Tessa is a Dutch-born visionary and accomplished business leader, currently based in the UAE, with a global impact spanning four continents through her work with a Fortune 500 company. Her journey is rooted in growth—both personal and professional—and thrives on embracing unconventional approaches. Having focused on the GCC since 2004 and relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2012, Tessa has built meaningful connections in the UAE, drawing inspiration to empower others to advance their careers as entrepreneurs and professionals.
In her corporate tenure, Tessa has successfully secured contracts and expanded capabilities across various sectors, including Power & Energy, Mixed-Use Development, Digital, ESG, and Transportation. Her work has driven innovation and revenue growth in B2B fields, earning her a reputation for excellence.
Today, Tessa channels her expertise into supporting business accelerators and optimizing processes to foster innovation within organizations. Through her venture, The Dragonfly Majlis, she amplifies Start-ups and SMEs, with a special focus on empowering female entrepreneurs. The Dragonfly Majlis is committed to making business consultancy accessible and helping businesses at every stage—from start-up to scale-up and beyond.
Tessa’s approach is grounded in the belief in collective effort and the critical role of diversity and inclusion in business success. Her dual experience as both an entrepreneur and a corporate professional enables her to understand the unique challenges businesses face, providing invaluable guidance to turn visions into thriving realities in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
