Martin-Sebastian Abel
Co-Founder & MD
Martin is a recognized leader in ESG and sustainability, with extensive experience in public and private sector organizations.
Over his career, he has held various senior positions—leading ESG transformation projects for financial services clients, aligning corporate strategy with regulatory frameworks such as CSRD, and building the Sustainability Business Consulting Unit at an international PR firm. In addition to his consulting expertise, Martin-Sebastian is a Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance and a GRI-certified professional. He holds an MBA from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and lectures on green and sustainable finance at the Frankfurt School of Finance. He is also an alum of Columbia Business School.
Martin-Sebastian is part of the European Leadership Accelerator of the Atlantic Council, where he contributes to transatlantic dialogue on sustainability, innovation, and the green transition. His academic work includes co-authoring peer-reviewed publications on climate accounting and sustainable finance.
Marco Cabras
Co-Founder & CSO
Marco is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of newskontor. A seasoned journalist and PR professional, he advises both mid-sized businesses and publicly listed companies on strategic communications. As a recognized expert, Marco also provides comprehensive support to startups and fintechs, guiding them in all aspects of communication. Before founding newskontor, Marco spent many years as an editor for newspapers, business magazines, and television stations, building a deep understanding of media and corporate storytelling.
Advisory Board
Dr. Patricia Helena Hein
Assistant Professor of Sustainability
Patricia is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability at the Ivey Business School. Her research focuses on the interplay of organizations and society. Specifically, Patricia explores how organizations may perpetuate pressing societal issues – such as inequality or climate change – but also how they can bring about societal change. In addition, she focuses on sustainable finance and impact investing. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Patricia worked in asset management for more than a decade. Most recently, she was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs, advising clients on equity, fixed income, and alternative investments.
Julia Villalba Ambrosoni
Civil engineer & seasoned Project Lead for Energy & Climate transition
Julia is a dynamic project leader and consultant specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. With a background as a civil engineer and over seven years of experience across multiple international markets, Julia has spearheaded projects that optimize energy systems, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainability. Her expertise spans project management, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of innovative solutions that have achieved measurable outcomes, including significant energy savings for diverse industries.
Lina Maria Pietras
ICF-zertifizierte Business & Leadership Coach
Lina is a certified business coach, inclusion strategist, and founder of purpose.hub®. (https://purposehubcoaching.com/en/) Visually impaired since childhood, she draws on a lifetime of resilience and unique perspective to inspire change. With over 3,000 coaching hours and two decades of experience in organizational transformation and human-centric leadership, she specializes in developing senior executive leadership teams and fostering sustainable, inclusive change. Lina is pursuing a Ph.D. in Inclusion Strategy, exploring systemic transformations needed for equity and sustainability, with her first research based in Brazil’s corporate ecosystem. A Global MBA graduate from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF), Lina is a thought leader in inclusion as a human right, not a privilege. She believes meaningful transformation requires consent-driven dialogue and structural solutions. As a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader, Lina’s book Herzauge, published in Germany, will launch in Brazil and the Americas in 2025, advancing her vision for a global shift toward sustainable ecosystems.
Dr. Friedrich Paulsen
Head of Government Engagement
Friedrich is Head of Government Engagement at the German Savings Banks and Giro Association. With 15+ years of expertise in government engagement and regulatory affairs advocacy across Germany and Europe, he is recognized for building trusted alliances with policymakers, governments, and regulators. With a rich background in transatlantic dialogue, international engagement, and art scene advice in New York City, he brings a unique perspective to conversations. He has held research positions at Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has contributed to EU-funded programs on local welfare innovation and conflict mediation. He is also an alumni of the Aspen Leadership Seminar.
Dr. Garen Markarian
Professor of Accounting at HEC – University of Lausanne
Garen is is a professor of Accounting and Private Equity at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Düsseldorf. Previously, he held academic positions at IE Madrid and HEC Paris, and served as First Regional Economic Officer for Western Asia at the United Nations. Dr. Markarian brings extensive expertise in research on economic crises, equity markets, financial reporting, and valuation, combining academic rigor with practical insights into global financial systems.
Want to join the team?
We are always looking for ambitious, enthusiastic and entrepreuneurial people to join our team. If this sounds like you, drop us a line with what you can bring to our company that sets you apart from anyone else.