Kerstin Plehwe is an experienced entrepreneur, bestselling author, and international keynote speaker with a focus on new leadership, transformation, and impact. For over 25 years, she has advised leaders across business, politics, sports, and the nonprofit sector, offering a unique blend of strategic insight, bold vision and global perspective.

She broke new ground as the first female president of the German DMA and the first German recipient of the U.S. Pollie Award. Her work and speaking engagements have taken her to countries including South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil and the U.S.

Driven by a lifelong connection to nature and wildlife, Kerstin took an extraordinary step mid-career—leaving her corporate world to become a Ranger in the South African wilderness - an experience that deeply shaped her views on leadership, resilience, and sustainability. Her passion for wildlife and conservation also led to her German bestselling National Geographic book The Wisdom of the Elephants.

As President and CEO of PAN International, a fast-growing global medical nonprofit, she leads PANs global efforts to combat diet-related diseases. She advises on various boards and splits her time between Germany and the United States, where she lives with her family and Dachshund, Anton. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, playing pickleball, and cooking that is both nourishing and environmentally conscious.