CEOX is Going Global: Announcing CEOX Europe!

I have exciting news to share with my LinkedIn community, CEOX partners, and our members: CEOX is officially expanding to Europe! This marks an important milestone in our journey and the acceleration of our mission.

Earning trust, one woman and one VC at a time

When CEOX launched in early 2020, I had an audacious aspiration and hope: to earn the trust of both women leaders and the venture capital ecosystem, and to elevate more women into CEO roles. Our venture began with humble baby steps: simply asking for introductions, requesting referrals, and me, tentatively stepping outside my comfort zone to build something I deeply believed in. Frankly, never in a million years did I imagine I’d be an entrepreneur.?

Yet, here we are: two and a half years later. A community of 700+ women executives strong.?

Big goals, big impact

The CEOX story has been a series of steppingstones and community ties, and intentional growth. We exist to bridge the massive gap between the executive ranks and the boardroom by placing qualified, competent, resilient women into the CEO seat and other C-Suite roles. Incredible leaders who are resilient, experienced in their fields, and ready to lead.

My “why” behind CEOX:?

• I want to create a world that will be better for me, for my sons (who are 11 and 15) and for our society.
• I want to open doors and break down barriers for future generations of girls.
• I want to position more women into C-Suite roles where they have the power to influence governance, corporate impact, and drive value for all stakeholders.
• I want to help more women succeed so that they can send the elevator down to help others who are on the rise, rise.

Our impact so far reassures me our future is bright:

• 6 CEO placements
• 6+ COO and board roles placed
• An incredible, global community of 700+ women and growing
• Ongoing events, learning, and support
• Innumerable powerful connections made
• VC connections made resulting in $2M raised
• 20+ partners and strategic advisors

Global expansion

CEOX has been thrilled to have helped connect a few women in Europe and we’re constantly asked about our European reach – but until recently, we haven’t had the resources to fully expand. Thank you to Renee Hartmann , based in Portugal, for spearheading our European expansion efforts! Renee is a board member, advisor, savvy connector, and entrepreneur. She will lead our intentional and influential growth across Europe, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.?

Renee has more than 20 years of international business experience. She began her career in finance, focused on investor relations, before moving to Beijing in 2000 to help Chinese-headquartered companies get listed on the Nasdaq and NYSE. Renee’s career has spanned startups and big business operations, with a passion for helping brands achieve expansion overseas, especially within the China market, and finance, strategy, and retail sectors.?

“I’m looking forward to getting to know senior executives across Europe and connecting them to venture capital firms who want to support their portfolio organizations with a strong leader,” Renee has noted. “A lot of women leaders do not get the recognition nor the opportunities for advancement that they deserve. Through CEOX, it’s my goal to help companies connect to new executive talent.”

I want to thank the Virtual Advisory Board (VAB), a European-based group that focuses on supporting executives as they achieve board seats. It was through VAB that Renee and I initially connected.?

How to get involved?

Do you know CEO- or C-Suite-ready executive women in your network in Europe? You can nominate them for CEOX on our website .?

Or, feel free to connect with Renee directly (LinkedIn) if you are a company seeking a new CEO or C-suite leader, or if you’re a venture firm that would like to get connected.?

In celebration,

Luann