Despite everything - Thank you for the good things in 2020!

2020 was an unusual and hard year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its tragic (mental) health and economic consequences, police brutality that led to social unrest, and a shameful last term of the Trump presidency. However, on a personal note, there are so many things to be thankful for. Therefore, per tradition, I want to share this year's highlights with you.

JANUARY

I became a US citizen in January. Together with 1,358 immigrants from 99 countries, I celebrated my dual American-German citizenship in Oakland's Paramount Theatre of the Arts. This formality allowed me to participate as a voter in the Democratic primaries and the historic presidential election.

🇺🇸🇩🇪 Welcome to America! 🇺🇸🇩🇪

FEBRUARY

After the big ultrasound, we officially shared the good news that a baby boy would join us in July. As a fourth of Course Hero's workforce are parents, my manager and colleagues reacted wonderfully when I told them. While this SHOULD be the case, I encourage all mamas and papas to be to share their news proudly. Bonding time is really important, and parents add new perspectives to their work upon return. 

👼🏼👼🏼 Hello, world! 👼🏼👼🏼

MARCH

Carlos' birthday was one of the last social gatherings with friends before the city, state, and the country went into a COVID-19 lockdown. While we didn't know it back then, it was good to see our group of friends and share many hugs without distance nor masks.

🎈🎈 Feliz cumpleaños! 🎈🎈

 APRIL

After getting a private showing, we made an offer for a Victorian single-family house in the Mission. After moving in we realized, that we have common friends with our direct neighbors and that Philipp who I know through the local German community lives on our block as well. Small world!

🗝️🏡 Home sweet, home! 🗝️🏡

MAY

Due to working from home and sheltering in place, most of my pregnancy passed by almost unnoticed. Our good friend and talented photographer Natalia took some incredible maternity pictures of us to capture the last moments of just the two of us.

 📸📸 by @nataliaborecka 🙏🏽🙏🏽

JUNE

Our friends threw us an outdoor baby shower with socially distanced small groups of guests in four shifts. Thank you, Olivia, Ana & Natalia for organizing this special day.

🍼🍼 The final countdown... 🍼🍼

JULY

After a neighborhood hike in Bernal Heights with my friend Katja, Lucas was born two days ahead of his due date. 

💛💛 Thankful to the hospital staff for taking great care of us. 💛💛

AUGUST

The three of us got to know each other better during my maternity leave. Despite what most Europeans think, California has a similar paid family leave policy and most tech companies like my employer Course Hero offer a parental leave of 4-6 months.

⚽🇩🇪 Honoring our German heritage ⚽🇩🇪

SEPTEMBER

My friend Christian Byza interviewed me for his OMR #SiliconValley Update on my journey from rural West Germany to Silicon Valley, Airbnb's IPO, Women in Tech, and Currywurst. Listen to the full episode here. While I stopped hosting my own podcast, it was great being back on air again.

🎧🎧 My Silicon Valley Update 🎧🎧

OCTOBER

Whenever the little guy allowed I volunteered with MoveOn texted undecided voters in battleground states. I also donated via Act Blue and took some time to review all local ballot initiatives and voted early by mail. 

💌💌 Voting early by mail 💌💌

NOVEMBER

Through my friend Vanesa, we found the best daycare for Lucas. His nannies are native Spanish speakers, pick him up and drop him off, send us many pictures of him during the day, and cook delicious meals. I got so much peace of mind, that I could jump right back into work (from home).

🍛🍛 Yummy home-cooked dinner 🍛🍛

DECEMBER

At 36 years this is the first Christmas I am not spending at home with my parents but with Lucas and Carlos in San Francisco. We even got our own Christmas tree. We hope that we can travel to Europe for Lucas to meet his European grandparents next year. 

🌲🌲 Natural born Santa Claus 🌲🌲

I wish you all happy holidays with your loved ones and hope to see you in 2021! 

Follow me on Kaliforniakati, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, and keep in touch!

Thank you for an amazing 2019!

Thank you for an amazing 2019! I love to share this year's highlights with you.

JANUARY

Carlos and I moved in together in January. Our apartment hunt was a lot easier than anticipated and we found a nice place close to Ghiradelli Square. 

