Heitland Media Group

CEO Thought Leadership as a Service 

We make your credibility visible.

Responsibility:
- Executive client collaboration

Achievements:
- Enabling individuals to utilize their credibility and step up into Thought Leadership in their field

Owner

Rising Stars Community

A Rising Star...

...is more than an individual with a dream. They are trailblazers, crafting a legacy by building powerful personal brands, captivating audiences on stage, and creating opportunities that transform lives. A Rising Star is a beacon of inspiration, courage, and ambition, determined to shine brighter with every step.

We...

Inspire Others Through Our Stories:
We believe every personal journey holds the power to uplift, motivate, and create meaningful change. By owning our narratives, we connect with audiences and ignite transformation.

Empower Personal Brands:
We help individuals discover their unique voice, package their expertise, and position themselves as sought-after authorities in their fields.

Turn Passions Into Professions:
Speaking on stage is not just an art but a business. We equip Rising Stars with the tools to monetize their skills, attract high-paying opportunities, and thrive in the world of public speaking.

Unlock Career Breakthroughs:
Whether generating leads, advancing careers, or stepping into leadership roles, we empower Rising Stars to turn their brand into a stepping stone for professional success.

Create a Platform for Change:
Through speaking, we spark ideas, inspire innovation, and bring communities together to solve global challenges.

Celebrate Progress and Growth:
We believe in the joy of the journey. Every small win, every new milestone, and every stage conquered is a celebration of relentless effort and perseverance.

This Is...

...more than a mission—it’s a movement. Rising Stars is a family of dreamers, doers, and disruptors who uplift and support one another. Each person’s success is a shared triumph. Together, we’re creating a world where every voice has the power to shine, inspire, and lead.

We are driven by a singular vision: to build a community of individuals who not only succeed on stage but leave a legacy of empowerment, influence, and change.

Join Rising Stars Free here: http://risingstars.community

Community Host

JENSHEITLAND.com

Speaking Engagements:
- International Innovation Event, Moscow, RUS
- Airbus, Hamburg, GER
- Cundall, London, UK
- Aragon Exterior, Zaragoza, ESP
- Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Copenhagen, DK
- Bank of America, London, UK
- PicknPay, Cape Town, SA
- International Innovation Jam, Zaragoza, ESP
- UrbanOvation, London, UK
- Borealis, Antwerp, BEL
- StartUB University, Barcelona, ESP
- Innovation Event AI-Fortuna, Boise, Idaho USA
- Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, NL
- Matchr Human Resource Event, Amsterdam, NL
- Tech Recruitment Conference (TRC), Amsterdam, NL
- The Climbing Castle, London UK
- Mobile World Congress - 4YFN, Barcelona ESP
- Invest in Africa Summit The Hague, NL
- Polaroid Therapeutics - Zurich CH
- Sketch - Tokyo JP
- Berlin Fashion Week BHT - Berlin GER
- BAT - British American Tobacco - Hamburg GER
- Bayer - Eindhoven NL
- WXO (World Experience Organization) - London UK
- Designregio - Kortrijk BE
- Startup Nights - Zurich CH
- Tech Recruitment Conference TRC 2024 - Amsterdam NL

Learn more at -> jensheitland.com/speaking

Keynote Speaker

WeAreSucceed

The Succeed Leader Index. We make Leadership visible by calculating the leadership index for individual managers, departments and even entire organizations.

Responsibilities:
- Branding & Marketing
- Recruitment
- Investor Relations
- Business Development

Achievements:
- Enabling +50 startup founders to learn to lead 
- 100s of people use Succeed to assess their leadership skills

Co- Founder & CEO

HEITLAND Innovation

Transformative solutions to innovate organizations from the inside with people in the center.

Responsibilities:
- External Representation & Branding
- Business Development 
- Hands on Innovation with clients 

Achievements:
- Enabling international clients from industries like Exhibitions, Engineering, Construction, Design & Architecture and Retail based in US, UK, SE, NL, DK, DE, ES to innovate people centric

University of Amsterdam

Lecturer Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship

StartUB! Universitat de Barcelona

Startup Mentor,  Advisor & Lecturer

4YFN - 4 Years from Now

Women Innovators
Programme (WIP)
The Women Innovators Programme (WIP) is a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Arab States and Four Years From Now (4YFN), the start-up platform of the global mobile operators' association, GSMA.
WIP is a mentorship programme for women-led, digital, social impact-oriented start-ups in the Arab States. While women-led start-ups are becoming more common in the region, women face many barriers to entrepreneurship, such as lack of access to finance and discriminatory gender norms. Among the barriers are also a lack of business-relevant mentorship opportunities and networks, which this programme seeks to address.
50 women innovators have received mentoring in the first two editions of the programme. During the course of the 3rd edition 34 additional innovators will receive expert mentoring.

