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.
Self-Paced Video Course
Light your leadership fire through self-awareness, empathy, and action.
The Leadership Ignite
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
1
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.
5
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.
The Call to Leap
Dragons are mighty but introspective, protectors, not conquerors.
They embody authentic leadership: fierce, loyal, and purposeful.
The Avagasso emblem blends:
-
Dragon: strength and integrity
-
Koi: resilience and transformation
-
Ting: deep listening
-
Lotus: growth through adversity
-
Heart Flame: passion with compassion
From Leap to Landing, Ignite to Boost, the dragon fire represents transformation.
The Call to Leap
Dragons are mighty but introspective, protectors, not conquerors.
They embody authentic leadership: fierce, loyal, and purposeful.
The Avagasso emblem blends:
-
Dragon: strength and integrity
-
Koi: resilience and transformation
-
Ting: deep listening
-
Lotus: growth through adversity
-
Heart Flame: passion with compassion
From Leap to Landing, Ignite to Boost, the dragon fire represents transformation.
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