History: In 2014, our founder, Adenike Olusola, relocated to the Netherlands with her husband and children in pursuit of academic goals. A skilled migrant with a background in Political Science, International Relations, and Legal Studies, she had built a successful career as a project manager in her home country. Moving abroad meant leaving behind the familiar and facing the challenges of a new language, culture, friendships, and career path.
Her experience of starting over gave her a deep understanding of the barriers faced by skilled female migrants in the Netherlands including career setbacks, financial instability, and the struggle to integrate while maintaining mental well-being.
Determined to turn these challenges into opportunities, Adenike pursued further education and professional development. She obtained her Inburgering diploma, completed a Pre-Master’s and Master’s degree in Consultancy and Entrepreneurship at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, became an Associate Certified Executive Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, and received the McKinsey Forward badge. She also studied NGO Management at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, under the mentorship of Professor Lucas Meijs. Through this journey of growth and transformation, she also became a naturalised Dutch citizen.
From these experiences, Thrive Lydia Generation was born, created in collaboration with highly skilled migrants who, like Adenike, understand the challenges of starting over in a new country. Together with our executive advisors, board members, and passionate facilitators, coaches and volunteers, we empower migrant women to navigate their new environment, rebuild careers, and thrive personally and professionally. Our motto: “Don’t just be a woman — be extraordinary.”
Migrant and international professionals in the Netherlands face significant barriers to career advancement and financial inclusion. Our foundation is dedicated to removing the feeling of helplessness and breaking down these obstacles.
We do this by building connections between education, welfare and care services, the business community, municipalities, employers, and voluntary organisations. Through collaboration, we create pathways for women to grow, integrate, and thrive.
As a guide, we use the Participation Ladder of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG). We aim to support women in progressing as far as possible, with a clear focus on achieving levels 4, 5, and 6 — where they are not only participating but also contributing meaningfully to society, work, and the economy.
Self-reinvention refers to the process of intentionally and proactively changing or transforming oneself, often with the aim of improving one's life, pursuing new goals, or adapting to a different set of circumstances.
Through the Thrive Program, we guide you in navigating and integrating into your new environment, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural connection.
The Thrive Program helps you gain the competencies and confidence you need for personal and professional growth.
The Thrive Program connects you with visionary, supportive, and skilled people through unique networking opportunities.
To enable migrant women to integrate productively and economically and to participate in society.
Helping women break out of the vicious cycle of poverty and limited self-esteem and a self-defeating perception of themselves and the system and structure of the city.
We aim to connect women with organisations that help them take swift action to integrate and actively participate through networking programs.
We improve personal development and mental well-being and help combat low self-esteem to support women in overcoming low self-esteem due to loss of identity and, in some cases, psychological abuse
We help migrant women discover their strengths and create personalised development plans (PDPs), setting out pathways for healthy careers and holistic growth.
Copyright © 2023. Thrive Lydia Generation All rights reserved.