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TeamKnowledge and experience optimally leveraged for every project

You can rely on our experience

At maconda, enthusiasts are at the helm. So you can reach your goals quickly.

In our team, everyone gives their best for your project – with first-class qualifications and a high level of personal commitment. We possess extensive experience in advising companies across various industries and situations, as well as in supporting investors in demanding M&A transactions. We have successfully completed over 800 projects, more than 450 of which were M&A-related. In addition, there is the in-depth expertise and project experience of our industry insiders, who are involved in almost every project. These are usually long-serving former managing directors and board members, experienced interim managers, and highly specialized consultants for specific industries and corporate functions. This foundation helps us quickly grasp complex situations, accurately analyze companies and markets, and formulate a reliable opinion, often under high time pressure.

Portrait of Dr Rainer Mayer maconda in a dark pinstripe suit and white shirt smiling in a bright modern office
Dr. Rainer Mayer
Portrait of Bertram Stähler maconda in a dark suit and white shirt smiling in front of a blurred office background
Bertram Stähler
Ümit Esrefoglu
Porträt von Sylvia Jensch maconda mit blonden Haaren in schwarzem Oberteil mit weißem Kragen lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Sylvia Jensch
Porträt von Adriana Nuneva maconda mit langen blonden Haaren in dunkelblauem Blazer und weißer Bluse lächelnd vor einem Glasgebäude
Adriana Nuneva
Porträt von Sara Baier maconda in schwarzem Blazer und weißer Bluse lächelnd vor einem Glasgebäude
Sara Baier
Porträt von Noah Bayazit maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einer modernen Lobby mit Glaswänden
Noah Bayazit
Porträt von Lukas Dedy maconda in dunkelblauem Anzug und weißem Hemd lächelnd vor einem modernen Glasgebäude
Lukas Dedy
Porträt von Sinan Haciibrahimoglu maconda mit dunklem Haar und leichtem Bart in dunkelblauem Sakko und hellblauem Hemd vor hellem Bürohintergrund
Sinan Haciibrahimoglu
Porträt von Zoé Jancke maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Zoé Jancke
Porträt von Max Kirschbauer maconda in dunklem Blazer und hellblauem Hemd in einem modernen Büro
Max Kirschbauer
Porträt von Piotr Krzeszowiak maconda mit Brille in dunklem Anzug mit Krawatte in einer hellen modernen Lobby
Piotr Krzeszowiak
Porträt von Franz Kushnarev maconda in dunklem Anzug und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einem modernen Büro mit Glaswänden
Franz Kushnarev
Porträt von Lisa Lopatowski maconda mit Brille in schwarzem Blazer und weißem Hemd in einem hellen Büro
Lisa Lopatowski
Porträt von Isabelle Mayer Holtmann maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer mit silberner Halskette lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Isabelle Mayer-Holtmann
Porträt von Filip Soldo maconda in grauem Anzug und weißem Hemd in einem hellen Büro
Filip Soldo
Porträt von Jonathan Stölting maconda mit dunklem Haar und Brille in schwarzem Blazer und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einem modernen Büro
Jonathan Stölting
Portrait of Marion Tichel maconda in a dark blazer and white blouse smiling in front of a bright office background
Marion Tichel
Portrait of Dr Rainer Mayer maconda in a dark pinstripe suit and white shirt smiling in a bright modern office
Dr. Rainer Mayer

Rainer Mayer is the founder and driving force behind maconda. In his more than thirty years as a consultant, he has seen countless companies and led many projects to success. Rainer studied business administration at the University of Mannheim, where he also earned his doctorate, including as a scholarship recipient of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation. His professional career included positions at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and Treuhandanstalt Berlin, with some time in New York in between. He also loves variety in his private life: he plays the saxophone and clarinet and (passably) the Lithuanian birbyne. He has three daughters and is a passionate carnival enthusiast. As a native of the Palatinate, his passion naturally belongs to wine; well, and to Saumagen. Whisky was added after trips to Scotland. Languages: Palatinate dialect, High German, English, and some Dutch (even if conversation partners usually switch to English – the attempt counts).

