Design Thinking – All Tools in One Book
A practical guide for those who want to grow their business and aren't afraid to experiment. Best practices from 150+ cases.
Russian Buy at Ozon Buy at Eksmo
C-Level Executive Search · General Management · Entrepreneur · Art Collector · Political Commentator
About
I am an executive, entrepreneur, and researcher with a deep interest in science and over 20 years of experience in founding ventures, transforming organizations, and exploring human behavior.
I co-initiated a supernanocapacitor research project, backed by Horst Julius Pudwill (Chairman & Co-Founder of Techtronic Industries). I also served as Board Observer and Interim CFO for Mr Pudwill's assets, Avatera (the first German system for robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery) and Becker Carbon (a carbon manufacturer). Earlier, I founded Adapt or Die Ventures, a Munich-based consultancy that supported companies such as Merck and Plansee in embedding design as a strategic driver. Today, I am the co-founder of Kempkens x Kohler, an executive search firm based in Munich, which I lead with my partner and friend Sebastian Kohler. We pride ourselves on challenging the status quo and consistently outperforming traditional industry players.
My professional journey spans roles with global brands, including SAP in Palo Alto/US and Walldorf/DE, Russell Reynolds Associates in Frankfurt, Munich, and London, The Boston Consulting Group, and Sber in Moscow.
I led high-stakes cross-border corporate intelligence mandates — including asset tracing for Burfold Capital, out-of-court dispute resolution with Gazprom, and risk assessment for Chinese investors in German renewables — delivering actionable outcomes in politically sensitive, legally complex, and reputationally charged environments.
My work has been recognized with several awards, including Headhunter of the Year 2019, the iF Design Award, and two Red Dot Awards. I was also nominated for the Cannes Lions in 2022. I regularly speak and write on the topics of Design and Design Thinking.
Academically, my research began with a dissertation on misinformation — "Rumours and Fake News – Effects of Message Credibility on Human Behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic" — completed at my alma mater, MGIMO, where I am currently pursuing my habilitation, "The role of strategic narratives in the formation of competing models of the world order", in the Department of Political Science under the supervision of Professor Tatiana Alekseeva.
I am part of the Forbes Business Council and also serve on the Expert Advisory Council of the ordoliberal institute for conservative economic policy (IKW).
I am a member of the Rotary Club München-Friedensengel, serve on the board of Europe's largest cigar aficionado circle, the Prinz von Hessen Freundeskreis, and am part of the Extreme Traveler International Congress (ETIC).
I was a national player in Germany's first ever Rugby League international match (inofficial though) against the Netherlands on August 7th, 2005.
Beyond work, I collect constructivistic art, play the game of Go, and most importantly, cherish time with my daughter, Anna Wilhelmina.
Books
Design Thinking – All Tools in One Book
A practical guide for those who want to grow their business and aren't afraid to experiment. Best practices from 150+ cases.
Russian Buy at Ozon Buy at Eksmo
Design Thinking
Explores design thinking as a method for solving business challenges through a creative approach — prioritizing human benefit, empathy, and the needs of the target audience.
Russian Buy at Eksmo
Driving Design Acumen
The continuation of "Design Thinking – All Tools in One Book": embedding the mindset of design — and by extension human- and user-centricity — systematically into the DNA of an organization.
Russian Buy at Eksmo
A Mirror Of The Big Idea
Decades of Soviet advertising for travel to the largest territorial state on earth — the geographical diversity of the USSR from the mountains of the Caucasus to the Crimean peninsula and the Baltic States.
English · German · Russian Buy here
Rumors and Fake News: Effects of Message Credibility on Human Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This monograph analyzes the influence of false information on human behavior during the COVID-19 crisis — trust in information, resilience to disinformation, and the formation of public behavior in the digital age.
Russian · English Buy here
Das Echo der Straße: Eine Analyse der Wurzeln des Syrienkonflikts
A powerful account of a nation's longing for independence, the roots of rising unrest, and a president's failed attempt to prevent war through rapid democratic reforms.
German Buy at amazon.de
Weißrussland anders
Belarus, just a few hours from Berlin, is often reduced to clichés of politics and power. This guide presents the country without prejudice — from modern Minsk to quiet rural landscapes — for curious travellers and business visitors alike.
German Buy at amazon.de
Book Chapters
Design thinking za nedizajnere – kako riješiti poslovne probleme i uspješno inovirati
Introduces design thinking, the leading global innovation method used by companies like Google, Apple, and IBM — explained in a simple, practical way with tools for everyday business.
