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Salimatou Baldé: Transforming Lives
Through Identity, Leadership, and Global Impact
Intoday’srapidlyevolvingbusinesslandscape,inspirationismore thanaspark—it’sadrivingforcethatfuelsinnovation,courage,and transformation.ThiseditionofENTIMESMagazineproudlypresents “TheMostInspirationalWomeninBusinesstoLookOutforin2025,” celebratingleaderswhoareredefiningwhatitmeanstoleadwith purpose,empathy,andimpact.
OurcoverstoryshinesaspotlightonSalimatouBaldé,adynamic Learning&DevelopmentProfessionalandCertifiedCoachwhose decadeofexperiencereflectsanunwaveringcommitmentto empoweringothersthroughknowledgeandpersonalgrowth. Trilingualandgloballyminded,Salimatoubringsauniqueperspective toleadership—onethatbridgescultures,inspiresconfidence,and fosterstransformationateverylevel.
Herjourneyisatestamenttothepoweroflearningasalifelong pursuitandleadershipasaforceforcollectiveprogress.Throughher work,Salimatouremindsusthatthemostinspirationalleadersare thosewhonotonlyachievesuccessbuthelpothersdiscovertheirown potentialalongtheway.
Weinviteyoutoexplorethisspecialissue—acelebrationof resilience,innovation,andthewomenshapingthefutureofbusiness withheartandvision.
ONTENT S T ABLE OF
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Salimatou Baldé Learning and Development Specialist | FAO
Strength in Unity: Building Resilient Teams for Long-Term Business Success
Rachel Koretsky Founder and CEO | UPACE
From Vision to Victory: Top Entrepreneurship Lessons for Startup Success
SALIMATOU BALDÉ
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH IDENTITY,
LEADERSHIP, AND GLOBAL IMPACT
FOUNDER | GIFTED
In organisations becoming increasingly automated, the human element is no longer a given: it is what keeps leadership grounded, coherent, and trusted. As the founder of gifted, a global initiative rooted in authentic growth, and a seasoned coach who has worked with leaders across the UN to private institutions, Salimatou's journey reflects how deep self-awareness, resilience, and alignment can change lives starting with your own.
Strengthening Identity and Coherence in the Workplace
Salimatou’s work goes far beyond surface-level coaching. She believes that many high-achievers, including leaders, struggle silently with internal misalignment that affects their presence, clarity and confidence. Through gifted, she creates safe, grounded spaces for individuals to reconnect with themselves, shed limited and inherited patterns, and build real coherence between who they are and how they lead (in some cases, this implies addressing deeper wounds that overshadow their identity).
Many renowned experts and recent research have confirmed what Salimatou sees in her work: even high-functioning individuals often carry unresolved patterns that block their full presence. “My work is about going to the root of what blocks someone's confidence and sense of direction "below the iceberg," she explains. Her approach isn’t about “quick fixes”. Instead, it is built on rigorous psychological frameworks, a combination of coaching, training and science-backed models, and deep understanding of human psychology.
WHAT IS GIFTED?
Gifted isn’t just a coaching platform; it’s an innovative approach to identity and leadership. It is based on the gifted™ proprietary model and six transformative pillars, neurosciences and adult learning principles, all integrated towards human transformation. At its core, gifted helps individuals (especially adults and leaders navigating setbacks) understand their inner operating modes and patterns (emotional, relational and decision-making) so they can show up more fully for themselves and others. What makes gifted different is its blend of identity-based focus, trauma-informed support, mindset expansion, and holistic development.It is designed for people who don’t just want apparent success; but want to feel deeply confident and aligned.
Salimatou says, “I often work with people who already have a lot of knowledge, but they feel stuck in embodying it. That’s where gifted comes in, to help them bridge the gap between knowing, and being.
Working With the UN and Global Institutions
Salimatou’s philosophy has made its way into prestigious environments, including the United Nations, NGOs, global education and leadership programs. She has supported individuals navigating high-pressure environments, helped leaders clarify their purpose, and seeks to bring personal journeys and emotional fluency into leadership capabilities.
Her work is both personal and systemic: “One cannot lead well if they are disconnected from their own needs, emotions, and power. When clients reclaim that connection, everything shifts personally and professionally.”
