive her support and guidance in structuring my work, creativity, and balance, always centering joy and the pleasure of life, even while working on some of the darkest topics humans encounter.“

    Thomas Maddens, Award-winning documentary film maker (Ghent)

  • "Annika is an extraordinary person. She helped me let go of the belief that success only comes through relentless grit.

    Instead, I discovered that I can do meaningful, ambitious work while feeling grounded and joyful.

    The lessons I've learnt have helped me build sustainable work habits in a demanding, high-pressure professional environment."

    Minna Manninen, Communications at the European Parliament (Brussels)

  • “Annika is amazing in creating space for you to open up.

    She sees opportunities everywhere!

    If you need a hype woman who does not overlook structural barriers, she is your person.”

    Arnika Zinke, Digital & AI Policy, European Parliament (Brussels)

get the support you deserve

Coaching can help you:

  • Get clarity on your professional and personal identity at this stage of your life, make decisions with confidence rather than endless analysis

  • Disentangle your worth from achievement, purpose from obligation, and responsibility from self-sacrifice

  • Establish sustainable work habits that prevent you from falling into patterns of overextension and urgency-driven working

  • Explore ways to make an impact on your own terms, not based on other people’s expectations or definition of success

  • Build confidence and set the boundaries you know you want to

  • Feeling excited about the future again

  • Take concrete steps towards a life with space for creativity, pleasure and play, so your life doesn’t narrow, even if the topics of your work might be heavy

WORK WITH ME

You’ve outgrown your current situation, and want to take action.

I help you cut through the noise, release what no longer serves you, and move forward with intention.

  • Perfect if you're looking for a one-off space to pause, reflect, and untangle what feels stuck or unclear.

    Whether you're navigating a career decision, feeling overwhelmed, or simply need space to think out loud with someone experienced to support you, this session is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

    Includes:

    • 1 × 60 minutes session

    • A pre-conversation reflection form

    • A personalised action plan with concrete next steps

  • Designed for those who are ready to move from reflection into action.

    Together, we'll create clarity around what you want, identify what's keeping you stuck, and build the confidence and accountability needed to begin creating the life and career you aspire to have.

    This is ideal if you're looking for focused support over a shorter period of time, with guidance from a professional thinking partner who will challenge, encourage and support you along the way.

    Includes:

    • 4 × 40 minutes coaching sessions (weekly or fortnightly)

    • A comprehensive reflection form before the series

    • Real-time WhatsApp support between sessions

    • Personalised exercises and resources

    • On-going accountability

    • A personalised action plan with concrete next steps

  • This is my signature coaching journey for those seeking meaningful and sustainable transformation.

    Over eight sessions, you will not only get clarity on where you want to go, but build the confidence, agency and courage required to get you there.

    With the space to explore patterns, beliefs and assumptions that may be shaping your decisions, this programme creates the conditions for change that lasts beyond the coaching itself.

    You'll leave with a stronger sense of self-trust, a clearer direction, and practical steps to continue building a life and career that feel aligned, intentional and fully your own.

    Includes:

    • 8 × 40 minutes coaching sessions (weekly or fortnightly)

    • A comprehensive reflection form before the series

    • Real-time WhatsApp support between sessions

    • Personalised exercises and resources

    • On-going accountability from a coaching professional

    • A personalised action plan with concrete next steps

    • A follow-up call six weeks after the journey to ensure progress

book a free call

This free 20-minute conversation is an opportunity to explore what you're navigating, what feels uncertain or difficult right now, and see if coaching would be helpful to you.

You don't need to prepare anything in advance or know exactly what you want to say.

This is a space to think out loud with someone who understands the realities of mission-driven work and the pressures that often come with it.

No pressure. No obligation.

Just a conversation, on purpose.

frequently asked

  • I work 1:1 with my clients for four or eight coaching sessions. The sessions are held online on Zoom in English, with the flexibility of working from whichever time zone you are in.

    For those needing a once-off session, I also offer a 60-minute clarity call.

    In addition to coaching, I work as a keynote speaker, moderator and offer masterclasses and team coaching for selected groups.

  • I offer a free 20-minute consultation where we discuss your situation, and get to know each other to see if we are a good fit for a coaching partnership.

    There is zero commitment and no obligations to this call. You can easily reach out through the contact form on this website, and receive a link to to book a call at a time that suits you.

  • It might feel strange to consider working with a professional coach.

    Shouldn’t you be able to figure out your situation on your own?

    Well… If you could, you probably would have by now.

    Trying to make important decisions while exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from your own life doesn’t get you anywhere.

    Without dedicated time, structure and specialized support, chances are you’ll stay stuck.

    After years of survival and hyper independence it might be hard to admit that you could use support.

    But tailored support helps us move forward more easily.

    Perhaps this time around, you don’t need to push harder, and do everything the hard way, even if that’s what got you where you are today.

  • You don't need to arrive with a plan or a perfectly defined goal.

    Many of my clients come to coaching because they feel stuck, knowing that something isn't working anymore but can't yet put their finger on what needs to change.

    Coaching offers you space and support to untangle the situation, so you can hear your own voice again, move forward and get unstuck.

  • All coaching programmes include personalised 1:1 sessions, reflection tools between sessions, and ongoing support throughout the programme.

    Pricing isn't one-size-fits-all, because all goals, timelines, and situations are unique. I offer different rates levels for professionals in corporate, public and civil society, recognising the different socio-economic realities across sectors.

    Each coaching investment contributes to a solidarity fund, which is used to provide pro bono coaching to activists, organisers, and practitioners, particularly from the Global South and under-resourced advocacy spaces.

    This is a structural commitment to ensuring the work remains connected to real-world social and political contexts, not only privileged professional environments.

    If you are interested in pro bono coaching, you can contact me through the form on the website.

  • Coaching isn't an investment in eight conversations but an investment in the decisions you'll make for years to come.

    The cost of staying stuck, making decisions from exhaustion, or continuing on a path that no longer feels aligned is often far greater than the investment in creating the space to think clearly.

    My programmes are designed to create lasting change, not quick fixes.

    You'll leave with greater clarity, stronger self-trust, practical tools for navigating complexity, and a clearer sense of how you want to move forward.

    The impact value of coaching is measured by the confidence, direction, and sustainable way of working and living that you take with you long after the programme ends.

  • My coaching is grounded in a deep understanding of how the systems we live and work within shape our choices, opportunities, and wellbeing.

    Building on queer, feminist, and antiracist theories, I center trauma-informed and decolonial perspectives in my work.

    I’m committed to advancing inclusivity and accessibility in the personal and professional development space.

  • Therapy is an expert practice which often focuses on understanding, processing and healing experiences from the past, and supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing.

    Coaching is future-oriented.

    It creates space to explore where you are now, where you want to go, and what may be getting in the way of moving towards it.

    My role isn't to diagnose, treat or provide clinical support. It's to ask questions, challenge assumptions, offer perspectives, and help you make decisions that feel more aligned with who you are and how you want to live and work.

    You will see yourself moving forward, taking steps with the support and accountability of a trained professional.