Croatian Buy here
Corporate Design Thinking – Wie Unternehmen ihre Innovationen erfolgreich gestalten
How design thinking can be successfully implemented in companies to drive innovation — with emphasis on people, organizational culture, and the external business environment.
German Buy at Springer.com
Einführung in die Wirtschaftsinformatik – Band 1: Grundlagen des digitalen Zeitalters
Explores the digital age and the role of information and communication technology in modern life, from a Digital Native perspective, with case studies and learning tools.
German Buy at Springer.com
Digitale Führungsintelligenz: "Adapt to win"
How leaders can use digital disruption as an opportunity to rethink customers, relationships, and value creation — introducing "digital leadership intelligence" as key to navigating change.
German Buy at Springer.com
Select Academic Writing
2026
"Balancing Universal Principles and Local Contexts: A Geopolitical Interpretation of Friedrich Carl von Savigny's Concept of the Volksgeist"
To be published
"How Competing Epistemic Communities Envision International Order in the Context of the Russian–Ukrainian Conflict"
To be published
"Politics of Remembrance in German-Russian Relations: WWII Memory, State Legitimacy, and Diplomatic Tensions"
To be published
2023
"A critical attitude and its influence on behavior change in terms of forming a negative position towards governmental mitigation measures during a pandemic"
Ex Vestnik Universiteta, 04.09.2023
"Children in Times of a Pandemic – Do Parents More Frequently Believe in Rumors and Fake News on Social Media?"
Ex Communicology, 2.4.2023
"On the Development of Resistance against the Corona Policy of the German Government"
Ex Global Journal of Human-Social Science: Political Science, V23, 5 – 2023
2022
"Rumours and Fake News – Effects of Message Credibility on Human Behaviour during the Corona Pandemic"
Ex Kemerovo Bulletin, 28.03.2022
Selected Political Commentaries
2026
Правда вместо изоляции. Какие выводы сделали немецкие гости после визита в Беларусь?
Ex CTB, 01.06.2026
2025
Ex Frankfurter Rundschau, 18.12.2025
Global media covered Azerbaijan biasedly for decades
Ex Report Informasiya Agentliyi (AZB), 24.10.2025
International travellers arrive in Lachin, explore Azerbaijani culture at art gallery
Ex Caliber (AZB), 22.10.2025
Оливер Кемпкен: Темпы восстановления Карабаха говорят о больших перспективах региона
Ex Report Informasiya Agentliyi (AZB), 24.10.2025
Alman səyyah: Ağdamda fantastik işlər görülür
Ex APA (AZB), 22.10.2025
Almaniyadan olan səyyah Ağdamda aparılan bərpa işlərinin templərini yüksək qiymətləndirib
Ex Trend News Agency (AZB), 22.10.2025
Ex Azertac, 22.10.2025
Gazprom hebt Gaspreise an: Reaktion auf dramatische Verlustbilanz
Ex Frankfurter Rundschau, 30.06.2025
Friedensverhandlungen helfen Russlands Wirtschaft wieder auf die Beine – was Trump für Putin opfert
Ex Münchener Merkur, 19.02.2025
Putin in Sorge um russische Wirtschaft
Ex Münchener Merkur, 23.01.2025
„Lukaschenko genießt tatsächlich viel Zustimmung in der Bevölkerung"
Ex RND, 24.01.2025
2024
Putin durch Rubel-Verfall in Bedrängnis: Ökonom tarnt Kritik auf ungewöhnlichem Weg
Ex Münchener Merkur, 13.12.2024
„Russland stoppen – notfalls ohne die USA" – eine Replik auf Markus Häßler
Ex NZZ, 13.12.2024 (print)
Russland ist für China zu einem Freiluft-Labor geworden
Ex Münchener Merkur, 20.08.2024
Unvermeidbares Szenario: Russlands Wirtschaft droht Rezession
Ex Frankfurter Rundschau, 02.10.2024
Russlands Wirtschaft droht Niedergang im Ukraine-Krieg
Ex Münchener Merkur, 27.11.2024
Rubel-Absturz belastet Russlands Wirtschaft: Zentralbank gerät in Zugzwang
Ex Münchener Merkur, 28.11.2024
2023
„Warum Russlands Wirtschaft so robust ist"
Ex FAZ, 23.04.2023 (print)
„Ex-Manager der Russischen Sberbank: Westliche Sanktionen haben ihr Ziel verfehlt"
Ex Berliner Zeitung, 20.04.2023 (print)
„Russland-Sanktionen gescheitert: Ex-Manager der Sberbank fordert die Ampel heraus"
Ex Berliner Zeitung, 26.08.2023 (print)
„Streit um LNG-Terminal: Ex-Topbanker erklärt Vorgänge gegen deutsche Banken in Russland"
Ex Berliner Zeitung, 27.07.2023 (print)
„Russland: Wirtschaft bleibt trotz Sanktionen stark"
Ex Wirtschaftswoche, 19.04.2023 (print)
„Der Westen hat die Stärke der russischen Wirtschaft schlicht unterschätzt"
Ex RND, 21.12.2023
„Warum blockiert Deutschland plötzlich neue Sanktionen gegen Russland?"
