Anna is an amazing person, full of imaginative ideas and creativity which she dishes out generously to those around her, inspiring and motivating them.  She and Bettina met at an ISPIM Conference in June 2008 – and that was it! The writing of the book ‘The Future of Innovation’ and consequent Masterclasses on this topic have firmly cemented their friendship. Anna now pursues a varied career that means she can be found the UK, Russia, the UK and Germany – and a collection of other countries!

Do you take the time to introduce people to each other?  If not, do!!!  Bettina has been connected with the most amazing people you can imagine.  Arndt is one of these people – Bettina sensed a kindred spirit as we seemed to share many passions while coming from a different starting point and perspective. Part of Arndt’s journey were a PhD in neuroscience, a certificate in biomimicry and being a Design Thinking coach, all of which he puts to work to help organisations move towards sustainability-driven innovation through his own organisation, phi360. 

Charlie is another of those people whom Bettina felt compelled to invite to join the amazing group of Friends of the ILF; there is something about his spark, energy, passion and diverse experience which made it irresistible. Something that may have also played into it is the fact that Charlie is all about  turning social impact ideas into commercial businesses, and is involved in all kinds of amazing projects in the world of sustainability: DryGro and Origen Power, to name but a few.

Bettina had the great pleasure of teaching Crys at one of her favourite programmes, the MBI at DEUSTO Business School.  Ever since Crys introduced Bettina to her thinking on Citizen Entrepreneurship, the two have stayed in touch and are working on opportunities for deeper collaboration.

As for Citizen Entrepreneurship,  it’s about re-framing the systems of municipal governance to meaningfully involve citizens in their areas of passion and expertise.  Citizen change-making strives to create a ground level experience with beautiful seams… to support and celebrate the value that individuals and groups of citizens contribute in evolving our neighbourhoods, cities and beyond.

Deepak has been introduced to Bettina through a mutual friend (whom you can also find here! Want to make a guess?).  If a trusted friend recommends a connection Bettina knows she is on to a good thing!  Deepak, based in India, is a warm and generous spirit, whose work on ‘Humanising Brands’ will hopefully help spread the spirit of warmth and generosity in the business world around the globe!  In order to do the spreading Deepak has set up his own company, Drizzlin.

The meeting of Denise and Bettina proves that we really decide what we think about someone in a few seconds! Bettina had the privilege of hearing Denise speak at a NESTA event back 2012 in on her favourite topic: biomimicry. Taken immediately with the content, and the passion and knowledge behind the delivery Bettina approached Denise – and despite having exchange only a few words on that occasion, and Denise returning to the US shortly afterwards, they have stayed in touch since. Most recently Denise has started to explore the gift of biomimicry in the context of leadership.

Dorothea and Bettina met in 2008 on a Discontinuous Innovation Lab and since then their paths have increasingly merged and intertwined. Both share a deep passion for embedding sustainability as innovation driver, and for placing individuals at the heart of the transformation we so urgently need.  Indeed, it was Dorothea who added a fourth ‘P’ for ‘Person’ to the 3 ‘P’ of Planet, People, Profit. She has been on a truly remarkable ‘twin path’ of personal growth and corporate transformation at Philips – and you can read all about it in her wonderful, inspiring and insightful book “Personal and organisational transformation towards sustainability

Emily and Bettina go back to their days at London Business School – though it was much later when they truly connected, realising their shared passion for design and innovation. As Ambassador Emily has helped raise awareness for the ILF, and is still occasional visitor to the Networking Group meetings. For the past few years she has build up an amazing business, helping people get most out of LinkedIn.

Eva, whom Bettina met during an event at Central St Martin where Eva was studying, was the one who inspired the creation of the role of Student in Residence! She was a fresh breath in the Networking Group meetings and a reminder of the changes in mindset that the younger generations bring to the table … She is now part of the European DESMA project as part of which she works on her PhD at Imperial College.

It was France’s interest in and passion for innovation that has brought her to the Innovation Leadership Forum Family. Since 2010 Bettina and France have been scheming how best to infiltrate France with the Innovation Leadership Forum and the Innovation Wave®. After a varied career in diverse corporations France now pursues her passion for innovation through her own organisation Kaliris.

The beautiful way the universe puts people into our paths with whom we connect deeply … when Gabriele and I met several years ago, both students on the path to be Warriors for the Human Spirit, I knew immediately that she was one of them. A deep believe in being of service, a passion for being present, witnessing and holding space are just few of the things we share in common. An honour to be connected.

