About Nathalie Heynderickx
Mission
My mission is to help conscientious and talented technology executives achieve optimum performance in work and life. I support CIOs at every stage of their journey, from Emerging leaders stepping into the role for the first time, to Established leaders sustaining performance under pressure, to Evolving leaders shaping legacy and influence beyond technology.
Through coaching and evidence based programs, I help them embrace change, rediscover energy, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Background
I spent more than a decade in the global tech arena with IBM, Accenture, EY and AGL Energy. Beginning my career as a programmer and specialising in SAP, I delivered large scale transformation programs across industries and managed professional development initiatives for blue chip organisations such as HP, ASIC, BP, Bendigo Bank, Air Services, Peugeot and Mars Petcare.
Witnessing the rising pressure on executives, I began developing corporate mindfulness programs alongside my career. Over time, I shifted focus from systems to people, helping leaders strengthen influence, resilience and wellbeing.
Vision
In 2018 I released The Mindful CIO Manifesto, outlining a new style of leadership that achieves results without sacrificing culture or humanity. Today I lead The Mindful CIO Community, a global network advocating for sustainable and ethical leadership in technology.
Through my flagship Impactful CIO Program, I support leaders to expand their influence, sustain high performance and create a ripple effect of positive change across their organisations and industries.
Speaking and thought leadership
I am a sought-after speaker and facilitator, regularly engaging with industry conferences, CIO forums and leadership programs across Australia. I host two podcasts, The Mindful CIO and The Mindful AI Podcast.
The Mindful AI Podcast, co-hosted with Martin Ström, has grown a following of more than 4000 on YouTube and features global influencers in ethical and responsible AI.
I have also published more than 60 articles on leadership, emotional intelligence and responsible technology across LinkedIn and industry platforms including the AIIA Connector magazine and Cyber Australia magazine.
Credentials
- Certified Executive Coach, IECL
- Master Coach, The Coaching Institute
- Holistic Lifestyle Coach, The Chek Institute
- Certified Change Management Practitioner, Change First
- Accredited in Emotional Intelligence frameworks:
- Genos International EI 360
- RocheMartin Emotional Capital Report (ECR)
- Accredited in Human Synergistics diagnostics:
- Life Styles Inventory (LSI)
- Group Styles Inventory (GSI)
I also lecture at Monash University in postgraduate Professional Development and Positive Psychology, and deliver leadership programs nationally with the Australian Institute of Management.
Testimonials
I had the pleasure of working with Nath as my executive coach for three months. I was searching for an executive coach who could understand the unique challenges I faced as a tech leader in the non-profit sector, and I found Nath to be the perfect fit. Her approach, using the mindful leadership framework, was particularly effective in helping us achieve all the goals we set during our time together.
Nath’s insights and provision of various tools and resources for guidance and direction were also invaluable. Despite the short duration of our coaching relationship, I gained a wealth of knowledge and practical skills that have already positively impacted my life and career.
I highly recommend Nath as an executive coach, particularly for those in the tech industry seeking to lead more mindfully and purposefully. Thank you, Nath, for your guidance and support.
I had the opportunity to work with Nathalie to go through an experiment that I always wanted to do, which was work towards meditation that could help me with managing stress at work.
So we started this program called ” Mindfulness at work” for 10 weeks and I can not explain how great I feel at the end of it and already looking forward to go through the next 2 phases of this program.
Nat was amazing throughout the program and have even customized the program to fit my needs, which really worked for me.
I will strongly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to balance the emotions at work and bring the best out of yourself.
Thanks Nat and can’t wait to start the next level with you in few weeks time.
I had the opportunity to work with Nathalie in her capacity of executive coach, one on one. It was a really great experience where she provided clear guidance and challenged me on several levels. She provides a safe environment, a level of external accountability that is felt, but not oppressive. Nathalie introduced me to the practical application of mindfulness in my day-to-day work, which has since become another tool in my toolbox to deal with the pressures of my position. Her straightforward and effective coaching style is something I genuinely appreciate. I highly recommend Nathalie to anyone looking to enhance their professional approach, she combines frameworks with her extensive experience to deliver a tailored experience!
I’m thrilled to recommend Nathalie, an exceptional executive coach. Her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset in executive coaching. Nathalie establishes trust and collaboration, creating a safe space for clients to share challenges and aspirations. Her deep understanding of leadership development helps executives gain new perspectives and develop innovative solutions. Nathalie’s support and challenge approach enables clients to reach their full potential. She excels in group workshops, fostering collaboration, and creating unity. Nathalie’s commitment to ongoing learning ensures cutting-edge insights and strategies. I highly recommend Nathalie as an executive coach for personal and professional growth. Connect with her to unlock your full potential and thrive in your career.
2020 was a year like no other, and my ability to lead effectively was truly tested. Not only was there a need to lead in a new way, but life was changing both personally and professionally – rapidly. I needed to consider how to find time to invest in myself, and was fortunate to reconnect with Nathalie. Coaching was not something I had considered before, however working with Nathalie has given me a renewed sense of clarity, and has been instrumental in my ability to survive the pandemic. Nathalie was there whenever needed, and with curiosity and care was able to help me work through a number of areas of opportunity – topics from time management & communication, to understanding my values, to strategy & vision and ultimately to purpose. Nathalie shows true care in her coaching, and with a focus on action planning we were able to tease out a number of changes I could make quickly to become a better person (& leader), and some longer term habits to work on. Most importantly I recognised I was in control…I would absolutely recommend Nathalie for anyone looking for support from a coach. For those not sure about what coaching is about please reach out to Nathalie, I have no doubt you will be hooked quickly.
About The Mindful CIO Community
The Mindful CIO Community began with the publication of the Mindful CIO Manifesto, written as a call to action for technology leaders to build cultures of trust, integrity and collaboration. It inspired executives to embrace a more human centred, sustainable style of leadership.
Today, the community continues as a space for CIOs, CTOs and senior technology leaders to connect around shared values. The conversation is kept alive through the Mindful CIO Podcast, which features leaders reflecting on the human side of tech, the pressures of transformation and the future of leadership in complex times.
The community complements my coaching and the Impactful CIO Program, offering leaders not only structured development but also the opportunity to engage with peers, share experiences and grow together.
About The Mindful AI Movement
The Mindful AI Movement began as a grassroots initiative advocating for human values in artificial intelligence. It called on technologists and leaders to design, deploy and consume AI more mindfully, with people at the centre.
Today, the conversation is kept alive through the Mindful AI Podcast, which I co host with Martin Storm. With over 4,000 followers on YouTube and a growing global audience, the podcast has become the flagship platform for exploring responsible AI, ethics and the human future of technology. Each episode features influential voices from around the world who are shaping how AI is integrated into business and society.
This work aligns directly with my coaching and the Impactful CIO Program, where responsible AI is one of the critical leadership themes. For today’s CIOs, CTOs and senior tech executives, leading responsibly in the age of AI is not optional. It is a defining element of sustainable, future ready leadership.