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“We help Leaders, Entrepreneurs & Creators accelerate their transition into the mindset which drives future-fit success and impact.“

Kirsten Stendevad

HI, MY NAME IS

Kirsten Stendevad

NORDIC AUTHOR, SPEAKER & FOUNDER OF ILLUMINA FUTURE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

 

Our purpose is to help you become an Illuminary Future Leader

– at home, at work and in the world.


  
For this we have spent over two decades developing The WholeSpectrum Leadership Method which can now be applied to help individuals, teams and companies of all sizes to navigate the paradigmshift of our times. Our cutting edge leadership labs have proven that our unique approach and tools  result in long-lasting  transformation, future-agility and benevolent ripple effects from the inside-out.

 

About Our Founder


Kirsten Stendevad is the founder of Illumina Future Leadership Academy. She is the (co-)author of 8 trendsetting books (in Scandinavian) about 21st Century paradigms which she has lectured about at Harvard Business School, MIT, McKinsey & Company and more.

Kirsten is a popular speaker and an inspiring workshop leader. She has often been quoted in the press for her visionary  perspectives and time has proven her spot on in all of her trendsetting books.

She is born in Scandinavia and grew up in an international environment in the heart of Europe. She has an Masters degree in Humanistic Sciences & Culture from University of Copenhagen and did much of her graduate program at New School for Social Research in New York. She is certified in a number of "inner career" disciplines such as Yoga-teacher and Evolutionary Coach and continually in trainings to keep herself and her leadership participants on the cutting edge of what´s next.

She currently serves a global audience with keynotes, retreats and tailored leadership trainings.

In Kirstens programs you also gain access to a large faculty of expertise.

One of her greatest assets is an unrivaled network of frontrunners who collaborate around customized solutions to upgrade ambitious individuals, teams and entire companies.

Kirsten lives in a sunlit sanctuary by the beautiful lakes in Copenhagen and is the mother of three, whereof two on Earth and one in Heaven.

 

Official Bio

For event organizers and media

 

Kirsten Stendevad is a pioneering leadership developer preparing visionary executives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to shape the future rather than be shaped by it.

As founder of Illumina International Leadership Academy, she specializes in developing the future-agile capabilities leaders need to navigate exponential change - whether AI disruption, quantum computing, systemic transformation, or paradigms we haven't yet imagined.

Her methodology addresses what most leadership development misses: thriving in uncertainty doesn't just demand new skills - it requires an entirely new operating system for how you think, lead, and create. She develops the distinctly human next-level capacities that make leaders irreplaceable by AI: higher-order thinking, conscious co-creation, and the ability to navigate complexity without forcing premature solutions.

Author and co-author of 8 bestselling books, Kirsten has led workshops at Harvard Business School and MIT, and upgraded leaders from Maersk, Mercedes, McKinsey & Company, as well as founders, investors, and board members.

Drawing from quantum principles, ancient wisdom, cutting-edge research, and proven business frameworks, she guides leaders through the paradigm shifts that transform both inner awareness and outer impact - turning crisis into breakthrough and building regenerative organizations at scale.

Based in Copenhagen and working internationally for over two decades, Kirsten teaches her wholespectrum leadership model to executives, business owners, and investors committed to mastering the leadership that enables true success, ripple impact, and a bright legacy in the 21st century.

 

AURORA BOREALIS

 

LIGHT FROM THE NORTH


The Nordic Lights that illuminate our brand aren't just a beautiful natural phenomenon. For me Kirsten, originally from the Nordic countries -  they represent something deeper. The Aurora Borealis dancing across Nordic skies in the midst of stars symbolizes the Universal Light - the Source which is always available, giving us access to limitless creative genius, including the possibility that from darkness and crisis, we can create something luminous and transformative.

That is the Light we believe our world needs now,

and why it guides everything we do at Illumina.

 

Book a Call

BOOKS

 

Kirsten is (co) author of 8 trendsetting books about the 21st century paradigms, including

The new F @ mily - on new ways of helping each other raise healthy citizens

Motherhood as a Career Booster - the path to a whole life, for those who have children (on the way) or consider it

The new Career Dad - family  as the Worlds best leadership bootcamp

Simple-living.dk - achieve more with less, and remove the superficial fluff so you can live in alignment with what´s truly important for you.

The Millionairess Method - The path to Feminine Wealth: BOTH Time AND Money from turning your passion into Gold. 

The Future is Feminine - 7 Facets of 21st Century Leadership

She has also contributed to the # 1 Amazon Bestseller Shine Your Light, Powerful Practises for an Extraordinary Life along with the NY Times bestsellers authors Janet Bray Attwood, Chris Attwood and Marci Smirnoff.

