Tell us about yourself.
I am an entrepreneur and innovator in the medical education industry who’s strategically developed pioneering digital education formats and major scientific conferences together with world-leading physicians and scientists for years. Led by the vision to improve the quality of patient care by providing access to high-quality medical education across the globe, I co-founded Winglet - the Netflix for Doctors and Healthcare Professionals - and a fully CME (Continuous Medical Education) accredited online platform in 2016.
I grew up in Germany, moved to London in January 2020, and have lived in Amsterdam, Dubai and New York City. I keep pushing my limits and I’d always go the extra mile to accomplish my goals. I view myself being a highly analytical and critical-thinking person with a keen interest in political, social, and economic debates. On a personal note, I am an avid traveler, outdoor runner, and podcast enthusiast, hungry for ever new adventures and horizons.
What’s your current job?
Co-founder and CEO at Winglet.
Having been 1st to the digital CME market, we were able to foster our competitive edge during the pandemic and quadruple our community numbers in the past 18 months. We now strive to become the #1 platform for world’s best medical education in pioneering Netflix formats. Our platform empowers renowned medical experts and institutions to create groundbreaking digital education experiences and share them with our global community (currently 76 countries).
At Winglet, we keep reinventing the future of medical education.
Why did you choose to study the EGMiM programme?
After my undergraduate degree, despite my professional self-fulfillment, I always felt a strong desire to make another serious intellectual investment and pursue an academic master’s degree. I was eager to gain a more profound understanding of our global geopolitical and socio-economic architecture and how it shapes the way businesses are being managed across the globe.
ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ with its leading global reputation and unique research concentration across the social science disciplines seemed to be the perfect choice for me. Needless to say, that I was intrigued by the university’s motto “To Know the Causes of Things”. For me, the EGMiM programme combines top-notch academic excellence and evidence-based methodology with a truly global learning experience. The point at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is not how to apply current management techniques, but to question them.
How has EGMiM benefitted your career?
Our medical education business is global. Hence, learning about international strategies and critically discussing key theories, global cases, and own professional experiences with an international cohort from diverse cultural and industry backgrounds considerably advanced my strategic capacity and global management judgement. After completing my studies at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, I gave up my role as head of business development for in-person large scale medical conferences and started working at Winglet as full-time CEO. At Winglet, we are now building a diverse global team and collaborating with leading MedTech multinationals, international experts, and medical institutions to expand further globally.
What are your future career plans?
Secure Winglet a leading role in the global CME market, providing physicians worldwide with access to high-quality education, and thereby contributing to improve the quality of patient care on a global scale. To reach this goal, we will take advantage of the current momentum and are committed to accelerating our growth in scale and speed by onboarding new strategic investors and international talent.
On a personal note, my longer-term plans include driving positive change not only to business but to our society as a whole. I am keen on engaging with other business leaders and like-minded individuals across cultures to accelerate innovative solutions to our most pressing global challenges.
What is one piece of advice you would give to those who will start the programme next year?
Work hard, play hard. The entire study experience is nothing without the social interactions you will have in and out of class. Embrace it all. Enjoy intense and inspiring study weekends, where you will work on your take-home exams, as much as after-hour gatherings at "Ye Old White Horse" and extended trips to India and China together with your peers. We were fortunate enough to be welcomed by a local fellow student in New Delhi/Agra and Singapore prior to our Bangalore and Beijing modules. It was a blast!
What was your favourite module and why?
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Emerging Markets - most of which was taught during our overseas module in China where we also visited leading multinationals in Beijing and Tianjin. During the module, we gained invaluable first-hand insights into the institutional framework of the world’s most important emerging economy, the impact of FDI, and market entry strategies of multinationals. The course addressed resource-based theories, transaction cost economics and locational choice, as well as the so-called “tripod” theories of international strategies and the new institutional economies – all of which gave us a huge background understanding to deal with specific questions of international strategy in emerging markets, such as the trade-offs between trade and FDI, globalization and local adaptation strategies.
What is your best memory about EGMiM?
Our EGMiM module in Bangalore with insights into India's fast-growing digital and AI economy, but also the socio-economic challenges faced by the world's largest democracy, especially in healthcare and education. When I think back I am still inspired by 1) the cardiac surgeon and entrepreneur Dr. Devi Shetty and his contributions to driving affordable healthcare for all, 2) the spread of high-speed connectivity across the country and its potential to create significant economic and social value, 3) the aspirations and optimism of India‘s youth, which we encountered during our visits to low-budget private and government schools in the outskirts of Bangalore.
What three words would you use to describe EGMiM?
Diverse – its composition of cohorts, with students from varied cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, as well as levels of seniority and international locations.
Multidisciplinary – its approach to management, following the rule that no complex issue can be fully understood through the lens of a single discipline.
Purpose-driven – its commitment to its founding purpose “for the betterment of society”, also reflective of the kind of students the programme attracts.
In what ways has EGMiM impacted your life or shaped you as a person?
The programme raised my personal interest in inclusive innovations, i.e., innovations that benefit the poorest of our society. As we had covered China and India in other modules, I focused my dissertation on the topic “Scaling Inclusive Innovations in Emerging Markets” on the African economies. Based on the case of Rwanda, I analyzed the role of private-public partnerships (PPPs) in scaling technology-driven innovations in resource-limited contexts to reach socially inclusive growth. During my research, I conducted thought-provoking interviews with private innovators, government representatives, and NGOs which inspire me up to date and increased my desire to get involved in social impact initiatives.
In summary, the EGMiM programme was a unique cross-cultural intellectual adventure which broadened my horizon and provided me with valuable lasting friendships across the globe. Also, being associated with ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ as one of the world’s leading universities is a great asset to have.