We are Optimus Via

Robert is an international business leader with an award-winning track record of growing impactful, profitable organizations and bringing about local and global change around complex issues and in challenging environments worldwide.

He has worked at the highest levels of government, business, and non-profit sectors advising clients on corporate strategy, organizational transformation, internal and external communications, and the scaling up of global operations, particularly in complex environments and emerging markets. He also advises startups and directs political and issue related campaigns worldwide.

Robert started his career at the White House in the Administration of President Bill Clinton. During the Administration, he also served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Special Assistant to the Press Secretary and assisted with numerous Executive Branch initiatives, including efforts to normalize trade relations with China and their subsequent entrance into the World Trade Organization.

Following the Administration, Robert started consulting public and private sector clients worldwide, including United Nations agencies. For the United Nations, for example, Robert has designed and implemented global projects and programs and established partnerships between governments, NGOs, and the private sector; he also advised on organizational reforms and the rollout of modern management practices. Robert has also run political campaigns all around the world and served as Press Secretary on two U.S. presidential campaigns. In addition, Robert was the CEO of the Association of Change Management Professionals.

Robert’s experience and expertise are complemented with a joint Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Eric is an international award winning Innovation Leader, Strategist, Designer, Philanthropist, and cultural connoisseur. He has won top design awards such as the RedDot, iF, Innovations International CES, and T3 awards. His work has made sizable impacts ranging from market disruptions to redesigning aspects of the City of San Francisco to better benefit the underprivileged neighborhoods with sustainable design solutions. Eric’s products can be found selling millions of copies monthly in top retailers such as the Apple Stores world wide.

Eric has lead innovation teams with such global leaders in design thinking as Y Combinator startups, and at IDEO. He brought several startups to launch and scale into a global position while leading design, and two through acquisition and exit. Eric has also been founder of multiple startups, one of which he took through his first exit in just 2.5 years working closely with the city of San Francisco’s Mayors, bringing design solutions to difficult crime ridden neighborhoods in underserved parts of California. His sustainable city design work has now been built out in over 18 neighborhoods in San Francisco & Northern California. Most of the money awarded from this exist he donated to the project itself to further its efforts. His second exit was while he was leader of the product design team of Joby Inc., and involved in the early R&D of what is now Joby Aviation, global leader in electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOL). Joby’s acquisition and exit came after just 3.5 years after launching the first app in history to have had over 1 million downloads its first day. Eric’s product designs range from creative tools to apps and iPhone gadgets, AI driven robotics, self driving cars and flying taxis to important cutting edge medical equipment, which could improve the lives of millions. Eric Hale’s designs have caught the attention of international journalists who‘ve published his work in notable publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and Ellen.

Eric chose San Francisco as a place of study for innovation design and was lucky to find renowned mentors such as Sir Jonathan Ive CDO of Apple Inc. and Rickson Son CTO of IDEO. He studied with and started his career with IDEO, San Francisco and at the California School of the Arts as well as at the University of California Santa Cruz where he obtained two degrees in Industrial Design Innovation and Fine Arts respectively. His focus is human centric design thinking in sustainability design.

Eric has lived and worked in Hong Kong and China working closely with company CEOs and guiding engineering and production teams in San Francisco, California. He is now working with several companies in Europe and the United States offering Strategy, Design Thinking and investing solutions. Eric speaks fluent Italian & English.

Katrin Mohr is an entrepreneur, digital expert, innovator, and sustainable futurist.

Throughout her 20-year career, she has spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in the corporate environment. These include the introduction of the mobile internet through use case-based strategies, the establishment of a global prototyping and matchmaking hub for the Internet of Things (IoT), and numerous customer-centric service innovations in various industries such as Tech & Telco, Automotive, Mobility, and others.

