About myself

I trained to be a ballerina; I didn’t become one. Then I wanted to be an actress, but nothing came of that either. Ultimately, I graduated in international commerce, a qualification which I have never exploited.

I have worked for almost thirty years in leadership positions both at home and overseas – in media, retail, airlines, politics, the financial industry, for large international NGOs, and also in the world of sports. I look back on my career with satisfaction.

I am currently a freelance communications consultant, mentor and yoga teacher.

I started practicing yoga several years ago and it quickly became a part of my daily routine. Yoga has profoundly helped me in overcoming difficulties, during periods of transition, and especially in getting to know myself.

I describe myself as a “realist spiritualist”. I strive to work on myself continuously, better to understand all the W’s: why are certain things happening, what do I need to learn from them, and where do they lead? Who and what do I have to let go of in order to be open to accepting new events, as well as people, who can help me along the path of my development. This can be scary, difficult and painful, but there is no progress without letting go of the past and the habitual.

CHANGE AND TRANSITION

As in the early part of my life, my present one is full of changes and transitions, all of which bring me closer to myself, to the real ME.

Recently, (in my 50’s) I completed a yoga teacher’s training course, opening a new path in my life.

Regular yoga practice helps me in many ways, not only its physical aspect, but also in accepting things, letting them go and changing my perspective.

I aim to combine my experience in business with my studies in the world of yoga and my practical skills. From this, I am able to draw the knowledge, empathy, and attitude to life necessary for mentoring and to pass on all of these to my mentees.

I believe that many of us need support in the form of advocates, listeners, and inspiration as well as the self-confidence both to keep us steady in the face of change, and to have trust in ourselves.

Take control of your life, don’t leave it to others!

Allowing oneself to get comfortable is a mistake: don’t stay in bad situation just because you are used to it. We should not be afraid of ourselves and the unknown, where we could instead move on. We must not be fearful of our own growth.

I have my own experience of continuously building a fictitious “brand”, – for which of course I was responsible – but, after a while, meeting external expectations and the associated constant changes became difficult. I often felt that I was living in a fantasy or an illusion created in order to “sell” the pretence of harmony. Driven by my professionalism and the need to comply, I continued to build my fantasy castle, thinking this was the right way to do it. I was obliged to change this from the base up, to find the true SELF, (the real ME) and to build my brand with honesty.

Professional experience

Currently, working as a communication consultant, and mentor across numerous sectors including sport, societal and business world. Emese was previously executive director of the Hungarian National Committee of UNICEF, the world’s largest children’s rights organization. She has worked continuously in the fields of communications for more than twenty years, for both domestic and international organisations. For many years working in Europe and America with Pan American Airlines and for Grey Communications International (the leading international public relations company). Over the course of her extensive management career, she has held the position of communications director at several companies, including: TV3, Magyar Televízió, Malév, Tesco Hungary and Erste Bank Hungary Zrt. In addition to managing and coordinating all aspects of internal and external communication, she also has considerable experience in crisis management and human resources, gained through her employment at the Austrian headhunting company, dr. Pendl & dr. Piswanger. In 2006, she became nationally known as the government spokesperson of the Hungarian Government, despite only having been in position this position for seven months.

For over 15 years Emese has been a mentor, focusing her services primarily towards women in middle and top manager positions but also working with younger women, in the early stages of their career. Yoga came into her life about 10 years ago. She obtained her Hatha yoga instructor diploma in 2022 and teaches private lessons in several languages.

Emese also works with and supports many social enterprises, including being a member of the Hungarian Marketing Association – Decision Makers Club, the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum, the Women’s Leaders Forum, the Egyenlítő (Equalizer) Foundation, the IOD Institute of Directors Hungary, and the Szeretem Magyarországot Klub (I love Hungary Club). With her voluntary work, she supports the Bagázs and 10 million FA (Tree) foundations, as well as the Budapest Festival Orchestra and OMIKE.