A NEW DEFINITION OF STRENGTH
For Salimatou, strength isn’t about suppressing emotions or personal stories, it is about how to integrate them with authenticity and integrity. She believes the most effective leaders are those who have done the inner work: “Like many, I had glorified hyper-independence and overachievement. True leadership means being grounded, self-aware, and compassionate, and most of all, aligned.”
In her programs and 1:1 sessions, Salimatou focuses on transformation, helping clients navigate setbacks, fear, anxiety or burnout so they can step into deeper confidence and peace.
From Healing to Impact
Her journey hasn't been linear. Like many of the people she serves, Salimatou has faced personal hardships, periods of identity loss/misalignment, and deep introspection. What makes her work so powerful is how much of it comes from lived experience.
“I had to unlearn a lot of things that kept me stuck. That is why I created gifted, and what we offer: a path to make sense of one's identity, to build stronger, more resilient, aligned leadership, Her story isn’t just about success. It is about what happens when you finally come home to yourself and use that clarity to uplift others.
Empowering Others to Reclaim Themselves
Whether she is leading a group session, mentoring a young leader, or speaking to a room of global changemakers, Salimatou brings the same intention: to help others reconnect with their own story, path and identity. Her training and coaching sessions are known for being both nurturing and challenging. Participants leave not just with insight but with tools, practices, and breakthroughs that happen to change their lives.
LOOKING AHEAD: A MOVEMENT OF IDENTITY-BASED LEADERSHIP
Salimatou envisions a future where leadership is less about titles and more about embodiment. Through gifted, she is building a global community that normalizes the integration of personal and professional identities, wellbeing, growth, and self-trust. And as the demand for emotionally intelligent leadership rises, her voice and vision are more important than ever.
Conclusion
Salimatou’s work reminds us that reclaiming our power doesn’t come from pushing harder; it comes from pausing, healing, and coming back to who we truly are. Through gifted, she supports adults and leaders across the world with one mission: to rebuild confidence, resilience, and inner clarity from the inside out.
Salimatou Baldé is a transformational coach, resilience architect, and founder of gifted, With over a decade of experience in education, learning, and development, she has led powerful programs for individuals ranging from marginalized youth to United Nations leaders. Salimatou is also the author of Shard. — Wounds to Warrior, a novel on identity and transformation, and a passionate advocate for traumainformed, neuroscience-based leadership development.
Step into her world of transformation—read "Shard — Wounds to Warrior" now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6NFR5BV
Real-WorldExamplesofResilientTeams
1.Airbnb'sResponsetothePandemic:WhentravelcametoastandstillduringCOVID-19,Airbnb's corebusinessmodelwasthreatened.Insteadofcollapsing,thecompanypivotedrapidly,launching “OnlineExperiences”andfocusingonlocalstays.CEOBrianChesky'stransparentcommunication andempathy-drivenleadershiphelpedtheteamstayunited,resultinginoneofthemostsuccessfulIPOs in2020.
2.Toyota'sLeanManufacturingPhilosophy:Toyota'sKaizenculture,continuousimprovement throughteamworkandadaptability,hasmadeitsworkforceoneofthemostresilientintheworld. Employeesareencouragedtoinnovateateverylevel,ensuringagilityevenduringglobalsupply disruptions.
3.Netflix'sFreedomandResponsibilityCulture:Netflixempowersitsteamswithautonomyand trust.Employeesareencouragedtomakebolddecisions,andmistakesareviewedaslearning opportunities.Thishigh-trustenvironmentbuildsconfidenceandfostersresilienceacrossthe organization.
MeasuringTeamResilience
Resilienceisn'tanabstractquality;itcanbeassessedandstrengthenedovertime.Organizationscan measureresiliencethrough:
● EmployeeEngagementSurveys–Assessmorale,trust,andsatisfactionlevels.
● TurnoverandRetentionRates–Highstabilityoftensignalsstrongteamcohesion.
● ResponseSpeedtoChange–Howquicklyteamsadapttonewtechnologiesorstructures.
● PerformanceUnderPressure–Evaluateproductivityduringcrisesorhighworkloads.
● FeedbackMechanisms–Encourageopendiscussionsaboutteamwell-beingandsupport systems.
Theseindicatorshelpleadersidentifygapsandcontinuouslyimproveresiliencestrategies.
