Pascalle’s Journey From Stage to Boardroom and Women’s Scholarships at GUS
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, Global University Systems would like to shine a spotlight on Pascalle Bergmans and share some information on our scholarships for women in education.
Pascalle Bergmann’s journey exemplifies the spirit of empowerment, inclusion and finding your own path. The Founder and Director of PresenTales has carved an inspiring career, transitioning from the West End stage to corporate leadership coaching.
In November last year, GUS employees were lucky to receive an in-person talk from Pascalle when she attended our Growth Conference 2023. During her presentation, Pascalle shared insight into her personal journey, which included overcoming a career-altering stroke and finding a new direction. She emphasised the importance of honest and open communication in the workplace, while demonstrating effective and engaging storytelling techniques in action.
We caught up with Pascalle to discuss the intersection of her artistic background, corporate leadership, and the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’. In light of International Women’s Day, Pascalle’s story reminds us of the vital need for women to find empowerment for themselves and motivate others to redefine success on their own terms.
Q:Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your current role?
A: My name is Pascalle and I’m a 28-year-old entrepreneur. I am the Founder and Director of PresenTales, and a public speaking and storytelling coach. Before my life took the ‘entrepreneurial route’ I used to work as an actress and perform on stages all over the world. I eventually made it to the West End – when a stroke decided that my career was over. I was lucky enough to make a full recovery and decided to launch my own business, PresenTales. Through PresenTales, I help senior leaders, founders, and CEOs find their voice, share their story, and make an impact on the world.
Q: What led you to transition from a successful West End career in musicals to pursue a corporate career as the CEO of PresenTales?
A: After the stroke, I was unsure what I wanted to do. All my degrees were in musical theatre and I had little knowledge of finance, science, or any other faculties. So, I decided that using my learnings and expertise from being on stage for so long, could be a great idea for a business. At the time, I was working as an Admin Assistant in a large organisation and I noticed that presenting made people feel uneasy. I noticed speakers stumbling over words, unsure of how to keep the story exciting (especially when sharing technical details), and letting the nerves take over completely. I decided that with my skills from musical theatre, I could help people overcome these issues. So, I did…I started coaching some of my colleagues and before I knew it, I started my business.
Q: Can you elaborate on how the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ aligns with the mission and values of PresenTales under your leadership?
A: I truly believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that they should be able to share it. Whether you are male or female, black or white, senior or junior, you should be able to share your ideas and your vision. At PresenTales, our mission is to help as many people as possible feel empowered and confident sharing their ideas, whilst also educating employers to create a safe space to allow this to happen. In my own business, I work alongside a team of both men and women. Our voices are all equal. Just because I am the CEO, doesn’t mean that my will is the ‘law’. I want to make sure I hear everyone out, and I encourage everyone to do the same. That way we get to use each other’s brilliance to strive forward.
Q: In the spirit of International Women’s Day 2024, can you share what personal experiences or inspirations have shaped your understanding of the importance of inspiring inclusion in both the artistic and corporate spheres?
A: As I mentioned, I worked in a large, corporate organisation for a while. This was in a male-dominated industry and therefore, there was a severe lack of female leadership. In the workplace, comments and remarks were made that were not always ‘positive’ towards women and it created a very unsafe environment. Until one day, one of the female leaders (the only one at the time) stood up in front of the team and addressed the issue. She wasn’t scared that they would make fun of her, she felt that it was time to say something, and she did. I was inspired by her courage and her confidence in delivering her point of view. I also noticed that everyone in the room was in a trance by her. She started a focus group and within 12 months, the business had promoted more women into leadership roles and there was a lot more education about equality in the workplace. That inspired me to share my voice too.
Q: With your background in musical theatre and communication, how do you think the arts and storytelling contribute to inspiring inclusion, especially in the corporate world?
A: Good question! The arts industry is a very female-led world with a lot of strong, female voices. We help each other, we support each other and we cheer each other on. That sense of ‘sisterhood’ is an empowering feeling and something I take that with me everywhere I go.
Q: As a female leader in the corporate world, how do you inspire and encourage other women to pursue leadership roles, and what challenges have you overcome in your own journey?
A: ‘Speak up’. That is what I tell women. Women often hold themselves back with negative self-talk, or feelings of imposter syndrome. We have to work on our mindset and acknowledge that our ideas are worth sharing and deserve to be heard. Once we find that courage, we can work on sharing and articulating our ideas strongly. For myself, I try to always speak from a place of honesty and authenticity. No matter what my position in a company is, I truly believe that my input is just as valuable as anyone else’s and vice versa. Therefore, I speak up when I get excited or when I disagree. I always voice myself with integrity and humility, but I make sure people hear and understand me loud and clear.
Q: What do you believe is the most crucial skill leaders need to create an inclusive and engaging environment?
A: Open dialogue. I see this time and time again in larger organisations: people don’t talk. Sure, they have the occasional chat by the water cooler. But we stopped asking the hard questions, and we are not giving honest answers. When we ask someone how they are doing, they often respond ‘fine’ or ‘alright’, even when they are not. Leaders need to share the challenges they face, so others feel more inclined to do the same. We don’t all have to keep our head up high. We’re all just trying to figure it out as we go along, so let’s promote honesty and transparency in that journey.
Q: Can you share a specific example from your journey where embracing diversity and fostering inclusion had a positive impact, either on a personal or professional level?
A: I remember a specific day in my career. I had this fantastic idea but was afraid to share it. ‘I’m just an admin assistant,’ is what I said to myself. One day, the team was in a heated discussion about the topic and couldn’t come up with a solution. I stood up and shared my idea. They loved it. They implemented it immediately and I got credit for it which earned me two promotions. More importantly, it earned me respect for myself. I’ll never forget that moment because it gave me the confidence to speak up (even if I’m unsure about my idea) and opened doors I never imagined possible.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for the future of women in leadership, and how do you envision your ongoing contributions fostering a more inclusive landscape?
A: I would encourage more women to pursue their dreams. Don’t listen to what anybody tells you or pay attention to people who tell you what you ‘should do’. Follow your heart. Speak up when you have an idea. Stop seeing your femininity as a burden, and start acknowledging it for the superpower that it is.
Inspire Inclusion Worldwide: GUS Scholarships for Women
At GUS, we acknowledge the barriers women face in education and corporate environments and it’s imperative to highlight ongoing initiatives that empower women in education worldwide. With the aim of broadening access to education and fostering career success for women globally, GUS offers two initiatives designed to empower women from all corners of the world. Supporting women in education through scholarships for women and grants for women is essential for an equal future.
For those seeking opportunities in the tech industry, GUS provides specialised women in technology scholarships through the University of Europe for Applied Sciences Dubai Women in Tech Scholarship. This scholarship for women offers a transformative path to pursue education and excel in this dynamic field. Additionally, FutureLearn provides women in Afghanistan with free access to a diverse range of educational courses, in an attempt to address access barriers in the area. These women-only scholarships are essential in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated sectors, empowering women to thrive and succeed in their chosen fields of study.
Recognising the role of education in the empowerment of women, GUS supports initiatives that promote women’s empowerment through education. These include scholarships for graduate women, education grants for women, and international scholarships for women, which enable women to pursue higher education and fulfil their potential on a global scale. We hope these initiatives encourage other scholarships for women and grants for women, as we truly believe in the role of education in the empowerment of women globally.
These initiatives underscore the importance of fostering inclusivity and pave the way for women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated sectors. As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s seize these opportunities to uplift and empower women in our workplaces and personal lives.
