What happened to an impatient change-maker
I’ve always liked thinking about myself as a change-maker but the world has not always agreed with me.
With a strong feeling for social justice, I’ve been keen on changing the way we do things. A Master degree in Sociology, cemented my know-how around the ins and outs of societies. A career-start at the UN with a strong sense of social justice pointed to noble causes worth fighting for. And because I fought for noble causes, I started believing that I am, an expert in what is right and wrong.
My journey took me across ex-USSR, Nepal, Laos and Thailand. Where I
sang,
raised funds to build class-rooms & toilets for the underprivileged,
founded, curated and managed lecture series and monthly lectures,
while continuing to fight for what I perceived were the right things to do. This brought me a lot of trouble and heartache.
The outcomes were impressive but I ended up celebrating some of them alone and in tears.
I started realising I hurt people when pushing for the right things too hard. Instead of collaborations and connections, there were push-backs, rejections, and self-doubt. A question arose:
How could I make an elegant change happen?
Get rid of pushing too hard and discover how to make a difference with a few, almost unnoticeable moves? This question led me to a career shift. First, I embraced the ethos and practices of leadership, innovation, and change. I started working with educational and research institutions, innovation communities and businesses. Then I dove into the competencies of positive physiology, embedded in executive and organisational business coaching. Even more questions arose, until I realised that the questions were the answer.
Enabling change is not about knowing right from wrong, it’s about bringing the best out of people!
With this insight, my mission crystallised:
I make the biggest difference when I inspire and enable tomorrow’s founders and leaders to become true and authentic change-makers by asking them simple yet powerful questions.
Because to tackle the huge global mess of climate change, social inequality, and other problems, you too, may want to activate the change-maker within.
We all have a dream, not only political leaders and decision-makers, but also entrepreneurs, team leaders, and employees.
I’m here to help you do just that - shed light on old habits, create space for new ones and live the change you want to see in the world.
On a more personal note, I belong to a loving family. And, I’m a proud mother of a fully independent lawyer-to-be and a World Champion in wake boarding.
What People Like You Are Saying
“Identify ways to enhance our team wellbeing while delivering strategic, purposeful and impactful communications projects was an inspiring experience thanks to the enlightening guidance of Biliana.”
— Vittorio Cammrota, Chief Communications & Events, ITC
“ Biliana made it possible for me to address my biggest challenge. She helped me shift from working with communications departments and specialists in commercial setting to working with individual clients and scale it up.”
— Paullina Rasi, Communications
“I enjoyed the leadership aspect of the innovation relay. Students were given freedom to create their own solutions. It was very different, enjoyable, and a new experience.”
— Year 11 student, Innovation Relay at Ecolint
“Thanks to Biliana I have kept shining, even when the sky was clouded. ”
— Zeynep Cansu Öner, Impact Hub Istanbul
Awards Teams I Have Coached Have Won
First Prize, Just Innovative 2019
First Price, Innovation Bootcamp, ITC 2018
Feasibility Award, Just Innovate 2016
Innovation Process Award, Just Innovate 2015
First Prize, Just Innovate, 2014
