I am originally from Seattle, but lived 15 years in 8 countries across Europe (UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia). I speak English (native), German (fluent), French (business conversational).

Since 1994 I have worked at leading e-commerce and Internet companies at all levels of product- and marketing management responsibility with emphasis on growing sales and managing operations in international markets.

I am a creative thinker with excellent analytical and organizational skills, especially between cross-functional teams (marketing/sales/technical) in different countries. A key strength is my ability to translate business goals and objectives into technical and non-technical (marketing, processes) solutions and results in international markets. I believe creating great customer-centric products and marketing is essential to business success.

I work effectively between company business strategy and international and technical solutions and resources. For example, I lead and contribute in the following areas:

• Take business requirements and turn them into (online) products and services.
• Create effective (international) components to online/E-commerce strategy, products and services.
• Manage international partners and vendors.
• Build team(s) and processes to construct and run the international services.
• Provide vision to lead the business and services forward internationally.

I am also very interested in the following subjects and am looking to have some involvement in them, if not 100% as my job, then on the side:

Music: Music is one of my greatest passions. I listen to new music (of all genres) constantly. I have a number of ideas for music-related projects, from hosting a weekly roundtable for ESL students to practice conversational English to an idea for organizing tours through Europe for US high school musicians to creating a way for independent musicians (and authors) to sell music directly to fans. Even if my main job is not directly related to the music industry, my love for music plays a major part in my personal life.

Social Entrepreneurship: I believe in supporting social causes by making a business with a social purpose which in turn creates a self-sustaining entity with a social benefit. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammed Yunus calls this “Social Business.” Bill Gates has called it “Creative Capitalism.” I would either like to work supporting social entrepreneurs or develop some of my ideas in this form.

Cultural exchange: I love learning about different cultures and want to facilitate the possibility for others to experience and learn about different people and places, too. I would like to plan and host travel groups focused on immersion/learning different places. In this context I would like to do some writing, too.

Other non-profit work: If not in a social entrepreneurship context, I want to work with non-profit projects/organizations on some level.