Rupert Roniger

Rupert Roniger studied business administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, as well as music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. During his studies he developed entrepreneurial activities, organizing classical music concerts, and importing knitwear from Bolivia.

From 1992 until 1995 Rupert worked as a product manager at Unilever, a global fast-moving consumer goods company. In his free time, he engaged for grass-roots civil-society initiatives in Uganda und Bolivia to promote social protection, wellbeing, and education for vulnerable children.

In 1995 Rupert joined a small Vienna-based NGO with one employee that was raising funds to support projects for people with disabilities in the Global South. Together with a growing team of staff members, volunteer board members, ambassadors and partners, Rupert transformed the initiative to become a global civil society organisation focusing on disability inclusion in Sub-Sahara-Africa.
In 25 years the organisation grew to 270 team members based in twelve offices in Africa and Europe, engaging in building the capacity of local experts and organisations, forging alliances and advocating for disability rights and systems change, and implementing programmes in education, health, and economic empowerment.

As founder and CEO of Light for the World, Rupert was driving the development of the organisation and provided input to the entire sector. Rupert served on the board of national and international social profit organisations, including Fairtrade, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and IGO, Interest Group of Public Benefit Organisations.

During these years Rupert acquired a wealth of expertise in international development, human rights, health and education, diversity management and disability inclusion. He has gained a rich experience in leadership, governance, advocacy, strategy, the facilitation of participatory change and organizational development, as well as coaching and mentoring. In June 2022, Rupert was awarded a Certificate in Executive Coaching by the Academy of Executive Coaching in London.

After successfully preparing and managing the succession at Light for the Work, Rupert began working as a freelance executive coach, consultant, facilitator and trainer in September 2022.

Currently Rupert works with coaching clients across Europe, Africa and Asia from civil society, social business, entrepreneurship and senior executive across multiple industries. As a coach Rupert’s focus is on leadership and personal development. He loves supporting clients who live and work in complex, cross-cultural environments to successfully pursue and balance their personal and professional goals.

As a consultant and facilitator, he covers leadership development & talent management, strategy development, change management & organizational development, governance, as well as diversity, equity & inclusion.

Rupert is passionate about supporting individuals, cross-cultural teams and organisations on their journey to unleash potential and create sustainable impact. In his work he follows a holistic approach integrating professional performance management with conscious leadership, grounded on ethical principles, mindfulness and diverse wisdom traditions. Rupert strongly believes in the value and the potential of every human being.

In November 2022, Rupert joined the team of trainers at Leaders of Tomorrow, a unique leadership development program for civil society, building on experiential learning and self-development.

Rupert is currently training to become a certified counselor/psychotherapist.