Once upon a time, there was a weeping willow...

What is the laughing willow? It is a willow that draws its energy from the water's edge, with deeply anchored roots. Its trunk is solid and straight. Its branches and network of leaves allow light and air to enter. It is distinguished by its imposing crown, while inviting us to come and recharge. It radiates energy and optimism, inspiring joy and serenity.
I like to use the metaphor from the tree to go and discover its own skills and self-alignment.
I invite you to imagine that the roots are the stories that have shaped your life. The tronc You Willow illustrate your own centrality and alignment. The branches and leaves Are you radiation.

I am the Weeping Willow who accompanies you throughout your transformation.

The laughing willow has strong foundations and connections. I have created some Alliances with Professionals With diverse experiences and rich learning journeys. Together, we are equipped and curious to support stakeholders from all sectors.
I work with leaders at all levels of the organisation to develop their emotional and collective intelligence. Through my coaching, I also want you to become your own weeping willow!

---

Anita Cassagne – founder of the agency le saule rieur

The experience gained throughout my personal and professional journey is diverse. Steeped in both French and Australian culture, this richness has shaped my way of understanding the environments in which I operate and to integrate into them easily.

This is how, after my studies in Australia and the start of my professional career in advertising, I packed my rucksack to travel in Europe and reconnect with my roots in France. Bilingual in English and French, I spent the first 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry as a zone coordinator at Servier International, a French laboratory, Office Manager at Orion Pharma, a Finnish laboratory, and within the Canadian strategy and organisation consulting firm, ISOGroup.

Secondly, I seized the opportunity to join the HR department of the Nestlé Waters group, and my passion for people took hold! Over the following twenty years, and in my various national and international roles, ranging from HR Project Coordinator to Director of Leadership and Social Innovation for the Nestlé group in France, I designed strategy and implemented programmes for leadership development, talent management, team and performance management. Supported by a dedicated team, coaching, sponsorship and mentoring, co-development, emotional intelligence, feedback and change management enriched the training plans for employees at all levels of the organisation.

These responsibilities take me travelling to the numerous Nestlé group subsidiaries, to interact with and coach management committees. I also bring them on board for the deployment of the inclusion and equity strategy, which helps to strengthen their leadership. To better support «becoming,» and beyond my coaching training, I find inspiration in narrative practice, NonViolent Communication, Gestalt, NLP, and Transactional Analysis.

In 2022, I left the group for new opportunities. You will have understood that what drives me, motivates me and brings me joy is the fulfilment of others. Accompanying them in their desire to develop, to surpass themselves, to (re)discover their innate talent, to spread their wings and dare to become an authentic and inclusive leader. A leader who puts their knowledge, skills and passion to the service of performance, the development of their team and the organisation.

Energy, kindness, creativity, playfulness, pragmatism and a «meta» perspective characterise me. As an anecdote, the name of my agency, «the laughing willow», is a metaphor for this.