Portrait of Bertram Stähler maconda in a dark suit and white shirt smiling in front of a blurred office background
Bertram Stähler

Bertram Stähler has been a passionate consultant for over 19 years, having supported and led numerous analysis, strategy, and M&A projects. This experience has allowed him to gain diverse expertise across various industries. He appreciates sophisticated methodologies and enjoys creating clear structures to get to the bottom of things, convincing and inspiring clients. Bertram studied geography in Bonn and still maintains a keen interest in broader contexts and thinking outside the box. In his free time, he enjoys indulging in musical pursuits with his wife or, as a contrasting activity, being productive as a DIY enthusiast. He is articulate in German and also speaks very good English.

Ümit Esrefoglu

Ümit Esrefoglu is a specialist in Commercial Due Diligence and growth strategies for Private Equity investors and their portfolio companies. With over seven years of consulting experience—including at Deloitte and as an independent CDD consultant—he has successfully supported more than 40 projects, primarily in software and construction as well as with manufacturing companies. His focus is on thorough analyses of markets and competition, as well as the development of practical strategic recommendations. Ümit studied General Management at EBS University of Business and Law in Oestrich-Winkel. In addition to German, he speaks fluent English and Turkish as well as some Spanish. In his free time, he is passionate about fitness, music, politics, and history.

Porträt von Sylvia Jensch maconda mit blonden Haaren in schwarzem Oberteil mit weißem Kragen lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Sylvia Jensch

Sylvia has more than 25 years of international leadership experience in the beauty, luxury goods, and consumer goods industries. She has an impressive track record in growth transformations, strategic repositioning, and value creation. This includes the successful guidance of three private equity-funded companies through transformation phases and exits. She has served as CEO, CMO, and CSO for leading companies such as the Klapp Group, ADA Cosmetics International, the JK Group, and P&G, and has worked for numerous renowned beauty brands. Sylvia combines strategic marketing expertise, operational leadership skills, and extensive international experience in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. With her German-British background, she brings a strong intercultural mindset and a passion for innovation-driven growth. She lives in the UK and enjoys spending time with her family in the Yorkshire countryside.

Porträt von Adriana Nuneva maconda mit langen blonden Haaren in dunkelblauem Blazer und weißer Bluse lächelnd vor einem Glasgebäude
Adriana Nuneva

Adriana Nuneva has a proven track record in digital transformations, strategic realignments, and sustainable value creation. She has served as Chief Digital Officer, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, and in other international leadership positions for companies such as CWS/Haniel, TE Connectivity, and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. As founder of NEOVISTA, she now supports mid-sized companies in developing and implementing digital and AI-driven growth strategies, working closely with maconda. She has implemented several company-wide transformation programs and built high-performing marketing, sales, and service organizations—all with measurable impact on growth and productivity. She has led global teams and organizations in Europe, North America, and Asia. With her international background, she brings a strong intercultural perspective, high execution capability, and a passion for innovation-driven growth. Adriana lives in Berlin and enjoys life through numerous business and personal travels.

Porträt von Sara Baier maconda in schwarzem Blazer und weißer Bluse lächelnd vor einem Glasgebäude
Sara Baier

Sara Baier has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and PR and is responsible for internal and external marketing & communications at maconda. She studied media management at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Cologne and graduated with a diploma. In PR agencies in Berlin and Cologne, she managed numerous national and international brands in the B2C and B2B sectors. She then moved to the corporate side, where she contributed to the further development of marketing activities for a large tax firm, among other things. Her core competencies lie in cross-media content creation, storytelling, and strategic communication. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors in nature, on her yoga mat, attending further education courses, or having a cozy coffee chat with friends and family.

Porträt von Noah Bayazit maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einer modernen Lobby mit Glaswänden
Noah Bayazit

Noah Bayazit has been an intern at maconda since July 2026. He is studying Business Administration at the renowned University of Mannheim and was involved in the Arbeitskreis Börse, a student initiative focused on capital markets and economics, during his first two semesters. He has a particular interest in strategic issues and international markets, which he approaches with a unique perspective shaped by his German-Turkish background. In addition to German and Turkish, Noah speaks fluent English and has basic knowledge of Spanish. In his private life, he is passionate about traveling and loves skiing in winter. He is also enthusiastic about the aviation industry.

