Spotlight on SLF Keynote Speaker: Anje-Marijcke van Boxtel
Empowering Leadership and High-Performance Organizations in a VUCA World
When it comes to navigating leadership challenges in dynamic and ever-changing environments, Anje-Marijcke van Boxtel is a beacon of wisdom and inspiration. As an internationally recognized organizational psychologist, executive coach, and thought leader, Anje-Marijcke has dedicated her career to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams—whether they’re in the boardroom or braving the open seas. This year, we are thrilled to welcome her as a keynote speaker at the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado.
A Master in the Art of Coaching
With decades of experience coaching executives, senior management, and elite sports teams, Anje-Marijcke is known for her ability to merge scientific insights with real-world applications. Her passion for personal and professional development is rooted in her belief that growth comes not from ego and knowing, but from learning and adapting. Her work has helped global corporations cultivate leaders who are resilient, agile, and focused on positive impact.
Anje-Marijcke’s expertise extends beyond the corporate world and into the thrilling arena of professional sports. She has served as a team coach for The Ocean Race (formerly known as The Volvo Ocean Race), one of the most grueling and prestigious offshore sailing competitions. Her success in this role is evident: she coached Team Brunel during the 2014-15 and 2017-18 editions of the race, leading to the impressive win in the final leg of the race. While Anje-Marijcke is too modest to take excessive credit for the turnaround in fortunes for Team Brunel’s race in 2017-18, her mid-race intervention is widely acknowledged in helping Bouwe Bekking’s campaign find a higher gear. After a lackluster first half of the race, Team Brunel won Leg 7 from Auckland to Itajaí, Brazil, rounding the infamous Cape Horn. It was the first signs of a renaissance that would endure for the remainder of the race, and which saw the Dutch team only just miss out on overall victory.
In 2023, her 11th Hour Racing Team claimed victory in The Ocean Race. These experiences have cemented her reputation as a coach who thrives under pressure and knows how to help teams perform at their peak in high-stakes situations.
Leadership Lessons from the High Seas
Anje-Marijcke’s insights into leadership and teamwork are drawn from the extreme environments of ocean racing—a true “pressure cooker” where unpredictable conditions, relentless competition, and the need for constant adaptation mirror today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Through her keynote, she will demonstrate how the lessons learned on a yacht battling the elements can be directly applied to leadership challenges in business and beyond.
“We all have to anticipate changing conditions, adjusting to elements over which we have no control,” Anje-Marijcke explains. “Agility requires steep learning curves, handling your inner demons, and realizing your unlimited potential.” Her approach centers on building strong, cohesive teams that communicate openly, act with generosity, and align toward shared goals.
A Compass for Leadership
At the core of Anje-Marijcke’s philosophy is the concept of a “personal compass”—a guiding set of values and principles that helps leaders steer through challenges, make sound decisions, and inspire those around them. By sharing beautifully filmed stories and real-life examples from her coaching experiences, she challenges her audiences to reflect on their own leadership journeys.
In her keynote, attendees can expect to explore thought-provoking questions such as:
- How do you get the best out of yourself and your team?
- How can you turn diversity into a competitive advantage?
- How do you cultivate resilience and maintain engagement during challenging times?
- How does your leadership behavior influence those around you?
Inspiring the Next Leg of Your Journey
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a business leader, Anje-Marijcke’s keynote will equip you with the tools, insights, and inspiration to navigate your own challenges with confidence and clarity. Her unique perspective, drawn from the intersection of high-performance sports and leadership development, promises to set the stage for meaningful growth and transformation.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado,” said van Boxtel. “Sailing and leadership are deeply intertwined — both demand adaptability, teamwork, and resilience. I look forward to sharing insights and experiences that will help leaders navigate their own challenges and inspire their teams to achieve great things.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading minds in leadership and team development. Prepare to set your compass and embark on the next leg of your leadership journey with Anje-Marijcke van Boxtel at the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado.
To learn more about Sailing Leadership Forum: https://sailingleadership.org/
To register, click HERE
To plan travel, click HERE