Sources and further information are linked below each reference.

Project portfolio
(excerpt)

Automation Alley is an Industry 4.0 knowledge centre in Michigan. Its overarching aim is to equip the region's long-established manufacturing industry with twenty-first-century digital technologies. Automation Alley runs a range of projects, organises the Integr8 conference, publishes articles, offers corporate membership and enters into partnerships with companies, research institutions and NGOs. My role was to build a digital production-planning platform using the 3yourmind PLM, ERP and MES system. Under Project DIAMOnD, 300 companies are equipped with Markforged 3D printers and connected to the platform so they could offer their production services through it.
The project was widely regarded as flagship project and recognised as such by the US government. Automation Alley is part of the World Economic Forum and hosts its US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing.
Areas of responsibility:
- Developing the software implementation and configuration strategy
- Collaboration with NYU Chair for Blockchain Technology on use case identification for platform
- Developing the training concept for all participating companies
- Scheduling and milestone planning
- Implementing machine connectivity via the IoT platform
- Establishing and coordinating partnerships with machine manufacturers
The project included a visit to Automation Alley for business onboarding and the Integr8 conference.
Media Reporting: CBS - Oakland County allots 15mUSD for 3D printers to support small businesses
Project Diamond: General information
WEF Media Release on Automation Alley Partnership: World Economic Forum launches US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
Blog: 3yourmind and Automation Alley work together to advance Industry 4.0
ApeiroRA (Apeiro Reference Architecture) is an open reference architecture for the cloud-edge continuum, developed by SAP as its contribution to the EU's Important Project of Common European Interest for Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI-CIS). It is funded through NextGenerationEU and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The architecture responds to the fragmentation of the European cloud market by providing an open, standards-based blueprint that allows organisations to operate independent cloud infrastructure without vendor lock-in. It spans six functional layers, physical infrastructure, bare-metal operating systems, cloud operating systems, data integration, security and AI capabilities, and builds on Kubernetes together with components from the Linux Foundation, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, the Eclipse Foundation and the Apache Software Foundation.
I acquired the IDCM-project for Capgemini, defined the solution strategy and assembled the delivery team. I lead the engagement as Senior Manager at Capgemini, working closely with SAP's project manager and SAP's Head of Strategic Projects. The Immersive Datacenter Management Initiative specifically develops an open source framework to create digital twin applications with real-time data integration and context-aware AI based on the open source engine Godot.
My responsibilities included:
- Project acquisition and engagement setup
- Solution strategy
- Team assembly and staffing
- Project leadership
- Coordination with SAP team
Project information: Apeiro Reference Architecture
Funding programme: IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services, European Commission
Federal support: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Press Report Fraunhofer Society: Sovereign Cloud-Edge Services for Europe

