Lisa-Maria Sommer

Lisa-Maria Sommer is one of the co-founders of MORE THAN ONE PERSPECTIVE (MTOP), a social business established in 2016.14 She founded MTOP alongside Nina Poxleitner and Julian Richter after they worked together as Teach For Austria Fellows at secondary schools in Vienna for two years.1

Background and Motivation

During their time as Fellows, Sommer and her co-founders experienced firsthand the challenges of integration in Austria. This experience became the catalyst for their vision to showcase the potential of integration and make the advantages of diversity tangible in the country.1

MTOP's Mission

MTOP aims to promote an equal-opportunity world by connecting people with refugee or migration backgrounds to suitable companies in the Austrian labor market. The organization works to create sustainable changes in life paths and advocates for a diverse and inclusive working environment.1

Other Roles and Recognition

In addition to her work with MTOP, Lisa-Maria Sommer has taken on other roles:

1. Serial Social Entrepreneur and Managing Partner at MORE THAN ONE PERSPECTIVE (2016 - present)5
2. Global Shaper at Global Shapers Community (2017 - present)5

Sommer, along with her co-founders, has been recognized for challenging anti-refugee sentiment in Austria by demonstrating the positive impact that refugees can have on businesses.3

Entrepreneurial Philosophy

As a female founder, Sommer believes in the importance of women starting their own businesses and realizing their ideas. She states, "The majority of founders are still male. I think it is important women also start founding their own businesses and realize their brilliant ideas. In this way, young companies will be shaped by women and profit from their vision, working styles and energy."2

Through her work with MTOP and other initiatives, Lisa-Maria Sommer continues to contribute to social entrepreneurship and labor market integration for refugees and migrants in Austria.