Ex Berliner Zeitung
„Der Sowjetmensch war ein mutiges Ideal."
Ex n-tv, 30.01.2023
Selected Media
2023
Seine Plakate offenbaren den Geist Russlands
Ex Weltwoche, 06.23 (print)
2022
Design Acumen Virtual Lectures
Ex okko.tv, 09.22
2021
Кадровое решение: чем цифровая HR-платформа интересна для сотрудников
Human Resources Solution: How a digital HR platform is interesting for employees
Ex Forbes, 21.12.2021
2018
The Business Case for Curiosity
Co-author of Merck KGaA's "State of Curiosity Report 2018" and part of the advisory team of CEO Stefan Oschmann, Merck KGaA Darmstadt.
Ex Harvard Business Review, 09/2018
Selected Podcasts / VLOG / TV
2026
„Das sind Schlafwandler" – Die unbequeme Wahrheit über Deutschland
Ex Gegen Den Strom von Patrik Baab, 21.05.2026
Роль современной женщины по мнению белорусов. Социологическое исследование
Ex Вечерний политический канал, 11.03.2026
Wie Russland & der Westen wieder zusammenfinden können
Ex Flavio von Witzleben Podcast, 18.01.2026
2025
Ex AnewsZ, 26.10.2025
Ex Real TV (AZB), 22.10.2025
Ex AZTV Media, 22.10.2025
Ex CBC TV Azerbaijan, 22.10.2025
Ex CBC TV Azerbaijan, 22.10.2025
Über die belarussisch-deutschen Beziehungen
Ex Radio Belarus, 20.08.2025
So erlebt ein deutscher Manager die Stimmung in Moskau
Ex n-tv, 15.08.2025
Bankenkrise in Russland? Ein Blick hinter die Kulissen
Ex Zaren. Daten. Fakten., Juli 2025
Ex-Sberbank-Manager: Wie Russland wirklich tickt
Ex Flavio von Witzleben, Mai 2025
Wie ist das Leben als Deutscher in Russland
Ex Finn's Fairytale, März 2025
Die Deutsche Wirtschaft ist in Schieflage
Ex News.by, Februar 2025
2024
Das Leben in Russland ist ganz anders
Ex HCKM Philipp Hopf (Hoss & Hopf), Dez. 2024
Ex Belta, 24.12.2024
2023
Ex-Manager Oliver Kempkens über das Leben in Moskau
Ex The Pioneer, 27.03.2023
Work Experience
Since 2023
Since 2023
2019–2023
2018
2016–2017
2011–2015
2010
Academic Experience
Higher Education
2025–2028
2018–2024
09/2018
09/2009
Executive Education
2014
2012
2012
2011–2012
2009–2010
2009
2008
Teaching Assignments
Agile
Hasso-Plattner Academy (2017), SKOLKOVO (2013–2018), RANEPA (2018)
Change Management & HR Leadership
University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (2012–2018)
Design Management
The British School of Design (2012)
Digital Marketing
VERN Zagreb (2015–2018), American University of Central Asia (2013–2016)
Human-Centered Design
University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (2014–2018), The British School of Design (2012)
Design Thinking
Hasso-Plattner Academy (2017–), SKOLKOVO (2013–), Stanford d.school (2011–2012), VERN Zagreb (2015–2018), FH Oberösterreich (2013–2019), University of Vienna (2013), Johannes-Kepler-Universität Linz (2014), IMC FH Krems (2018), American University of Central Asia (2013–2016), Higher School of Economics (2012), The British School of Design (2012)