Thought-Provocateur

Expert in necessary irritation in matters of power, responsibility and impact

I guide audiences to challenge assumptions, reflect deeply, and embrace new perspectives. As a Wise Provocateur, I provoke thought with clarity and courage, offering both reflection and disruption. I create spaces where leaders and thinkers confront the uncomfortable, uncover insights, and act with integrity and purpose."
I sometimes deliberately cause irritation in panel discussions – not as a provocation, but to raise issues to a higher level and, alongside power and responsibility, to highlight fairer, more humane solutions. I am confident in public and speak in international forums where politics, business, civil society, foundations, think tanks and institutions come together – where different perspectives and power interests are brought to the table and negotiated – and where those actually affected often have no opportunity to speak for themselves.
Through storytelling from these contexts, I make it clear where decisions are made, who benefits, who is missing and who bears the costs and consequences. On panels, I create spaces for honest, interactive discussions that allow for complexity, question assumptions and foster solidarity across society – and, last but not least, encourage people to take the lead themselves to make our societies more democratic and just.

My expertise:

Leadership in times of political disruption
Philanthropy and financing as a social and global responsibility
Protection of human rights
Gender equality, racism, and immigration society
Independent civil society as a champion of democracy and solidarity
Foreign and development policy from a gender-specific and intersectional perspective
Women, peace, and security
Human rights defenders in exile

Let's talk!

My Topics

Back into agency

I help you through executive coaching and strategic sparring on an equal footing. more

Crisis Navigation

I offer you precise and rapid crisis intervention. more

Strategy & Positioning

I help to effectively raise political issues in Berlin and Brussels. more

Financial Success

I support you in securing your economic capacity to act. more

My Approaches

Clarity Guide

Strategy consulting meets executive coaching – for quick clarity and new perspectives

With me, you get a safe space where you can discuss your concerns in peace. My approach combines strategy consulting and executive coaching into a clearly structured, effective format. This combination provides orientation, opens up new perspectives, and reveals what was previously hidden beneath the surface.

Reality-Checker

Identify bad investments, risks, and blind spots before the consequences become apparent.

Consulting with emotional intelligence and strategic experience in leadership, political processes, positioning, and managing financial growth and organizational development. I offer sparring on equal terms, clear reflection, and a safe space for courageous decisions.

Impact-Designer

What matters now: increasing impact, strengthening organizations.

I use my many years of experience in advocacy and campaigning, as well as my networks in politics, philanthropy, and civil society, to achieve my clients' goals and make their socio-political impact more sustainable from a political and financial perspective.

Selmin Caliskan – It is about understanding presence as an active, strategic decision: Who am I in this role, who do I want to be, and how is that perceived?

Presence-Guide

It is about understanding presence as an active, strategic decision: Who am I in this role, who do I want to be, and how is that perceived?

Many managers believe that their impact is automatic. They assume that their status, expertise, and the importance of their concerns are enough to be perceived as convincing. In reality, impact is often determined independently of what is said. At the subconscious level of perception. In moments when you speak and act—and equally in situations when you do not act.