June 5, 2002: National Environment Day in Germany

I am nine years old, standing in front of a live TV audience, presenting an environmental education project by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (German Federal Foundation for the Environment). It’s my first public appearance, and little do I know that this moment will set the tone for the rest of my life.

I was a "tomboy," practically living in an FC Bayern jersey whenever my parents didn’t forbid it. I loved nature, knowledge, and learning—to the extreme. So much so that my teacher made me pay 50 cents per question in class because I couldn’t contain myself and kept blurting out answers without raising my hand. Patience has never been my strength.

From a young age, one thing has driven me relentlessly: the vision of a sustainable world and the responsible treatment of our environment, people, and animals. At eight, I decided to stop eating meat, feeling a deep sense of injustice when I realized an animal had to die for my meal. In elementary school, my perspective solidified while working on projects with the German Federal Foundation for the Environment. Even as a child, I couldn’t understand why people littered instead of using a trash can—I questioned everything and began to rethink the world around me.

A Strong Sense of Justice – On and Off the Field

This sense of justice extended into my love for sports. Soccer had been my passion since kindergarten, but in seventh grade, I discovered Ultimate Frisbee. A sport built on fair play, played without referees, where team spirit was everything. I made it to the German U20 women's national team and competed in the 2009 World Championship—one of the biggest highlights of my life.

After high school, I pursued my dream of making the world fairer by studying criminal investigation in Hamburg. But after just one semester, I realized I wouldn't find fulfillment in this career and had to let go of my vision of bringing justice through law enforcement. Still, the experience reaffirmed my belief in fighting for what I set my mind to. The rigorous police application process had shown me that persistence and discipline pay off.

Searching for Purpose

I pivoted to sociology while also taking Dutch and Swedish language courses, only to realize I enjoyed the language courses far more than my major. That led me to theology at the University of Münster—but again, it didn’t feel right. My mother, sensing my frustration, suggested an apprenticeship in tourism in my hometown, Osnabrück. I loved traveling, so why not? I quickly learned how businesses operate, what running one entails, and—most importantly—what I wanted to change about them. Sustainability remained my driving force.

I eventually pursued a degree in Business Administration and Management at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. By then, my purpose was clear: to understand the economic system so I could transform it into a sustainable one. I consider myself an environmental economist—"a green heart with a black brain." I believe in making people aware of their responsibility for the planet and challenging the ways people and animals are commodified.

But I’ve never been one for the conventional 40-hour workweek, 28 days of annual leave, and a stable but uninspiring career. I wanted to turn my job into a vocation—because only when you pour your heart and soul into something do you unlock your full potential.

The Road to Academia

A few years later, I found myself at TU Munich (TUM), pursuing a PhD in Sustainable Entrepreneurship under Prof. Frank-Martin Belz. I had applied for this position during my Master’s at NOVA Business School in Lisbon, knowing early on that I wanted to dive deeper into sustainability. My master’s thesis, in collaboration with the German Federal Environmental Foundation’s Green Startup funding program, aligned perfectly with my doctoral research.

While I initially opted against working at the university chair, I sought a more hands-on sustainability role with a research focus. Alongside Prof. Wolfgang Rams, I co-led a €250,000 research project, funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation, to develop a startup coaching tool for sustainable incubators. This role not only funded my PhD but also strengthened my industry connections.

By 2021, I had taken on two part-time positions—one at TUM and the other managing the DBU project—while teaching and leading the International Summer School. For over 18 months, I juggled two 50% jobs and my doctorate, leaving little time for research or personal life. Despite this, I earned recognition as a Think Tank 30 Fellow with the German Club of Rome, a jury member for the DBU Startup Program, and received the TUM Award for Excellence in Research & Teaching in 2021 and 2022.

In fall 2022, after completing the DBU project, I took a much-needed break before fully dedicating myself to research and teaching. This shift allowed me to engage in doctoral seminars at Harvard and HEC Paris—still asking countless questions, though (hopefully) in a more refined manner.

A Global Network and New Frontiers

By 2024, I had become a Visiting Scholar at Stanford. Through international conferences like SEE, Babson, EGOS, and AOM, I built an incredible network of scholars, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Traveling the world, I found myself in spaces where knowledge meets action—where real change can happen.

Where I Am Now: Stanford and Auckland

As of the end of 2024, my journey has taken me to two incredible institutions. At Stanford I am affiliated with the lab of Professor Yi Cui. 

I am mainly researching the intersection of serendipity, sustainability problem-solving, and entrepreneurship. My work explores how emotions, mood, and AI-augmented reflection influence ideation and decision-making in sustainability.

Meanwhile, I am an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Innovation & Strategy at the University of Auckland Business School. Here, I collaborate with the CEBUS Beacon on an $11.7 million MBIE-funded project, 'Shaping Circular Market Systems for Plastics in New Zealand. and indigenous entrepreneurship projects with Maori communities. I bring my expertise in sustainable entrepreneurship, design thinking, and stakeholder engagement to bridge academia and practice.

The Real Story: Hope, Struggles, and the People Who Matter

While this story speaks of achievements and purpose, I want to be transparent about the fears and struggles I have faced—and still do. After high school, I felt completely lost. I navigated turbulent relationships with my family and romantic partners, questioning my path more times than I can count.

Through it all, my lifelong friends—Lisa, Sina, Lydia, and Basti—have been my anchors. They have guided me through the darkest times, my safe place in a chaotic world. No matter where I am, they are home. Thank you. You mean the world to me.