Meet Julie De Brabandere, Regional Manager Oceania at Renson
An international career sometimes starts with a simple question: what do you actually want to do with your life? For Julie De Brabandere, that was exactly the question that set her direction. After completing her degree in Business Engineering, she chose to further specialize in international management at Antwerp Management School. Today, she leads operations in Australia and New Zealand as Regional Manager Oceania at Renson.
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She took on that role, with significant responsibility, at just 27. Not an easy feat, and something she had to prove herself for. But it was also a challenge that suited her personality perfectly. “I come from an entrepreneurial family in West Flanders,” Julie explains. “You learn early on to seize opportunities and take responsibility.”
Julie was looking for direction
For Julie, it all started with a broad academic foundation. Her Business Engineering degree gave her strong economic and analytical skills. At the same time, she often found herself wondering: where do I really want to go?
“Business Engineering is a fantastic degree, but it can also be a bit of a curse. You can do so many different things. But that also means you have to figure out what you truly want.”
That search eventually led her to Antwerp Management School. Beyond the hands-on approach, it was the international character of the program that stood out.
“I really wanted an international experience, not just studying in a different environment, but also working with people from different countries and cultures.”
That choice proved decisive for her career. Today, Julie lives in Australia and leads a multicultural team.
“My team includes people from China, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Brazil, and Pakistan. That kind of diversity requires a tailored management approach, but it’s exactly what makes the job so interesting.”
More than a management degree
While Julie gained plenty of business knowledge at AMS, it was the focus on personal development that stayed with her most.
“AMS goes far beyond just business knowledge. You’re constantly challenged to reflect on yourself: who you are, how you want to lead, and what you want to achieve in life.”
Students work with various tools to better understand their leadership style and potential—such as personality assessments and group feedback sessions.
“That can be confronting,” Julie admits. “I’m naturally enthusiastic and extroverted. During a feedback session, I was told that some people felt they had less space to contribute when I was in a discussion. That wasn’t my intention, but it was an important lesson.”
That self-awareness remains one of the most valuable takeaways from her studies.
“When someone new joins my team, I explain how I work and communicate, but I also ask how they prefer to be managed. That makes a huge difference in how a team functions.”
The leap to Australia and leading a team
After graduating, Julie started her career at Unilin Flooring, where she gained international experience in marketing and project management. Although working abroad, especially in China, became difficult during the Covid period, her ambition to build an international career never disappeared.
When an opportunity at Renson came along, she decided to take the leap. At 27, she was given the chance to lead operations in Oceania.
“That was a big step,” she says. “You move to the other side of the world to grow a business. And from the start, it was made very clear that I would need to make it work independently, even when things got tough.”
Today, her role goes far beyond sales. With a local factory in the region, she’s also involved in operations, logistics, HR, and supply chain. “That’s what makes my job so exciting. No two days are the same.”
Leadership across cultures
Working in Australia also meant adapting to a different work culture. While long working hours are often the norm in Belgium, the focus there is much more on balance.
“In West Flanders, we grow up with the idea that hard work and overtime are standard,” Julie says. “Here, people see things differently. They do their job, but afterwards they go exercise, head to the beach, or pick up their kids.”
That shift required some adjustment. “At first, I found it frustrating,” she admits.
“But eventually, you realize you have to adapt to the culture you’re working in. That’s something I also learned at AMS: first try to understand how a different environment works.”
That cultural awareness now helps her lead an international team on a daily basis.
You only live once, so you want to do something you can truly be proud of.
For Julie, leadership ultimately comes down to impact. “You only live once,” she says. “So you want to do something you’re truly proud of.” That impact can take many forms. In her case, it’s about growing a business.
“You start with a small team or a limited market and build it step by step—more customers, more products, more revenue. Being part of that process gives me a lot of energy."
But impact isn’t just about numbers. Developing people is just as important.
“I want people in my team to grow. If they want to learn new things, I support them. For me, leadership is about making people stronger, which benefits them personally, the company, and the broader impact you create.”
AMS is a springboard for the future
Looking back, Julie sees her Master’s year at Antwerp Management School as a defining moment.
“For me, AMS was truly a trampoline for my career. Without it, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”
It also gave her an international network, and lasting friendships. Professionally, AMS still plays a role.
“I met my best friends there, and even my partner. I’ve hired someone from AMS for my team. What stood out immediately was their level of self-awareness. That makes collaboration much easier.”
Step out of your comfort zone: you’ll get to know yourself alongside all the business knowledge
For students considering AMS, Julie has a clear message: “Dare to take the leap".
You don’t just learn business, you learn a lot about yourself. And that self-awareness helps you in every step of your career.”
A lesson she continues to apply every day, even on the other side of the world.
