Breaking the Ceiling: From Intern to Executive Leadership
Growing up in the Netherlands as the daughter of parents from Hong Kong, Pauline Leung learned early what it meant to navigate expectations. She was shy, introverted, and often underestimated. At one point early in her career, she was told she would never be more than an assistant.
Yet over the next two decades, Pauline built an extraordinary global career with L’Oréal across Europe, Asia, and the United States, earning 13 promotions along the way as she rose from Marketing Intern to General Manager before later transitioning into Human Resources Leadership.
In this candid and practical workshop, Pauline shares the lessons that helped her advance in the corporate world, navigate self-doubt, build confidence, and lead in demanding environments. She will also reflect on what success taught her, and what it didn’t.
Participants will learn:
Strategies that helped her grow from an introverted young professional into a senior leader
How to navigate expectations, self-doubt, and the pressure to prove yourself
The role of visibility, sponsorship, relationships, and leadership in career advancement
Why achievement alone doesn’t guarantee fulfillment
Practical tools to create greater clarity, energy, and intention in both career and life
Drawing from her global corporate leadership experience, as well as her work today as a High Performance Coach and Mindfulness & Yoga Teacher, Pauline will share how she learned to pursue success without losing herself in the process.
This session is for anyone who wants to grow their career, strengthen their leadership authentically, and build a career they are proud of and a life they genuinely enjoy living.
About the Host
Pauline Leung is the Founder of Flow Grounds, a High Performance Coach, a Meditation Teacher, and a former L’Oréal Executive. Born and raised in the Netherlands to parents from Hong Kong, she spent 19 years building a global career across Europe, Asia, and the US, progressing from Marketing Intern to General Manager before moving into Human Resources leadership.
Today, she helps professionals and leaders strengthen clarity, energy, and leadership through practical High Performance strategies, mindfulness, and holistic wellbeing practices.
Connect with Pauline
Instagram | Website | Newsletter | Discovery Call
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Please note that this space centers on women and those who relate to their lived experience. If you do not identify with this and would still like to support or engage with the community, feel free to reach out to The Authentic Asian team. We’d be happy to explore other ways to include you.