I’m an experience designer, facilitator, strategist, community weaver and yoga guide based in Berlin.
Photos: Isabelle Junge
Work with me
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Crafting inclusive, joyful and memorable experiences that captivate and drive meaningful engagement is the butter to my bread. Workshops, retreats, summits or residencies: I specialize in designing for and facilitating in international leadership settings where I’m able to bring a special blend of creative spirit, strategic mindset, cultural sensitivity and mindfulness to the table.
A lifelong desire to make people feel has inspired my aspiration to create atmospheres where everyone feels heard, valued, and included.
My portfolio includes
– o jardim Residencies and Retreats
– Liberating Partnerships Global Summit for CIFOR-ICRAF
– Soho Mentorship Program Berlin for Routes In & Soho House
– Somewhere Places Festival for iac Berlin
– "Opening Space for Jasmine," a multi-local dinner experience in partnership with Palestine Hosting Society
– Tailored one-time workshops & curated sessions
– & more -
I’ve helped design, curate and engage several international, purpose-driven communities and would be thrilled to help you with your people or community strategy, the curation and reinvention of your community experience, or a sense-making of what uniquely holds the community together. Or we could begin transforming your not-yet-so-community-oriented work by weaving in relational approaches.
Convinced that humans and their relationships sit at the center of any change, I consider myself a proud multi-community person, as a member of, e.g., the Wasan Network, the House of Beautiful Business, the Responsible Leaders Network and more.
My portfolio includes
– BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network (in my previous, full-time role)
– Beyond Global
– Mischief Makers' facilitator community
– & more -
With a background in strategy, philanthropy and social change work, I love firing up my analytical mind to help individuals and organisations realise or innovate their programs and strategic commitments towards social transformation. In doing so, I always apply a creative, emergent and relational lens.
My portfolio includes
– a mentorship program for young creatives from marginalized background for Routes In & Soho House Berlin
– a bespoke virtual process to consolidate the vision, mission and strategy for a Pan-African ecosystem of social innovators,
– setting the strategic and organisational foundations for a new venue for slow tourism and mindfulness on Bali,
– & more -
I’m a Yoga Alliance-certified Vinyasa, Hatha Flow & Hatha Yoga instructor. Guiding groups and individuals through gentle sequences that connect mind, body and emotion is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had the pleasure of honing. If you’re based in Berlin, reach out to learn more about my regular classes at Open Studio – or book private or corporate sessions.
Together, we are rooted as we flow. -
I love writing. "You have a way with words," I've been told. Many times.
If you liked me to write something for you, I'd love that, too. My experience ranges from website copy or blog content to narrative storytelling for brands. And, of course, I wouldn't be a writer if there wasn't a back log of unpublished poetry, hidden in the vault.
“A ballerina ninja for the soul.” - Katy Grennier, CEO of DSIL Global
“A ballerina ninja for the soul.” - Katy Grennier, CEO of DSIL Global
"A remarkable facilitator who transformed our event experience." - Khalil Walji, Scientist & Coordinator at CIFOR-ICRAF
"A remarkable facilitator who transformed our event experience." - Khalil Walji, Scientist & Coordinator at CIFOR-ICRAF
“Valerie intertwines sensuous knowledge, artistic production and a fast-thinking strategic mindset into elevated, immersive experiences.” - Louisa Mammeri, Innovation & Community at UNDP
“Valerie intertwines sensuous knowledge, artistic production and a fast-thinking strategic mindset into elevated, immersive experiences.” - Louisa Mammeri, Innovation & Community at UNDP
About my work
I support organisations and individuals working towards inner, social and environmental transformation, primarily in Europe, Western Asia and Africa. In my work, I specialise in international and cross-sectoral settings, emphasising a creative, relational and embodied approach that is inspired by nature, emergent strategy, sensuous knowledge and zen buddhism.
About me
I also dream of a transformed world where we all feel more alive.
About my CV
& education
Before becoming one of the co-founders of o jardim, where I organise and host creative residencies and retreats, I worked with the BMW Foundation, co-creating a global network of Responsible Leaders and creating, designing, and realising several transformative leadership and community programmes (e.g., dawn, Interweaving Change), among other strategic and creative positions across various organisations.
I hold an M.Sc. in Politics & Communication from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in Media & Communication Studies from Freie Universität Berlin.
Playgrounds
(More about me)