Porträt von Lukas Dedy maconda in dunkelblauem Anzug und weißem Hemd lächelnd vor einem modernen Glasgebäude
Lukas Dedy

Lukas Dedy has been part of the maconda team since 2025 – and is someone who quickly demonstrates why he is an excellent fit for our consulting boutique, which values precision, character, and genuine team spirit. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Cologne, he earned a Finance-focused Master’s in International Business from Maastricht University. As a result, Lukas brings not only a strong analytical foundation but also the ability to present complex topics in a clear and structured manner. He is particularly valued for his eye for numbers, his proactive approach, and his straightforward way of driving solutions forward together. Lukas speaks German, English, and Spanish. In his private life, he enjoys traveling, especially to less-frequented, “special” places, is an ambitious cook – and cheers on 1. FC Köln, no matter how challenging the season may be.

Porträt von Sinan Haciibrahimoglu maconda mit dunklem Haar und leichtem Bart in dunkelblauem Sakko und hellblauem Hemd vor hellem Bürohintergrund
Sinan Haciibrahimoglu

Sinan Haciibrahimoglu has an excellent academic background, holding a Bachelor’s degree cum laude in International Business with a focus on Finance and a Master’s in Financial Economics, both from Maastricht University / School of Business and Economics. During his studies, where he ranked among the top 10% of his class, Sinan taught statistics and mathematics to students as a research assistant. He gained his first professional experience at a “Big Four” firm, where he demonstrated his analytical skills and practical competence in restructuring projects. Due to his strong affinity for numbers, he particularly enjoys data-based analyses and other complex challenges. In his private life, Sinan is a football and chess enthusiast.

Porträt von Zoé Jancke maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Zoé Jancke

Zoé Jancke provides dedicated support to the maconda team from the Cologne office. She completed her degree in Media Management part-time at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences and worked for almost 20 years at TV broadcasters as well as in TV and advertising productions. Thanks to her many years of experience in the media industry, she maintains an overview in dynamic environments and supports the team with structure, reliability and a keen sense of priorities, ensuring that projects and organisational matters dovetail efficiently and smoothly. A native of Hamburg, she enjoys spending time on the water and is committed to promoting media literacy among children and young people. She is fluent in German and English and has some knowledge of French.

Porträt von Max Kirschbauer maconda in dunklem Blazer und hellblauem Hemd in einem modernen Büro
Max Kirschbauer

Max Kirschbauer is an expert in digital business models and works as an Associate Consultant for maconda. In addition to hands-on experience from a range of digitalisation projects supported both strategically and operationally, he brings extensive due diligence expertise, particularly in the IT & software, e-commerce and FMCG sectors. His focus is on robust market and competitive analysis as well as identifying potential in the digital marketing & sales funnel. Max completed his B.Sc. in Business Administration and Marketing at the Business School in Pforzheim and his M.Sc. in Marketing Management at Munich University of Applied Sciences. In his free time, he is usually on the tennis court or out in nature, whether cycling or hiking.

Porträt von Piotr Krzeszowiak maconda mit Brille in dunklem Anzug mit Krawatte in einer hellen modernen Lobby
Piotr Krzeszowiak

Our Polish colleague Piotr Krzeszowiak’s particular expertise lies in data-driven customer management. For over 20 years, he has supported renowned brands in the development and implementation of customer-centric strategies and processes in marketing, sales, and customer service. He also leads the Polish activities of Envolved, a leading consultancy for Loyalty, CRM, and Customer Experience. Cross-border projects are Piotr’s particular passion (including Poland, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, Switzerland, Austria). He completed his business administration studies at the University of Cologne and the Stockholm School of Economics. After several years as a consultant at maconda in Cologne, Piotr moved back to his Polish homeland in Krakow. His private passion is classic automobiles. In addition to Polish and German as his native languages, Piotr speaks English, French, and a little Italian.

