I still remember walking into my first round of interviews at the University of Oxford at 18 years old. I knew I didn’t stand a chance — and I hadn’t even opened my mouth yet.

Hi, I’m Mareike Wiedmann, career coach, ally and founder of FrauLeadership — and I’m passionate about helping women in STEM be seen, heard & recognised, while staying true to themselves.

I’ve worked as an R&D lab leader in a global pharma company, led research strategies in a biotech start-up, and have lived and worked across four countries.

Too often, I see brilliant women being told to “be patient” and “wait their turn” — despite the fact that they are consistently over-delivering.

Many are taking on huge amounts of responsibility, yet struggle to communicate their impact confidently. Others feel stuck, undervalued, or unsure about their next career step and how to make it happen.

Luckily, there were two further interview rounds, and I got in because I was able to show what I was capable of.

That experience stayed with me.

Because high-performing women deserve to have the tools, confidence, and opportunities to make career transitions based on who they are and what they are capable of — not based on how loudly they speak.

With my background in research, leadership, and strategy, combined with certified coaching expertise, I support ambitious women in STEM to:

Gain clarity on their career direction
Build confidence and speak up for themselves
Become visible to decision-makers
Build strategic networks
Negotiate for what they want and deserve

And all of this without the feeling of having to sell themselves or change who they are.

Because I can’t stand unfair systems — and I want more women to feel empowered to navigate them confidently.

My mission: I help women n STEM get seen, heard & recognised.