Antoinette Antoine: Built for the Boardroom, Forged in the Fire

The woman coaching powerful men through private storms—and why it matters to all of us.
When life hits hard, most people retreat. Antoinette Antoine leans in.
After over a decade in senior leadership within the male-dominated world of construction, Antoinette now stands at a different kind of helm—as an Executive Reinvention Partner guiding high-performing men through life’s most destabilizing moments: divorce, burnout, identity loss, and professional upheaval. Her coaching isn’t about buzzwords or band-aids. It’s direct, strategic, and deeply human.
She’s not just helping men rise again—she’s changing the ripple effect of what male leadership looks like at home, at work, and in society. And in doing so, she’s giving women and families a quieter kind of victory: one that begins behind closed doors but transforms everything it touches.

What made you want to work with men specifically—and how did you realize this was your path?

Working in a male-dominated industry for so many years, I naturally found myself surrounded by men navigating high-pressure roles, personal upheavals, and the expectations of leadership. Over time, I noticed that men often felt they had fewer safe spaces to process these experiences openly. Interestingly, men have always gravitated toward me for guidance, whether it was about their careers, relationships, or the weight of responsibility they carried. I realised this was my path when I saw how transformative it could be for them to have structured, judgment-free support to explore not just how to perform but how to feel whole again. It felt like a calling I couldn’t ignore—to help men redefine success on their terms and give them the tools to lead and live with clarity and purpose.

When life throws curveballs like divorce, burnout, or career shifts, what’s the first thing most people get wrong about navigating them?

The first thing most people get wrong is believing they have to power through alone or pretend everything is fine. High achievers in particular often feel they can outwork or outthink their way through a major life upheaval, as if it’s just another problem to solve. But transitions like divorce, burnout, or big career shifts aren’t purely logistical—they’re emotional and identity-shaking. When you skip over that reality, you end up making reactive decisions or carrying shame that only compounds the stress. The healthiest place to start is by acknowledging that these experiences will change you, and that’s not a failure. It’s an invitation to redefine what you need, what you value, and how you want to show up on the other side.

You’ve led teams through some tough personal seasons. How did you keep showing up when everything felt like it was falling apart?

There were times when it felt like everything was falling apart, and honestly, I didn’t always have people I felt I could trust personally or wanted to let in on what I was going through. In those moments, I relied on my internal resilience and the discipline I’d built over the years in leadership. I created small routines to anchor myself—things as simple as an early morning walk or time alone to regroup before stepping into the day. I also focused on the purpose behind my work because showing up for my teams and delivering results gave me something steady to hold onto when everything else felt uncertain. It wasn’t about pretending I was fine—it was about finding ways to keep moving forward, even when I was navigating it largely on my own.

Why do you think so many successful men struggle in silence, and what happens when they finally get the right support?

So many successful men struggle in silence because they’ve been conditioned to believe that vulnerability is weakness and that their value comes from being the one who has it all under control. In high-pressure roles, there’s often an unspoken rule that emotions need to be compartmentalised or ignored entirely. Over time, that silence becomes a habit, and it can be incredibly isolating. But when men finally get the right support, you see this remarkable shift. The relief of being able to say things out loud without judgment is often the first step. From there, they start to reconnect with what they want and need, not just what’s expected of them. They make clearer decisions, feel more present in their lives, and often become more effective leaders because they’re no longer carrying the hidden weight alone.

You talk about how helping men grow helps the women around them. Can you explain what you mean by that?

When men do the work to grow, heal, and understand themselves more deeply, it doesn’t just change their own lives—it has a ripple effect on everyone around them. Partners, children, colleagues, and friends all benefit when a man learns to communicate honestly, manage stress in healthier ways, and show up with more empathy and self-awareness. So many women end up carrying the emotional load in relationships or stepping in to fill the gaps when men are disconnected from their own needs. When men invest in their development, it creates more balanced, supportive dynamics. In my experience, helping men grow ultimately helps women feel seen, valued, and less burdened—and that benefits families, workplaces, and communities as a whole.

You created some tools to help people through major transitions. What do those tools help people see about themselves?

I created The Executive Transition Lab™ and The Reinvention Spectrum™ because I’ve lived through—and coached others through—the kind of moments that shake your foundations. I watched so many talented leaders and professionals feel lost when faced with a big career change or the end of an important relationship, without any real roadmap to help them navigate both the practical and emotional fallout. The Executive Transition Lab™ grew out of my desire to give people a structured, supportive space to explore what’s next without judgment or overwhelm. And The Reinvention Spectrum™ came from my belief that reinvention doesn’t happen in one giant leap—it unfolds in stages. I wanted to help clients pinpoint where they are on that spectrum so they can move forward with clarity, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of purpose.
My frameworks are designed to help people see that they’re far more resourceful and resilient than they often realise.

