Christoff Kotzé

Attached to a Head of State or VVIP political dignitary, providing high-level personal and protocol support, and facilitating bilateral meetings and logistics during more than 10 high-level international political summits such as the UN Climate Change Conference, G20 High-level Summit, and European Commission Development Conference. Clients included: the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission, the GIZ, and the German Ministry of the Environment.

Conducted in-depth research on the nature and anatomy of shifting national renewable energy (electricity) targets, creating a unique global data set which featured all targets set globally between 2005 and 2014. Identified four specific explanatory variables that drive change: civil society strength, strength of democracy, level of economic development, and existing reliance on oil income. Presented my research at various academic conferences across Europe.

Team leader, creating highly specialized market research to improve brand positioning and product innovation for Coca-Cola, Sony, Unilever, Heineken, L’Oréal, Diageo, and Roche.

Designed and ran study-abroad, cultural immersion and community service programs for Yale, CU Boulder, Princeton, and the University of Pittsburgh. Traveled throughout the United States developing institutional relationships.

Responsible for business development, conducting personal site visits across the US, developing institutional relationships with University partners.

• Performed in-depth economic research and analysis on the economic and tourism implications of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup in South Africa. • Tasked with preliminary editing of the annual Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) report • Responsible for organizing workshops, and providing high-level administrative support to the director of the Department of Economic and Human Development.

Consulted small business clients, building their global product development. Coordinated frequent international trade training seminars and workshops.

- Collaboration within diverse, multidisciplinary teams on complex, real-world problems and case studies. - Development of advanced prototypes that have gone through multiple iterations. - Learn how to apply creative problem-solving skills across multiple sectors and disciplines.

Thesis: “The Anatomy of Renewable Energy Targets: How and Why Targets Shift: a Global Perspective.” (Magna Cum Laude) • University Alliance for Sustainability Scholarship recipient

Thesis: “A changing Global South? The Emergence of the BASIC Grouping within International Climate Change Negotiations.” • Erasmus Mundus Action II Scholarship student exchange

• Full athletic scholarship, NCAA Division 1 University Swimming team.