Looking back 15 October 2026
An Evening of Perspectives
On 15 October 2026, the St. Gallen Business Review and ESPRIT St. Gallen had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Theodor Weimer, Senior Advisor at KKR and former CEO of Deutsche Börse, to a speaker event at the SQUARE of the University of St. Gallen.
In a moderated conversation with Caspar Moebius and Christopher Koenig, Dr. Weimer reflected on the decisions, experiences and unexpected encounters that shaped his career.
The conversation 01 / 06
An Evening with Dr. Theodor Weimer
At the SQUARE, Dr. Weimer joined Caspar Moebius and Christopher Koenig for an open discussion about a career spanning management consulting, investment banking, corporate leadership and private equity.
The conversation went beyond professional milestones, touching on the experiences, challenges and people that shaped his understanding of leadership.
The conversation 02 / 06
A Career Across Industries
From McKinsey and Bain & Company to Goldman Sachs, HypoVereinsbank and Deutsche Börse, Dr. Weimer offered a personal perspective on a career at the intersection of strategy and finance.
Having held senior leadership positions across several major financial institutions, he reflected on the lessons learned throughout his professional journey. Today, as Senior Advisor at KKR, he continues to draw on these experiences in identifying investment opportunities and building partnerships with companies across the DACH region.
The conversation 03 / 06
When Setbacks Open New Doors
Looking back on both successes and difficult moments, Dr. Weimer spoke openly about the importance of dealing with setbacks. He emphasised that what initially appears to be a defeat can ultimately create opportunities that might otherwise have remained undiscovered.
His reflections offered a reminder that professional careers rarely follow a straightforward path and that resilience, openness and the willingness to embrace change can be just as important as ambition.
The conversation 04 / 06
An HSG Lecture That Stayed with Him
Dr. Weimer also reflected on his years as a student at the University of St. Gallen.
He particularly recalled a leadership lecture by Professor Charles Lattmann, which left a lasting impression on him. The lessons he took from that lecture continued to influence his approach to leadership throughout his professional career.
The conversation 05 / 06
A Chance Encounter in Chicago
One of the evening's more unexpected stories took the audience to Chicago, where Dr. Weimer had met Barack Obama by chance shortly after Obama was elected to the United States Senate.
What began as an unexpected encounter developed into a lasting connection. Years later, it even led to an invitation to the final White House Correspondents' Dinner of Obama's presidency.
The conversation 06 / 06
Be a Leader, Not Merely a Manager
Towards the end of the conversation, Dr. Weimer shared three pieces of advice with the students in the audience.
First, he encouraged them to lead with genuine appreciation and respect for others, an approach that had served him throughout his career. Second, he recommended beginning to invest personally at an early stage.
Above all, however, he urged students to have the courage to aspire to becoming leaders rather than merely managers, emphasising the importance of taking responsibility and inspiring others.
All moments.