Summary Biography
Elke Geising can easily be called a pioneer of intercultural dialogue among other roles she initiated. Born into the post-Nazi area in Northern Germany, Elke developed a sense of integrity and a collaborative mindset based on strong passion and the pioneering spirit of “it can be different – see the possibilities of life beyond dividing barriers”.
In the early 70s, Elke graduated as a clinical psychologist (master’s degree). Her work as a psychologist began as a university lecturer in Switzerland. Her motto of ‘embracing diversity defines my humanity’, led her to New York City where she worked as a community psychologist rolling out pioneering compensatory educational programs for children in black and Latin communities such as The Bronx, Harlem, and El Barrio. Speaking the language of the heart, Elke says, was the powerful connector to being accepted as white in black communities.
In subsequent decades of technology and business training, and corporate work in the US and worldwide, Elke built a proven track record as a successful businesswoman, founding and building an international management consulting firm in the IT sector in the 80s – participating in the pioneering days of Silicon Valley. Elke’s international consultancy harnessed the revolutionary capabilities of new communications technologies based on packet-switching communications protocols and global network systems which became the foundation for the Internet.
Based in New York City and Cologne, Germany with partners in Paris, London, and Singapore, Elke and her team served leading European and US telecom operators with their transition from bureaucracies to global customer-focused businesses. The alliance partners also assisted multinational corporations such as leading financial institutions, with their telecommunications re-engineering initiatives. Elke’s alliance, called GIGA successfully operated in key markets in Europe, the USA, and Asia. Executive mentoring and coaching support were an integral element of all consulting assignments.
Following the sale of her company, Elke spearheaded the Sales and Marketing Unit of TSC Germany, providing customer relationship management solutions to German-speaking markets. Elke secured major clients such as Microsoft GmbH, ARD – German TV, Otello/Arcor Telecommunications GmbH, Swiss Banking Corp., EVS – Swiss Energy Company.
At the mature juncture of her life, Elke felt again drawn to interpersonal work, especially with women in newly liberated cultures. Her motto was ‘to serve to lead, supporting women in their quest to succeed’.
The vision of being a committed intercultural communicator was reaffirmed as was the deep wish to mentor women and make a difference. Elke traveled around the world twice, consciously seeking opportunities for life-affirming engagements and accepted the invitation to work with women in South Africa sharing knowledge, expertise, and securing funds for social entrepreneurship projects and reparative dialogue.
As Psychologist and successful IT business entrepreneur, Elke has worked with individuals and organisations of diverse races, faiths, and gender identities all over the world. Today, she aims to offer guidance for formulating a vision for life short or long-term. And, in that process, developing a roadmap and milestones for defining practical tasks to be accomplished. Elke assists young people with navigating complex social dynamics and providing emotional and spiritual grounding while nurturing hope, trust, courage, and an attitude of caring-sharing. Still active as a business consultant, a key focus of Elke’s work is the human interface, addressing conflicts and inner dissonances together – in mindful connectedness across the divide of othering.