In this special episode of the SAP speaker series co-presented with GABA, we will focus on two exceptional leaders who have influenced countless iconic products over the last decades. 

Hartmut Esslinger and Patricia Roller, Co-Founders of Frog Design and GABA Lifetime Achievement Award winners in 2017 will talk about their journey from Germany to the West Coast after a call from Steve Jobs, building companies in the Valley, giving back to the community and how big challenges present the best opportunities for revolutionary design.

Hartmut Esslinger

In 1969, at age 25, Hartmut Esslinger founded frog design in Germany and expanded the company to the United States in 1982. Together with his wife and business partner Patricia Roller he created the world’s most prominent and successful strategic design agency. In 2005, frog design was sold to venture backed Flextronics, and eventually to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Hartmut Esslinger and Patricia Roller remained investors.

Today, frog design employs about 400 strategists, designers and technology specialists in numerous studios around the world.

For the last 38 years, Hartmut Esslinger has worked with some of the most prestigious global companies. For example, he helped companies such as Sony, Apple, Louis Vuitton, SAP, Lufthansa and Microsoft to convert their technological competences and entrepreneurial desire into emotionally appealing global brands.

Patricia Roller

Patricia Roller is a pioneer in the integration of design, technology and business. She was born in Germany where she studied languages before coming to the United States in 1984.

- As former Co-CEO of frog design, a global design and strategy firm, she brought a creative and hands-on leadership style to managing major accounts in sectors ranging from hi-tech, entertainment, medical, mobile services and automotive. This included working with global companies such as Apple, HP, Motorola, Lufthansa, Disney’s consumer electronics division and Siemens.

She is currently the CEO of Vidlet, Inc., an innovative video management and mobile SaaS solution. Patricia has served as director on the boards of BlinkTwice and Jimmy Jane, has been an advisor to Flextronics and is an active investor in design-driven technology and telecommunications startup companies

Patricia speaks frequently on innovation, entrepreneurship and venture capital as a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and Fudan/SIVA University in China.

More information and registration here.

About SAP Bay Area:

For nearly 25 years, SAP Labs Silicon Valley has been in the epicenter of global innovation and technology for SAP customers and partners. Today, as the largest non-US company in the Valley, SAP’s investment and influence continues to be exponential by forging tight relationships with top tech brands like Apple and Google, NVIDIA and Slack or early stage disruptors through SAP.iO. 

About HanaHaus:

HanaHaus is a community workspace that combines the best aspects of café and coworking culture and cultivates a dynamic atmosphere for innovation. The concept of HanaHaus is rooted in the philosophy that great ideas spring from anywhere, and more often when people come together. HanaHaus brings people together and offers a space where they can connect, explore new ideas, and bring them to life.