I bridge operational execution and strategic foresight – helping private & public companies transform, reposition or scale. As a former CFO & COO in both public and VC-backed companies (e..g Zalando, ProSiebenSat.1, N26), I’ve led complex organizations through hypergrowth, transformation, and reorganization. Now, as Chairman of the Board at fast-scaling digital businesses and advisor to global investors and selected companies, I work with leadership teams to sharpen strategy, align governance and build scalable operating models. I also teach and research at RWTH Aachen University, connecting academic rigor with practical business architecture. What I bring: - Full-spectrum leadership: from start-up to scale-up to IPO and institutional maturity - Board impact: active Chairman & Board member at companies with revenues >€100m, 100%+ YoY growth, 100-1000 employees - Transformation expertise: strategy, org design, M&A, fundraising, post-founder transitions - Dual lens: hands-on operator and systems thinker, grounded in research & advisory What I’m looking for: - I’m open to CEO, Board, or NED roles with ambitious companies at inflection points – where strategy, execution, and governance need to come together. Criteria: - Ideal target size: €100M+ revenue or scaling toward €1B+ - Phase: post-founder, PE-backed, pre-IPO or public - Sectors: digital infrastructure, commerce, AI/tech, energy, health, consumer - Geography: US, EMEA, UK, China