Craftsman in Novgorod, Russia 2007

skills in brief

key strengths: bringing together first-hand insight into innovation development with working experiences in politics as well as in education. Born and raised in Dresden/East Germany, experiencing transition first-hand. Living and working in various CIS countries since 2002. Fluent in German, Russian, and English.

Entrepreneur since 1995
Active in politics (1993-2001)
Innovation and business developer since 1999
Regional economic development promoter since 2001
Network developer since 2003
Mentor and lecturer since 1999

Degrees in business administration (Diplom-Kaufmann/FH), East European studies (M.A.), international business studies (diploma)
Fluent in English and Russian (mother tongue German)

skills in detail

Regional economic development

Branding and marketing of cities and regions (since 2000)
Economic development promotion, business incubators and technology parks, innovation development programs (since 2001)
(planning, capacity building, development monitoring and coaching)

Entrepreneurship

Start-up and academic entrepreneurship development (since 1999)
Strategic business development (since 1999)
Marketing communications (branding, PR, event management (since 1995)
Market research, strategic marketing planning (since 1998)
Organisation and management (since 1999)
(planning, capacity building, development monitoring and coaching)

Non-profit

Planning, development, and management (since 1993, including political organizations, NGOs, associations)
International network development (since 2003)
(planning, capacity building, development monitoring and coaching)

Politics

Executive manager of political youth party in Saxony/Germany (1993-1995)
Vice Chairman of political youth party in Saxony/Germany (1995-1997)
Public relations, campaigning and strategy support for political parties and individual politicians in Germany (1993-2001)

Didactics

University curriculum development and lecturing
Entrepreneurship training curriculum development and training (e.g. CEFE)
Supervising internships and student theses

Regional focus

Transition economies (Eastern Europe and Central Asia, East Germany)

Sector focus

Renewable energies
Agriculture and food industry
Biotechnology and pharmacy
ICT
Tourism

Governments and municipalities
Economic development promotion agencies (special focus on business incubators and technology parks)

Academic background and education

Master of Arts East European Studies (FU Freie Universität Berlin, Germany)
Diplom-Kaufmann/FH (University of Applied Science, Germany)
Diploma in International Business Studies/International Marketing (Institute of Technology Sligo, Republic of Ireland)
Carpenter journeyman (BSZ Bau und Technik Dresden)

Language skills

English (fluent)
Russian (fluent)
German (mother tongue)
Ukrainian (beginner)