Elevated Futures - Coaching & Consulting

Lead business development initiatives for international clients, focusing on market entry strategies and cross-border partnerships.
Design and implement customized business strategies that align client objectives with sustainable growth opportunities - small business development.
Executive-level coaching and corporate training on international business strategy and operations.

Founder Lead Consultant & Head Coach

Hochschule Heilbronn - Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Informatik

Full Professor at the Faculty International Business.

Professor - International Business & Tourism Management 

Lauren Ugur CC

Provided consultancy to corporates, government bodies, and international organizations on strategic economic and social development, urban planning, and marketing.
Notable clients include the German Convention Bureau, Royal Caribbean Cruises, KfW Development Bank, UN-Habitat, and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).

Independent Development Consultant and Coach

International School of Management (ISM)

Courses taught (English and German):
- Tourism Management / Event Management
- Tourism Marketing / Event Marketing
- Tourism Markets and Policy
- Pricing and Revenue Management
- Quality Management and CRM
- Business Planning and Financial Management
- Market Research
- Intercultural Management
- Scientific Research / Academic writing

Professor Tourism and Event Management

Technische Universität Darmstadt

Consortium management for the Erasmus Mundus MSc programme "Mundus Urbano" in International Cooperation in Urban Development hosted by the TU Darmstadt in collaboration with three european partner universities. 

Key tasks:
- Consortium contract drafting and management
- Co-author and data collection for Erasmus Mundus renewal grant (approved, ca. €2,5 million)
- Management of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship application process, selection and awards
- EU annual technical and financial reporting 
- Lecturing

Consortium manager - Erasmus Mundus Master of Science International Cooperation in Urban Development

Entitled "Beyond the Pilot Project, towards broad-based integrated violence prevention in South Africa" 
this research focuses on the institutionalisation of integrated planning approaches for violence prevention and explores the question of transferability so as to conceptualise how successful pilot programmes may be scaled up beyond their initial sites of implementation.

Doctoral Researcher

I have been involved with the Erasmus Mundus funded International Masters Programme in International Cooperation and Urban Development since 2007, first as a student and from 2009 to 2011 as the programme manager. Overall this position encompassed many aspects related to the day-to-day management and overall strategic development of the programme. 

Main tasks included:
- Application and scholarship award management
- EU financial and technical annual report writing 
- European consortium partner/relationship management
- Strategic development and programme marketing 
- Curriculum planning and organisation of international guest lecturers
- Guest lecturer liaison

Programme manager - Erasmus Mundus Master of Science International Cooperation and Urban Development

I don’t fit neatly into a single box: academic, consultant, strategist.

What I bring is a perspective shaped by deep academic grounding (PhD in Sociology, MBA, MSc in International Cooperation and Urban Development) and over 15 years of experience bridging research, real-world strategy, and business operations.

I don’t teach by the book. I don’t consult from theory. I work at the intersection because today’s most pressing challenges don’t fit into boxes either. They require integrated, multidimensional thinking.

I’ve worked with corporate leaders, government institutions, entrepreneurs, and students to move beyond surface-level success. 

My focus? Making complex ideas actionable and helping people build businesses and careers that actually work, not just look good on paper.

How?

By asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and co-creating strategies that align with your goals, resources, and context. Whether in a boardroom or a classroom, my work is about clarity, alignment, and measurable progress.

As a Professor of International Business, I go beyond textbook theories guiding future leaders to navigate global markets, digital shifts, and social change with confidence and purpose.

In business, my approach is the same: clear, grounded, and forward-thinking. I’ve advised corporates, supported public sector innovation, and helped entrepreneurs define their direction and grow with purpose, without sacrificing profit.

I partner with:
➠ Corporate leaders ready to cut through the noise and lead meaningful innovation.
➠ Entrepreneurs seeking smart, scalable strategies and a business that reflects their values.
➠ Public sector teams needing fresh, actionable approaches to strategy and implementation.
➠ Students and professionals ready to lead with purpose in a complex, global economy.

Challenging the status quo isn’t about being edgy. It’s about designing something better intentionally and with impact. It’s about creating progress through sharper thinking, stronger systems, and more courageous leadership.

Curious about a different way to lead and grow?
Let’s connect. I’d love to hear what you're working on.

Dr. Lauren Uğur, PhD, MBA🧩

Kate Rivett-Carnac Consulting

Strategy, insights, advisory, research, analysis on tourism and the green and low carbon economy.

Strategist, Researcher, Advisor

South African Tourism

Board Member

Ministry of Tourism

Special Advisor to Derek Hanekom, Minister of Tourism.

Special Advisor

DBSA

Specialist

Department of Trade and Industry

Director

After time spent 'learning the ropes' in management consulting, then working as a director in government, as a specialist in a development bank, and finally, as an advisor to a Minister, I now enjoy working for myself as an independent researcher and advisor. 

This means I get to do what I love: researching and making sense of (often) complex issues through developing key insights, strategies, and plans. I believe this to be my strongest capability. The context is always to maximise development impact, which I understand as the pursuit of an inclusive, equitable, low-carbon future for all. 

Typically my work has been focused on planning, strategy, and policy advice for economic development. Much of this has been for the low-carbon and green economy.  I also have extensive experience in planning, policy, and strategy for sustainable tourism.

My twenty years of diverse experience means I can integrate different perspectives as well as quickly understand the broad strategic context of a project. It also means I have an implementation mindset. 

Backing up my practical work experience is my Mphil (cum laude) in Sustainable Development.

Recent assignments undertaken as an independent researcher and advisor include:
 - Development and coordination of a publication on 'Good practices in Climate Action in Africa' for the UN for COP27.
- Formative evaluation of an entity of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency in South Africa, with a focus on programmes targeting the creative industries and tourism sector.
- Researcher and author of publications for TIPS and WWF South Africa on the manufacturing value chains in Wind and Solar energy in South Africa. 
- Chapter author in 'Better Choices', a book published in early 2022 looking at the development potential of South Africa. 
- Lead author of the tourism chapter in the country assessment of COVID impacts for the Presidency of South Africa.
- Author of a research report for the Institute for Economic Justice on tourism and labour issues in South Africa
- Author and co-author of low-carbon business cases on Solar thermal energy for food and beverage industries in South Africa; Conservation Agriculture; Surplus food diversion from waste; Electric orchard tractors for horticulture for WWF. 

In addition to serving as a special advisor to then Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, between 2015 - 2017, I have also served on a number of Ministerial expert panels and on the board of a public entity.

taplio

The Battle

Dr. Lauren Uğur, PhD, MBA🧩

Kate Rivett-Carnac

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