Leslie Cottenjé

Leslie Cottenjé is a tech founder who has lived the highs and lows of scaling a company from the inside out. After exiting her company, she began speaking openly about burnout, identity, and the invisible toll of ambition. Leslie now works as an independent SaaS CEO, remaining at the intersection of leadership and mental health. She shares her personal story to help others navigate the human side of entrepreneurship.

Leslie talks about leadership, and the silent weight it carries.
She’s been there: the late nights, the impossible expectations, the moment you realize that even at the top, you can feel utterly alone. She pushed her limits until they pushed back. Leslie discovered, through the stories of other CEOs, that it can be different. It has to be different.

Because leadership is often the role with the least support. The one where strength is expected, but vulnerability rarely allowed. In this talk, Leslie opens up about the human side of responsibility: about drive, doubt, and the deep need for self-care and honest connection.

But do not be mistaken, this is not just a talk for CEOs. It’s for anyone who wants to grow without losing themselves, who believes leadership should be shared, and who dares to stay human, even when the world forgets to ask how you’re really doing.

This talk will be a quiet reminder that no one leads alone.