What’s the difference between bouncing back and bouncing forward?

Bouncing back is about trying to get things ‘back to normal,’ as if you can rewind and pretend the setback never happened. But the reality is, major life changes—whether it’s a breakup, burnout, or a career shift—transform you in ways you can’t always undo. Bouncing forward is different. It’s about recognising that you’re not the same person you were before, and asking how you can use that experience to create something more aligned with who you are now. That’s why I created my keynote, The Art of Bouncing Forward, to help people see that resilience isn’t about returning to the old version of yourself. It’s about evolving into someone wiser, braver, and more purposeful. In my work, via my frameworks, that’s exactly what I help clients do – turn disruption into a powerful catalyst for reinvention.

When someone’s identity feels shaken—after losing a job, ending a relationship, or just feeling lost—where do you even start?

When your identity feels shaken, the first step isn’t to rush into fixing everything or reinventing yourself overnight. It’s to pause and permit yourself to feel what’s happening. So many people skip that part because it’s uncomfortable, but acknowledging the loss—whether it’s a role, a relationship, or a sense of certainty-is—is what makes space for something new to grow. From there, I encourage clients to start small – get clear on what matters to them now, not who they think they should be. My frameworks offer a structure to make sense of the chaos and reconnect with their strengths and values. It’s about taking one steady step at a time, rather than expecting yourself to have it all figured out on day one.

You’re known for being direct. How do you make that feel safe for people going through something heavy?

I’ve always believed that being direct doesn’t have to mean being harsh. When people are going through something heavy, they don’t need sugarcoating—they need clarity delivered with respect and compassion. I make it safe by being fully present, by listening without judgment, and by letting them know that whatever they’re feeling is valid. My directness comes from a place of wanting them to move forward, not stay stuck. Clients often tell me that having someone who can call out the patterns honestly, while still holding space for their humanity, is what helps them feel seen and supported. It’s about combining candor with care so they feel empowered rather than criticised. 

I also believe that being who I am—a woman with a background in male-dominated industries—helps me uniquely. I can bring both empathy and a clear, objective perspective. Many men have told me they feel they can be more open with me because I’m not competing with them or trying to ‘fix’ them in the way they sometimes experience with peers.  I focus on giving them practical tools and straightforward conversations that feel grounded, not clinical. Over time, they see that being honest about what they’re carrying doesn’t diminish them—it frees them to lead and live with more clarity and ease.

What usually holds men back from asking for help, and how do you help them move past that?

What holds many men back from asking for help is the belief that they should be able to handle everything alone—that needing support somehow means they’re failing or not strong enough. Especially for men in high-pressure roles, there’s often a fear of being judged or appearing vulnerable. I help them move past that by creating an environment where they don’t have to perform or prove anything. From the start, I’m clear that asking for help is an act of courage and leadership.

You believe real leadership is built in the hard, quiet moments. Can you share one of those moments from your own life?

Absolutely. One of those moments came when I was going through a major personal upheaval while still leading high-stakes projects in the construction industry. On paper, everything looked under control, but privately, I was carrying so much—trying to keep my family together, supporting my two children through the changes, and managing the end of a relationship I hadn’t planned for. I didn’t want to appear weak or let anyone see behind the curtain, so I kept almost everything private.

On top of that, I felt the added pressure of being the only one—often the only woman of colour in rooms dominated by white men—and knowing I was in uncharted territory where I had to prove I belonged. I carried this sense that any crack in my armour would be seen as confirmation that I wasn’t strong enough to lead.

I remember sitting alone early one morning, long before anyone else arrived, thinking, this is the moment that will define me, not the promotions or the achievements, but how I show up when no one is clapping. That quiet decision to keep leading with integrity, to be present for my team and my children, even when it felt like everything was unravelling, taught me more about resilience and self-respect than any training ever could. That’s why I believe real leadership isn’t built in the spotlight—it’s built in those unseen moments when you choose to keep going and stay true to yourself.

If someone is feeling stuck right now—personally or professionally—what’s one simple truth you’d want them to hear?

If you’re feeling stuck right now, the one simple truth I’d want you to hear is that this moment doesn’t define you, and it won’t last forever. It’s temporary. Feeling lost or overwhelmed isn’t a sign that you’re failing; it’s often just proof that you’ve outgrown something. You don’t have to have the full plan today. Just start by telling yourself the truth about what isn’t working and take one small step toward what feels more honest and more like you. Even the tiniest action can begin to unlock momentum.