Project publications on relevant conferences:
World S4 Conference, London 2026, “Building Immersive Digital Twins: An Empirical Stakeholder Study of Barriers and Open Source Building Blocks in the European AR, VR and IoT Ecosystem”
ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Barcelona 2026, “Why XR needs AAS and AI-driven interaction to support operators in Next-Generation Datacenters”
Led a software development and implementation project for the Ford Advanced Manufacturing Center in Detroit and the Ford manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain. This involved close collaboration with the development and quality teams at both sites to ensure that software features fitted the existing process environment, and cross-site work on an IIoT concept for connecting production machines to the software.
Scope of Work:
- Defining strategic objectives in close consultation with Ford teams on both locations
- Cross-site IoT and Machine Connectivity setup
- User stories and requirements definition
- Data analytics use cases and dashboard definition
- Close consultation with product management and the Deep Tech team, and development of implementation ideas
- Supporting the software implementation, and providing onboarding material and training
The projects included site visits to the production plants in Detroit and Valencia:
The Advanced Manufacturing Center houses a range of advanced technologies including robotics, 3D printing and AR/VR installations, combined into a single complex to generate new solutions, ideas and prototypes. The Valencia site is Ford's largest production plant outside the United States, producing around 450,000 vehicles a year, including the Ford Kuga, and previously the models Galaxy, S-MAX, Mondeo, and Transit.
Media Release: From Fantasy to Reality: Ford’s new 45mUSD Advanced Manufacturing Center bringing the future to life - today
Profile: Valencia, Body and Assembly Plant Ford Motor Company
Conception, development of the study design and execution of a scientific study on post-processing in additive manufacturing. Industrial 3D printing applications often fail on material properties, however creative and functional the part design: surfaces are frequently rough, material strength is low, and with some technologies the parts are porous and brittle throughout. To address this, I worked closely with the artist Lindsay Lawson to produce a study for BigRep, commissioned by BASF and in collaboration with Fraunhofer IPK, setting out concrete approaches to define a repeatable and commercially viable solution.
The study comprised:
- Design of physical samples for post-processing
- Classification of selected process variants of particular relevance and effectiveness
- Scanning electron microscope images of surfaces produced with different printing parameters (variation in layer height, temperature and material)
- Profilometry to classify surface roughness before and after treatment
- Application of 16 different surface treatment methods to 3D-printed samples
- Assessment of the commercial potential
- Outlook: business case calculations under hypothetical production scenarios
E-Book Download: Post Processing for FFF-Prints
NERA is an innovation project carried out at the NOWLAB innovation lab. The project demonstrates the disruptive potential of 3D printing as a production method. The vehicle's assemblies are substantially reduced, unified and simplified. That reduction delivers major time savings in development and production, and makes manufacturing entirely independent of location: digital technology significantly widens access to high-technology processes. Through its new formal language, the 3D-printed motorcycle raises the question of whether new approaches are needed in urban transport and in transport generally.
Project execution: Nowlab - Additive manufacturing innovation
Product design: Marco Mattia Cristofori

News reporting:
Designboom: BigRep reveals 'Nera', the world's first, fully 3d printed electric motorcycle
Design Museum London: Beazley designs of the year - category transport 2019 - nera
Project description: Nera E-Motorbike
BANYAN and GENESIS are two consecutive projects we carried out at the NOWLAB innovation lab. Both are primarily concerned with making the circularity of material use enabled by 3D printing visible and tangible. The objects were produced from biodegradable materials and recycled PET bottles, and demonstrate possibilities for greening urban spaces. On an artistic level they also raise the question of what technology can and should be used for today.

Media Reporting:
3D Printing Industry: See the 3D printed Banyan Eco Wall
Initiative Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft der Bundesregierung: Unveiling the Genesis Eco Screen @ Fiction Forum
3D-Print.com: A 3D printed urban biodiversity habitat made of recycled plastic
Project description BigRep Webpage: BANYAN Eco Wall - The world's first fully 3D printed, irrigated green wall
Led a comprehensive test automation assessment for the MES used in medication manufacturing, using a network of AI agents that autonomously carry out clearly defined, sequential work packages.
My areas of responsibility:
- Team coordination with international experts in India, the UK and the USA
- Objective setting and task planning
- Technical analysis of the workflow and the architecture
- Development of the appropriate solution
- Involving subject matter experts to determine agent scope and best-fit models
- Defining suitable meta model, macro and micro agents to carry out the defined sequential activities
- Developing an implementation roadmap and result presentation
Further information:
Article Harvard Business Review: ‘What is Agentic AI?’
Capgemini Report + Information: Multi-Agent AI Automation
World Economic Forum: Agentic AI in Manufacturing
Led a large-scale software development and validation project for CARIAD (Volkswagen Group) in close collaboration with Bosch, Audi and Porsche
Areas of Responsibility:
- Budget planning
- Team Leadership
- Objective setting and task planning
- Quality assurance and Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001
- Tracking project milestones
- Invoicing
Press Release: CARIAD and Bosch extend partnership for Autonomous Driving Alliance
DIN EN ISO 9001 Zertifizierung Dekra: Information concerning scope and requirements
A product development project for a 3D-printed transport box for high-value industrial equipment such as measuring instruments, large valves and telescope components. The aim was to develop an adaptive transport box that can be 3D-printed on site as required, with an internal structure derived from a scan of the object taken on site. Box and object are matched so precisely that the equipment is transported to the highest safety standards and arrives undamaged. Because the boxes can be produced on demand and locally, they save storage space and considerably increase flexibility and supply chain resilience.
My responsibilities included:
- Project acquisition and scheduling
- Client liaison
- Project ideation and development in close collaboration with the design team
- On-site inspection of the storage facilities