TheFutureofResilientTeams
Asbusinessesevolveinapost-pandemicworlddefinedbydigitalaccelerationandglobal interdependence,resiliencewillbemoreimportantthanever Tomorrow'steamswillnotjustneed technicalexpertise,they'llneedemotionalintelligence,adaptability,andasharedsenseofpurpose.
Technologywillcontinuetoshapecommunicationandworkflow,buthumanconnectionand collaborationwillremainattheheartoforganizationalendurance.Inthelongrun,resiliencewillnot onlydeterminehowteamssurvivedisruptionbuthowtheythrivethroughtransformation
Conclusion:ResilienceastheCoreofSustainableSuccess
Buildingaresilientteamisn'taone-timeinitiative,it'sanongoingjourneythatblendsleadership, culture,andcompassion.Inaworldthatchangesfasterthaneverbefore,resilienceistheultimate competitiveadvantage.
Whenteamsareempoweredtolearn,adapt,andsupportoneanother,theydon'tjustendure,theyexcel. Theyturnuncertaintyintoinnovation,crisisintocreativity,andchallengesintocatalystsforgrowth.
Asthesayinggoes: “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
Inbusiness,asinnature,resilienceisn'taboutstandingfirmagainstchange,it'saboutbendingwisely andgrowingstrongertogether.
moreclients,increaserevenue,andmakeagreatersocietalimpact.Forentrepreneursnavigatingthe digitalage,Rachel’sjourneyhighlightstheimportanceofstayingflexible,seizingtheright opportunities,andalwaysaligningdecisionswithcorevalues.
BuildingaLastingLegacy
Beyondhercompany,Rachel’slegacyextendstoherfamilyandtheentrepreneurialcommunityshehas helpedbuild.Asaco-founderofDCStartupandTechWeek,shehascultivatedathrivingecosystemfor over15,000entrepreneursandtechleaders.Hercontributionsgobeyondbusinesssuccess;theyfostera cultureofcollaboration,learning,andsupportforthoseembarkingontheirownentrepreneurial journeys.
Ultimately,Rachel’smissionistostrengthencommunityspacesthatservepeopleacrossalllifestages. ThroughUpace,sheisnotonlyadvancingdigitalsolutionsbutalsoreinforcingthehumanconnections thatmakerecreationcentersindispensabletocommunitywell-being.Herworkcontinuestoshapea futurewheretechnologyempowers,connects,andenhanceslives.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Rachel Koretsky’s Journey
RachelKoretsky’sstoryisoneofresilience, strategicrisk-taking,andunwaveringdedication tohervision.Aspiringentrepreneurscandraw invaluableinsightsfromherexperiences:
• TrustYourInstincts:Ifyourguttellsyouto taketheleap,doit—evenifitmeansstepping intouncertainty.
• BuildaSupportSystem:Surroundyourself withmentors,peers,andcommunitiesthat provideguidanceandencouragement.
• StayAdaptable:Marketshiftsandchallenges areinevitable;yourabilitytopivotwilldefine yoursuccess.
• PrioritizePurpose:Alignyourbusinesswith amissionthatdrivesyoubeyondfinancial success.
• FindYourWork-LifeHarmony: Entrepreneurshipisamarathon,nota sprint—createarhythmthatallowsyouto thriveinbothprofessionalandpersonal spheres.
Rachel’sleadershipandvisioncontinuetoinspire entrepreneursandbusinessleadersalike,proving thatinnovationandcommunityimpactcango handinhand.Herlegacyisoneofmeaningful change,shapingafuturewheretechnologyand humanconnectionconvergetobuildstronger, healthiercommunities.
Lesson:Financialdisciplineensuressustainability.Spend strategically,investingrowth,andalwaysprepareforthe unexpected.
7.CultivateaStrongBrandIdentity
Apowerfulbrandgoesbeyondlogosandslogans;itreflects yourcompany'svalues,promises,andcustomerexperiences. Brandingestablishescredibility,buildstrust,andhelps differentiateyourbusinessincompetitivemarkets.
Actionstep:Defineyourbrand'spersonality Areyou innovative,luxurious,orsociallyconscious?Ensurethat everytouchpoint,yourwebsite,socialmedia,andcustomer interactions,communicatesthisidentityconsistently
Example:Apple'ssuccessliesinitsbrandpromiseof simplicity,innovation,andelegance.Everyproductand advertisementreinforcesthiscoreidentity
Lesson:Consistencybuildstrust.Makeyourbrandstory clear,compelling,andauthentic.
