ESMA CHOHO

CEO | Scaling €100M+ Investor-Backed Ventures | Board Leadership | Deeptech & Sustainable Finance | Keynote Speaker ‘Mission Impossible’ skills

CONTACT Esma

Transforming Markets & Scaling Human-Led Innovation in the AI Era

Transforming Leadership for a World in Flux

With over two decades of experience bridging business, public impact, technology, and human evolution Esma Choho is a transformational leader reimagining what it means to grow sustainably in a rapidly changing world. Her work lives at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence, where she helps organizations and leaders drive lasting impact.

Esma’s career spans global corporations, public institutions, and high-growth sectors, earning her recognition as a leader who doesn’t just navigate change—she shapes it. Her expertise lies in crafting strategies that unlock potential at every level: from inclusive leadership models that empower diverse teams to technology-driven frameworks that anticipate the future.

Esma’s leadership is recognized by industry executives, investors, and market leaders who value strategic execution and long-term impact. Her reputation is built on delivering measurable transformation—aligning growth with resilience, responsibility, and market leadership. She challenges conventional thinking, ensuring that progress is not just achieved, but redefined.

Whether she’s advising global executives, speaking on leadership in the AI age, or designing investment systems that prioritize people and the planet, Esma’s work is always about the bigger picture: creating a world where innovation and humanity evolve together.

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Driving Innovation & Market Impact Across Industries Since 1991

‘I cannot tell you how profoundly impressive it was to watch her effortlessly juggle the needs of dignitaries, workshop participants, film crews and her team.’

Tara Shannon

Team member on a project for the U.S. and U.K. Embassy

‘Choho’s Mindset module is a broad basis for improved performance (…). Her customized 3.0 module supports continuation and next steps to fully achieve your goals.’

Jeanine van de Wiel

Group leader Regulatory Global Affairs Food Specialties at DSM

‘Relentlessly searching to find the middle ground because that’s where ‘society’s gold’ lies.
That is Esma Choho. A woman who always pushes the envelope, dares to take risks and speaks their mind, while still caring about compromise. In short: an exceptional human being.’

Ahmed Aboutaleb

Former State Secretary of Social Affairs and Employment of the Netherlands, Former Mayor of Rotterdam

‘Esma Choho is driven by social impact in creating innovations that serve next generations.’

Feike Sijbesma

(non-) executive leader at several companies like DSM, Unilever

‘Esma is really great to work with. She is well educated and is never afraid to give her opinion. She is also very capable to create a lot of positivism with her womanpower and enthusiasm. Therefore I strongly recommend Esma Choho. She makes diversity fun and divers.’

Jan Kooyman

Executive producer and filmmaker

‘Choho opened my eyes as editor-in-chief of NOS Nieuws.’

Hans Laroes

Founder Big Elephant, former editor-in-chief NOS News

‘Esma is one of the leading voices for change in the Netherlands, both in public and behind the scenes. Over the years I have come to know Esma as a formidable force for the good: focussed, very smart, diligent and with great people skills.’

Joris Luyendijk

Best Selling Author

‘When I first met Esma, she was talking about miracles. Having worked with her on different occassions, I found out SHE is in fact a miracle. Patient, empathetic and blessed with sharp analytical skills, she is a “personal professional” that I would highly recommend as a coach, trainer and consultant.’

Kirsten van den Hul

Former member of Parliament and Change Agent

‘Choho engages with impact and takes the target audience to the next level of performance.’

Eelco Dubbeling

Managing Director Dutch Association of Banks

‘I can recommend her as a high quality high energy catalyst; being it in terms of individual coaching as well as in corporate settings.’

Frode Hvaring

Former Head of HR Eurovision

‘Choho’s purpose and resilience are qualities I wish for every executive.’

Marry de Gaay Fortman

(non-)executive leader at several companies like Houthoff, KLM, the Dutch Central Bank)

What the press says:

'Sharp mind, charming, independent, very clear.'

BBC World

‘A modern vision on leadership’

Dutch Financial Times (Het Financieel Dagblad)

'Clear (…) like dr. Phil'

NRC Handelsblad (Dutch National Newspaper)

‘If you want to know what non-western people think (…).’

Al Jazeera

‘Esma Choho points the way (…).’

Psychologie Magazine

‘Oprah for Muslims.’

De Volkskrant (Dutch National Newspaper)