Startup Mentor

Rockstart

Foot Locker EMEA

Global Store Development 

Innovating the Real Estate and Property Services to all Stores of the Foot Locker Family.

Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Strategy development
- Service Scope Development
- Reorganization of the existing Service Portfolio
- Team Development
- Leadership Development
- Stakeholder Management

Achievements:
- Development and leadership of an office lab concept (back to the office)
- Reorganization of the service delivery model
- EMEA wide tender of Integrated Facility Management Services 
- Increase of internal customer satisfaction by +80%

Director FS EMEA

Founder & CEO @ SUCCEED the leadership platform designed to equip Startup Leaders with the skills and knowledge to lead with confidence and drive success.

Looking for the Link? 👉 https://www.jensheitland.com/links

In 2019, I held the prestigious position of global Head of Innovation at IKEA Centres. 

One evening, after a late flight, I found myself on a packed train from Copenhagen, Denmark to Malmo, Sweden, eager to be reunited with my family on the other side. As I stood there, restless and anxious, I decided to tune into a podcast by Seth Godin.

Godin spoke about the education system and how society has become adept at collecting information but often fails to connect the dots. In that moment, a sudden realization hit me. I couldn't help but question my own purpose and the direction my life was taking.

That night, I made the difficult decision to step down from my high-profile role at IKEA Centres. This was the beginning of a new journey for me, one where I was determined to follow my passions and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Earlier.

In 2004, redundancy from my first job after seven years of hard work changed my life. I felt betrayed, I vowed never to leave my destiny in someone else’s hands and committed to rewriting my story.

As I climbed the corporate ladder, human leadership captivated me. I studied Leaders, the inspiring, the indifferent, and the detrimental and uncovered the secret to innovation: empowered teams flourish under empathetic leaders. 

My mantra became: empower to be empowered.

In 2019, a train ride and Seth Godin’s words reshaped my perspective. Leaving IKEA Centres wasn’t the end; it was the beginning. 

My mission crystallized: to connect innovative leaders with their dreams, blending systems thinking, leadership and innovation.

This led to HEITLAND Innovation, a consultancy for human innovation. It wasn’t just about process improvement; it redefined how organizations empower teams to drive sustainable innovation. I co-founded XYZ-Playground a Reverse Mentor Lab and launched WeAreSucceed a leadership Assessment Platform.

To amplify my Thought Leadership, I mastered social media, video production and website design, sharing my insights through my podcasts which inspired Heitland Media Group, an agency helping CEO's to make their credibility visible.

Public speaking has taken me across 30+ global stages, from Moscow to Barcelona, including events like Mobile World Congress and Berlin Fashion Week.

From my construction site beginnings in 1997 to international stages, my journey has been about building ladders for others. 

That train ride wasn’t just a trip; it marked my commitment to reshaping innovation—one human at a time.

Let's innovate the human way

Jens Heitland

PRIVET LTD

Project Manager Program Management Office

Chemonics International

	Rapid Market Assessment for three areas AlRiqa’a, Dir Al-Zour and Alhasaka.
	Vocational Training Center and Vocational Scholls Assessment.
	Preparing for DACUM with business owners to enhance the TVET curricula. 
	Provide assistance to local partners to develop trainers’ SOW and selection criteria for nominations of the Trainers. 
	Provide assistance to partners to develop agreements with business owners for practical training. 
	Provide assistance to partners to develop MOUs with the councils\education committees.
	Conduct workshop sessions with senior management at education committees, councils, CBOs to introduce the concept of steering committee and ITWG (Inter Technical Work Group). 
	Provide assistance to local partner to develop media and communication materials to promote TVET to local communities 
	Develop technical monitoring and evaluation plan for the implementing TVET program.
	Train field officers on TVET monitoring and evaluation
	Assess the current partner’s capacity to transform the classic curricula to competency-based curricula. 
	Assess three current Curriculums and provide technical assessment report. Including suggestions for capacity building courses for circular and training methodology for local Trainers and partners– require an outsource trainer.

