Elanor Boekholt-OSullivan

About Elanor Boekholt-OSullivan

Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan is the first female lieutenant general in the history of the Dutch Armed Forces and one of Europe’s most influential voices on leadership, resilience, and diversity. With nearly thirty years of military experience, she has held key positions, including Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Commander of the Defence Cyber Command, and currently Deputy Director-General for Policy at the Ministry of Defence.

Her career began at the Royal Military Academy, followed by missions in Afghanistan, where she led civilian aviation projects under demanding conditions. Later, as head of AIR (Ambition, Innovation, Results)—an Air Force think tank driving modernization and agility—she transformed the innovation culture within the organisation.

Elanor is known for her authentic leadership style, where decisiveness and empathy go hand in hand—a vision she shares in her widely discussed book Armed with Sensitivity, published in 2025. In 2023 she was named SER Top Woman of the Year, and in 2026 she will receive the prestigious Aletta Jacobs Prize for her dedication to gender equality and inclusive leadership.

Her key themes—leading under pressure, organisational change, cybersecurity, diversity & inclusion, and strategic resilience—are relevant to both the corporate world and the public sector. Whether addressing C-level executives, government institutions, or international conferences, Elanor inspires audiences to redefine leadership: human-centred, future-ready, and courageous.

As a speaker, she combines real-world experience with sharp insights and an accessible style. Her talks offer a powerful blend of inspiration, humour, and practical tools for modern leadership. From breaking barriers to driving digital innovation and building strong teams, Elanor knows how to engage and motivate her audience.

Leadership isn’t something you put on—it’s what you dare to take off. Not armoured, but armed with feeling.