And to the USA Today/WSJ bestseller Success Mindsets.

3 new books are on their way in international languages.

 

Illumina is latin for "Please Enlighten Me".

Kirsten hosts a podcast ILLUMINARY LEADERSHIP - Shaping a Bright Future Now, where she invites extraordinary inspiring voices of our time to shine light on the most life-affirming paths forward 

LISTEN TO EPISODE 1 HERE

 

IF CRISIS IS THE NEW NORM, LET'S GET

GOOD AT IT

 

OUR INVITATION TO YOU
 

We stand at the edge of either breakthrough or breakdown for humanity. This work isn't about my success - it's about creating a legacy our children can thank us for. The window for conscious leadership is  still open. Join us as a co-creator of the future we know is possible.

Kirstens Background

 

My journey to this work wasn't linear - it was quantum.

After a decade in corporate roles across diverse organizations, I saw clearly: the old paradigms were breaking down for everyone. Rather than climb a conventional career ladder, I chose to pursue a quest for solutions.

I spent the next decade as a US correspondent for Scandinavian media in New York City, tracking megatrends and training in how to SHAPE the future rather than merely predict it. Then I returned to Europe to put these insights into practice and share them with leaders ready to evolve.

From the beginning, I recognized something crucial: The era of leadership coming only from appointed authorities is over. In today's complex world, everyone must step into leadership - whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, investor, or changemaker committed to positive impact.

That is why my work spans executives, business owners, and transformation agents across industries. My mission is to animate initiative, purpose, and new ways of working in everyone I encounter.

Here's what drives me: We're at a pivotal moment where we must co-create our collective destiny. The future we experience won't happen by default - it requires conscious choice and action. In the "free" world, we have that choice. And a responsibility to use it wisely - not just for ourselves, but on behalf of those who don't yet have that freedom.

Either you lead, or you get led.

My life's work is ensuring you have the consciousness, capabilities, and courage to choose the former - shaping a future worth living into.


HOW WE CAN HELP

 

  • See and sense what is emerging before it dawns on mainstream and help understand where we are heading so it´s possible to adapt in time and lead the change.
  • Spot potential and possibilites where others see none so you and your team become unstoppable.
  • Help evoke and evolve the true, genius nature of humans hidden under many layers of conditioning
  • Release the unconscious blocks to flow and incorporate what creates future-agile success
  • Help you and your team become resilient and disrupt rather than be disrupted
  • Turn breakdowns into  breakthroughs
  • Make you irreplaceable by AI and prepare you for the era of quantum computing 
  • Connect you with masterful  Experts and inspiring Peers to create extraordinary results
  • Activate Collective Intelligence so 1+1 = 11 and you achieve more with less
  • Help you discern between the old and the new OS for higher Prosperity, Impact & Legacy

 

 

 

Our programs polish participants "inner diamond" so their Light shines through in it's whole Spectrum.

TRANSFORMING LIVES SINCE 1998

LEADERSHIP TRAININING PARTICIPANTS SAY 

  •  “I highly recommend Kirsten’s course. It’s life-transforming! Good inspiration, beautiful people and a lot of personal development. “
  •  “I think it’s so worth the price. …Even hard to put a price tag on because it is a totally transforming training. “
  •  “The training has definitely lived up to my expectations, actually exceeded my wildest imagination.”
  •  “Can strongly recommend the trainings to others, especially if you want change. “
  •  “I’ve now got so much more enjoyment into my life and I have learned how I can take leadership for co-creating what I desire.”
  •  “I’ve changed 100,000% . I would recommend it to anyone who dreams of living a wonderful life …”
  • “Can only recommend this training to everyone … A real door opener on many levels.”
  •  “This training is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Kirsten creates an unpretentious and warm room, where she presents all her wild tools. I have experienced an inner transformation that continues to have ripple effects on many levels. “
  •  “The training was very much in line with my expectations – I actually received a lot I did not know I could expect to get …”
  •  “I’m so happy with the investment I made in myself – it’s invaluable.”
  •  “Thanks for all that I’ve received on the training – it’s so incredibly important to me!”
  • “For the sake of pleasure, I could take the whole training again!”

OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN AMPLIFYING LIGHT


Want to support our Mission & Vision?

We have established a non-profit for the purpose of helping benevolence spread at the speed of Light. 

Our first project is to support young people in getting trained in the leadership of the new era. We consider this a good investment for society considering that 30-50% of our youth report having Future-anxiety and mental health issues. 

Young people and fiery souls of all ages often don´t have the funds to support their evolution.

