Avagasso Leadership Ecosystem
Sarah Gruneisen
Engineering Manager · Leadership Trainer & Mentor · Speaker · Facilitator · Author of The Leadership Leap
Authentic leadership for a world that needs it.
I’m Sarah Gruneisen, an Engineering Manager, Leadership Trainer & Mentor, and Author of The Leadership Leap.
I help people and organizations lead with courage, clarity, and compassion, turning pressure into purpose and performance without losing the human at the center.
About Sarah, From Engineering to Empowerment
I started as a software engineer in the 90s, curious, creative, and determined to make things better.
Two decades later, I’m still building things: teams, systems, and leaders.
I’ve led engineering and product teams across Europe at Last Mile Solutions, Albert Heijn, bol.com, Novoda, Smarcom, and Onetrail, bringing together technical precision and human understanding.
As a Leadership Trainer & Mentor, I help leaders and teams find flow, connection, and courage to lead authentically in complex systems.
I don’t just teach leadership, I model it, live it, and help others do the same.
What I Bring to Every Stage and Engagement
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20+ years in software & architecture
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15+ years in leadership and transformation
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Certified Leadership Coach (2019)
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Neurodivergent-inclusive facilitation and mentoring
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Expert in Agile, Liberating Structures, and feedback culture
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Real-world credibility from engineering and executive leadership
“Sarah combines technical credibility with emotional intelligence, a rare mix in leadership today.”
Speaking & Keynotes
Available for: Conferences · Corporate Events · Podcasts · Panels
Signature Talks:
🔥 Adversity Is Not Your Weakness - It’s Your Greatest Leadership Asset
💎 Diversity Is Your Edge - But Only If You Build Inclusion
⚙️ From Ticket-Monkey to Visionary Leader
💬 Feedback Fuels Growth - Criticism Kills Innovation
🤝 Leadership Isn’t Control - It’s Trust
Speaking Focus Areas:
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Authentic leadership & self-leadership
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Psychological safety & neurodiversity in tech
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Communication & feedback cultures
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Diversity in leadership & inclusion
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Engineering transformation
“Sarah’s talk was keynote-class, inspiring, actionable, and unforgettable.”
- AgileByExample Attendee
Author of The Leadership Leap
A 750+ page illustrated guide through courage, empathy, and transformation — helping leaders connect business value with human value.
The Leadership Leap anchors my leadership philosophy bridging psychology, systems thinking, and actionable frameworks.
It’s more than a book; it’s the foundation for my leadership ecosystem of programs, mentoring, and transformation experiences.
The Avagasso Leadership Ecosystem
Every offering I create helps leaders and teams grow from awareness to impact — meeting you wherever you are in your leadership journey.
The Leadership Ignite
Self-Paced Video Course
Light your leadership fire through self-awareness, empathy, and action.
1
The Leadership Leap
Leadership Books for Real Human Impact
A fully illustrated guide that bridges courage, empathy, and transformation.
2
The Leadership Landing
Core 3–6 Month Leadership Program
Turn awareness into embodied leadership through real-time guidance and community.
3
The Leadership Boost
1:1 & Small-Group Mentoring
Personalized mentoring for leaders ready to grow with courage, clarity, and confidence.
4
The Team Accelerator
Corporate Evolution Program Transform collaboration, accelerate performance, and build a team that thrives.
5
What Clients & Teams Say
“Sarah truly understands how genuine, honest interest and coaching bring out the best in every individual — and she can do it at scale.”
- Leon van Tegelen, bol.com
“A seasoned manager who balances direction and trust, guiding teams to their next level.”
- João Martinelli, bol.com
“Her mix of technical depth, empathy, and humor turns complex change into something possible — and joyful.”
- Vasilis Kelempekis, Software Engineer
Credentials & Background
Leadership Roles:
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Engineering Manager - Last Mile Solutions
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Engineering Manager - Albert Heijn
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Director of Engineering - Novoda
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Engineering Manager - bol.com
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R&D Lead / Agile Coach — Onetrail
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CEO & Founder - Avagasso GmbH
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Head of Engineering - Smarcom GmbH
Leadership Certifications:
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Certified Leadership Coach (2019)
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Dare to Lead™ · Liberating Structures Immersion · Leaders Who Coach™
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The Influential Communication Programme
Expertise:
Leadership · Mentoring · Team Building · Organizational Design · Empowerment · Agile & DevOps · Diversity & Inclusion · Communication & Culture
Education:
B.S. Computer Science & Engineering — University of California, Davis
Values I Live & Lead By
The foundation of empowerment, it’s how every authentic partnership begins.
Trust
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Reliability
We do what we say and own it fully; consistency builds confidence.
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Authenticity
Be real. Lead as yourself, not as a role.
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Autonomy
Power with purpose, freedom paired with responsibility.
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Appreciation
Recognizing effort, growth, and contribution; gratitude turns work into meaning.
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The Call to Leap
Dragons are mighty but introspective, protectors, not conquerors.
They embody authentic leadership: fierce, loyal, and purposeful.
The Avagasso emblem blends:
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Dragon: strength and integrity
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Koi: resilience and transformation
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Ting: deep listening
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Lotus: growth through adversity
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Heart Flame: passion with compassion
From Leap to Landing, Ignite to Boost, the dragon fire represents transformation.