8.LearnfromFailuresandPivotWhenNeeded
Failureisinevitableinentrepreneurship,butit'salsoa criticalteacher.Manysuccessfulstartups,likeSlack,Twitter, andInstagram,beganasentirelydifferentproductsbefore pivotingtowardtheirwinningideas.
Mindset:Treatsetbacksasdatapoints.Analyzewhatwent wrong,identifypatterns,andadapt.Theabilitytopivotat therighttimeoftenseparatesthrivingstartupsfromthose thatfadeaway
Example:YouTubestartedasavideodatingsitebefore pivotingintotheworld'slargestvideo-sharingplatformafter recognizingbroaderuserbehaviortrends.
Lesson:Failureisn'ttheend,it'sfeedback.Learn,adjust, andmoveforwardstrongerthanbefore.
9.PrioritizeCustomerExperienceandRelationships
Happycustomersarethemostpowerfulmarketingtool. Exceptionalcustomerservicecreatesloyalty,drives referrals,andstrengthensyourreputation.
Strategy:Investincustomersupport,listenactivelyto feedback,andmakeimprovementsswiftly.Gobeyond transactions,buildrelationships.
Example:Zapposbuiltitsbillion-dollarbrandon extraordinarycustomerservice,includingfreereturnsand 24/7support,whichfosteredunmatchedcustomerloyalty.
Lesson:Everyinteractionmatters.Makeyourcustomers feelvalued,andthey'llbecomeyourgreatestadvocates.
10.LeverageTechnologyandDigitalTransformation
Intoday'sdigitalage,technologyisnotoptional;it's essential.Startupsthatharnessautomation,analytics,and digitalmarketinggainsignificantcompetitiveadvantages.
Applications:
● UseCRMsoftwaretomanagecustomer relationships.
● Leveragedataanalyticsforinformeddecisionmaking.
● Utilizedigitaltoolsformarketing,project management,andoperations.
Example:Shopifyleverageddigitalautomationtoolsand analyticstoempowermillionsofsmallbusinessestolaunch andscaleonlinestoresefficiently
Lesson:Technologyamplifiesgrowth.Adopttherighttools earlyandintegratethemintoyourbusinessstrategy
11.NetworkandBuildStrategicPartnerships
Noentrepreneursucceedsinisolation.Buildingrelationships withmentors,investors,andotherbusinessescanopendoors toopportunities,resources,andcollaborations.
Tip:Joinindustryevents,startupaccelerators,and professionalcommunities.Seekmentorswhohavenavigated similarchallengesandcanprovideguidance.
Example:ThepartnershipbetweenSpotifyandFacebookin 2011helpedSpotifyscalerapidlybyintegratingsocial sharing,anexampleofhowstrategicalliancescanaccelerate growth.
Lesson:Yournetworkisyournetworth.Buildmeaningful connectionsthatalignwithyourvision.
12.MaintainWork-LifeBalanceandMentalResilience
Entrepreneurshipcanbeexhausting,andburnoutisareal threat.Buildingmentalresilienceiscrucialforlong-term success.
Advice:Takebreaks,delegatetasks,andmaintainhealthy boundaries.Aclear,focusedmindisfarmoreproductive thanoneoverwhelmedbystress.
Lesson:Successisamarathon,notasprint.Prioritize mentalhealthandpersonalwell-beingalongwithbusiness goals.
Conclusion:TurningLessonsintoLegacy
Thejourneyofentrepreneurshipisfilledwithlessons,somelearnedthroughtriumphs,othersthroughchallenges.From havingaclearvisionandmanagingfinancestoembracingfailureandfosteringinnovation,eachinsightshapesamore resilientandsuccessfulentrepreneur
Thekeyliesinapplication.It'snotenoughto know theselessons,youmust live them.Theentrepreneurswhoendureare thosewhocontinuouslylearn,adapt,andleadwithpassionandpurpose.
Asyoubuildyourstartup,rememberthatsuccessdoesn'tcomefromshortcuts,itcomesfromperseverance,adaptability,and anunshakablebeliefinyourvision.
Yourjourneyfrom vision to victory beginswithmasteringthesetimelesslessonsandtransformingthemintodailypractice.
