My name is Marise Larsen, and I am an HR & People Operations leader at Orbex Space and I am passionate about building inclusive, structured, and people-centred organisations. At my core, I see myself first as grounded in God, then as a wife and a mother — and from that foundation, everything else flows: my leadership, ambition, creativity, and the way I show up in the world.

I am deeply passionate about bringing people together and curating meaningful experiences. I thrive in spaces where connection is created — whether through hosting, public speaking, coaching, or facilitating dialogue. I enjoy engaging an audience, reading the energy of a room, and creating environments where people feel both seen and inspired.

Professionally, I work across the full employee lifecycle with an approach rooted in trust, clarity, and empathy. Coaching forms a natural part of my career; I connect easily with people at all levels and place strong emphasis on building relationships founded on psychological safety and mutual respect.

Alongside my corporate career, I am an entrepreneur. My creative passions led me to start Daisy’s Corner, a lifestyle brand where I explore my love for natural living through handmade soaps and beauty products. Most recently, this creativity has expanded into curated, intimate events hosted by me in the city, blending connection, culture, and elevated experiences. Keep your eyes peeled — exclusive Daisy’s Corner events are on the way.

I have lived in Denmark for several years as an immigrant, having moved here thoughtfully and with great care — especially considering my children, who were preteens at the time. I knew that wherever I was, they would have a chance to thrive.

My move to Denmark was ultimately driven by love. I fell head over heels in love with Boe Larsen, and together we made the intentional choice to build a life and raise a family here. Marriage has become one of life’s greatest journeys for me, and finding happiness, balance, and synergy in a modern partnership continues to expand my personal growth every single day.

Denmark offered the structure, safety, and stability we were seeking — a society rooted in trust, balance, and strong systems — while also challenging me to grow culturally, personally, and professionally.

My first impressions of Denmark were shaped by structure, independence, and a quiet sense of confidence. By structure, I mean the seriousness with which everyday interactions are approached, how people treat one another, how they behave at the dinner table, and the value placed on clean lines, order, and a more formal way of being.

In work environments, this shows up through flat hierarchies and clear accountability, where everyone is expected to take responsibility for how they show up and contribute. In schools and social settings, equality and early autonomy are visible everywhere.

As an immigrant and a woman of colour, I learned quickly that integration requires intention. Understanding unspoken norms, navigating language differences, and choosing to belong even before feeling fully included strengthened my resilience and shaped the empathetic leader I am today.

Important Choices Along the Way

I never fully understood what it meant to shrink before moving to Denmark. In my own culture and country, it was easier to blend in, to relax into myself without thinking too much about how I showed up. I was simply allowed to be.

Here, I became more visible. Because I stand out, even small changes are noticed more quickly, if I stop smiling, if I am quieter, if I am simply having a bad day. My background and nature make me more noticeable, and that visibility can feel uncomfortable.

At the same time, I often pause and ask myself whether people are really paying as much attention as I think. That question has become important, a reminder that some of the pressure to shrink comes from within, shaped by awareness rather than certainty.

One of the most important choices I made was to stop shrinking myself. I chose to trust my voice even when it trembled, to take up space even when I felt unsure, and to pursue growth without waiting for permission.

I also chose to invest in myself continuously, through learning, reflection, and community. Those choices shaped not only my career, but my sense of self.