Florian Hoffmann – Founder, The DO
Florian Hoffmann is a globally recognized social innovator, serial entrepreneur and founder of The DO.
Florian has been recognized with numerous awards for his work championing a vision of a global economy that is sustainable and innovative. In 2017, he was named one of the World Economic Forum’s 100 Young Global Leaders. He works closely with Fortune 500 companies, governments and foundations to solve some of today’s biggest challenges, partnering with the likes of H&M or the United Nations.
Founded in 2013, The DO School enables individuals and organizations to drive a purposeful economy that is sustainable and innovative. The DO School operates globally with offices in Berlin, New York and Hong Kong. The DO Method is amplified by the 50 000 experts and entrepreneurs within TDS’s network. The DO School’s work has positively impacted over 5 million people’s lives.
Florian regularly contributes to thought leadership on topics such as social innovation, purposeful economy and the future of work with articles, speeches and publications.
PRESS (SELECTION)
The Guardian: The tools for a radical new kind of leadership
The Times: ‘German friends’ urge Britain to stay in EU
The New York Times: Germans Send Love Letter on Brexit: Britain, Please Don’t Go
SSIR: Critical Competences for Social Impact Leaders
HuffPost: Pioneering the Possible
Wall Street Journal: Brooklyn Students Ponder a Citi Bike for To-Go Coffee Cups
Die Welt: Wohin nach der Schule? [24YOU Program]
Hamburger Morgenpost: “DO School”: Weltverbesserer in Hamburg
Berliner Morgenpost: “Revolutionen werden von jungen Menschen gemacht”
AWARDS
- World Economic Forum: Young Global Leader
- Deutschland Land der Ideen: Bildungsplattform “The DO School”
- Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards: Named Fellow
BOARDS / ENGAGEMENTS
- University of the Future (Expo 2020)
- Million Global Teacher Prize
- American Friends of Bucerius (Advisor)
EXPERTISE / TOPICS
- Purposeful business development
- The six building blocks of a purposeful organization
- The future of work
- Co-creation methodology
- Turning ideas into action
- Meaningful engagement with ESG
SELECTED PUBLIC TALKS
“Welche Fähigkeiten sind in der Arbeitswelt der Zukunft wichtig?“ / What skills will be important in the future of work?
How Do We Emerge Stronger Together?
The Social Innovation Series
World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Summit, UN Week, September 2019
“Heart of Innovation”
“Change from within: The role of intrapreneurship in business”
Oxford University, Social Impact Career Conference
“From Ideas to Action – Entrepreneurship Today”
University Of Geneva, Executive MBA
“Leadership im 21. Jahrhundert – Wie kann ich tatsächlich etwas bewirken?” / Leadership in the 21st Century – How Do I Create Change?
Universität zu Potsdam, Hasso Plattner Institute, Berlin
“Social Innovation and Education”
School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York City
“Leadership in a Changing World”
Center for American Progress & American Friends of Bucerius
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Education
Florian holds an MPhil in International Politics from St Antony’s College in Oxford with distinction. Additionally, he has degrees from Bard College, Berlin’s Humboldt University and Duke University.
Publications
Florian’s thesis “European Value Pluralism” is held by the Bodleian Library Oxford. He has participated in various publishing projects, such as assisting the distinguished historian Timothy Garton-Ash in the “Europe’s Story” project. Florian oversees The DO School’s publishing program, which includes publications in the area of purposeful organizations, the future of retail and start-up guides for impact entrepreneurs.
Other ventures
In 2008, Florian co-founded the Swiss Dekeyser & Friends Foundation in Geneva with the entrepreneur Bobby Dekeyser. He was a shareholder in DEDON Places, an island resort fostering sustainable tourism in the Philippines.
