about me
Hi! I am Doris - and I love connecting across boundaries...
All my life, I have had multiple opportunities to connect across different personal and professional boundaries.
Across borders and cultures. Born and raised in Germany, I have lived and/ or worked across countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for nearly half my life. I have been part of teams with colleagues from around the world and bringing different identities, backgrounds and beliefs. These experiences have shaped who I am and what I do, and have made me deeply passionate about thinking and collaborating across boundaries.
Across organisations and portfolios. For over 25 years, I have partnered with international organisations and their members in the human rights, humanitarian, and development sectors. From entry-level roles to senior leadership positions, I have worked at both country and global levels. No matter what my role or position, I’ve engaged with diverse stakeholders within and beyond organisations and networked structures (big and small) to help them be relevant, resilient and impactful – individually and collectively.
Across professional identities. In late 2022, I took the leap from full-time employment to working freelance. This shift has given me the freedom to do more of what I love most, and do best: helping others think and connect across boundaries. Drawing on my diverse lived experiences, I now work with people, teams, and organisations as an independent consultant, mediator and facilitator. In all my work, I apply futures thinking, feminist principles, and a wide range of facilitation tools and approaches to unlock new perspectives and solutions.
For me, this is more than just work. Everyone I engage with is not just a client, but a partner in creating meaningful change.
On this page, I am offering a snapshot of who I am, what has formed me and where I draw energy and inspiration from. If you would like to find out more about my approach and how we could work together, let’s connect!
Qualifications
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
Mahatma Gandhi
Throughout my career, I’ve gathered a diverse mix of academic and professional qualifications. These include a degree in translation, a Masters in International and Comparative Legal Studies, and certification as a professional mediator.
But for me, learning does not stop at obtaining formal diplomas or degrees. I am constantly curious and seeking to gain new knowledge and skills – whether through books, short courses or diverse professional networks and contacts that stretch my thinking and take me out of my comfort zone.
Being fluent in German (mother tongue), English (mother tongue standard) and French (good knowledge), I still hope to one day learn another language…
Work Experience
"Some things cannot be taught; they must be experienced."
Roy T. Bennett
When people look at my CV, they often describe it as “interesting.” Indeed, it might not at first glance reflect a very straightforward path.
But whether it was working at entry level or in global leadership roles, with Amnesty International, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Mines Advisory Group, Transparency International, Oxfam International or now as an independent consultant and mediator – there has always been a red thread: supporting people and organisations in connecting across boundaries. That is what I’ve always been about, and it still is what drives my work today.
You can find out more in my CV.
Volunteer Engagement
"Every person can make a difference, and every person should try."
John F. Kennedy
After stepping away from full-time employment, I decided to dedicate more time to volunteering.
There is not one country in which I have lived and worked that has not welcomed me with open arms – which is something that I never took for granted. When I returned to Germany at the end of 2022, I knew that now, it was my turn to give back.
Seeing how society is becoming increasingly divided, and conscious of the privileges that have shaped my life, I decided to do something that makes others feel welcome in Germany.
This has brought me to Offene Tür e.V., where I am now volunteering as a teacher for German as a Foreign Language and supporting the team behind the scenes.
Life across Regions
"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow."
Anita Desai
I was born and raised in Germany, though my parents came from different corners of the country. It was not until I was about 20 that I first travelled abroad on my own.
However, I inherited my mum’s explorer spirit. I have been blessed with being able to travel extensively. I have lived and worked (or studied) in the UK, France, Iraq, the DR Congo, Liberia and Kenya. Over time, my work has taken me to many more countries across all regions. I would not be who I am today without the people I met and the experiences that I made along the way.
Now, both Berlin and Nairobi feel like home.
Values and Commitments
"One must be something to do something."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
My personal values were shaped by my parents. My mother taught us that no person is better or more important than the other. My father instilled a sense of discipline that I often resented as a child, but that I am now deeply grateful for.
I am driven by a desire to advance social justice, human rights, equity and inclusion. I value solidarity, collective effort and care – and I am committed to showing up with integrity and empathy in any spaces in which I interact.
Accountability is at the heart of all my work: understanding the needs of my clients and partners, and delivering results that meet their expectations.
Sources of Inspiration
"The best views come after the hardest climb."
Unknown
By now you will have realized that I love spending time in nature, especially in the mountains, and that I draw inspiration from the life and work of many others.
But I also value simply being still, at home, reading or listening to classical music. The e-reader and library card that my family gave me a few years ago is still one of the best presents I ever got. I also would no longer want to miss the Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall.
Last but not least, spending time with the people I love is one of the gifts that I am most grateful for.