Berlin, Germany

This is

my story.

As a child I wanted to save the world. Growing up, I learned that a) systemic change is a collaborative effort and b) getting to the heart of complex problems instead of fixing symptoms is more challenging than little me imagined.

Now as an adult I still want to make a positive difference with my work. So far I've researched and taught computational social science at three universities, co-directed an international tech start-up, and managed an economic think tank to jointly advance the social-ecological transformation. I also led data for good projects and teams for an international network of data scientists, digitally transformed German government bodies and social impact organizations as a consultant and project lead, served as a mentor in an intercultural development program, and openly shared scientific knowledge as part of the steering committee of a global MOOC.

These diverse experiences strengthened my interest in co-creating solutions to complex problems that build bridges between sectors, disciplines, and people to effect meaningful change. By integrating scientific and creative approaches, I reframe those challenges as opportunities to analyze the world as it is―and explore how it might be in the future.
Black and white photography of Lisa Hehnke.

These are my experiences.

During death companion training we learned that when caring for the dying, we bring ourselves to the table rather than specific methods or tools. This insight made me realize that my work is less about what I am doing and more about who I am.

Instead of limiting myself to conventional boxes, I genuinely value having a transdisciplinary background plus a wide variety of experiences across roles and contexts as it allows me to connect perspectives, knowledge, and ideas in unique ways.

And while I enjoy working with public, private, and social sector organizations separately, I thrive in authentic, healthy, and collaborative environments where we can co-create change beyond categories and traditional boundaries.

Still looking for boxes or labels? Here's a selection to choose from:

2024-
Systemic Coach

Completing artop's DBVC-accredited certification program to become a professional business and leadership coach.

2023-
Death Companion

Serving as a death companion for a major German healthcare and social enterprise to spend time wisely and learn more about life.

2022-2023
Deputy & Interim Managing Director

Served as the interim managing director of an independent economic think tank to jointly advance the social-ecological transformation.

2022-2023
Inhouse Consultant (External)

Provided strategic direction, facilitated agile workshops, and conducted user research for PHINEO to co-create systemic solutions.

2023
Oxford Executive Leadership Programme

Completed Saïd Business School's executive leadership programme.

2022-2023
Business Mentor

Provided professional mentorship in MentorMe's intercultural Kenyan-German mentoring program.

2022
Futures Studies & Speculative Design

Completed project-based courses in design futures and immersive scenario planning at Parsons School of Design.

2022
Digital Strategies for Business

Completed an executive program on innovative strategies and business models for the digital age at Columbia Business School.

2021-2022
Mastering Design Thinking

Completed an executive program on human-centered product and service design at MIT Sloan.

2021
Project Lead

Led a government-funded innovation project for a major German food bank to build a digital ecosystem platform with partners from academia, industry, and civil society.

2021
Consultant

Advised two German federal and state-level ministries as an IT consultant for governance and change.

2020-2021
Mediator (univ.)

Completed a professional training program on conflict management and principled negotiation.

2017-2021
Team Lead, Local Chapter Head & Data Consultant

Provided pro bono data consultancy to social impact organizations with CorrelAid. Established and scaled the network as part of the core team, co-led the project coordination team, and co-founded and co-led the Berlin local chapter.

2020
Operations Director

Co-directed and strategically developed an international tech start-up with the mission to build decentralized open source software.

2019-2020
Steering Committee Member

Provided strategic direction and guidance on the future development of the Open Science MOOC as part of the international steering committee.

2019-2020
Project Lead

Designed and led two pro bono data science projects for CorrelAid and acted as the interim project lead for an international cooperation project on computational thinking at a Berlin-based research institute.

2016 - 2018
Researcher & Lecturer

Used big data and computational methods to research digital behavior and led multiple (under-)graduate seminars on research methods and applied data science at the universities of Konstanz, Hamburg, and Bielefeld.

2014-2016
MA, Politics & Public Administration (1.1, excellent)

Graduated from the University of Konstanz with specializations in management and quantitative and computational research methods.

What's next?

If you've read this far you learned a lot about me, but I'm also curious about you. Please feel free to reach out and share who you (really) are, how you see the world, and what matters most to you at the moment.

Share your story

These are my certificates.

(Well, at least some of them. Channeling my inner Leonardo da Vinci and learning across disciplines and worldviews is one of my favorite activities.)

© 2024 Lisa Hehnke | CC BY-SA 4.0