From a self-taught explorer of digital tools to a global leader in project management, Anja Vandenbergh’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and conviction. What began with a passion to teach others efficiency through technology evolved into a lifelong mission: transforming the way projects are planned, managed, and lived. Today, her journey inspires professionals worldwide to see project management not only as a technical discipline but also as a human-centered craft.
The Spark of Discovery
In 1998, Anja took her first step into entrepreneurship by founding D’Aoni, a company dedicated to IT training. Having taught herself Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to work smarter, she wanted others to experience that same empowerment. While her sessions helped many, she sought a path that would set her apart. That quest led her to Microsoft Project.
She immersed herself in learning, studying books, testing the software, and developing specialized training. When one of her clients suggested she expand her knowledge of project management itself, Anja embraced the challenge. A course with the Flemish Engineers Association in Antwerp opened new doors. Even though the course was designed around bridge-building, her ability to quickly understand the principles revealed her natural affinity for the discipline.
From Theory to Real Impact
With growing expertise, Anja brought project management theory to life through Work Breakdown Structures and Skill Matrices, tools that turned abstract concepts into clear, actionable frameworks. Yet she believed mastery required more than classrooms, it needed the pulse of real projects. That moment came in 2006 when a company that had once attended her training invited her to become their planning coordinator.
The role bridged her worlds: teaching, consulting, and hands-on practice. She began to shape a reputation not just as a trainer but as a trusted consultant who could bring structure to complexity and clarity to ambition. This balance of knowledge and experience became her hallmark, transforming her into a project management leader whose influence extends far beyond processes, inspiring teams and organizations to approach every project with vision, precision, and humanity.
Project Manager Out of the Box
Anja Vandenbergh proudly calls herself a “project manager out of the box.” Without an engineering background, she carried a conviction that a project manager does not need to be a subject matter expert, as long as they are surrounded by the right expertise. This belief shaped her career, even when the path was not simple. In a world filled with technically skilled professionals, she often felt like a small fish in a vast ocean, yet her unique perspective became her strength.
Her consultancy journey brought her into the heart of highly technical industries, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and metallurgy. Here, Anja’s ability to quickly absorb and structure complexity stood out. She transformed intricate processes into clear, visual one-pagers that not only simplified decision-making but also inspired confidence. These tools became bridges of trust, enabling teams to navigate challenges with greater clarity and unity.
The PMO Journey
As her path unfolded, Anja found herself deeply engaged with the discipline of the Project Management Office (PMO). In this space, structure, governance, and coaching were key. She guided organizations in establishing robust methodologies, streamlining processes, and strengthening financial practices such as budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
Yet, even as she excelled in these roles, the intensity carried its own weight. After two burnouts and sensing the onset of a third, Anja realized that sustaining resilience required more than skill and discipline. She needed to rediscover balance, energy, and vitality, an awakening that would transform not just her own life, but also the way she supported others in their professional journeys.
The Power of Laughter
That transformation began in a team-building workshop, where Anja first encountered laughter yoga. The impact was immediate, her body energized, her mind clear, her spirit lifted. Inspired, she studied the science of laughter and trained directly under Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the movement. What started as a personal breakthrough soon became a mission to share this joy.
During the pandemic, Anja hosted short online laughter sessions that helped colleagues stay connected during endless virtual meetings. She volunteered with the Institut de Yoga du Rire France, leading weekly “Laughter Blasts” from 2021 to 2025, and in 2023, she was honored as a Laughter Ambassador by Dr. Kataria himself. Fuelled by passion, she created her own laughter club, De Stralende Lachertjes (The Radiant Gigglers), bringing laughter workshops to companies. Today, she seamlessly blends her PMO expertise with the art of laughter, empowering teams not only to perform but to flourish, energized, connected, and resilient.
Rediscovering Joy
Anja’s spiritual journey revealed a hidden strength within all of us, the power of conscious breathing. Through it, she found a way to release tension and heal deeply held traumas from childhood to adulthood. This discovery inspired her to create Start to Laugh, a six-session program designed for individuals and groups who had lost their natural ability to laugh.
In these sessions, participants explored laughter in different rhythms and contexts, regaining the ability to embrace joy with ease. Each step reignited a spark, helping people rediscover not only laughter but also the energy and lightness it brings to everyday life.
