Standing firm with humanity: Nicolle Heijltjes on leadership, resilience and female empowerment

A career forged in male-dominated worlds

Heijltjes is currently the only female alderman in Kerkrade. While that can be challenging, it is not unfamiliar territory. Her leadership foundation was shaped during eight formative years in the Dutch armed forces, an environment defined by hierarchy, discipline and a strong black-and-white leadership culture.

“That period taught me the basics of leadership,” she reflects. “You learn to be decisive, to stand your ground, and to take responsibility.”

Yet leadership did not stop evolving there. After leaving Defence, Heijltjes moved into the commercial sector, holding management roles in the technical and staffing industries, eventually leading teams of more than 25 employees of different ages and backgrounds.

“That’s where I really learned personal leadership,” she explains. “Listening, adapting your style, understanding the person behind the role.”

Today, as an alderman, those two worlds come together: decisiveness paired with empathy, structure balanced with humanity.

Choosing to Invest in herself

It was Kerkrade’s mayor who encouraged Heijltjes to join UMIO’s Fast Forward Female Leadership programme. Working daily in a predominantly male political environment, the suggestion resonated immediately.

“As a woman, you often have to work just a bit harder and prove yourself a bit more,” Heijltjes says. “I have an opinion about that and I think more women should allow themselves to have one.” For her, the programme was not about becoming louder or more dominant, but about becoming more grounded. “How do I show up more strongly? How do I stay true to myself, even when I know I can’t make everyone happy?”

Leading with feeling, not weakness

Heijltjes’ leadership style is consciously human-centred. Whether addressing the city council or speaking at a public event, she relies less on prepared scripts and more on sensing the room. “I arrive early, feel the atmosphere, and adjust my story accordingly,” she says. “For me, leadership is about connection. About emotion.”

She recalls a moment when she thanked an elderly volunteer for decades of service to the city. The man became emotional and so did she. Some colleagues questioned whether that was appropriate. “My response was simple,” Heijltjes says. “Since when is humanity a weakness?” 

It is precisely this perspective: valuing the person behind the position, that she believes female leaders bring to governance and organisations.

Making space for Female Leadership

For Heijltjes, female empowerment is not about replacing existing leadership styles, but expanding them. “We need more women who feel comfortable taking up space,” she says. “Women who dare to show what they’re capable of, who invest time in strengthening themselves.”

Programmes like Fast Forward Female Leadership play a crucial role in that process. They create awareness, confidence and courage, often before women even realise they need it. Looking ahead, Heijltjes hopes to continue her role as alderman for many years to come. But regardless of title or position, her vision remains clear: leadership that balances strength with vulnerability, decisiveness with empathy, and policy with people.

“Real leadership,” she concludes, “starts when you allow the human being behind the role to matter.”

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UMIO is dedicated to helping leaders amplify their impact through engaging, practice-focused executive education. Programmes such as Fast Forward Female Leadership inspire professionals to lead confidently, authentically, and resiliently, turning valuable insights into meaningful, lasting leadership growth.