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About

The AVVY Team of Experts

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The image presents a close-up portrait of an older man, likely in his 60s or 70s, with short gray hair that is neatly styled to one side. He wears thick black-framed glasses, which add a touch of sophistication to his overall appearance. **Clothing and Accessories:** * The man's attire consists of a black shirt layered under a black zip-up hoodie. * His facial features are characterized by thinning gray hair on the sides of his face, giving him an aged yet distinguished look. * He sports a subtle stubble on his chin, adding a hint of ruggedness to his otherwise refined demeanor. **Background:** * The background of the image is blurred, but it appears to be a room with white walls and light-colored floors or furniture. * A small painting or poster hangs on the wall behind him, although its details are not discernible due to the blur. **Overall Impression:** * The man exudes an air of confidence and poise, suggesting that he is comfortable in front of the camera. * His attire and hairstyle convey a sense of maturity and elegance, while his stubble adds a touch of ruggedness to his overall appearance.

Frank Schmidt

Founder & CEO, Chief Curator & Editor

 

As a passionate entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in Emotional Brand Building, Entertainment, and Sponsorship, Frank has always believed in the power of emotions and communities. Throughout his career, he has founded several agencies and initiatives that reflect his passion for affinity contexts and emotional relationships (e.g., Ledavi Network). With AVVY, he is bringing together his know-how and network to establish an inspirational platform where a sophisticated community can curate compelling content, valuable insights, extraordinary initiatives, impactful projects, and attractive offerings, while gradually connecting with one another.

A woman with long, straight hair smiles while sitting on a beige surface, wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants, with large circular earrings, against a soft, neutral background.

Marieke Hoppe

Co-Founder & COO, Curating Editor Health & Wellbeing

 

Marieke is a brand strategist and enthusiastic explorer of the world, particularly interested in people, cultures, habitats, food, and all forms of body movement and personal growth. Discovering and curating trends, developments, and approaches in health, wellness, sports, nutrition, as well as social and mental well-being, is her personal passion. She is driven by lifelong curiosity about the art of storytelling, and finds purpose in exploring, experiencing, and celebrating the beauty of humans, nature, and the extraordinary things this world has to offer.

 

Read Articles by Marieke Hoppe

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Holger Pütting

Co-Founder & Head of Partnerships

 

Holger is an entrepreneur and founder with a strong passion for networking, travel, and trend scouting. As a long-time partner and friend of AVVY founder Frank, he leads NEST ONE, an agency for brand experience architecture. Holger draws entrepreneurial inspiration from discovering new places, engaging with inspiring people, and his diverse sporting activities. At AVVY, he is responsible for business development, networking, and brand partnerships.

The image features a woman with long, curly brown hair that appears to be blowing in the wind, although it is likely manipulated using photo editing software. Her dark brown locks cascade down her back, framing her face. In the foreground, the woman wears a black collared shirt with a V-neckline and buttons at the top of the collar, adding a touch of sophistication to her overall appearance. The background of the image is a clean white, providing a neutral backdrop that allows the viewer's attention to focus on the subject. Overall, the composition of the image creates a sense of elegance and poise, with the woman's hairstyle and attire contributing to a polished look.

Andrea Bury

Curating Editor Shape The World

Andrea is positively curious and loves meeting new people from completely different backgrounds and cultures. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding has taken her across continents, where she delves deep into the heart of diverse cultures, embracing their unique wisdom and practices. Andrea’s commitment to sustainability is not just a philosophy but a way of life, guiding her efforts to foster economic, social and environmental well-being through mindful practices. Her vision for herself and her social business ABURY is aiming to build bridges between different worlds, celebrating our shared humanity, and nurturing a global community bound by mutual respect and learning. 

 

The image features three men standing in front of a white brick wall, with the central figure positioned slightly to the left. The man on the far right wears a black fedora hat and is attired in an all-black ensemble, comprising a turtleneck sweater and suit jacket. He also sports a thick mustache. The middle-aged individual to his left has shaved head and is dressed similarly, albeit without the hat and mustache. The third man, only partially visible on the far left, is wearing a black fedora hat and appears to be balding. The men's attire and facial hair suggest that they may be part of a band or musical group, possibly captured during a photo shoot.

Luca & Gunnar Romeyke

Curating Editors Discover The World

As founders and owners of the boutique travel agency OneXperience, they have put their love and passion for travel at the heart of their work and created an exclusive oasis for travel lovers seeking the extraordinary. What drives them is their constant curiosity for unforgettable adventures and authentic experiences with nature, culture and people. They see it as their mission to share these enriching experiences with others and inspire them to explore the world in their own unique way.

