Derin Zanbak’s Altum community redefines networking by blending professional growth with wellness, offering women a space to thrive together.
Derin Zanbak is a young entrepreneur based in Paris and the founder of Altum, a private networking platform designed to bring women together through curated experiences and meaningful connections. Educated at the Sorbonne and with additional programs at Harvard, Derin combines academic depth with a refined sense of modern entrepreneurship. Her vision for Altum was born from her own journey — moving to Paris with no connections and transforming that challenge into a mission to help other women build authentic networks, find balance, and thrive with elegance.
The journey from being a newcomer to Paris to founding a thriving community and a tech startup is a testament to Zanbak’s resilience, determination, and vision. It’s also an important chapter in redefining what modern networking means for women. With Altum, Zanbak has crafted a space where professional growth and self-care coexist, offering women the support and opportunities that she once lacked.
Being an Expatriate in Paris Through Derin’s Eyes
For Derin Zanbak, moving to Paris was more than a change of address — it was a rebirth. Arriving as a young woman in a foreign city, she was met with both the beauty and the solitude of starting over. Paris, with its elegance and rhythm, can be both inspiring and intimidating, especially for a newcomer without a network. The city demands independence, but in return, it teaches resilience, sophistication, and self-discovery.
Derin fell in love with Paris the way one falls in love with an idea — slowly, then all at once. The city’s timeless beauty, its rhythm, its quiet elegance at dawn and its luminous chaos at dusk — all became her greatest source of inspiration. For her, Paris is more than a place to live; it’s a state of mind, where art, ambition, and emotion coexist in perfect harmony.
Yet amid its charm, she also noticed something missing: a sense of belonging. Many women, like her, arrived in Paris full of ambition but without the community to support it. That realization became the seed of an idea — to create a circle where women could connect authentically, share experiences, and find balance between their aspirations and their well-being.
And so, Altum was born — from the eyes of an expatriate who turned isolation into inspiration, and from the heart of a woman determined to make every city feel like home.
From Vision to Reality
Her vision was simple yet ambitious: build a community where women could find professional opportunities, but in a way that didn’t require sacrificing personal well-being. In a world where women are often expected to do it all, juggling careers, social lives, and personal health, Altum serves as a sanctuary that emphasizes balance.
From the start, Zanbak was clear about what set Altum apart: it wasn’t just about networking in the traditional sense, but about creating an environment where personal growth, cultural experiences, and wellness activities could be seamlessly integrated into professional success. Unlike many networking platforms, Altum isn’t a place for cold connections or transactional relationships. Instead, it’s about authentic, meaningful connections that inspire and empower women.
Overcoming Obstacles: Building a Community from Scratch
Building a community from the ground up was no easy task. As a founder with no prior network nor any experience in tech, Zanbak had to learn quickly how to engage people, establish credibility, and create a space that women wanted to be part of. “The biggest challenge was finding the right people who shared the same values, people who understood that balance was key to growth. And once we found that, Altum began to thrive,” she recalls.
Through determination and a focus on quality over quantity, Altum grew into a trusted network. “Altum exists thanks to the dedication of so many — from the talented developers who shaped its digital world, to the partners and friends who shared their trust and creativity. This project is a reflection of all of us, and I am deeply grateful.” explains the founder.
Redefining Networking for Women
Wellness, Success, and the Balance Between
Before creating Altum, Derin Zanbak spent months researching what truly defines success for modern women. Through her studies and professional experiences, she began to notice a pattern — while ambition was celebrated, well-being was often neglected. Determined to understand this imbalance, she immersed herself in various educational programs focused on wellness, mindfulness, and personal development, exploring how mental clarity and emotional health directly influence professional performance.
Derin believes that success without balance is an illusion. “We often push ourselves to the limit, thinking that constant productivity equals achievement,” she says. “But the truth is, inspiration only flourishes when the mind and body are at peace.” This philosophy became one of Altum’s guiding principles — that wellness and ambition should not compete, but coexist.
Photographer: Ria Kwon
MUA: Lenny Bonnet
What Sets Altum Apart: A New Era of Empowerment
What makes Altum’s approach to networking so unique is its ability to blend ambition with self-care. At a time when the traditional hustle culture often leaves women feeling burnt out and isolated, Altum offers a refreshing alternative. Events and activities are thoughtfully curated to promote both professional development and personal well-being, ensuring that women leave feeling energized, inspired, and supported.
“I believe women shouldn’t have to choose between success and self-care. They should be able to have both,” Zanbak says, and her philosophy is embedded in every event, from intimate networking dinners to wellness retreats. Altum has become a space where women can connect, recharge, and build lasting relationships that enrich both their professional and personal lives.
Zanbak’s personal journey as a founder has been a driving force behind this vision. “Altum is more than just a business. It’s a platform of empowerment. It’s about giving women the tools they need to thrive in every area of their lives,” she explains. And as the community continues to grow, so does its impact, empowering women across different industries, from finance to the arts, to embrace leadership roles and redefine success on their terms.
A Community for the Future
Looking ahead, Zanbak’s vision for Altum remains focused on expansion, both in terms of membership and impact. The community is evolving into a global network of women who are reshaping how professional growth, wellness, and cultural enrichment intersect. By curating experiences that blend work and self-care, Altum is helping women create a future where they don’t just survive, they thrive.
As Altum continues to grow, the community remains true to its roots: a space where ambition meets balance, and where women come together not only to succeed but to support each other in their journeys.
Follow Derin on Instagram for more insights into her journey: @derinzanbak