E-Book Download: How Airbus manufactures shipping cases in-house
Oechsler is a manufacturing company based in Ansbach, in the Middle Franconia region of Bavaria, and one of the few firms to have pioneered 3D printing applications through to series production readiness. I worked with Oechsler on a case study examining whether their existing MES was operating efficiently. We toured the production facility, mapped the processes, carried out a comprehensive profitability calculation, and compiled a set of candidate software features that could improve the digital production environment.
Reporting: Oechsler on partnership with Carbon3D and Jack Wolfskin to develop 3d printed pads for backpacks
Reporting: Oechsler and Carbon extend collaboration
The US Navy selected the 3yourmind software suite for use within its operations. I oversaw the deployment of the IoT platform and organised and coordinated the partnerships with machine manufacturers that were needed to connect the machines.
Client Story: 3yourmind enables Distributed Manufacturing for US NAVY
Media Report: Metal AM article on partnership extension between Philips Corp & 3yourmind
SIMMT (Structure Intégrée du Maintien en condition opérationnelle des Matériels Terrestres) is the central directorate of the French Army responsible for supplying land systems and for their continuous maintenance. As Program Manager for Machine Connectivity, I oversaw the overarching deployment of the IoT platform.
Client Story: 3yourmind supports the SIMMT with 60 3D-printers in France
In 2016, Rheinmetall's group management launched a comprehensive strategy programme under the name ONE Rheinmetall, intended to establish the basis for a new, unified corporate culture and to bring the group's two divisions, Automotive and Defence, together as a single entity. I supported this strategy project for three months as part of the "Corporate Governance & Group Steering" initiative, coordinating the sub-projects "Legal Structure", "Leadership Principles" and "Cooperation and Interfaces".
Additional training at Rheinmetall Academy, Summer School for emerging leaders:
- Corporate management
- Leadership styles and behaviours
- Leadership tools
- Leadership competencies
- The role of managers and leaders: values, ethics, professional identity
Publication: Establishment of the Programme ONE Rheinmetall available in the corporate history online
The Industry X Innovation Center in Garching is operated by Accenture and houses a demonstration shopfloor featuring a wide range of technologies. Accenture experts from around the world meet here to present their work, run workshops and develop new solutions together with client companies. I established the collaboration with the Innovation Center and coordinated the installation of both 3D printers (BigRep ONE) and IoT software (3yourmind ERP and MES) on the shopfloor, also acting as an external expert.
Technologies exhibited on the shopfloor include:
- Virtual Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Adaptive sensor gloves
- Smart Grid Demonstration
- 3D Printing
- Digital imagery (machine vision and high-end renderings)
- Robotics
- Autonomous vehicles (logistics robots)

Website: Industry X Innovation Center
Press Release: Accenture IIoT & 3yourmind enable Machine Connectivity

Political activities & engagements
(excerpt)

As part of the “Digital Changemaker Delegation” I travelled for 10 days with 18 entrepreneurs, activists and representatives of the digital economy to Hong Kong to visit tech corporations, start-ups, politically active individuals and local politicians to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cultural environment and the city’s distinctive innovation ecosystem. The Hong Kong tech cluster is considered a global benchmark for innovation with its recognized research institutions and technology parks.