Katrin is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in the technology and digitalization ecosystem, and a strong focus on innovation. Her expertise has been honed through successful tenures at industry giants such as Deutsche Telekom AG and BMW AG, where she has made significant contributions in the areas of automotive, mobility, IoT, big data, and smart cities. Thanks to her leadership, she has developed high-performance, digital, and agile organizations that have achieved remarkable success. Throughout her career, she has established a powerful reputation for developing and expanding effective digital business models. She is also highly skilled in creating customer-centric and data-driven products and services, making her an invaluable asset for companies and industries seeking to compete and grow successfully.

Katrin holds a degree in Computer Science, a certification as a Sustainability Manager from TÜV Rheinland in Germany, and an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, USA, and the Otto Beisheim School of Management at WHU in Vallendar, Germany. She is also certified as a Leadership and Team Coach by Dr. Bock Academy. With this diverse academic background, Katrin is uniquely qualified to shape a digital, sustainable future that delivers exceptional value to customers, stakeholders, and employees.

Katrin is an inspiring business expert and startup mentor who advises boards and executives on their journey to become high-impact digital and sustainable innovation leaders. She is also a mentor at renowned incubators and accelerators such as XPRENEURS by UnternehmerTUM and Respond by BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt in Germany.

Her extensive knowledge and experience allow her to connect and bridge all worlds, from startups to mid-sized companies to global corporations. With her positive attitude and friendly approach, Katrin is the perfect guide to help you achieve your goals with confidence. Katrin is an expert in using innovation to drive success and growth, and implementing successful transformations. Katrin’s warm and empathetic approach to leadership inspires confidence and trust in those around her, making her an ideal partner for any organization looking to make a positive impact on the world.

She firmly believes that combining technology (such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and 5G) with human capital can create synergies that are crucial for a company’s future viability. Her commitment to focusing on people and organizations as the drivers of change is unwavering, and she is determined to help shape the future.

For Katrin, innovation is not just a buzzword, it is a lived commitment, and she is here to make it a reality.

Gianpiero Vecchi is a full stack developer with over 25 years of experience in software development, project management, and leading teams. Proficient in a range of technologies like Python, .Net, Swift, React, Java, and Oracle, along with various frameworks and tools, he has a rich background in crafting and overseeing software solutions across multiple sectors, including document management, defense, healthcare, and RFID technologies. Gianpiero is deeply interested in AI and its potential to boost business operations, particularly in areas like improving customer service, content creation, and streamlining access to and analysis of extensive document repositories.

Leading world-class real estate development projects, Paolo is a registered CPA and independent auditor with over 30 years of international finance and operations experience in international construction. Paolo is a highly analytical decision-maker with strong international credentials and extensive experience in iconic buildings and large sized infrastructural projects, from business development to project completion, including project financing (PPPs). Paolo has in-depth expertise in project financing and 3P initiatives all over the world, as well as a track record of administrative and financial management of large-scale projects and companies. He is a finance leader through all phases of business, from startup to high growth and acquisition. Paolo has excellent leadership qualities, team building skills and business acumen. He is also a member of numerous Executive Committees and Boards of Directors.

Sophie Guimezanes specializes in general corporate law, crossborder acquisition, corporate finance, joint ventures, and group restructuring matters for transactions of all sizes. Sophie’s initial background is in the field of banking and finance, which gives her extensive insight and working knowledge of the many aspects of complex operations involved, such as cross-border leveraged acquisitions and restructuring. She has had experience acting on behalf of HNWI, group of companies and banks in connection with domestic and international acquisitions, financing and restructuring.

Having relocated to Asia since 2012, Sophie is fully integrated into the local culture. She graduated from the leading Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program in Hong Kong (consistently ranked n.1 in the world by the Financial Times). She has also been advising clients in major multi-jurisdictional operations within Europe and the United States. Her truly international profile serves as an asset in transactions where sensitive intercultural considerations are involved.

Sophie is a Luxembourg qualified lawyer and registered as foreign solicitor in the UK. She is graduated from ESCPEAP & Paris XI University, Paris (master’s degree in financial products and capital markets law) and Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA, Hong Kong. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish.