At 7Steps, we focus on a sustainable transformation that is not only ambitious, but also realisable. Our work is based on four pillars: Strategy, Realisation, Communication und Education. We develop customised ESG concepts, support companies during implementation, create transparency through clear communication and empower teams with the necessary knowledge. With interdisciplinary expertise and practical solutions, we make sustainability measurable – and companies future-proof.
As managing partner, she founded 7stepssolution in 2021 with the aim of supporting companies in the transformation process towards a more sustainable and circular economy. Living sustainability means actively helping to shape the future and she has created a space to share the knowledge of all her companions and her own and to support companies in the long term. In addition to her many years of experience as a sustainability manager at the Würth Group, she also works as a lecturer in sustainability management at various universities. She is currently doing her doctorate at the Chair of Management in Sustainability Innovation for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises at Tallinn University of Technology. In her free time, she is also interested in sustainability and mindfulness in her private life. She gives yoga classes, is involved in the Peerschool for Sustainable Development e.V. and in dog welfare. Her greatest passions are her Mexican street dog Lulu, her friends and travelling to other cultures (especially Mexico 
).
She has set herself the goal of supporting companies in the transformation process to a more sustainable and circular economy. For this purpose she founded the company 7stepssolution in order to actively shape the future. In addition to her many years of experience as a sustainability manager at the Würth Group, she is a lecturer in sustainability management at Heilbronn University and is currently writing her doctoral thesis at the Chair of Management in the field of sustainability innovations at Tallinn University of Technology. With her second company “flowspiration” she also offers private individuals the opportunity to act more sustainable and mindfull.
Dr. Susanne Durst is a professor at the Technical University in Tallinn with a research focus on knowledge and risk management, innovations in small and medium-sized companies, and sustainable business and transformation models.
As a senior contact, she manages projects such as materiality analyzes and risk assessments for our customers, based on the specifications of the GRI and the CSR Directive Implementation Act. In doing so, it follows a well-founded scientific approach in order to determine the important sustainability issues for the stakeholders as part of the strategic analysis.
Journal Artikel
Kraus, S., Durst, S., Ferreira, J.J., Veiga, P., Kailer, N., & Weinmann, A. (2022) Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo, International Journal of Information Management, 63, 102466, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102466
Durst, S., Chowdhury, F., Davila, A., Kraus, S., & Cheng, C. F. (2021), Employees’ psychological characteristics and sustainable leadership in firms with high and low entrepreneurial orientation, Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(3), 44-57
Tsvetkova, D., Bengtsson, E., & Durst, S. (2020) Maintaining Sustainable Practices in SMEs: Insights from Sweden, Sustainability, 12, 10242
Durst, S., & Zieba, M. (2020) Knowledge risks inherent in business sustainability, Journal of Cleaner Production, 251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119670
Monografien
Durst, S. & Henschel, T. (2022) Crisis Management for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Strategies for External Crises. Springer, New York
Durst, S. & Henschel, T. (2020) Knowledge Risk Management. From Theory to Praxis,
Springer, Cham
Durst, S., Temel, S., & Aisenberg Ferenhof, H. (eds.) (2018) Open Innovation and Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Enterprises, World Scientific, Singapore
Dr. Susanne Durst is a professor at the Technical University in Tallinn with a research focus on knowledge and risk management, innovations in small and medium-sized companies, and sustainable business and transformation models.
As a senior contact, she manages projects such as materiality analyzes and risk assessments for our customers, based on the specifications of the GRI and the CSR Directive Implementation Act. In doing so, it follows a well-founded scientific approach in order to determine the important sustainability issues for the stakeholders as part of the strategic analysis.
Journal Artikel
Kraus, S., Durst, S., Ferreira, J.J., Veiga, P., Kailer, N., & Weinmann, A. (2022) Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo, International Journal of Information Management, 63, 102466, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102466
Durst, S., Chowdhury, F., Davila, A., Kraus, S., & Cheng, C. F. (2021), Employees’ psychological characteristics and sustainable leadership in firms with high and low entrepreneurial orientation, Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(3), 44-57
Tsvetkova, D., Bengtsson, E., & Durst, S. (2020) Maintaining Sustainable Practices in SMEs: Insights from Sweden, Sustainability, 12, 10242
Durst, S., & Zieba, M. (2020) Knowledge risks inherent in business sustainability, Journal of Cleaner Production, 251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119670
Monografien
Durst, S. & Henschel, T. (2022) Crisis Management for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Strategies for External Crises. Springer, New York
Durst, S. & Henschel, T. (2020) Knowledge Risk Management. From Theory to Praxis,
Springer, Cham
Durst, S., Temel, S., & Aisenberg Ferenhof, H. (eds.) (2018) Open Innovation and Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Enterprises, World Scientific, Singapore
Dr. Wanja Wellbrock is a professor at Heilbronn University with a focus on sustainable procurement management, sustainable supply chain management, sustainable purchasing and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. In these areas he supports 7stepssolution and its customers with further training and coaching in the above areas..
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela/Krauter, Sina (2020): Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling. Instrumente und Kennzahlen für die strategische und operative Unternehmensführung, Wiesbaden.
Hein, Cathrin/Wellbrock, Wanja/Hein, Christoph (2019): Rechtliche Herausforderungen von Blockchain-Anwendungen. Straf-, Datenschutz- und Zivilrecht, Wiesbaden.
Wellbrock, Wanja (2015): Innovative Supply-Chain-Management-Konzepte. Branchenübergreifende Bedarfsanalyse sowie Konzipierung eines Entwicklungsprozessmodells, Wiesbaden.
Herausgeberwerke
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela (Hrsg./2021): Nachhaltiger Konsum. Best Practices aus Wissenschaft, Unternehmenspraxis, Gesellschaft, Verwaltung und Politik, Wiesbaden.
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela (Hrsg./2019): Nachhaltiges Beschaffungsmanagement. Strategien – Praxisbeispiele – Digitalisierung, Wiesbaden.
Dr. Wanja Wellbrock is a professor at Heilbronn University with a focus on sustainable procurement management, sustainable supply chain management, sustainable purchasing and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. In these areas he supports 7stepssolution and its customers with further training and coaching in the above areas..
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela/Krauter, Sina (2020): Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling. Instrumente und Kennzahlen für die strategische und operative Unternehmensführung, Wiesbaden.
Hein, Cathrin/Wellbrock, Wanja/Hein, Christoph (2019): Rechtliche Herausforderungen von Blockchain-Anwendungen. Straf-, Datenschutz- und Zivilrecht, Wiesbaden.
Wellbrock, Wanja (2015): Innovative Supply-Chain-Management-Konzepte. Branchenübergreifende Bedarfsanalyse sowie Konzipierung eines Entwicklungsprozessmodells, Wiesbaden.
Herausgeberwerke
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela (Hrsg./2021): Nachhaltiger Konsum. Best Practices aus Wissenschaft, Unternehmenspraxis, Gesellschaft, Verwaltung und Politik, Wiesbaden.
Wellbrock, Wanja/Ludin, Daniela (Hrsg./2019): Nachhaltiges Beschaffungsmanagement. Strategien – Praxisbeispiele – Digitalisierung, Wiesbaden.
Christian Baron is a developer, consultant and scientist with a background in cutting-edge research and waste management. He combines the passion for the further development of people and technology in order to find innovative solutions for the challenges of the future. The topics of his work range from material cycles and product design to innovative business models for the circular economy. His enthusiasm for these topics jumps from the first contact.
Christian Baron is a developer, consultant and scientist with a background in cutting-edge research and waste management. He combines the passion for the further development of people and technology in order to find innovative solutions for the challenges of the future. The topics of his work range from material cycles and product design to innovative business models for the circular economy. His enthusiasm for these topics jumps from the first contact.
Marvin Schmitt supports 7stepssolution GmbH as a sustainability consultant with a strong focus on CSRD reporting (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). His academic background with a Master in Applied Sustainability and a Bachelor in International Management as well as his professional experience make him a valuable expert in the field of creating and implementing sustainability reports that comply with the new regulatory requirements. His ability to integrate transparency and compliance into reporting processes is also based on his previous work at Scholz & Friends Reputation, where he gained extensive experience in sustainability reporting.
Marvin also brings international experience from logistics planning and purchasing at Robert Bosch GmbH in Madrid, which gives him a deep understanding of sustainable supply chains – an aspect he skilfully integrates into reporting. His technical skills and multilingualism (German, English, Spanish) enable him to efficiently address challenging sustainability requirements on a global level. He sees communication aspects and supply chain optimisation as supporting elements that contribute to meeting CSRD requirements.
Marvin Schmitt supports 7stepssolution GmbH as a sustainability consultant specialising in supply chain management and sustainability communication. His expertise is based on his academic background with a Master’s degree in Applied Sustainability and a Bachelor’s degree in International Management as well as his professional experience. With his focus on creating transparent and efficient processes, Marvin brings valuable experience from his freelance work in online marketing. His knowledge of sustainability reporting and customer communication at Scholz & Friends Reputation, coupled with international experience in logistics planning and purchasing at Robert Bosch GmbH in Madrid, enables him to master complex sustainability challenges. Marvin’s technical affinity and his language skills in German, English and Spanish round off his profile.