Porträt von Franz Kushnarev maconda in dunklem Anzug und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einem modernen Büro mit Glaswänden
Franz Kushnarev

Franz Kushnarev supports the maconda team as a dedicated working student. He is studying International Business at Maastricht University and, with his academic achievements, ranks among the top 10% of his year. His particular interest lies in finance topics, which he specifically explores in depth during his studies. Franz has already gained practical experience as a tutor, where he supported fellow students in economics subjects and further developed his ability to convey complex content clearly. He is fluent in German and English. In his free time, Franz is passionate about traveling and prefers to spend the winter months on the ski slopes. For maconda, he works from our team office in Maastricht.

Porträt von Lisa Lopatowski maconda mit Brille in schwarzem Blazer und weißem Hemd in einem hellen Büro
Lisa Lopatowski

Lisa Lopatowski has been working at maconda since September 2025. She studied Strategic Management and Consulting and successfully completed her master’s degree. During her studies, she gained practical experience in consulting projects, where she conducted strategic analyses and developed conceptual solution approaches. At maconda, she is deepening her knowledge and gaining insights into the diverse tasks of a management consultancy. Lisa is fluent in German and English. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, being out in nature, and dedicating herself to creative projects related to design, interior architecture, and gardening.

Porträt von Isabelle Mayer Holtmann maconda in dunkelblauem Blazer mit silberner Halskette lächelnd in einem hellen Büro
Isabelle Mayer-Holtmann

Isabelle Mayer-Holtmann is involved with heart and soul. She leads our HR activities and, as a certified business coach, is active in transformation projects—primarily those with links to the Netherlands, Belgium and France, thanks to her language skills and intercultural aptitude. She has Dutch roots, with a large family in the east of the country as well as in Belgian Flanders. In addition, Isabelle works independently as a coach, supporting people on a wide range of topics. Previously, she organised events for the renowned International Club La Redoute in Bad Godesberg, where well-known politicians and business representatives often give talks. She studied psychology in Nijmegen and Amsterdam and then completed a degree in Business Administration at Cologne Business School. Afterwards, Isabelle raised three girls, all of whom now also study in the Netherlands. In addition to German and English, Isabelle is fluent in French and Dutch and speaks some Spanish.

Porträt von Filip Soldo maconda in grauem Anzug und weißem Hemd in einem hellen Büro
Filip Soldo

Filip Soldo is a consultant on the maconda team. He studied Business Administration & Management, specializing in Finance and International Management, at CBS International Business School in Cologne. Subsequently, he gained practical experience in management consultancy and operationally supported sell-side transactions throughout the entire M&A process. In this role, he successfully contributed to the divestment of two insolvent companies, which ignited his passion for M&A. Filip gained international experience during a semester abroad at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) and through internships in South Africa and the USA. He is fluent in German, English, and Croatian. In his free time, he is passionate about diving, backpacking, and discovering new places. He also follows football with great enthusiasm.

Porträt von Jonathan Stölting maconda mit dunklem Haar und Brille in schwarzem Blazer und weißem Hemd lächelnd in einem modernen Büro
Jonathan Stölting

Jonathan Stölting strengthens the maconda team as an intern in the Cologne office. He has successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration and will begin his master’s programme in October. He gained international experience during semesters abroad in Singapore and Paris, where he was able to further develop his intercultural skills. Jonathan gained his first insights into the world of finance and consulting during his training as a bank clerk at KfW, as well as through internships in auditing and market-entry consulting. He is fluent in German and English. In his free time, Jonathan is active in sports, enjoys playing and following football, and prefers to spend his time with friends and family.

Portrait of Marion Tichel maconda in a dark blazer and white blouse smiling in front of a bright office background
Marion Tichel

Marion Tichel manages office administration and ensures that consultants have the space and peace they need to work with focus. Since completing her training as a travel agent, she has gained diverse experience, including managing the family travel agency for several years. In her free time, she enjoys helping friends and acquaintances prepare their tax returns. To recharge, Marion goes swimming and reads extensively. She sings in a choir, loves Kölsch and Carnival, and of course FC Cologne. Marion holds a diving certification and a boat license. Her languages: German and good knowledge of English and French.

Team