AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL WOMEN

 

Meet Paula Kelder - My Journey to Coaching & Empowerment

​

Hi, I’m Paula Kelder, a Brazilian married to a lovely Dutch man and mother of two wonderful kids. I've been living in the Netherlands for over 16 years now—time flies! In my free time, I love playing tennis and cherishing quality moments with my family. With each passing day, I appreciate more and more the warmth of family life—whether at home, on the tennis court, or traveling together.

Something about my soul: I have a deep love for Russian literature, especially Dostoyevsky. But beyond books, my own life has been a story of transformation. My early years in the Netherlands were marked by severe depression and panic disorder, culminating in a suicide attempt. It was a painful breaking point, but also the beginning of a profound healing journey. With the support of my then-boyfriend—now my husband—and a focus on lifestyle changes, I slowly rebuilt my sense of self. This experience not only transformed me personally but also reshaped my entire perspective on life and career.

Coming from a law background, I transitioned into coaching, graduating as a professional ontological coach in 2012 at Newfield Network, an ICF-certified coaching school renowned for its depth, rigor, and transformational approach. I am deeply grateful for the relationships it fostered and the personal transformation it brought me—I entered as one person and left seeing a whole new world, full of passion and possibilities. Soon after, I pursued a life coaching course at the Greek school Holistic Harmony with Professor Robert Najemy, deepening my understanding of holistic well-being. This experience integrated self-awareness, emotional mastery, and purpose-driven living into my coaching approach.

Blending the structured depth of ontological coaching with a holistic perspective, I guide individuals through transformational growth, helping them align with their true selves and navigate life with clarity and balance. I am always open to learning and currently continuing my coaching studies to refine my expertise.

It was during my early coaching journey that The School of Presence first took shape—initially as a student project, then as the foundation for a series of women’s empowerment trainings, which eventually gave birth to Amsterdam International Women.

At the time, I knew I wasn’t ready to fully step into coaching. I wanted to gain more experience, confidence, depth, and self-respect before formally offering my services. Over the past 13 years—first as a volunteer supporting refugee immigrant women, and later as a community leader—I have facilitated hundreds of group sessions, led support groups, and coached women through transformational one-on-one sessions. I have engaged in countless deep, life-changing conversations and built a thriving community that has empowered thousands of women from all around the world. This journey has been both a privilege and a profound learning experience.

Now, with deep gratitude, I feel not only ready but truly called to integrate all I’ve learned into my practice as an ontological coach, serving international women as well as Dutch ladies, who are always welcome.

My approach is simple: Rooted in kindness and love, yet balanced with an unpretentious, Dutch sense of practicality. Centered in the here and now, I will help you understand your heart and work toward your ideal reality with sustainable, day-by-day solutions. Through a mix of concrete actions, shifts in perspective, and the discovery of new ways of being, I will walk alongside you as you create lasting change.

You’re welcome to book a free video call before applying for sessions via our contact form.
 

"She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever she does prospers."
— Psalms 1:3

​