Claudia Twelsiek has more than 30 years of experience in PR and communications. She has worked for various publishing houses such as Gruner + Jahr and Axel Springer, in corporate communications for a Hamburg insurance company and as a senior consultant at Menyesch PR for over 20 years, advising clients from various industries. At 7stepssolution she is responsible for communications. In addition to the communicative support of sustainable change processes, this includes the entire PR portfolio – from strategic concept development, media relations, content creation and social media to corporate and brand positioning communication.
In her free time, she is a wool-holic, is involved in the global knitting community for fair and sustainable sheep farming and wool production, tests new models for internationally renowned knitwear designers and designs her own instructions.
Claudia Twelsiek has more than 30 years of experience in PR and communications. She has worked for various publishing houses such as Gruner + Jahr and Axel Springer, in corporate communications for a Hamburg insurance company and as a senior consultant at Menyesch PR for over 20 years, advising clients from various industries. At 7stepssolution she is responsible for communications. In addition to the communicative support of sustainable change processes, this includes the entire PR portfolio – from strategic concept development, media relations, content creation and social media to corporate and brand positioning communication.
In her free time, she is a wool-holic, is involved in the global knitting community for fair and sustainable sheep farming and wool production, tests new models for internationally renowned knitwear designers and designs her own instructions.
Through her business administration studies at Weleda AG, Noemi has experience in sustainable business and management. This knowledge was enhanced by her work in sales of maintenance and repair of onshore wind turbines. This has given her a good understanding of the different technology providers, maintenance contracts and differences in the wind power industry, particularly in Spain and Germany. Her practical experience is complemented by her current Master’s degree in Sustainability Management.
Through her business studies at Weleda AG, Noemi has experience in sustainable business and management. This knowledge has been enhanced by her work in sales of maintenance and repair of onshore wind turbines. This has given her a good understanding of the various technology providers, maintenance contracts and differences in the wind power industry, especially in Spain and Germany. Her practical experience is complemented by her current Master’s degree in Sustainability Management.
Catharina Abs is a consultant at 7stepssolution and her professional and personal passion is sustainable business. With several years of experience in sustainability management – both in the group-wide sustainability department of an international retail group and as the person responsible for the sustainability activities of an e-commerce company in the fashion industry – she has extensive expertise in the strategic and operational implementation of sustainability initiatives.
She is particularly experienced in the implementation of human rights due diligence measures in global supply chains, the development of efficient processes, collaboration in multi-stakeholder initiatives and the collection and analysis of sustainability data. Catharina is convinced that socio-ecological change is only possible through joint action, open dialogue and positive visions for the future. She also incorporates aspects of systemic organisational development into her work.
Through her business studies at Weleda AG, Noemi has experience in sustainable business and management. This knowledge has been enhanced by her work in sales of maintenance and repair of onshore wind turbines. This has given her a good understanding of the various technology providers, maintenance contracts and differences in the wind power industry, especially in Spain and Germany. Her practical experience is complemented by her current Master’s degree in Sustainability Management.
With her bachelor’s degree in business psychology with a focus on the environment and sustainability, Carolin brings a wide range of interpersonal perspectives to the work processes and supports internal communication as well as process and project development. With her previous experience in online and content marketing, she makes a significant contribution to communicating the company’s content. Her current Master’s degree in Risk Assessment and Sustainability Management expands her expertise and enables her to develop innovative solutions for complex sustainability issues.
Through her business studies at Weleda AG, Noemi has experience in sustainable business and management. This knowledge has been enhanced by her work in sales of maintenance and repair of onshore wind turbines. This has given her a good understanding of the various technology providers, maintenance contracts and differences in the wind power industry, especially in Spain and Germany. Her practical experience is complemented by her current Master’s degree in Sustainability Management.
We are convinced that the presence of a dog brings significant benefits for the health and performance of our employees, which contributes to increasing the productivity and efficiency of our company. That’s why Nela is a constant source of relaxation in our day-to-day work, enriching our breaks, providing variety and a new perspective on things. In addition to all her tasks, she also ensures that we are always on the move, which is also part of our company philosophy.
We believe that the presence of a dog brings significant benefits to employee health and productivity, which contributes to increasing the productivity and efficiency of our company. That’s why Nela always provides relaxation in our everyday work, enriches our breaks, provides variety and a new perspective on things. In addition to all her tasks, she also ensures that we are always on the move, which is also part of our company philosophy.