Bay view from our roof

FEBRUARY

I consulted with Smart Recruiters in January and February designing their first Social Impact Program as part of the 1% Pledge. The program is linked to their mission to connect people to jobs at scale. At the core of the program are Reverse Recruiting Days during which Smart Recruiters and their clients review resumes, conduct mock interviews or deep dive into specific job roles.

Reverse Recruiting launch at Hiring Success 2019

MARCH

During the Berlin & Beyond Filmfestival, Kristina and I interviewed actor Bjarne Mädel for our podcast. You can find this and other episodes on Spotify, iTunes or Soundcloud.

Bjarne Mädel aka Ernie in Stromberg

 APRIL

Christoph was visiting in April and we spend a day hiking at Mount Tam. 

Mount Tam

MAY

Following my friend Ana's recommendation, I celebrated my birthday with friends at the boat shack by Nick's Cove in Tomales Bay.

Check out California Weekend by Ana

JUNE

I joined Peerspace's panel on Women in Tech. 

Here are my survival tips:

1. Seek out a safe and encouraging environment

2. Look for allies & mentors

3. Speak up on behalf of a group

Thank you for nominating me to speak at the panel, Arndt!

JULY

I met Germany's Economic Minister Peter Altmaier for lunch in Silicon Valley. 
My messages: We need to wake up the German Gründergeist again and women can be great leaders, too! 

Thank you for the feature, Deutsche Welle! 📹

AUGUST

 I joined curbFlow as their Senior Director of Market Launch & Stakeholder Relations with the mission to bring order to the chaos of city streets, starting at the curb. Learn more about launching the DC pilot in this Washington Post article. The job took me to Washington, D.C. for a few months.

curbFlow launch in Washington, D.C.

SEPTEMBER

Carlos and I traveled to Spain and Italy this summer. We spend a few days in Rome and attended Matteo's wedding in Tuscany. In between, I ate all the gluten-free pizza I could find.

Foro Romano 

OCTOBER

In October, I co-hosted another Changemaker Chat. We bring together women across the world for off-the-record conversations with female changemakers – women who have inspired us through their achievements. We ask them about the lessons they have learned in their professional and personal journeys. Our focus is on creating an honest and open conversation about their successes and failures, personal philosophies, and advice for future changemakers.

On stage with Changemaker Katie Biber, General Counsel at Anchorage

NOVEMBER
I started to write a regular column for Berliner Zeitung. You can read the mini-series about my departure at curbFlow and other episodes here.

Sharing the Silicon Valley observations with my former home town Berlin.

DECEMBER

I started at Course Hero as their Director of Growth & Campus Operations in December. We envision a world where every student graduates, confident and prepared. Learn more about our mission in this short video.

I already noticed Course Hero's great culture during my candidate experience.

I wish you all happy holidays with your loved ones and hope to see you soon in 2020! Come visit me in San Francisco or catch me somewhere around the world. ;) 

Follow me on Kaliforniakati, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter and keep in touch!

Thank you for an amazing 2018!

Thank you for an amazing 2018! I love to share this year's highlights with you.

JANUARY

In January, I co-hosted a Changemaker Chat as San Francisco Director for the first time. 

We bring together women across the world for off-the-record conversations with female changemakers – women who have inspired us through their achievements. We ask them about lessons they have learned in their professional and personal journeys. Our focus is on creating an honest and open conversation about their successes and failures, personal philosophies, and advise for future changemakers.

Interviewing Obi Felten, Head of getting moonshots ready for contact with the real world
@Google X (Photo by Allison Walsh, TwentyTwenty Studios)

FEBRUARY

I started Piña Colada, with the mission to connect groups of six like-minded singles over great food in San Francisco’s best restaurants. To date Piña Colada has acquired 650+ users with diversity in gender, age and sexual orientation and hosted 25+ group dinner dates with 150+ paying clients at its partner restaurants The Perennial and Commonwealth.

Photo by Anthony Rogers, Bob Cut Mag

MARCH

I gave two keynotes at Social Media Week in Hamburg and reconnected with my friends from business school. One of the talks was focused on Female Entrepreneurship, the other one on Corporate Career vs Entrepreneurship. Mark Levy, Airbnb's former Global Head of Employee Experience, introduced me to Gravity Speakers and they created a beautiful speaker profile for me. I really enjoy public speaking and engaging with the audience and am looking forward to upcoming gigs.

