The short version:
- Born and raised in East Germany, I continue to believe in the power of community, candid conversations and an irrevocable work ethic.
- I'm on the move - metaphorically and literally: I have moved countries 14 times since graduating high school and I spend much of my day on my bike. CrossFit open? Obstacle course races? Half-marathons? Sign me up!
- Call me Mrs. Minutiae: strategic plans, milestones and spreadsheets are my jam!
- Gourmande: I love a good charcuterie board and am a big fan of cooking a smart balance of wholesome meals and the occasional treat (sneak peek)
- "There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them." I couldn't agree more with Seth Godin: I believe in doing over talking, I have little patience for ramblers and believe in delivering value through execution.
The long version:
When I graduated from high school in 2005, I didn’t have the first clue of what I wanted to do with my life. I spent the summer working at a fast food restaurant at Disneyland Paris (lots of fun, but not my purpose!) followed by a volunteering engagement in Thailand (also lots of fun and an inkling of purpose!). Teaching English to elementary school children and monks, I realized that I wanted to devote my career to making a difference for people who had come up under less fortunate circumstances than myself. Back in Europe, I tried on every career path that I thought suitable for changing the world: international development, nonprofits, government, media, corporate social responsibility. Not a single one sat well with me. None of these approaches were impactful and at the same time sustainable enough to justify the money and dedication we poured into them. With every new opportunity, I was sure this was going to be my path. And one after the other, I came up empty-handed. Disillusioned.
When I had exhausted the options that I knew of (and was dead broke from all the unpaid internships), I started waitressing again and in my free time, researched how we might use business as a force for social change. I eventually found out about social entrepreneurship and the rest is history.
Over the last 15+ years, I have worked with 100+ social entrepreneurs and 20+ certified B Corps from around the world in defining and executing their impact strategy (incl. B Corp certification); I spent over a year researching best practices and common challenges in social enterprise support through a self-funded study trip through Western Europe, the US and Australia. And since 2019, I have been busy building a community of ecosystem builders for social change:
When I had exhausted the options that I knew of (and was dead broke from all the unpaid internships), I started waitressing again and in my free time, researched how we might use business as a force for social change. I eventually found out about social entrepreneurship and the rest is history.
Over the last 15+ years, I have worked with 100+ social entrepreneurs and 20+ certified B Corps from around the world in defining and executing their impact strategy (incl. B Corp certification); I spent over a year researching best practices and common challenges in social enterprise support through a self-funded study trip through Western Europe, the US and Australia. And since 2019, I have been busy building a community of ecosystem builders for social change:
My Manifesto
- I stand shoulder to shoulder with changemakers around the world who - like me - believe in the power of (social) entrepreneurship to create social progress.
- I tell their true and unspoken stories.
- I remind them that their work matters every day and that systemic change takes time and patience, especially on days when they feel overworked and undervalued.
- I hold up a mirror to their curious minds, hungry hearts and their dedication to solving some of the world's toughest issues through entrepreneurship.
- Together, we are building a community of purpose-driven individuals who create systemic change without losing ourselves.
Podcast interviews
A conversation about the ups and downs of entrepreneurial ecosystem building for social change
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Efecto Colibri: The importance of knowing your why and maintaining balance in your personal and professional life
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Impact Gathering hosted by Mumma Got Skills & Impact Boom: Why female-led is different
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Muttersprache podcast (GERMAN): Ethical Business, B Corps & building entrepreneurial ecosystems
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The Keystone Podcast: Highlights from the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building campaign
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Videos
Pie Cast: The importance of ecosystem builders, particularly in times of crisis
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Creative Mornings RVA February 2016: From Socialism to Social Entrepreneurship
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Skoll World Forum 2020: Ecosystem builders as second responders to COVID-19
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Coffee with Strangers 2017: Making ideas come to live in Richmond, VA
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B Corp Coffee 2017: Convening the B Corp community in Virginia
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