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, 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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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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Ecosystem Building 101 is an Insights series hosted on Social Venturers that sheds light on the seven design principles for effective ecosystem building. The entire series is developed in Fireside Chats: peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from around the world. Insights are knowledge briefs comprised of stories from the field, proven practices, tools and resources. |
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 Ecosystem Building 101. Based on the ESHIP Framework on how to create entrepreneurial ecosystems, I have developed a 10-part training series for emerging ecosystem builders that hones their skills in these areas:
These trainings can be delivered in-person and online and are suitable for a cohort of 5-10 local entrepreneurial ecosystem builders.
For communities that are further along their ecosystem journey, I offer a proprietary training series called Ecosystem Building 101. Based on the ESHIP Framework on how to create entrepreneurial ecosystems, I have developed a 10-part training series for emerging ecosystem builders that hones their skills in these areas:
- An introduction to entrepreneurial ecosystem building
- 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
These trainings can be delivered in-person and online and are suitable for a cohort of 5-10 local entrepreneurial ecosystem builders.
Consulting
Creating long-term systemic change is hard enough as it is, you don't have to go it alone! As a fractional strategist, I work alongside you and your team throughout whatever transformation lies ahead! I work best with individuals and organizations who are deeply invested in creating positive social and/or environmental change, preferably through an entrepreneurial approach with an eye toward long-term change (learn more about me).
Here are some of my favorite consulting engagements from the last 5 years:
Here are some of my favorite consulting engagements from the last 5 years:
- Accelerators & Incubators: From business model validation to high-growth acceleration, I have launched and run entrepreneurial support programs across the entire spectrum of (social) startups. In fact, I spent 2+ years researching best practices and common challenges in social venture support: Between 2015 to 2016, I backpacked around Europe, the U.S. and Australia to study social enterprise support through first-hand interviews (read about my adventures here). In brief, I support incubators and accelerators in everything from application marketing, selection, curriculum, mentor and Alumni management, pitch practice, event management, marketing and storytelling, impact reporting, founder advisory and community building.
- Purpose-driven entrepreneurs: Starting a business is a bit like becoming a parent: It comes without a manual and your skillset needs to grow alongside your company from infancy to adulthood. From strategic advisory to ongoing executive coaching, I have worked with 100+ (social) entrepreneurs around the world and enjoy acting as a sounding board and accountability partner (Did I mention I'm German?).
- Small and medium-sized businesses: From an introduction to social entrepreneurship and innovation to full-scale B Corp certification, I have worked with companies of all sizes to figure out how they might use their business model to minimize negative spillover effects, give back to their community, become more environmentally friendly and generally an organization that employees like to work for and clients love to work with. In short: How to use your business as a force for good.
- Higher education institutions: I love teaching and sharing what I experience in the field with aspiring changemakers! From guest speaking to teaching semester-long courses, I take a practitioner-based approach to introduce students to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, social enterprise and B Corps.
- Network organizations: Having been part of and worked with a number of decentralized communities (Startup Champions Network, ESHIP community, Virginia B Corp community, Zebras Unite), I love getting deep in the weeds of
- Fostering collaboration among changemakers and decentralized teams,
- Nurturing an inclusive community,
- Facilitating the exchange of knowledge, tools and connections among members,
- Providing training and organizing opportunities for professional growth, and
- Continue to grow networks in terms of financial, human, institutional, social and intellectual capital.
- Purpose-driven individuals: I frequently talk to people who are looking to shift their career to the impact arena and are looking for their next opportunity. While I'm certainly no career coach (I know a few it that's what you're looking for!), I am happy to share my experiences as a self-employed changemaker and open up my network to help you find your next opportunity. In the meantime, I do my best to share job openings from the impact world via LinkedIn and as part of Impact Curator over on Social Venturers!