Photo by Malte Klauck

APRIL

My friend Miri was visiting San Francisco. As a reunited trio we did our traditional weekend road trip to Big Sur along the California West Coast.

Brunch at Cafe Nepenthe 

MAY

I spent a few days at my friend Sarah's in the desert in Joshua Tree National Park and helped her turn the house she bought into a nice Airbnb. You can book a stay at Esmeralda here.

We participated in a sound bath at Integraton - a little too hippie for my taste.

JUNE

Most of June I spent co-working with my good friend Matteo, former Airbnb country manager of Italy, who was in town for a few months on his impact sabbatical. Some early mornings (7 AM) we were watching Germany play in the soccer world cup.

Watching soccer at Schröder's with Britta & Caro, fellow Atlantikbrücke Young Leaders

JULY

My friend Matt hosted me for a week in his beautiful apartment in Venice, Los Angeles. I reconnected with friends who had moved to LA over the years and tested Lime (Code: RBZYZLL) and Bird (Code: EEAGYQ) scooters for the first time. Riding them is quite fun and addictive.

View from my Venice office

AUGUST

Our friends Natalia and Marek got married this summer. Carlos and I had a lot of fun and spent quality time at their Bachelor/ette parties and wine country wedding.

Wild West style photo booth

SEPTEMBER

After working 7 days/week for most of the year, we took some time off in September to visit New Orleans, Madrid and Lisbon. 

Oak Alley Plantation close to New Orleans

OCTOBER

Together with my friend Kristina, I launched a podcast about our lives as entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. We feel honored that we were granted with an award by the German Foreign Service, the Goethe Institute and the BDI. You can find our episodes every other Wednesday on Spotify, iTunes or Soundcloud.

Please, let us know if you have any feedback or want to nominate our next guest.

NOVEMBER

In Q2 of 2018 I worked with a few companies of the current batch of the German Accelerator. I advised Nestpick on their US expansion strategy and helped them with introductions to VCs. I also taught a class on Community Building and advised MegaDev on organizing their first meet-up in the USA. 

I shared my observations and experience of building community at Airbnb and Piña Colada.

DECEMBER

Carlos and I spent the holidays in Spain and Germany with our families including my newly born niece Neele.

Our first stop in Germany was visiting my cousin and her family in Cologne.

I wish you all happy holidays with your loved ones and hope to see you soon in 2019! Come visit me in San Francisco or catch me somewhere around the world. ;) 

Follow me on Kaliforniakati, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter and keep in touch!

Thank you for an amazing 2017!

Thank you for an amazing 2017! I love to share this year's highlights with you.

JANUARY
Jendrik, a friend from my MBA program, came to visit in January. I love sharing my new home with visitors!

The resistance: Together with my friends Mayra and Felix, I joined the SF Women's March. 

FEBRUARY

The Oscar's were quite political as well. 

I am proud that my friend Barry Jenkins won the Oscar for Moonlight in the end. 

MARCH
Christoph, my former roommate, came to visit to extend his Greencard and get a taste of life in San Francisco.

Carlos and I got to enjoy an intimate Airbnb concert. 

APRIL
I went to see my first Golden State Warriors basketball game in Oakland with my fellow female affinity group leaders at Airbnb.  
Carlos and I spent a weekend with friends in Pismo Beach. 
At the age of 32, I had my wisdom teeth removed and enjoyed soup and shakes for a week...

I spent a week in London with friends and coworkers. 

MAY
My parents visited me for the first time and my friend Alex and his family moved to San Francisco for a few months.

I also joined a female leadership program organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in DC and NYC. 
Carlos and I flew to Seoul to attend our friends' Ju & Lawrence wedding. 

We are thankful to have friends all over the world like Sang who made time and hosted us for an unforgettable dinner. 

JUNE
I spent a few days in Paris for work and also met my Erasmus friend Lisa for brunch.
My sister Susi and her husband Ben came to visit me in San Francisco as well. They started in SF and toured California.

