Two ESCP Professors Named to Thinkers50 Radar List for 2025
ESCP professors Alisa Sydow and Philip Meissner recognised among top up-and-coming management thinkers
ESCP Professors Alisa Sydow and Philip Meissner have been named to the 2025 Thinkers50 Radar List . The annual list highlights 30 promising voices whose ideas are set to have a significant impact on management thinking in the years ahead.
Associate Professor Alisa Sydow: Championing Entrepreneurship and Global Impact
Alisa Sydow is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Academic Director of the MSc in Digital Transformation Management & Leadership at ESCP. She specialises in teaching entrepreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on new technologies and social impact.
I am truly honoured to be part of the Thinkers50 Radar,” says Prof. Sydow. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share my ideas with a broader community and engage in meaningful conversations that can shape future management.
Alisa SydowAssociate Professor
Prof. Sydow’s research interests include entrepreneurship in developing countries such as Kenya and Uganda, with a particular focus on technology-based and women-led ventures. Her impact extends beyond academia through her startup, Nampelka, which connects female founders with international experts to facilitate collaboration and shared learning.
Discussing the emerging trends on her radar, Prof. Sydow foresees significant shifts in global dynamics. “We are likely to see a global shift in power from Western and developed economies to emerging markets, particularly across the entire African continent,” she explains. “The economic and political power dynamics are evolving, and we can expect to see new global players emerge—some of which may not even be on our radar today.”
Professor Philip Meissner: Enabling Strategic Technology Integration
A leading voice in future technologies and AI-based decision-making, Philip Meissner is the Academic Director of the Master in Strategy and Digital Business and Chair of Strategic Management and Decision Making at ESCP’s Berlin Campus. His work sits at the intersection of strategy, technology, and psychology. He is also the Co-founder and Director of the European Center for Digital Competitiveness.
Being recognised on the Thinkers50 Radar list is a great honour, and I am very grateful to join this fantastic network of young thought leaders from around the world
Philip MeissnerAcademic Director, Master in Strategy & Digital Business & Chair of Strategic Management & Decision Making at ESCP’s Berlin Campus
Prof. Meissner’s research focuses on the potential of digital technologies to solve major societal challenges, particularly in the areas of green tech and digital democracy. He has received numerous accolades for his insights and leadership, including being named in Capital Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list and as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2022.
Reflecting on the trends shaping the future of management, Prof. Meissner highlights the importance of preparing for technological change. “The implications of technology for managers will become one of the biggest topics in the coming years,” he shares. “From the implications of AI for productivity and decision-making to the geopolitical implications of technology, organisations have to prepare for it and integrate this into their strategies.”
Thinkers50 Radar: Celebrating the Future of Management Thought Leadership
Founded in 2001, Thinkers50 has become one of the world’s leading authorities on identifying and celebrating management thought leaders. Since 2016, the Thinkers50 Radar List has served as a platform for recognising the next generation of influential thinkers.
ESCP congratulates Professors Sydow and Meissner on this outstanding achievement.
Campuses