TVET Expert 

Expertise France

	Review and simplify the existing “methodological guide” and training materials developed by CNAM-INETOP for CDCs in Mosul and Ninewah Universities that  should be further adapted to the Iraqi context, also taking into considerations means and resources of CDCs                                                                       
	Coordinate the translation and supervise translated deliverables of the methodological guide. 
	Develop simplified tools (fiches, PowerPoint presentations, toolkit) based on the methodological guide, in Arabic, to facilitate usage for CDC counselors
	Facilitate one or several training sessions (depending on methodology developed by the expert) for the 25 CDC counselors on the newly developed tools and on simplified methodological guide (in Arabic)
	Prepared a final report explaining main achievements of the assignment, including tools developed, and changes observed in counselors’ understanding of the methodological guide.
	Technical assessment for 25 CDCs including feedback from CDC counselors on methodological guide and tools that were presented to them and training sessions they received; assess their needs.

KOICA

	Project Name Local economic recovery of conflict effected- Ninewa, Kirkuk and Baghdad. (SMEs and Micro-Economic project)- IOM Project. June/2020 – August/2020.
	Project Name Enhancing employability for vulnerable youth in Ninewa (TVET –UNESCO Project) November /2020-February/ 2021
	Monitoring and Evaluation KOICA projects in Iraq. October /2019- January /2020 January

A.	Responsibilities
	Participates in the identification and formulation of the country program and component  projects by compiling and analysing information in the subject areas of KOICA assistance to the government, drafts project documents and work plans and prepares tables and statistical data.
	Gathering data create questionnaires and make the interviews.
	Data analyst and prepared progress report.
	Participate comprehensive for socio –economics in Iraq. (Analysis national policies and strategic plan in Iraq).
	In coordination with national counterparts and project personnel, guides routine implementation of assigned projects, coordinating delivery of project inputs, ensuring the participation of national counterparts in training activities and study tours.
	Provides logistical support to projects by coordinating review meetings and other Project -related workshops and events. Trains and guide project personnel and staff on national execution and program policies and procedures.
	Contributes to creation and sharing of knowledge by synthesizing and documenting findings and lessons learned, success stories and best practices, strategies and approaches of the CO, and drafting relevant materials for dissemination.
	Supports advocacy and resource mobilization strategy of the CO by compiling and synthesizing relevant background material for use in discussions and public events. Establishes and maintains network of donor and public information contacts and provides assistance in organizing and conducting donor meetings and public information events.

Economic recovery expert 

UNESCO

Project management for the Competency based training CBT new methodology –piloting in Iraq for eight vocational training centers in Iraq .
•	Participate in Labor Market assessment for eight sectors, gathering data, analysis data.
•	Arrangement for preparation stage CBT program-, mythology, curriculum development and training materials tools.
•	M& E arrangement for CBT piloting in six vocational training centers in Iraq.
•	Participating in development Curricula developments methods.
b.	Project management for 13 Career development centers at 13 technical Universities and 26 officials. 
•	Arrangement and leading WSs of CDC.
•	Establishment and developing CDC careers development centers in 13 technical universities in Iraq.
•	Capacity building for Managers for 13 CDC.
•	Workshops and training activities; As part of career development programs, CDC responsible for supporting the student’s under graduate to develop their skills, CDC has covered training courses and varied between various specializations of the scientific and engineering university, in addition to advisory and qualification training courses specialized in the field of writing CV and the proper methods for conducting job interviews. The establishment consultation council for CDC and Privet sector partnership.
d.	Maintaining Regular Contact and facilitating Communication and Coordination with the concerned ministries and governmental Departments, nongovernment organizations and other stockholders.
e.	Liaison and coordinate with national and international stockholders to obtain maximum benefit and efficient use of resources in the implication of project activities and avoid duplication of efforts. I represented UNESCO in several meeting and briefing and have the role of Logistics officer. 
f.	Conducted regular visits to project activities monitoring progress and evaluate results against project work plan and indicators and suggestions updates of project log frames.