We cycled across the Gold Gate bridge and took the ferry back from Sausalito.

JULY
I moved to a new apartment in the Italian neighborhood North Beach with my Austrian coworker Nico.

I celebrated my 6 year anniversary at Airbnb on July 1. 

AUGUST
I participated in Airbnb's new Recharge program and took 9 weeks off to explore my new neighborhood and travel to Spain, Germany and Tulum. 

Our friends Miri and Roman invited us to their wedding in Tegernsee.

SEPTEMBER
My friend and co-founder of glutenfreiheit.org, Jörg, visited from Hamburg during San Francisco's heat wave and I traveled to Big Sur with my friends Miri and Lisa. I also joined the German government's startup accelerator as a mentor.

Carlos and I did a road trip through California and Nevada. We camped and stayed in beautiful Airbnbs like this old Victorian house in Virginia City.

OCTOBER
Together with my friend Andrew, I started taking conversational Spanish classes.

Our friends Natalia and Marek hosted us on Halloween.

NOVEMBER
On Nov 1, after 6.5 years, I quit my job at Airbnb to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. 

You can read my farewell email to my colleagues and highlights of my career at Airbnb here.

DECEMBER
Carlos and I spent the holidays in Spain and Germany with our families.

I wish you all happy holidays with your loved ones and hope to see you soon in 2018! Come visit me in San Francisco or catch me somewhere around the world. ;) 

Follow me on Kaliforniakati and keep in touch!

Thank You & Auf Wiedersehen!

Nach 6,5 Jahren habe ich bei Airbnb gekündigt. Hier ist meine Abschiedsemail an die Kollegen:

Hi friends,

I am writing to say THANK YOU for joining me on this incredible journey for the last 6.5 years as today will be my last day at Airbnb. Allow me to share a few memories with you.

Once upon a time in June 2011, I quit my first job after business school with the intention to start my own company. However, my friend Flo insisted I met with the Accoleo team, which just got acquired by Airbnb, a startup from San Francisco that wanted to scale its European business and compete with the infamous Samwer brothers’ clone Wimdu. And so we did! Fun facts: Little Benno was an intern at Accoleo and he and the one and only Jenny did in fact start working for Airbnb a few days before I did.

I spent the following months fighting on behalf of our hosts to change the local housing law to allow home sharing in Germany`s second biggest city, Hamburg, and snuck onto the very small but mighty Team Justice led by our inspiring female leader Belinda. Hopeful, I moved to Berlin to bring this sensible legislation to our capital and also volunteered to kick off our policy efforts in Greece. Fun fact: I had to convince my manager that the Greek people would be more welcoming towards me than Angela Merkel...

After winning the Greencard in the lottery (my fun fact), I moved to New York City to work on a mobilization campaign convincing New Yorkers that home sharing was good for them while we were relaunching our brand from the fluffy blue logo to Bélo. Fun fact: There were rumors of changing our name, too.

I handed the back then impossible tasks over to more competent folks like Bobby Fischer and M16 and moved further West to our mothership where I was welcomed by colleagues who patiently explained the American healthcare system or the importance of a good credit history to me. These learnings informed my relocation blog Kaliforniakati and led to the founding of the Airfinity Group Foreignairs - Airbnb`s immigrant employee resource group and resistance.

About a year ago, I knew that I had one Airbnb adventure left in me, so I decided to join the force for good Aoife and the incredible rockstar Trips team. If you still have not booked an Experience, yet, you have been missing out - book my favorite one right now! Trips is fulfilling our promise of human and authentic travel to guests and is empowering our hosts economically while pursuing their passions. Fun fact: My partner in crime Sarah and I found ourselves being driven around in a golf cart by a Trump voter through a multi-storey car park looking for our lost rental car at 11 PM before the launch of Trips...

Now, the time has come for me to move on as an entrepreneur - likely in the (gluten free) food industry. Don`t worry, I am not moving back to Deutschland.

THANK YOU, Brian, Nate & Joe for taking me on this journey with you and THANK YOU to everyone of you for teaching me so many things and being my friends and family during my relocations, the Paris attacks and these luckily mostly truly amazing years.

Don`t forget: Always Be a Host and please, be in touch!

Love, Kati