Mirja (Mimi) Hitzemann
About Mirja (Mimi) Hitzemann
Mirja (Mimi) Hitzemann is currently working in New Business Development at the Basketball Africa League under the NBA, with a rich background in business development and strategic partnerships across various industries and continents.
Current Role at Basketball Africa League
Mirja Hitzemann is currently serving as the New Business Development lead at the Basketball Africa League, a position within the National Basketball Association (NBA). Since 2022, she has been based in Dakar, Senegal, focusing on developing new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and expanding the league's reach within the continent. Her current role leverages her extensive experience in business development to foster growth and innovation in sports.
Previous Roles at Spotify and GDW Global Digital Women
Hitzemann held the position of Country Lead for Self-Serve Advertising at Spotify from 2020 to 2022, where she managed advertising operations in Germany from their Berlin office. Before Spotify, she was the Head of Business Development & Programs at GDW Global Digital Women GmbH from 2018 to 2020, also based in Berlin. In these roles, she focused on developing business strategies, managing programs, and promoting digital transformation.
Educational Background
Hitzemann holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Occidental College, where she studied from 2010 to 2014. She also attended Université Paris-Sorbonne from 2012 to 2013, studying Sociology, History, Translation (English-French), and Philosophy. Prior to these, she achieved her Bilingual International Baccalaureate from United World College Costa Rica from 2007 to 2009 and her Diplôme National du Brevet from Lycée Français la Fontaine from 2005 to 2007.
Diverse Work Experience
Hitzemann has a broad range of experience across various roles and industries. She has worked in Berlin as an Assistant Manager at lululemon, as a Campaigner at Change.org, and as a Workshop Trainer & Coach in extracurricular activities. In New York, she served as a Community Organizing Strategist at SustainUS and as a Co-founder & Trainer at Momentum Training. Her international career includes internships as an Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica at the United Nations and as a Program Assistant & Community Organizer at Tostan in Paris.
Skills and Linguistic Proficiency
Hitzemann is fluent in French, German, Spanish, and English, adding significant value to her roles that require multicultural communication and negotiation. Her skills encompass strategic partnerships, business development, digital transformation, and female empowerment. Her ability to adapt and thrive in various cultural contexts across four continents highlights her global strategic approach and effective leadership in business development.