ESMT ALUMNAE SUCCESS STORIES
years at ESMT, I had a chance to learn about core management topics from world‑class academics and to solidify this learning through working in about ten multicultural teams on fast-paced projects. Importantly, we weren’t only lectured, we were also coached and taught to give each other feedback in a helpful manner. This helped me during the later stages of my career.” What are the next steps on your career journey? “Currently, I am running a consulting and training business, helping people take their companies forward in a shorter amount of time by creating effective startup support programmes, as well as working with founders directly. I am also a visiting lecturer at Imperial College. “Having supported thousands of people on their entrepreneurial journey, I am now on a mission to scale this up further. I am working on my first book, provisionally titled: Not Everyone Should Start a Business: A Guide to Deciding If Entrepreneurship Is Right for You. “It’s in the early stages, but I’d love to help more people discover if entrepreneurship is the right path for them. There is a lot of material out there on how to build a business, but there are too few discussions about whether someone should start their own
What single course, project, initiative or programme aspect was your favourite part? “One of the main highlights was being able to develop my first tech startup during the programme. My co-founder and I came up with the idea through our coursework and even wrote our theses on related topics. It kick-started my startup journey and shaped how I think about business.” Can you give an example of a lesson learnt during your programme that you have been able to apply to your current role and workplace? “One thing that stuck with me was from our Decision Science class when our tutor, Professor Francis de Véricourt said, ‘You can’t judge a decision by its outcome.’ For me, one of the most important things in my career is continuous improvement and this notion is something that really helps. It’s always in the back of my mind and has saved me from drawing incorrect conclusions in my work and leadership development.” How has the programme made a difference to your career and development as a manager? “Frankly, it exposed me
LISA PORTZ Qualification: Master’s in management, class of 2017 Current role: Independent startup programme designer and business advisor, director of ZebraFarm, visiting lecturer at Imperial College London Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career to date? “I was raised by a mum who built her own business and freelanced. Plus, I grew up hearing stories of my late dad’s entrepreneurial ventures. With two role models like these, the chances of me not going on to start my own thing were pretty slim. “I spent the first chapter of my career gathering a wide range of skills and experiences that would give me a solid foundation for being an effective business builder. I went from sales and events to banking and then an executive role at a startup. “Armed with these skills and experiences, I embarked on a journey to facilitate business building for other people through my own consulting and training practice.” Why did you decide to study for an MiM degree at ESMT? “ESMT had incredible appeal – it was this international, highly ranked business school in the city centre of Berlin. The faculty was remarkable and the student body incredibly diverse – there were 53 students from 29 countries in my class. I felt at home from the moment I arrived for my interview.”
to a world I would not have had access to otherwise. The school’s strong corporate network enabled me to get a glimpse of top-tier banking during my internship. Then, with the support of the faculty, I discovered and was able to secure a spot on the PhD programme at Imperial College London. “It was also a brilliant learning experience. During my two
thing and why and how they can find an idea that is well aligned with who they are. “Over the years, I’ve learned that the success of a business is largely predetermined by whether what the business
does aligns well with who the founder is. I think it goes to show that entrepreneurship is deeply personal.”
Ambition • ISSUE 5 • 2025 29
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