The programme included:
- Participation in RISE Conference Hong Kong at AsiaWorld-Expo
- Visit to TENCENT WeStart Creative Hub for Digital Entrepreneurs
- Meetings with delegation members of the German FDP leadership, incl. Christian Lindner (Chairman), Bijan Djir-Sarai (Foreign Policy Committee member), Gyde Jensen (Chair of the Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid)
- Participation in the Opening Ceremony of the Global Innovation Hub of the FNF

Delegation announcement: “Global Innovators meet in Hong Kong”
Delegation leadership: Armin Reinartz, Managing Director Global Innovation Hub Hong Kong & Greater China Unit
*Additional Note:
The Global Innovation Hub Hong Kong closed in 2020 and reopened in 2021 in Taipei, Taiwan:
Hong Kong Innovation Hub: Article on freiheit.org “Possibilities and limits of our work”
Reopening Taipei Taiwan Innovation Hub: Op-ed in CommonWealth Magazine “Innovation for democracy”
The EU Tech Chamber is a European non-profit organisation based in Brussels. It runs regular events, publishes a magazine and a podcast, and invites experts to speak on topics ranging from sustainability and technology innovation to the Sustainable Development Goals and domain-specific subjects such as virtual reality, manufacturing or smart cities.
As keynote speaker of the seminar “Harnessing sustainable materials and green innovation” I introduced projects I led, along with the business model of Findling & Engl, that incorporates environmental protection as cornerstone.
The EU Tech Chamber is co-funded by the European Union.

Host: Mohsin Raza, EU Tech Chamber, APAC Alliance & Finance Coordinator
Official website: EU Tech Chamber
On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Joachim Gauck, then the serving Federal President, I was invited as a panel guest to give short input remarks and afterwards to take part in an open discussion with Gauck and scholarship holders from across the political spectrum. The presidents of all five constitutional bodies were present, along with chairmen, representatives and senior figures from all parties.
The programme included:
- Welcome address by Kurt Beck (SPD)
- Lecture by David Grossman, “Casting an Anchor into the Future — Reflections on Freedom”, including a critical analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Panel discussion on “Democracy and Freedom” with reference to the post-reunification generation and to the preceding lecture and remarks
Organised jointly by the political foundations:
Friedrich Naumann Stiftung for Freedom (Liberals)
Hanns Seidel Foundation (CSU)
Konrad Adenauer Foundation (CDU)
Heinrich Böll Foundation (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)
Friedrich Ebert Foundation (SPD)
Event report:
Merkur.de “So feierte Gauck seinen 75. Geburtstag”
ADZ.news “Mit Joachim Gauck über Demokratie und Freiheit: Stipendiaten deutscher Stiftungen im Gespräch mit dem Bundespräsidenten”
Talk on sustainable innovation at an international conference in Sofia. I presented the BANYAN, GENESIS and NERA projects, developed jointly by an interdisciplinary team at the NOWLAB innovation lab, together with my feasibility study on the post-processing of 3D-printed objects, including a broad assessment of how far sustainable materials and material processing matter for additive manufacturing.
Key topics:
- Feasibility study, "Post Processing in AM": introduction to additive manufacturing; surface properties of different printing technologies; post-processing methods and their classification; the physical sample objects developed and printed for the study; and possible scenarios for industrial application
- BANYAN and GENESIS: the development process and its significance for green space in urban environments; the recycled materials used and the challenges of processing them; where the projects were exhibited and how audiences responded
- NERA: a fully 3D-printed electric motorcycle, shared the development process from the first ideas about its form language through to the finished object; main functions and development innovations (airless tire, electric motor, consolidation of assemblies down to 16 parts in total)

Conference organisation and invitation: Boyan Pehlivanov, B2N Back2Nature Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem, Sofia Tech Park
Press coverage: South East European Industrial market: “The balkan conference Additive Days presented innovative applications of 3D Printing”
Exhibition and event venue: Sofia Tech Park: Bulgaria’s first science and technology park focusing on information technology, life sciences and green energy
To mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, together with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Federal President, invited 175 young leaders from Germany to get to know the country, its culture, its economy and its deeply rooted culture of technological innovation. During the visit I saw research institutions, start-ups, venture capital investors and numerous projects, including in water treatment, robotics, 3D printing and scientific research.
The programme included:
- Welcome address by David Grossman
- Visit to the Yad Vashem memorial, with a joint ceremony
- Visit to the Weizmann Institute of Science, received guest lecture on latest research
- Site visit and discussion at Project Wadi Attir
- Address by the Prime Minister at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Address by the President of the State of Israel

