Florian Burmeister

ESADE Business School

“Passionate, goal-oriented, positive leader and sportsman, who has worked in +15 countries and loves pasta.”

Hometown: Munich, Germany

Fun fact about yourself: Being a natural sports guy, I was heavily encouraged by my parents to play the violoncello and sing in the choir during my entire high school. Unfortunately, my musical career ended the very day I left school and remains without further progression until today.

Undergraduate School and Degree: LMU Munich School of Management, Bachelor of Science: Business Administration

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? At the automotive company BMW as a Regional Manager Business Development & Sales Steering (Germany, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2022? Nike, Amsterdam; FC Bayern München, Munich

Where will you be working after graduation? I’m not 100% sure yet but most probably either at Bayern München, Nike or Ailylabs (AI-focused Tech Scale-Up). I still need to decide because I like all options.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Fellowship Mentor, VP of Sports Business Club

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I wanted to transform my career towards the sports business world and managed to intern at Nike and Bayern Munich, two of the most famous sports companies in the world. In addition, I completed my UEFA Pro-Licence as a Football Coach.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? At 27 years of age, I was promoted to become the youngest ever Regional Manager at BMW, including profit responsibility for over 20 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Why did you choose this business school? Apart from Esade’s high reputation, I was attracted by the unique collaborative culture in combination with its off-mainstream education and its small class size.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? That’s such a difficult one to answer, as so many of them were inspiring. However, I would probably go with Jan Hohberger. The way he can engage the class, his teaching methods and his positive mindset were outstanding. Plus, his course gave me a great new perspective on strategy.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Also not an easy one, but I would go with In Search of Life Principles, a philosophy class that offers to reflect deeply on your own personality and gives so many great guidance points for your future development, I loved it!

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? I would say my highlight was Gastrofest. I love food and with over 40 countries in our batch, this was probably the best food hall I have ever been to. Not to mention the afterparty.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? The first two semesters were very overwhelming: so many new people, so many events, so much going on. I would try to keep it less busy at the beginning and try to connect with more people beyond the small talk. Also, I wished I would have spent more time improving my Spanish.

What is the biggest myth about your school? That it has this unique collaborative spirit, everyone told me about it, and I always thought that’s just good advertising. But it is actually very special and true: Esade is one of a kind, Kuddos to my cohort!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Do I have to say much about Barcelona? The culture, the food, the weather, the beach its people and its surroundings. In winter, you can go skiing in the Pyrenees and, on the same day, eat mussels at the beach, drink a glass of sangria, and enjoy the sun.

What surprised you the most about business school? ESADE offers a great variety of subjects in its courses being able to touch on topics that might be outside of a regular business school curriculum. That’s why my learning experience was much broader than expected. And it was so engaging!

What is one thing you did during the application process that gave you an edge at the school you chose? I believe I am very open-minded and have a broad cultural understanding.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? There were so many great people at ESADE, but if I need to choose one it would say, Sandlin Armstrong. I have never met a person who is so supportive, positive, always in a good mood, and so good to talk to. When you see him, you automatically have a better day.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I want to make sure that my career is purposeful and meaningful, hopefully being able to leave a lasting mark. And I want to always stay curious eager to learn and try out new things.

What made Florian such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“Florian is an exceptional individual who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social engagement, academic excellence, and career success in the Esade MBA.

One of the most remarkable things about Florian is his dedication to volunteering in the community. He has always been passionate about giving back, and this was exemplified when he volunteered at an orphanage in Colombia. During his time there, Florian worked tirelessly to help the children with their daily tasks and provided them with much-needed emotional support. His selflessness and compassion have had a significant impact on the lives of these children, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make a positive difference wherever he goes.

Florian’s open-minded approach to life is another trait that sets him apart. He is always willing to learn from others and is never afraid to try new things. His empathy and patience make him a valuable team player, and he is always looking for ways to support those around him. Florian’s positive attitude and willingness to help others have made him an inspiration to many.

Academically, Florian is a shining star. He is a brilliant thinker and has consistently achieved top grades throughout his academic career. He has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and is always seeking to expand his horizons. His dedication to his studies and his willingness to go above and beyond have earned him numerous accolades and recognition from his peers and professors.

Despite his numerous achievements, Florian remains humble and grounded. He never boasts about his successes and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His kindness and generosity have earned him the respect and admiration of those around him.

In terms of career success, Florian has been nothing short of exceptional. Since the very first day of the MBA program, he has worked tirelessly to achieve his goal to develop a career in the sports business industry. He achieved his goal through passion, dedication, and determination throughout his career journey. On top of that, he did not hesitate to offer support to his fellow students in their job search.

Florian’s unwavering commitment to social engagement, academic excellence, and career success is an inspiration to us all. I have no doubt that Florian will continue to make a positive impact on the world, and I am honored to have the opportunity to nominate him for this prestigious award.”

Kathrin Liesenberg
Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions

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