Meet the Maven: Nicolle Fenstra
Farmer | Community Builder | Health & Wellness Coach
From boardrooms to biodynamic farming, Nicolle leads with rooted presence, honest connection, and a fierce devotion to living on purpose. She believes leadership begins with how we show up for ourselves—especially when life falls apart.
After 17 years at an elite management consulting firm, Nicolle made a bold and intentional pivot—leaving behind the high-performance pace of Corporate America to seek something slower, more grounded, and deeply human.
In 2023, a move to Amsterdam was supposed to mark the beginning of this new chapter. But when her 11-year partnership ended in divorce, Nicolle returned to the U.S. heartbroken, unsure, and navigating a profound unraveling. This time last year, getting out of bed required every ounce of strength she had. Grief, depression, and identity loss were daily companions—but so was a quiet resolve to rebuild.
In the midst of this unraveling, Nicolle began volunteering at a small biodynamic farm—just to get her hands in the dirt and remember what was real. That simple act sparked a transformation. Farming became her therapy, her teacher, and eventually her calling.
The Work She Leads Today
Nicolle is a holistic health and wellness coach, community builder, and land steward at South Node—a biodynamic farm and retreat space in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Through her business, Root to Gather, she designs immersive farm experiences, women's gatherings, and storytelling that help people reconnect with land, food, and each other.
Her leadership is rooted in presence, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of healing through intentional living and community care. She shares her story not as someone who has it all figured out—but as someone who is walking through it with intention and inviting others to do the same.
In Her Own Words
What does authentic leadership mean to you?
To me, authentic leadership is about integrity and presence. It’s about being honest with yourself even when there’s fear behind it. It’s not performative—it’s rooted in listening deeply, showing up with honesty, and staying grounded in your values even when things get messy. It’s about doing the inner work so you can lead from a place that’s clear and connected, not ego-driven.
It also means reading the room, sensing what’s needed, and creating space where everyone feels seen and safe to be themselves. Leadership, to me, isn’t about being the loudest voice—it’s about setting the tone with your energy, modeling respect, and holding space for real connection. It’s knowing when to speak up, when to step back, and how to foster belonging for all. Authentic leaders lead by example—not just in what they say, but in how they make people feel.
What practices help you stay grounded while navigating high-pressure environments?
I left a high-pressure environment and chose a quieter life—but that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. Entrepreneurship, solo parenting, and building something from the ground up all come with their own kind of intensity. What keeps me grounded is my non-negotiable morning and evening routine: hydrate, stretch, journal with intention, and read something that expands my thinking.
I come back to the basics—getting my hands in the soil, grazing the land, cooking a meal from whatever’s in season. Tending to something real—whether it’s a crop bed, a friendship, or my own nervous system—reminds me who I am. And boy do I love seeing the smiling faces who receive the crops I have helped to grow. I move through life with rhythm: slowing down before I speed up, listening before I respond. And I lean on friendships that reflect me back to myself when the noise creeps in.
Was there a moment that shifted how you define success or purpose?
Yes. Becoming a mother was the beginning of the shift, but it was leaving Amsterdam and ending my marriage that cracked me wide open. Everything I thought defined me—my job, my title, my life blueprint—fell away. What remained was a deep pull toward land, community, and healing. Now, success looks like growing food that nourishes others, building spaces where people feel safe and seen, and raising my daughter with reverence for nature and people. Success now looks like living in integrity, impact that truly matters (food access and equity is VERY important), and creating a sense of belonging to everyone I meet.
How do you create boundaries to protect your energy and values?
Boundaries for me are not about separation—they’re about alignment. I’ve had to get really honest about what I’m available for, and what I’m not. That means saying no more often, trusting my body’s cues, and designing my days around what gives me life instead of what drains it. I protect creative space. It’s about knowing what my needs are and the sacrifices that I needed to make to preserve that, and I honor my daughter’s needs and my own. And I’ve stopped hustling for validation in spaces, for love and attention, that were not aligned (or even appreciated) built for my kind of leadership.
What are you most excited about in joining Maven Within Retreat this September? What does this community mean to you?
I’m so excited to reconnect—and meet for the first time—with women who are brave enough to do things their own way. This Maven Within retreat feels like a big, collective exhale. A chance to be in a safe, honest space with good people, real conversations, and the kind of laughs you don’t forget.
While I’m not a CFA, I’m deeply honored to be part of this experience. I may come from a different world—one rooted in farming, wellness, and community-building—but the human experiences we all carry are universal. Navigating burnout, chasing purpose, rebuilding after change, learning to lead from the heart… these things transcend job titles. And I feel grateful to be here, holding space and learning alongside women who are living those truths, just in a different sky-high setting.
Also… I cannot wait to soak up all the brilliance when it comes to hospitality. The way CFAs create calm, comfort, and care—often under pressure—is nothing short of inspiring. Now it’s your turn to receive that same level of intention and nourishment.
To me, Maven is a mirror and a momentum boost—it reminds us that we’re not alone in trying to live and lead more honestly, while still delivering that white-glove magic.
Finish the sentence: I feel most like myself when…
…I’m walking the farm with my daughter nearby, a seasonal meal taking shape in my mind, a bottle of natural wine already opened, surrounded by laughter, smiling faces, and the quiet hum of something sacred settling in.
Why We Can’t Wait to Learn From Nicolle
Nicolle brings something exciting to Maven Within: wisdom earned through transformation. Her story is one of courage, disruption, and deep personal reclamation. She doesn’t teach from a pedestal—she shows up fully, listens deeply, and creates space for others to do the same.
Whether she’s hosting an intimate dinner for women, harvesting tomatoes, or writing a new narrative for what leadership looks like, Nicolle reminds us that healing and power can coexist. That vulnerability and soft strength changes everything.
She is proof that presence can be revolutionary—and we’re honored to have her in this community.