Organisation: Israeli Embassy in Berlin, Office of the Federal President of Germany, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3D Friday Talk Show is a monthly digital event run by the Berlin start-up 3yourmind. It regularly invites leading industry experts to discuss current developments, recent research findings and new initiatives. As an expert and Program Manager for Machine Connectivity, I was invited to share insights on current projects and partnerships.
Main topics:
- Machine connectivity implementation at the US Navy: a representative use case, and discussion of why interdisciplinary partnerships matter for large-scale software innovation projects
- The Carbon production partner network: connecting all production machines through a digital interface and dashboard for managing the machine park
- Use cases from Accenture's IIoT Innovation Center: linking technologies such as robotics, sensor systems and 3D printing into a single multi-technology, high-performance system

Invited guests:
Moderator: Michael Petch, Editor-in-Chief, 3D Printing Industry, London
Guest: Jon Bruner, Head of Enterprise Strategy, CARBON 3D, San Francisco
Guest: Dr. Felix Wunner, Accenture, Manager IIoT Innovation Center Garching, München
Guest: Vanessa Katharina Findling, Program Manager for Machine Connectivity, 3yourmind GmbH, Berlin
The Süddeutsche Zeitung's Economic Summit is held annually at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin. Leaders from politics and business are invited for interviews, talks and discussions on broad current themes such as the 2008 financial crisis, the 2015 refugee crisis and the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Guests in recent years have included Angela Merkel, Christian Lindner, Wolfgang Schäuble, Marco Buschmann, Olaf Scholz and Christine Lagarde, alongside numerous representatives from business and the digital economy.
I attended the conference for several consecutive years, and in 2018 gave a talk at a parallel seminar run by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes on the latest applications of additive manufacturing. It covered in particular:
- Polymers based lactic acid from corn starch for recyclable applications
- Applications in construction
- How digital manufacturing disrupts the global supply chain
- Use cases in medical technology, especially prosthetics
- Interior design, especially lampshades and small furniture and seating

Seminar organisation: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, “Stipendiat:innen machen Programm”
The 42 Network is an educational project that addresses the shortage of skilled workers in the technology sector through a global network of coding schools. As part of a partnership between Capgemini Engineering and SW School 42 Berlin, I acted as a mentor in my role as Engagement Manager at Capgemini Engineering, supporting one student in her professional development.
Information:
Capgemini Engineering
Network42 Global
Published a guest comment in the digital magazine t3n. Short piece on salary transparency, published to mark International Women's Day on 8 March 2019.

Article: Published online on t3n.de
Publication: t3n Digital Pioneers, t3n editorial team, Hanover
Journalist: Andreas Weck, t3n, editor for New Work
Interview for the article "Maschinenbau 4.0: Neue Jobprofile durch Digitalisierung". On digital technology in traditional mechanical engineering, in particular 3D printing as a digital manufacturing technology with applications in furniture and interiors, automotive and many other sectors. Discussion of the Ernst & Young study on the subject, which found German companies leading the field, and of the innovation projects we carried out with clients.

Publication: Berliner Morgenpost, Funke Medien Berlin GmbH
Journalist: Kirstin von Elm, free journalist
As a member of the Berlin Moabit-West neighbourhood council, I took part in selecting projects for grant funding. The council is funded by the European Union, specifically through the European Regional Development Fund, one of the principal instruments of European cohesion policy. Its aim is to support structurally disadvantaged regions and to make funding available for regional, cultural and social development. Among the projects we supported was the Tag des Handwerks (Crafts Day) in Berlin-Moabit, which connects young people with potential apprenticeship employers and helps them choose a suitable trade. The funding available over a two-year term of office is in the mid six figures.

