Since 2015: Independent Strategy & Communications Consultant Advising clients on strategic communication, campaigning, crisis management, and media relations. Clients include political parties, federal ministries, international organizations, MPs, NGOs, and private sector firms (references upon request). 2011 - 25: Member of the Board, and from 2019 to 2025, Director, Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM), gGmbH, Cologne In addition to my work as a strategy consultant, I served pro bono as Director of the Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM), a non-profit think tank and forum for policymakers, the media industry, and academia. From 2019 to 2025, I led the institute, managing a core team of four and a network of fellows. Under my leadership, the IfM organized high-level events and produced research and strategic guidance on key issues related to media, democracy, and the public sphere—including platform regulation, the implications of AI, and sustainable models for journalism financing. Throughout this period, I also acted as a trusted expert and commentator for national media and government, contributing to public debates and advising on policy issues at the intersection of media and democracy. 2021: Executive Producer, “Die ProSieben Bundestagswahl-Show” & “ProSieben Spezial Live”, K2H Gmbh, Berlin Overseeing format development, production, and editorial processes (contract, 1/2021-10/2021) 2012 - 14: Tandempartner, Centre for Digital Cultures, Leuphana University, Lüneburg Advisory and research activities as part of the cooperation between the Center for Digital Cultures and the Institute for Media and Communications Policy (part-time, 10/2012-9/2014) 2002 - 2014: Freelance Contributor to Journalistic Media Regular contributions to outlets including Der Tagesspiegel, Deutschlandfunk, WDR, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Der Standard, writing on media, politics, and society. 2012 - 13: Director, Medienforum NRW, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Düsseldorf Curation and implementation of the 25th edition of one of Europe’s largest conferences for the media industry in Cologne, June 2013 (8/2012-7/2013, contract) 2011 - 12: Director, Development & Research, Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna Leading a change and strategy project (contract, 10/2011-5/2012) 2009 - 11: Fellow, Stiftung neue Verantwortung, Berlin Leading the projects “Public Leadership” & “Future of Journalism” (contract, 10/2009-8/2011) 2009: Head of Unit, AVE Gesellschaft für Fernsehproduktion mbH, Berlin (Holtzbrinck publishing group) Responsible for three political TV talk formats and five staff (6/2009-12/2009) 2006 - 09: Senior Project Manager and head of project, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Gütersloh Leading concept development and implementation of “Sustainable Governance Indicators” and “Optimizing Political Reform Processes”, two projects on executive governance, reform management and democracy (1/2006-7/2009) Responsible for 8 staff, liaison with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. board members, media, government and international organizations). Frequent public presentations, publications, and media appearances 2005: Trainee, Council of the European Union, Economic Policy Directorate, Brussels Director-General Klaus Gretschmann (5/2005-8/2005) 2004: Visiting Scholar, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (German Institute for Internat. and Security Affairs), Berlin (4/2004-9/2004) 2003: Freelance work, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Brussels bureau (8/2003-11/2003) 2002: Editor, Medienkontor, Berlin Responsible for “Kreuzfeuer”, two TV-shows (RTL) with the candidates for chancellorship, Gerhard Schröder and Edmund Stoiber (7/2002-10/2002) 1997 - 98: Community service, Schule für Geistigbehinderte, Redwitzstraße (10/1997-11/1998) Education 2004 - 05: Visiting Fellow, Government Department, Harvard University (8/2004-6/2005) 2002 - 07: Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge, Department of Politics and International Studies (CIS) / Pembroke College (conferred 18 July 2008) Thesis title: “National Identity, Mass Media, and the Public Sphere in the EU”; Supervisor: Dr. Geoffrey Edwards 2001 - 02: MPhil, European Studies, History Faculty, University of Cambridge “High performance”-distinction (conferred 10 May 2003) 2000 - 01: Additional studies in the law program of the Humboldt Universität 1998 - 01: Master Studies at Humboldt Universität and Freie Universität Berlin History, Political Science, Communication Studies (completed until BA level. Grade: 1.1) 1991: Fred Hutchinson-School, Seattle, USA (4/1991-9/1991) 1988 - 97: Grammar school (Schiller Gymnasium, Cologne). Final exams with A+/1.0