An architect by trade with a master’s degree from Chicago, Sangeeta discovered her passion for live events during her first project for BMW Motorrad. In 2005 she launched Avantgarde Dubai and Abu Dhabi to build our client base in the Middle East. Currently she is literally “creating fans” by being responsible for our New Business opportunities. Exploring the world as a four-piece, Sangeeta loves scouting the world for beautiful design and yummy food.

Dr. Lesley Anne Bleakney is an internationally experienced Human Resource professional with a love for strong heritage brands. She has held executive positions in the fashion industry building agile and leadership based organizations with sharp strategic outlines. Holding a PhD, Lesley’s academic roots lay in sociology, philosophy and cultural studies, fueled by her German-American heritage. Her focus and core passion are people - enabling and empowering potential and talent to a new level of holistic performance. Lesley loves eclectic fashion, design and art and thrives on her and her families world travel experiences.

Stuart has worked on both the agency and the client side. He started Avantgarde UK in 2008, following nine years working for ATL and BTL agencies. He has a love of action-packed adventure and has canoed the rivers of Central America, trekked across the Sahara, cycled over the Karakoram Mountains, and holds a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu.

Ricardo has worked in communications for over 20 years. He's been a copywriter, monitored events, worked with sales and merchandising, and always strived to be a fair and inspiring leader. Today Ricardo is Luiz Arruda’s partner, and together they've been leading the Avantgarde Brazil since 2011.

Guido Emmerich began his career at Avantgarde back in 1993 and is now Managing Partner and the principal contact person for our customers. In order to make brands tangible within the framework of a sustainable brand experience and to proactively drive change from point-of-sale to point-of-experience, the qualified sports scientist always keeps up to date with the latest innovations and trends. In his free time he enjoys improving his handicap on the golf course.

Tim is a born-and-bred Berliner stationed in the Munich HQ. Over the course of the past 18 years, he worked in different sectors, such as governmental affairs, hospitality and entertainment, establishing his expertise in Sales & Marketing. After his first encounter with Avantgarde in 2007 he joined the team in 2010 as an expert in Event Marketing and expanded his skills in strategy, concept and deployment. This experience combined with his “let’s make it happen”- mentality helps him navigate in complex challenges, never losing the perspective on the big picture. Currently he leads a large team dedicated to IQOS. In his free time, he is a passionate mountain biker always on the lookout for rough unchartered terrains.

Robert is our financial genius. Originally hailing from the Black Forest, he’s worked as both an auditor and a management consultant at Ernst & Young, gaining valuable experience consulting and auditing for a variety of industries. When he isn’t fostering Avantgarde’s strategic development, this passionate sportsman can be found travelling the world with his backpack.

Bernhard is a brand strategy specialist who joined Avantgarde in 2015 after gaining experience in several big agencies in Switzerland and Germany. Originally from Germany, Bernhard is a coffee aficionado who is fascinated by contemporary art and design. He also enjoys basketball and skiing.

After just one day of studying physics in Munich, Berlin-born Martin Schnaack felt the urge to do something a little different. So he created the Avantgarde fashion show, which soon became THE innovative, nationwide platform for young designers to show their collection and create fans. The mountain-bike enthusiast is still one of the true visionaries of the Avantgarde crew, always challenging convention and embracing change.

Dr. Marc Schumacher is a successful and internationally active executive. He started his career at Hugo Boss and Breuninger and established himself as a leading management figure over the course of the years. As a marketing and retail expert, he creates forward-looking communication concepts for well-known lifestyle brands from all sectors (such as Nespresso, Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, Chanel, Moët Hennessy and many more). Through his international network and many business trips, he gains essential industry insights and knows how to discover trends at an early stage. Marc has developed a great passion for keynote speeches, and he convinces his audience with his provocative but honest rhetoric.

Karl is an entrepreneur at heart who has a proven track record in designing and building innovative technology products across multiple industries. Before joining Avantgarde Karl build up a multinational Fintech that he managed as COO. In his role as CPTO at Avantgarde Karl works on cutting edge technologies that will emerge a new experience category.

After building a career in the sports industry, Christian took on the challenge of launching Avantgarde China back in 2004. Today, he leads a team of experts across disciplines and established strong business connections in China and across the globe.

Tim has been a copywriter and creative director for some of the biggest agencies in ATL marketing. In 2011 he changed his focus to brand experiences and developed activation campaigns for brands such as Mercedes-Benz and VW. He’s won several national and international awards and is a member of the Art Directors Club Germany. He loves music, design and football.

With a background in the events and entertainment industry that spans the European, American and GCC markets, Roberto is a dynamic creative with a strategic mind and a natural leader who has been creating fans for over 20 years. His passion for music and all of forms of digital media inspires everything he does; from the projects he leads as Managing Director of the Avantgarde Middle East office to the music he creates with his children in his spare time.