Former VP Marketing at Vestas (CMO) |
Fractional CMO · Speaker · Coach |
Author, Lead Anyway 2026 | + 85K reach
Fifteen years in corporate.
Now doing it differently.
I'm Laurence Paquette, a fractional CMO, executive coach, keynote speaker, and forthcoming author.
I spent 15 years in global marketing and brand leadership, most recently as VP Marketing and Brand at Vestas, the world's largest wind energy company, where I led campaigns that shaped EU energy policy, ran a EUR 10M+ budget, and built a marketing function from the ground up.
Along the way I also discovered I'm neurodivergent. That changed how I understand leadership, communication, and what it actually takes to perform at a high level without burning out or pretending to be someone you are not.
That combination, serious corporate credentials and a genuine understanding of what it means to lead differently, is what I bring to every client, every keynote, and every coaching conversation.
My book, Lead Anyway: 10 Rules for Leading When You Break the Mold, is forthcoming with De Gruyter in autumn 2026
ABOUT
ME
What I Do
I work with organisations that need serious marketing leadership and with individuals who want to lead with more clarity, communicate with more impact, and build careers that actually reflect who they are.
Fractional CMO and marketing consulting: senior marketing strategy, brand architecture, campaign development and MarTech, embedded in your business without the full-time hire. Built on 15 years and EUR 10M+ budgets at Vestas.
Keynote speaking and workshop facilitation: practical, honest sessions on inclusive leadership, neurodiversity, brand building, marketing strategy and the energy transition. Designed to change how people think, not just what they know.
Executive and leadership coaching: 1-1 coaching for senior professionals navigating career transitions, identity shifts and leadership challenges. Not generic. Built for people who lead differently.
Communication and presence coaching: helping leaders and teams communicate with clarity and authority, without overperforming or becoming someone they are not. From board presentations to everyday leadership communication.
Explore the full offering on the services page or get in touch directly to discuss what makes sense for you or your organisation.
Want to explore how I can support you or your team? Contact me.
Key Highlights & Skills
-
15 years in corporate marketing and brand leadership, culminating as VP Marketing and Brand at Vestas, the world's largest wind energy company - EUR 20B revenue, 35,000 employees, 80+ countries.
-
EUR 10M+ annual budget. Campaigns that contributed to EU energy law, made it into The Economist, Variety and TIME, and shaped energy policy at COP27 and WindEurope.
-
Forthcoming author with De Gruyter - Lead Anyway: 10 Rules for Leading When You Break the Mold, autumn 2026.
-
Executive coaching certificate in progress at Henley Business School.
-
85K+ following across LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.
-
Keynote speaker since 2019 across Europe and North America.
-
Shortlisted for the Danish Marketing Awards.
-
IRENA Coalition for Action, Steering Committee Member and Chair of the REMADE Label Working Group.
-
Featured in The Copenhagen Post, Boralex CSR Report, Elevate Denmark, Forbes and Berlingske.
-
Mentor at Marketing Connect CPH, Growth Mentor and Startup Grind.
-
Trilingual: French, English and Danish. Dual Canadian-Danish citizen. Based in Copenhagen, working internationally.
Publications & Features
I write and speak about inclusive leadership, neurodiversity at work, personal branding, and thriving as a non-traditional thinker in corporate life. My work has been featured in:
-
Newsletter: The Real Brief: sharp thinking on brand, marketing and leadership — from someone who has done it for real.
-
LinkedIn - see all my LinkedIn articles here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencepaquette/recent-activity/articles/
-
TED-style Talks – Being Your True Self at Work (5-min speech)
-
Corporate Events & Panels – Including Copenhagen Women's Day, Vestas Leadership Forum and Women of Wind
-
YouTube & Podcast – @laurencepaq — personal reflections, leadership tips, and stories that don’t fit the mold
-
Various features in Dansk HR Magazine Nextwork
Testimonials
Unlocking Leadership
“Laurence helped me unlock a version of leadership I didn’t think was possible: calm, strategic, and true to who I am.
Her coaching changed the way I show up at work.”
Senior Product Manager, Tech Industry
Engaging
“Her keynote on neurodiversity and inclusion was one of the most engaging talks we’ve ever hosted. Laurence speaks with clarity, depth, and compassion.”
Diversity Lead, Global Energy Company
Brand Strategy
“Working with Laurence on our brand strategy was a turning point. She helped us find our voice and clarify what made us different and valuable.”
Co-Founder, Early-Stage Startup
Knowledgeable
“Laurence brings rare insight into the realities of corporate
life as a neurodivergent leader.
She’s thoughtful, funny, and deeply honest.”
Workshop Participant, Vestas
Empowered
“I didn’t just feel seen, I felt empowered. Her coaching gave me permission to lead as I am, not as who I thought I had to be.”
Marketing Director, B2B SaaS
Helping people
“Laurence helped us rethink our entire positioning. She saw angles we missed, challenged our assumptions, and made our messaging sharper, all without losing our voice. Her strategic thinking is unmatched.”
CMO, Sustainability Startup