Natalie Brasse: instinct, detours, and the call of Leadership
At 35, Natalie Brasse has just taken the helm of the Charles Telfair Leadership Academy. Four months into the role, she already seems perfectly at home. “I’m super happy,” she says with an open smile. After over a decade in industry, she’s returned to an environment that, deep down, never really left her: one of learning, sharing, and personal and professional development.
And yet, nothing seemed to predestine her for this path. Or rather—everything did. Her story is one of choices, detours, and comebacks. “I grew up in Baie-du-Tombeau, in a family where law had a strong presence. My father is a notary clerk. He hoped one of his two daughters would become a notary.” So she began studying law in France, supported by a scholarship. But as the months went by, a clear realization emerged: “It wasn’t my calling.” She completed a DEUG but gave up on the idea of pursuing it further.
Back in Mauritius, she pivoted to French literature—her true passion. “I originally wanted to be a literature teacher,” she says. A degree from the University of Mauritius led her to apply for teaching positions. In the meantime, she looked for a temporary job—receptionist, copywriter—and then landed her first corporate opportunity: a contract at Cameron, part of the Taylor Smith Group. A decisive encounter.
It was Heba Capdevila, then Group HR Director, who offered her a position as a Management Trainee. That marked the beginning of a journey spanning over ten years. “I never left the group. It was an incredible learning ground for me.” She climbed the ranks: Project Lead, Project Manager, then Head of Ocean Goers, a group company specializing in recruitment and training for MSC Cruises. She traveled, trained on board ships.
“I never regretted not teaching. I discovered a world that was incredibly rich.” Taylor Smith gave her the chance to complete an MBA, work on acquisitions, and explore sectors as diverse as cement, cleaning products, and strategic development.
Then came 2020, and Covid turned everything upside down. Her husband received an opportunity in Dubai, and the family relocated. Natalie continued working remotely, also exploring new paths with the consulting firm Accuracy. But her father’s illness brought her back to Mauritius. “At first, it was temporary. But I couldn’t see myself leaving again. My core was here.”
Taylor Smith welcomed her back. She spent a few more years there, working on cross-functional projects with Cementis, Cernol, and others. Then, a LinkedIn job post caught her eye. Charles Telfair Education was looking for a Head of Leadership Academy. “I’d seen that post before and thought to myself: one day, I’d love to do that.”
She applied. The connection with the team was instant. “Two days later, they called me back. On the day of my second interview, they said: we’re hiring you.”
Today, Natalie leads the Academy with energy and passion. She works closely with HR teams from major Mauritian groups—Eclosia, ENL Rogers, Leal, Swan, among others—to deliver programs tailored to their employees’ needs. The Leadership Challenge Programme (LCP) for team leaders, the Management Development Programme (MDP) for more experienced managers. “We’re not doing training just to tick a box. It has to be meaningful.” She insists on the importance of personalized content. “We’re not trying to reinvent everything, but we do want to evolve. Last year, we introduced a module on mindfulness and stress management.”
She also keeps an eye on market trends, particularly artificial intelligence. “We’ve just launched 'The Art of Selling in the AI Era', a program for sales teams. It’s something many people need, but which hadn’t been addressed yet.”
Now living in Albion for the past two years, Natalie balances her life between work, family, and reflection.
Her path hasn’t been linear—but it’s been consistent. “I believe we all have guardian angels,” she says with a smile. And perhaps, too, a strong instinct—a knack for knowing when to move forward, when to pivot, and when to return.