I have spent that last decade running acceleration programs for early-stage (social) entrepreneurs, growing the B Corp movement in Virginia, US, and telling stories of purpose driven founders and those who build ecosystems for them to thrive in. I also earned an undergraduate degree in European Studies (Germany & France) and a MSc in Sustainability (Germany & Australia). Somewhere along the journey, I got married to an incredible human, became a mother, and fell in love with cooking and obstacle course racing.
What these 15 years in the social impact space have taught me is that we can only solve systemic challenges through systemic solutions. I learned that unlocking human potential is at the core of social and environmental change, and that without community, we are nothing.
I work with impact-driven individuals around the world to roll up our sleeves together: I don't believe in merely sharing my expertise and let you figure out the rest. Instead, I stand shoulder to shoulder with my clients to help them execute on their vision for an alternative future.
What these 15 years in the social impact space have taught me is that we can only solve systemic challenges through systemic solutions. I learned that unlocking human potential is at the core of social and environmental change, and that without community, we are nothing.
I work with impact-driven individuals around the world to roll up our sleeves together: I don't believe in merely sharing my expertise and let you figure out the rest. Instead, I stand shoulder to shoulder with my clients to help them execute on their vision for an alternative future.
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Programs
Maximize your impact without minimizing yourself. Find out how we can work together, 1-1 or through one of my group-programs!
Research & Storytelling
I was classically trained in scientific research methods and ethics at l'Institut d'études politiques (Sciences Po) de Bordeaux, the Centre for Sustainability Management at Leuphana University Lueneburg, and the University of Queensland Business School. I hold both a bachelors degree in European Studies and a Masters of Science in Sustainability. Throughout my academic and professional career I have been fascinated by what happens at the intersection of quantitative and qualitative inquiry: What story does that data tell and in what context does that story become meaningful?
Some of my favorite projects:
Some of my favorite projects:
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Social Venturers is a global community of purpose-driven individuals who believe in the power of (social) entrepreneurship for systemic change. As the founder of Social Venturers, I create and curate insights, resources and a peer community of impact makers to help them build purpose-driven careers, organizations and ecosystems. |
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Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building is a storytelling campaign that I was fortunate to run over the course of 2020 in collaboration with Jeff Bennett and Jessica Edwards to raise the profile of entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the United States. We interviewed over 40 ecosystem builders to tell stories about what drives to do this work, what frustrations and challenges they experience, what skills we need to invest in and what needs to happen to advance the field of entrepreneurial ecosystem building. |
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As founding member and lead storyteller at Zebras Unite, I have the unique opportunity and absolute pleasure to take you on a journey around the world to meet founding members, chapter leads, co-op members and allies of the growing Zebras Unite movement! I talk to founders, entrepreneurship supporters and ecosystem builders about how they’re challenging the status quo in their communities, how they envision the future and how we can support them in their mission.
In 2021, I launched the series Bush Radio to share these conversations via Social Venturers and Zebras Unite's Medium channel! |
Ecosystem Services
Have you ever wondered how to get others in your community as excited about entrepreneurial ecosystem building as you are?
Have you experienced the power of entrepreneur-led economic development yourself and want to share that passion with other stakeholders in your community?
Have you ever wondered why people in your ecosystem seem reluctant to collaborate?
Are you inspired by your local entrepreneurs but don't know how to tell their stories?
I partner with communities in three ways:
Have you experienced the power of entrepreneur-led economic development yourself and want to share that passion with other stakeholders in your community?
Have you ever wondered why people in your ecosystem seem reluctant to collaborate?
Are you inspired by your local entrepreneurs but don't know how to tell their stories?
I partner with communities in three ways:
1. Speaking
When it comes to putting entrepreneurs front and center of our communities' economic development, I have a lot to say! Based on my personal experience as an ecosystem builder and 100+ in-depth interviews with ecosystem builders from around the world, I am a dedicated advocate for reviving communities through the vehicle of entrepreneurship! I will share my international insights with your community to broaden the audience's understanding of the power of entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Here are a few insights listeners will walk away with:
Want to see me in action? Head over to my About page to listen to a few selected podcast interviews (English and German) and watch me on screen!
Here are a few events I've had the pleasure to speak at:
When it comes to putting entrepreneurs front and center of our communities' economic development, I have a lot to say! Based on my personal experience as an ecosystem builder and 100+ in-depth interviews with ecosystem builders from around the world, I am a dedicated advocate for reviving communities through the vehicle of entrepreneurship! I will share my international insights with your community to broaden the audience's understanding of the power of entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Here are a few insights listeners will walk away with:
- The value of developing entrepreneur-centric solutions.
- The importance of a system-wide approach to supporting entrepreneurship, from small business owners to high-growth startups.
- Valuing community over competition.
- Increasing quality of life as the ultimate metric for success.
Want to see me in action? Head over to my About page to listen to a few selected podcast interviews (English and German) and watch me on screen!
Here are a few events I've had the pleasure to speak at:
2. Events
Are you planning and ecosystem-wide event and need support in developing the content, recruiting and preparing speakers, managing invites and planning the follow-up of the event?
From three-day conferences to day-long trainings and quarterly workshop series, I will help you get your ducks in a row to create an experience that celebrates your local community and showcases what is possible for your ecosystem.
Are you planning and ecosystem-wide event and need support in developing the content, recruiting and preparing speakers, managing invites and planning the follow-up of the event?
From three-day conferences to day-long trainings and quarterly workshop series, I will help you get your ducks in a row to create an experience that celebrates your local community and showcases what is possible for your ecosystem.
3. Trainings
For communities that are further along their ecosystem journey, I offer a proprietary training series called The Keystone Program. I train individuals, organizations and communities through my 10-part training series for emerging ecosystem builders that hones their skills in these areas:
This training can be delivered virtually or in person in as little as 10 weeks to 10 months.
For communities that are further along their ecosystem journey, I offer a proprietary training series called The Keystone Program. I train individuals, organizations and communities through my 10-part training series for emerging ecosystem builders that hones their skills in these areas:
- Entrepreneurial ecosystems: An introduction to complex adaptive systems
- Purpose: Aligning your work with your community's needs
- Community Stewardship
- Allyship: Advocating for the needs of ALL entrepreneurs
- Entrepreneur-centric solutions
- Fostering inclusive conversations
- Enlisting collaborators and building intersections in your ecosystem
- Uncovering and upholding your community's values
- Telling your community's authentic story
- The long haul: How to stay the course
This training can be delivered virtually or in person in as little as 10 weeks to 10 months.