B.A.L.: Breath – Adapt – Laughter
As her practice grew, Anja enriched Start to Laugh with conscious breathing techniques, layering each session with deeper meaning. The first session began with self-love, a theme so many struggle with in a society that often equates worth with external success. Through guided breathing and laughter, participants found a new sense of strength, confidence, and inner connection.
From this evolution, Anja created B.A.L. which stands for Bewegen – Ademen – Lachen (Move – Breathe – Laugh) in Dutch, and Breath – Adapt – Laughter in English. The philosophy is simple yet transformative, move with intention, breathe with awareness, and laugh with freedom. Together, these practices form a powerful method that helps people release, recharge, and thrive with renewed vitality.
Breath and Laughter as Everyday Companions
Breathing and laughter are not just practices, they are companions that follow us into every corner of life. By adapting conscious breathing techniques, individuals discover how to release pressure, center themselves, and find strength in moments that once felt overwhelming. Laughter then adds its own dimension, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, filling days with energy and connection.
When these practices become part of daily life, they bring more than relaxation; they create a rhythm of resilience. Each breath restores balance. Each laugh rekindles lightness. Together, they build a foundation where joy is not a fleeting experience but a steady presence carried into every conversation, every challenge, every achievement.
Playful Pathways to Connection
Alongside her structured methods, Anja embraces playful strategies to spark joy in everyday interactions. Inspired by Dr. Madan Kataria, she once began wearing two different shoes. The effect was immediate, strangers noticed, smiled, and initiated conversations with questions like, “Did you mean to do that?” or “Were you awake this morning?” What might have been a mistake turned into a delightful icebreaker, reminding people that connection often begins with a smile.
She also created what she calls the “yellow car method.” Each time a yellow car appears, you smile. The next one, you laugh. Simple, unexpected, and contagious, it trains the mind to look for sparks of joy in the world. Today, Anja even drives a yellow car herself, turning roads into ripple-makers of laughter. Through these playful approaches, she demonstrates that joy does not wait for special occasions, it can be cultivated daily, in small yet powerful ways that brighten not only one’s own day but also the lives of others.
Creating a True Home for Project Managers
Anja’s vision for the PMI Belgium Chapter is simple yet powerful: to build a home for its members. A place where connection comes first, where belonging is nurtured, and where practicing the A.R.T. of project management feels natural and inspiring.
Members are the heart of everything. Beyond annual plans or events, volunteering becomes a way of anchoring, of feeling at home within the Chapter. Here, questions find answers, professional growth finds support, and challenges meet solutions. Whether members seek coaching, knowledge sharing, or simply fresh energy, the response should always be the same: Members come home.
A true home is where people learn, share, recharge, and take pride in their journey. And when members feel anchored, giving back, through events, speaking opportunities, or sponsorship, flows effortlessly.
A New Dimension of Growth and Wellbeing
As President, Anja brings not only decades of project management expertise but also two transformative tools discovered on her personal journey: laughter and conscious breathing. These simple, accessible practices add resilience and joy to professional life. We breathe unconsciously about 25,000 times each day, yet just five minutes of conscious breathing can reduce stress, boost energy, and clear the mind. When combined with laughter, the result is renewed positivity, deeper connection, and sharper focus.
Her mission is to make the PMI Belgium Chapter more than an association, it becomes a community where professionals grow, thrive, and care for their wellbeing.
A place where members walk their talk as project leaders, discover practices that strengthen balance and resilience, and feel at home in a network that celebrates success together. Anja’s call is clear, let us make the PMI Belgium Chapter a home that members are proud to belong to, a place they share with colleagues, companies, and clients as a hub of connection, growth, and inspiration.
From Project Terror to Project Craving
A few years ago, Anja collaborated with a government department whose mission carried a beautiful motto: “Everyone deserves a holiday.” The department worked tirelessly to create holidays and day trips for people in challenging financial or emotional circumstances, individuals who had long seen holidays as unattainable luxuries. Yet when the idea of introducing project management practices arose, the employees’ initial reaction was one of resistance. They called it “project terror”, fearing it meant endless paperwork, rigid plans, and heavy administration that would take them away from their purpose.
Anja’s guiding principle, however, was simple: Keep it Simple. With clarity and patience, she helped them see project management not as bureaucracy but as a supportive tool that could empower their mission.
