From Boardrooms to Canvases: A Journey of Leadership Through Art. For three decades, I navigated the intricate world of business—entrepreneurship, executive leadership, boardrooms, and high-stakes decision-making. I mastered the language of strategy, stakeholders, and spreadsheets. Yet, at the beginning of 2024, I embarked on a radical transformation: I stepped away from the corporate world and into the realm of art. Not as an escape, but as a deeper way to inspire, particularly for women who continue to be underrepresented in industries like technology, finance, and leadership.
Art, to me, is the most profound form of expression. Many leaders write books to share their wisdom—I create art. Without words, like a melody, art transmits emotions, perspectives, and states of mind. It is a powerful force for inspiration, authenticity, and change.
I chose to work with raw materials—cotton and linen—because they symbolize the very essence of female leadership: authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience. Women in the corporate world must navigate structures that are often rigid and demanding, requiring both strength and adaptability. My art is a reflection of that journey—the raw textures, the layered depths, and the fluidity of technique all mirror the multifaceted nature of leadership.
Unlike many artists, I do not adhere to a single, fixed style. Just as there is no one-size-fits-all leadership approach, art must evolve and embrace different techniques, perspectives, and emotions. To lead effectively, especially as a woman, is to master adaptability—balancing intuition with structure, boldness with sensitivity, strategy with creativity. In art, my focal point is not just the subject but the energy, the emotions, and the feelings that can be conveyed through color, depth, and composition. These elements challenge and transform both the artist and the observer, much like leadership transforms people and businesses.
My work connects art with leadership, art with female strength, art with vulnerability, and art with the challenges of transformation. Through my pieces, I seek to inspire and provoke thought, to open new perspectives, and to create an emotional dialogue that transcends words.
This is my art. This is my leadership. This is my new beginning.
Sónia J.