Nils was born in Berlin and graduated from the United Nations University in Maastricht with a Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development. He has lived and worked in various countries across the world including the UK, France, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and India. Throughout his educational and professional career he has focused on educational innovation and development. In diverse positions, both at home and abroad, he has been in charge of designing, planning and implementing educational programmes and workshops for universities, schools, NGOs and the private sector. He is also a certified design thinking trainer and coach.