If you do, you can make a huge difference by sponsoring one or more who is eager to unlearn and relearn. In return, you will receive access to our online training and mentoring from the person you sponsored.

COME FORWARD

 FEATURED ALL OVER SCANDINAVIAN MEDIA

 SELECTION OF ORGANIZATIONS WE´VE WORKED WITH

ILLUMINA INTERNATIONAL BY KIRSTEN STENDEVAD SUPPORTS

“My life feels easy now”


“Thank you very much for a lovely and inspiring year. It has been great to be with you. My life feels nice, easy and balanced. Without you I would never be who I am today.
Thank you very much Kirsten Stendevad for the amazing work you have put in this training.
You are a wonderful woman, outstanding.”

Kasia J.

“So much substance in the course material”

 

The training has given me closer contact with my essence and given me greater faith in my power. There is so much substance in the material that I will listen through it again and again.

 

Anne Grethe L.

 

“You are a formidable teacher”


It has been an inspiring year on all levels. You are a formidable teacher who with commitment, vitality and authenticity holds the room and each of us. You have created a unique space, where – in a world where everyone is closest to oneself – the faith in relationships is restored and nurtured. With admiration and gratitude.

 

Nille Bech
International Artist 

“A deeply developing year - you are my great inspirator”

 

Kirsten is my great inspirator. It has been a deeply developing year for me. Kirsten teaches with much love and pleasure that is extremely infectious, there is so much joy and laughter in her presence. At the same time there is respect and great seriousness about the subjects. Kirsten shares with great knowledge, insight and wisdom. I can only recommend Kirsten with all of my heart.

 

Christie H.

 

“An eye-opener”

 

I really got an eye opener by attending the training.

I think there is so much gold in the training and I’m looking forward every time I’m going. I send you a HUGE THANK YOU because I have the opportunity to attend this training.

It gives me so much value. 

 

Helle H

 

 

“She most beautifully unites greatness and humility”

 

”I was blown away already in my first meeting with Kirsten, whom I experience as a grand, beautiful, enthusiastic, warm and loving person.

I experience Kirsten as selfless, sincere and present and curiously interested in her field.

I find that she is in constant personal and professional development, furthers her knowledge bank and shares her insights.

Kirsten is a bright front runner and shines.

She most beautifully unites greatness and humility in her work of bringing people together in various networks of personal development and business. ”

 

-Mette Vestergaard

 

“ You are far from an ordinary consultant ”

 

Of course you have to make some money, but it’s clear that you’re dedicated to so much more and on a completely different level than a regular consultant, that’s why you transmit your fire and wisdom so clearly and have the transformative effect I’ve experienced.

 

Kim Andreasen, Team Leader

“ You play us all better ”

 

I have loved attending your Future Leadership Program and seen how you play us all better because you are very present and see us very clearly. Thus you can lovingly but firmly nudge us to where we don't know ourselves that we need to go – or don't dare to go.

It has been incredibly good that you mix hardcore leadership knowledge with equally hardcore knowledge within self-development and physical exercises, so we use all of ourselves and not just our heads. Because there's already plenty going on there!

I really appreciate having been in a program where the whole of existence receives attention and care.

 

Loa Bendix


Senior Fundraiser & Proces Leader

“A gifted mentor”

 

Kirsten Stendevad has a gift in the way she sees people and responds to what they need in order to grow. With her great experience and wisdom she creates safe and nurturing spaces that can help all aspirations go far beyond any perceived limitations.

 

Karen Toftegaard


Founder Wildtopia

“Helping upgrade our leadership DNA”

 

As an entrepreneur Kirsten has always been ahead of her time which means she is ready to lead the rest of us into new paradigms integrating mind, body and soul into the way we work and live in the new world. She has worked relentlessly for years helping us upgrade our leadership DNA to match the needs of the future and enabling us to function and thrive as individuals while stepping up to our greater potential. Kirsten is playing a significant role in making the world a better place.

 

Helene Kalsmose,


CEO Enagi

“You walk your talk”

 

You have integrity, you talk the talk and you walk the walk.
Embodied leadership is what you represent, off and on the clock, from your heart.
Watching you navigate through life, honouring the feminine connection, you have inspired me to walk my own authentic path. You don’t back down when you see injustice. You seek the middle ground, but you never lose your own voice. You have inspired me to walk my path of entrepreneurship. Navigating life by trusting intuition.

 

Danni Hoedemakers


Entrepreneur

Are you and
your company
FUTURE-FIT?

Get ready with a Illuminary Future Leadership Program and create a Bright Legacy at Home, at Work and in the World.

 
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