Funding body: EU - Europäischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung EFRE
Delivery entity: Quartiersmanagement Moabit West
Managing body: S.T.E.R.N. Behutsame Stadterneuerung
Coverage of the council election:
Profile of Vanessa Findling, published by Die Linke Berlin Mitte
In 2019 and 2020 there were mass protests against the so-called China extradition bill. Hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators gathered in public squares and outside government buildings for the rights and freedom of expression of Hong Kong's population. In 2019 I followed the protests and spoke with Hong Kong politicians and demonstrators. As a liberal, I am convinced of the universality of freedom of expression as the basis for democratic coexistence, and I see Western industrialised nations as having a duty to actively support the demand for these rights.
Background analysis by Council on Foreign Relations: "Hong Kong's Freedoms: What China Promises and How It's Cracking Down"
Media Coverage Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP): "Shifting narratives: how the govt's response to Hong Kong's 2019 protests evolved over four years”
The European Forum Alpbach has been held in Austria since 1945. It grew out of the resistance to National Socialism and has developed into an internationally significant forum for exchange between politics, business, NGOs and individuals working to advance their respective fields.
I attended the Technology Symposium as a scholarship holder in three consecutive years, where I had the opportunity to meet distinguished scientists, entrepreneurs and activists.

Organisation: Europäisches Forum Alpbach, Gemeinnütziger Verein, Vienna, Austria
Partnerschaft: AIT, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

FNF scholarship holders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Economic Summit SZ Wirtschaftsgipfel, Hotel Adlon, Berlin
Podium with Joachim Gauck, Federal President of Germany a.D.
Evening after successful speeches and presentations, Sophia, Bulgaria
Opening Ceremony Global Innovation Hub, Hong Kong, Wan Chai
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Federal Secretary of Justice, Berlin
Farewell Greeting of Daniela Schadt and Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, Ambassador to Germany, BER, Berlin
Opening Ceremony Global Innovation Hub, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Opening Ceremony Global Innovation Hub with delegation and party leader Christian Lindner
Travel from Berlin over the Mediterranean Sea, Syria and Libanon
Engineering Horizons Conference, Capgemini Engineering
Delegation Welcome at Airport Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv
Summer School "Personality & Leadership" Hotel Oderberg, Berlin
Visit at Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem, Jerusalem
Ceremony for the 75th Birthday of the Federal President of Germany, Joachim Gauck
Speech of Olaf Scholz at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin
Participation in Discussion around Europe's Future at Europa-Saal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Project presentation "BANYAN Eco Wall" @ Sophia Tech Park, Bulgaria
Project presentation "GENESIS Eco Screen" @ Sophia Tech Park, Bulgaria
Attendance RISE-Conference, Hong Kong @ Asia World Expo
Visit of Hong Kong Protests 2019, Anti Extradition Bill
Project presentation "NERA E-Bike" @ Sophia Tech Park, Bulgaria
Joint picture of all panelists @ Radialsystem, Berlin
Visit of the Church of the Resurrection, Old City of Jerusalem
Lecture at the Auditorium at Weizmann Institute of Science*
With Claudia Roth at the German Parliament in honour of the international parliamentary stipend
Hong Kong protest for freedom of speech
Interview Channel 2 on our perception of Israeli Innovation Culture
Visit Project Wadi-Attir, Restoration of desert ecosystems
Projekt Wadi Attir, Restoration desert ecosystem
Project Wadi-Attir, Wüste Negev, Project for restoration of the ecosystem
Honorable Speaker David Grossmann, Author and Activist for Peace
Meet with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Economic Summit SZ-Wirtschaftsgipfel
Opening Ceremony of Global Innovation Hub Hong Kong with designated FDP delgation
Dinner Reception at Capgemini Campus Les Fontaines, Chantilly
Closing the day after long speeches and discussions
Audience of the podium discussion in honor of the birthday of Joachim Gauck, Fd. President of Germany
Interview & Portait at "Berliner Morgenpost" Mechanical Engineering 4.0