The Simplicity of Structure
She began with small workshops, inviting two project teams to bring real projects into the room. Together, they defined what was in scope and what was out, built Work Breakdown Structures, and developed plans that reflected their vision. As the sessions unfolded, the teams noticed something powerful: their projects were interconnected, part of a larger whole. This realization sparked collaboration and a newfound sense of purpose.
Through coaching, Anja introduced guiding questions, created one-page visual summaries, and designed templates that were practical, intuitive, and easy to apply. Within months, the transformation was visible. The teams moved from “project terror” to “project craving.” They began to embrace structured methods as allies, tools that made their work smoother, clearer, and more impactful. Confidence replaced hesitation, and with it came a deeper commitment to delivering joy to the people they served.
The Power of Humor in Leadership
Keeping teams motivated under strict deadlines demands more than structured plans, it requires leaders who know how to create the right atmosphere. Humor, often underestimated, is one of the most effective tools for building focus, resilience, and connection when pressure rises. By weaving lightness into daily interactions, leaders foster an environment where people feel safe, valued, and energized.
In meetings, a well-timed joke, a playful metaphor, or a humorous story about a project setback can transform tension into relief. This not only humanizes the leader but also encourages open dialogue and breaks down barriers. Teams become more willing to share ideas, admit challenges, and seek support when they know their leader can balance seriousness with approachability. Humor, used with intention, becomes a bridge, turning stressful deadlines into shared experiences of trust and collaboration.
Positivity as a Catalyst for Resilience
Beyond humour, positivity shapes the mindset that keeps teams moving forward. When leaders frame challenges as opportunities for growth, they inspire a solution-oriented culture. Instead of dwelling on delays or missteps, positive leaders highlight lessons learned and focus on adaptation. This perspective not only reduces stress but also fuels creativity, people are more inclined to suggest bold ideas and experiment with innovative approaches when mistakes are seen as stepping stones rather than setbacks.
Micro-moments of recognition and relief further sustain motivation. Celebrating small milestones, acknowledging contributions, or creating pauses for conscious-breathing or laughter exercises refreshes collective energy. These practices remind teams that their wellbeing matters as much as the results. Leaders who embody positivity and lightness show that deadlines are not threats but opportunities to grow stronger together. The outcome is a resilient, motivated team, one that delivers results while staying engaged, connected, and proud of their journey.
Guided by Champions and Mentors
The first and most profound influence in my life was my late father, Christian Vandenbergh. He encouraged me to build confidence and embrace the journey ahead. He was more than a parent, he was my partner in conversation, my guide in education, and the shoulder I leaned on during my first heartbreak. He was truly my champion.
Another guiding figure has been Christiaan Kindermans, former president of PMI Belgium Chapter, who opened the door to project management for me. He not only strengthened my confidence but also helped me view project management from new perspectives. Even today, I can rely on him for advice and guidance as I lead the current PMI Belgium Chapter.
Lessons of Humility and Strength
From my grandmother on my father’s side, I learned the quiet yet powerful lesson of humility. She carried her life’s battles with elegance and dignity, teaching me to remain grounded no matter what I achieve. My greatest source of strength today is my life partner, my rock, my supporter, and the shoulder I lean on in challenging times. Each of these remarkable people has left an imprint on my journey, reminding me that true leadership grows from a blend of courage, humility, and love.
Finding My Voice in Male-Dominated Spaces
Working in industries such as metal, automotive, and pharmaceuticals meant navigating environments where women were few. In those settings, I had to find my authentic voice, set clear boundaries, and protect my energy to avoid being overwhelmed. These challenges shaped not only my resilience but also the way I approach conversations today, sparking meaningful dialogue and creating space for valuable learning. Laughter and mindful breathing became tools that helped me stand taller, speak with confidence, and stay true to who I am.
Lessons and a Vision for Women Leaders
Through these experiences, I have embraced lessons that I hope will inspire other women: trust your worth and never wait for permission to step forward; set boundaries that honor your wellbeing; embrace authenticity as your greatest strength; and seek out mentors and allies who can amplify your journey. Just last week, I connected with several women in leadership who share this vision. Together, we are committed to building a community where women uplift each other, grow stronger through collaboration, and inspire the next generation of leaders to rise with courage and clarity.