Jennifer is a true artist…with words, with a paintbrush, and with life. She and Bettina met in Taos back in 2007 at a a women’s leadership retreat. Jennifer is one of those people whose questions or comments might irritate you… not because they are irrelevant or rude, but because they hit a spot – one  that you would have preferred not to look at – and her sincere interest and compassion  make it difficult both to ignore it or get angry!  This ability is probably also why she gets involved in the entrepreneurial scene a lot.  Oh yes, and not to forget her blog, Business To A Different Beat, and her book, A Woman’s Mind Half Naked (Revised Edition). 

Madeleine and Bettina were connected through the amazing women’s network, UnitedSucces, when Madeleine was working on her project ‘We Soar’, a piece of global research into women entrepreneurship,  and immediately recognised each other as fellow-travellers on their journey to understand, learn and grow – and inspire others to join on this journey. Madeleine an award-winning entrepreneur herself founded Synquity. Madeleine fused ‘Synergy and Equity’ which to her refers to the splendour and beauty of being in sync with yourself and others at work or home.

Mario and Bettina go way back, to the turn of the millennium when Bettina was teaching at the University of Westminster’s MBA Design Management. Initially intrigued by Mario’s brilliant course work and dissertation, she has since realised that he is generally brilliant: as designer, as thinker, as visionary, and as a friend. (… a lot of brilliance … well, truth will out!). You can check out his thinking and doing on his website.

Bettina is fascinated by Meltem’s approach to the built (retail) environment which is holistic, poetic, exciting, and aims at all five senses! It is Meltem’s approach that gives Bettina hope that in the threesome of online, soulless shopping mall and high street boutiques it is the middle one that will drop out! Bettina had the pleasure of meeting Meltem back in 2007 when Meltem was working for L’Occitane en Provence as International Concept Manager, and Bettina was Chaire Internationale ICN in « Management du Design et de l’Innovation, ICN Business School, Nancy University.”  Meltem was also contributor to The Future of Innovation where she shared her thoughts on why diversity is key

Neil and I met through the 6’I’s practitioners’ network, and I love that he describes himself as a highly empathetic human expert. That’s just what we need to help organisations onto a more sustainable path where the requirements of profit – which has always been the focus, and planet – which is gaining more attention, are balanced with the needs of the person and people – which seems to sadly lack in so many places!

Penelope and Bettina connected, some time ago, and neither of them can remember how exactly it happened…  After finally meeting in person it was clear: Penelope would be just such a wonderful addition to the ILF Friends. How could she not when it says on her website: “I’m dedicated to making it easy for you to identify the barriers and break through them so you can make the most of who you are.” This little video shares a bit of the essence of her thinking.

A connection that started with Bettina’s indignation of being asked to promote an event of an organisation she had never heard about …  The indignation transformed to admiration quickly once Bettina took a look at the website of the Collective Leadership institute (CLI): their work is just inspiring and reflects Petra’s passion for enabling collaboration, stakeholder engagement, leadership and sustainability, something that was recently recognised by an invitation to become a full member of the Club of Rome. In order to share her passion and make it actionable for others Petra has developed the Collective Leadership Compass about which you can find out in this short video, and  her books.

Salvatore reached out to Bettina a few years ago when looking for a partner in crime for writing a book on design management.  While that has not (yet) materialised, Bettina fell in love with the beauty of Salvatore’s thinking and writing when reading his article on leadership lessons from Don Quijote and is delighted that they have become friends.  Salvatore is a true leaders of the 21st century who leads by inspiring and enabling others.

While Bettina first encountered Sue back in 2002 when teaching ‘Managing Innovation Design & Creativity’ as elective on the MBA programme at London Busienss School, it was a good 10 years later that they reconnected. Bettina just loves Sue’s passion for sustainability and innovation, in particular for passing it on to the next generations which is why her latest venture, ScienceClubz, set up in 2015, is all about fostering a love of science and innovation in our next generation. If you are interested in getting first insights into quantum physics, Sue’s book, “Chagford Twins – The Quizling Question” is absolutely brilliant. 

Having met a one of the first innovation conferences in Europe back in 2004 (!!), Susanne and I found that we shared a passion not only for innovation, but also for networking, sharing and, not to forget, diversity. Indeed, innovating with diversity was at the heart of Susanne’s PhD, and helping companies realising the potential that lies therein is what Susanne does through her research, and her company Innoversity CPH.

Ulrike is an independent, dependable spirit with connections across and around the globe, a big heart, and endless courage to pursue the things she believes in. Ulrike and Bettina met 2012 at the d.confestival in Potsdam, Bettina chairing a session on new and exciting developments in the world of elementary schools, and Ulrike presenting her amazing we_school, a project she ran in India.  Bettina particularly loves her for her following statement: “I strongly believe that growth cannot be defined by pure economic number crunching – growth has to be defined by its social and environmental impact.”