Hello beautiful,

I’m Eva Keiffenheim, a systems change advocate, committed to changing how we live, learn, and work together. Sign-up to my free weekly learn letter and, if you want to turn your ideas into impact, join my online course.

My Story

From a first-generation student in rural Germany to an agent of change, my path was unconventional.

I grew up in a working-class family, where hard work wasn't just valued—it was essential. At 16, I was a factory worker. By 18, I started my days before dawn as a postwoman. During my undergraduate degree, I climbed the part-time job ladder: from cleaning lady to sales agent, from FinTech human resource manager to intern in Shanghai's towering financial center. I believed in the mantra, "Work hard, and anything is possible."

But my belief was a mirage, masking the complexities of privilege and societal inequalities. It was only after turning down a lucrative consultancy offer to become a full-time teacher with Teach for Austria and afterward a self-employed writer that I began to see the world differently.

As a Teach For Austria fellow in a classroom in Vienna, I faced the raw truth of poverty and its impacts on young learners. I realized it wasn’t the children who were failing—it was the education system failing them. While a few years later, as a self-employed writer, I managed to unlock a life, I never dared to dream of. Writing online has fueled my personal and professional development to an extent I’ve never thought was possible. It has helped me shape a life filled with flexibility and joy. This was my turning point.

My journey shifted from individual achievement to systemic transformation. I learned that a 'one size fits all' approach neglects the diverse needs of people from various backgrounds. Systemic oppression and identity-based discrimination were no longer abstract concepts—they were barriers I was determined to dismantle.

I embraced a new perspective, moving from a Eurocentric, individualistic view to understanding the power of collective action. Meaningful change requires humility, listening, and community-driven solutions. My privilege and skills became tools for facilitating, not dictating change. My work now focuses on designing and advocating for systems that nurture global citizens, equipped to shape our world with intelligence, empathy, and action.

If you read until here - connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me what it is that you're passionate about :)