 

The image depicts a woman standing in front of a wooden wall, with her hands tucked into the pockets of her pants. The woman has long, straight red hair that falls down her back. She is wearing a white blouse with vertical blue stripes and dark blue pants. The blouse features a high neckline and buttons down the front, while the sleeves are puffed at the shoulders and then taper to fit snugly around her wrists. Her face is blurred out of focus. The background of the image is a light-colored wood paneling, which provides a clean and neutral backdrop for the woman's portrait. The overall atmosphere of the image suggests that it was taken in an office or professional setting, possibly as part of a company's marketing materials or employee profiles.

Claudia Hornemann

Curating Editor Arts & Culture

 

As Avvy’s cultural content curator and editor, Claudia brings together cultural and zeitgeist topics that resonate with our times. She is a cultural insider and networking agent in the worlds of art, culture, and design. After living in several European capitals, she now calls Berlin her home, where her passion for the arts is fueled by active involvement in the city’s vibrant scene. Claudia consults for luxury brands, serves as an ambassador at the renowned Sprüth Magers gallery, and is on the board of trustees at the Neue Nationalgalerie, helping to bring cultural projects to life. Outside of work, she embraces a mindful lifestyle, drawing inspiration from nature and hiking. Expect weekly content, personal stories, and updates filled with unique insights into cultural trends and the evolving Zeitgeist.

 

A man in a white shirt and beige pants sits on a stone pier by a calm waterfront, tying his red and white sneakers, with trees and a hillside in the background.

Carsten Heintzsch

Curating Editor Zeitgeist & People

Carsten is the editor of the Avvy Zeitgeist & People Section. An experienced communication creative, Carsten channels the currents, tensions, and movements of people’s daily lives into thought-provoking essays and inspiring missions. He firmly believes that everyone is a unique and extraordinary individual, each holding a treasure trove of lifetime stories. Carsten’s passion lies in uncovering the ever-evolving Zeitgeist within these stories and celebrating it as a guiding force for us all. A true enthusiast of music and sports, Carsten is, above all, a devoted admirer of the incredible phenomenon known as humanity.

 

The image is a black-and-white photograph of a man sitting on a bench in front of trees. * The man is wearing: + A dark-colored t-shirt + A baseball cap + Dark jeans * He has tattoos on his arms, including one that appears to be a leaf or flower design on his right forearm and another that resembles a word or phrase on his left bicep. * The background of the image shows: + Trees with green leaves + Grass The overall atmosphere of the image suggests a casual, relaxed setting, possibly in a park or outdoor recreational area.

Chris Leete

Curating Editor Design & Architecture

 

Chris serves as one of Avvy’s Editors, specializing in film storytelling with a strong emphasis on documentaries. Over the years, he has focused on projects that embrace themes of social inclusivity, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, mental health, and the evolving landscape of sports. Known for his emotional storytelling and keen ear for sound, Chris also brings a refined eye for aesthetics, backed by a degree in Arts & Design. His goal is to create content that not only entertains and educates but also provokes thoughtful reflection. Having expanded his expertise into writing, Chris continues to infuse his narratives with the same depth and impact found in his films.

 

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Christopher Hellwig

Head of UX Design & Technology

 

Christopher is a seasoned entrepreneur, UX/UI designer, and full-stack programmer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in brand building and web design. His career is marked by collaborations with celebrities such as multi-platinum artist Alvaro Soler and major companies like Universal Music among others. He also was a pivotal figure at Dash Radio, where he developed products that garnered attention from Forbes, Rolling Stone, and more. At AVVY, Christopher leverages his extensive background to drive technological innovation and enhance user experiences.
Man in a black short-sleeve henley shirt and beige trousers, standing confidently against a dark background.

Philipp Thom

CTO, Chief Technology Officer

 

As a passionate IT professional with over 15 years of experience in Full-Stack development and IT project management, Philipp has always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and human connection. At Avvy, he leads the technical vision and ensures that the platform not only runs smoothly, but also evolves with the needs of a vibrant 50+ community. With a strong background in software architecture, cloud infrastructure, and AI integration, Philipp builds digital solutions that are as forward-thinking as they are user-friendly. His mission: to create meaningful, secure, and intuitive tech experiences that empower people to connect, learn, and grow—at any age.