We are thrilled to introduce Bring Women Back to Work alumna, Joanne Venouil. Following on from her enormous success with the BWBW Swiss cohort, Joanne launched her own business as a Transition Coach

BWBW: Tell us about your journey before joining the Bring Women Back to Work program. What did you study, how did your early career unfold, what were some key successes or challenges you faced, and what are you most proud of from those years?

Joanne Vernouil: I hold an MSc in Management from EM Lyon Business School. I spent the first decade of my career in Asia, working in cosmetic innovation and project management. The career opportunities I encountered there enabled me to take on major responsibilities early on — managing key accounts for international cosmetic groups and leading multicultural teams across markets.

This experience was formative. It gave me the ability to thrive in complex international environments, adapt to diverse stakeholders, and navigate strategic and operational challenges with confidence. These skills still anchor my work today.

When I arrived in Switzerland in 2015, I quickly joined Philip Morris International as part of the commercialization team, where I led cross-functional innovation and go-to-market projects at scale. It was a high-impact role, but personal and global circumstances soon led to a turning point.

BWBW: What motivated you to apply to the Bring Women Back to Work Program and how did you find out about it?

Joanne Vernouil:  After the birth of my first child, I faced multiple shifts at once: maternity, the COVID-19 crisis, and a family relocation to Zurich following my husband’s new role. Re-entering the workforce was unexpectedly difficult — despite a strong background, I struggled to find my place in a fast-evolving job market. That’s when I discovered the Bring Women Back To Work program through my network. I was instantly drawn to BWBW program's high standards, its carefully designed curriculum, and its long-term vision to support women’s careers in tech. It felt like a space where ambition, reinvention, and community could truly coexist.

BWBW: What was your journey with BWBW like?

Joanne Vernouil:  I joined the 6th cohort (Switzerland) From day one, I felt supported by the community. But it didn’t take long to realize that the Salesforce Administrator path — though valuable — wasn’t aligned with my long-term strengths or aspirations. I failed the test twice, and to this day, am not a certified administrator. Rather than see this as a failure, I used it as a learning springboard. I deepened my understanding of data, CRM systems, and agile methodologies. Most importantly, I started seeing how those tools could serve my own entrepreneurial vision — not just someone else’s strategy. A pivotal moment came when I started coaching with Jacques Lefevre. I had already trained as a coach years earlier, but I hadn’t yet fully embraced it as a business. That coaching support gave me the clarity, confidence, and structure to move forward independently.

BWBW : What did you learn about yourself and how?

Joanne Vernouil:  Bring Women Back To Work reminded me that reinvention doesn’t always mean becoming someone else — sometimes it means reclaiming who you were before you paused your own ambitions.

I rediscovered the strategic clarity and entrepreneurial drive that had marked my earlier career — but this time, I was equipped with new tools, a new vision, and a deeper connection to my purpose.

I no longer felt like I had to “fit back in” — I realized I could build something of my own.

BWBW: What do you wish for every woman who wants to reskill and become a better version of herself?

Joanne Vernouil:  I wish for her to be unapologetically strategic — not just in building skills, but in designing a career that reflects her values, rhythm, and vision. And most of all, I wish for her to stop asking for permission. “Reinvention is not a detour — it’s often the beginning of a more aligned path.”

BWBW: What impact did your Mentor and/or Coach have on you?

Joanne Vernouil:  My coach, Jacques Lefevre, played a defining role in my journey. He helped me move from self-doubt to action. While I had the skills to coach others, I wasn’t showing up as an entrepreneur — and certainly not as a business owner.

BWBW: What is your new career path? How did #BWBW help prepare you for it ? And what are your successes?

JV: I am now a transition coach working with professionals navigating complex career shifts — from expatriation to burnout recovery, leadership evolution, or entrepreneurial pivot.

The decision to become self-employed wasn’t just practical — it was strategic. My path included formal coach training, client experimentation, and building the operational backbone of my business, including my own CRM system (inspired by the tools I explored during BWBW).

I now run a hybrid coaching business:

On one side, I support professionals as a career coach — helping them reposition, articulate their story, and navigate change. On the other hand, I guide solopreneurs and consultants in designing business models and organizational strategies that align with their goals.

Bring Women Back to Work gave me the mindset and tools to run my business like a strategist — with clarity, structure, and systems

The program prepared me by rebuilding my confidence in a professional future beyond corporate roles. 

It gave me the mindset and tools to run my business like a strategist — with clarity, structure, and systems; I learned how to build my own CRM, which now serves as the backbone of my client experience and marketing operations

My Successes? 

Today, I coach senior professionals across Europe and beyond, and I regularly lead executive education webinars, including with BWBW alumni groups. 

My impact is no longer tied to one company or one sector — and that’s exactly what I was aiming for.

Congratulations, Joanne on your incredible success with the Bring Women Back to Work program. Your achievements are a testament to your hard work, dedication and perseverance. 

You are a true inspiration to our community and we wish you continued success in your  new role and business.

Interested in becoming a #BWBW Participant, Hiring Partner or Sponsor?

Find out more at https://lnkd.in/dEPXBQAk or email us directly at  info@bringwomenbacktowork.com