Associate Project Officer - TVET project Phase One 

UNDP

	Arrange the monitoring committee meetings to be held on a quarterly basis with a specific agenda for each M/c including venues by coordinating with the prime ministry office, the ministry of planning, ministry of finance, and line ministries and JICA/Embassy of Japan in Baghdad. 
	I managed data collection from different UN and International agencies, NGOs and government offices. Analyzed, stored the collected information in the system.
	Organized, produced, assessed the collected information and forecasted the consequences.
	The collected information was shared with the concern authority for planning and forecasting of program works.
	Sorted and maintained the confidential information and shared with only authorized staff. 
	Based on my good working relationship with the Iraqi government, I also collected the necessary data and information from the government offices and shared with the UN.
	Based on my political international background, it was easy for us and contacted different political parties.
	I Developed, established and maintained an efficient and effective communication mechanism among members of the M/C.
	Develop a recommendation report to improve the PMTs performance and functionality.
	Advice and guide the PMTs to implement the recommendations in effective and efficient manner.
	Manage liaison and coordination with the Prime Ministry office, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of finance and line ministries/implementing agencies.
	Attended “Official Development Assistants “ODA Seminar in Japan
	Provide procurement management advice with the PMTs on the preparation of required reports.
	Managed the site visits of several project sites in Governorates.
	Arranged necessary meeting with implementing line ministries to update the process of the project implementation on behalf of the loan management Unit.
	Ensure the proper and timely submission of the procurement reports from implementing line ministries.

Liaison Officer- Officials Development / Assistance (ODA) Japan's Loan management, UNDP, Iraq.

Ministry of Planning  Development and cooperation 

	Provide inputs on strategic planning to the Project Manager for the design of a full PD.
	Preparing annual strategic plan for 2005,2006, 2009.
	Preparing follow-up report for the meeting of Iraqi strategic review board that is responsible to coordinate with the UN's agencies and the donors to promote the Iraqi development projects.
	 Contribute to the coordination and harmonization of Donor-supported capacity building initiatives.
	Maintain a well-organized electronic and hard-copy filing system, ensuring that project activities and any changes therein are fully documented, and provide inputs for M&E and progress/donor reporting as required.
	Coordinating with the Iraqi ministries to follow up projects.
	Member of the committee of (Iraqi-Jordan) agreements 2005
	Prepare a draft report of each M/C including minutes of discussion, action required and receive end endorsement from all parties concerned. Manage activities of the support Unit including liaison and coordination between the Ministries, Committee of management unit.

Researcher

I graduated from the Ewha University’s, obtained Master's degree in international development relations in Seoul – Republic of Korea and B.A. Degree Commercial sciences from Baghdad, Iraq. 
  
I served in the roles of national officer in different UN agencies and government offices in the country . I established good relationship and managed the collection of data from different UN and International agencies, NGOs and government offices. Analyzed and stored the collected information in the system. 
  
The collected information was shared with the concern authority for planning and forecasting of program works. Sorted and maintained the confidential information and shared with only authorized staff. Based on my good working relations with the Iraqi government, I also collected the necessary data and information from the government offices and shared with the UN office. Based on my political international background, it was easy for me to contact different political parties. 
    
I have excellent knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and assessment of issues reality on the ground over several years. I have work experience with the UN-IRAQ and Ministry of Planning Development Cooperation.
I Have experience with reforming TVET project, moreover Managing tow components (CBT piloting programme in eight vocational training centers in Iraq )  furthermore career development centres for 13 Technical universities in Iraq.  
   
Adding to the above, I have a good knowledge and experience in SMEs and Microbusiness project funded by KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) and IOM, I was local expert for the performance project. Moreover, I have excellent knowledge about Northeast Syria ( Riqa , Diealzoor and Hasaka) Reintegration – Economic empowerment and vocational training project was implemented in NES, and the collected information about labor market assessment was shared with the concern authority for planning and forecasting of program works. Sorted and maintained the confidential information and shared with only authorized staff. 
 As an Iraqi national, I have enough knowledge of country problems, politics, complexity, territory, culture and history, which will bring positive impact on your organization. I strongly believe that based on the above justification and my good health if I selected I will be a great asset to the organization.

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Jens Heitland

Noora Anaya

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