Konstanze Frischen

Konstanze Frischen is a prominent figure in social entrepreneurship and currently serves as a Board Member at the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. She has an extensive background in both journalism and social innovation.

Professional Background

• Current Role: As of August 2023, Frischen is the Managing Director at Aspen Digital, where she focuses on the intersection of technology and social impact. She also leads Ashoka in North America, a global organization dedicated to fostering social entrepreneurship.14

• Previous Experience: Before her current roles, Frischen was a Leadership Group Member at Ashoka, where she launched and directed the Tech & Humanity initiative. She co-founded Ashoka in Germany in 2003 and played a crucial role in expanding its influence across Europe.13 Additionally, she was a board member of GLS Bank, a mutualist bank in Germany, prior to relocating to the United States in 2015.12

• Journalism Career: Frischen began her career as a journalist, working for CNN in London and as a reporter and editor for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in Germany. This experience laid a foundation for her later work in social impact and entrepreneurship.13

Education

Frischen holds a Master's degree in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics, which complements her practical experience in social issues and innovations.1

Contributions to Social Entrepreneurship

Throughout her career, Frischen has collaborated with over 100 award-winning social entrepreneurs, helping them strategize and scale their impacts. She has also co-founded initiatives like The Globalizer, an accelerator aimed at supporting social entrepreneurs.12

Her work reflects a commitment to creating systemic change through innovative solutions that address pressing social challenges.