Alessandro Paoletti, Italy

Ottobock has been part of my life for as long as I can remember—not just as a workplace, but as a constant presence while I was growing up. My professional journey officially began on June 2nd, 1997, when I was 21 years old. Today, I realize that I have spent more than half of my life working for Ottobock. But my bond with the company started long before that.

As a child, Ottobock was already part of my everyday life through my father, who served as Managing Director during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. I grew up around the people, the conversations and the values. Through his work, I spent time at the INAIL Prosthetic Center in Budrio, one of Ottobock’s long-standing customers, where I remember playing in the gym with amputee children. Even without understanding it fully, I was learning what empathy, respect and responsibility truly mean. I also remember a trade fair in Milan when I was about eight or ten years old, playing with myoelectric prostheses. At the time, it felt like curiosity and play. Looking back today, I see it as one of my first encounters with what defines Ottobock: technology that exists to serve people. These experiences shaped me long before I joined the company.

Over the years, I have come to see how human means caring for people beyond roles and titles, how reliable means being there for one another, and how inventive and smart are about improving lives while staying true to our purpose.

Today, these values guide my daily work and the way my team approaches patients, customers and colleagues. Ottobock is the place where I grew up, where I learned, and where I continue to grow together with others. In this sense, Ottobock has always felt like a family—one built on trust, shared responsibility and long-term commitment. For me, being “Guided by Values” means honoring this legacy and contributing to it every single day with pride.

Ottobock has been part of my life for as long as I can remember—not just as a workplace, but as a constant presence while I was growing up. My professional journey officially began on June 2nd, 1997, when I was 21 years old. Today, I realize that I have spent more than half of my life working for Ottobock. But my bond with the company started long before that.

As a child, Ottobock was already part of my everyday life through my father, who served as Managing Director during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. I grew up around the people, the conversations and the values. Through his work, I spent time at the INAIL Prosthetic Center in Budrio, one of Ottobock’s long-standing customers, where I remember playing in the gym with amputee children. Even without understanding it fully, I was learning what empathy, respect and responsibility truly mean. I also remember a trade fair in Milan when I was about eight or ten years old, playing with myoelectric prostheses. At the time, it felt like curiosity and play. Looking back today, I see it as one of my first encounters with what defines Ottobock: technology that exists to serve people. These experiences shaped me long before I joined the company.

Over the years, I have come to see how human means caring for people beyond roles and titles, how reliable means being there for one another, and how inventive and smart are about improving lives while staying true to our purpose.

Today, these values guide my daily work and the way my team approaches patients, customers and colleagues. Ottobock is the place where I grew up, where I learned, and where I continue to grow together with others. In this sense, Ottobock has always felt like a family—one built on trust, shared responsibility and long-term commitment. For me, being “Guided by Values” means honoring this legacy and contributing to it every single day with pride.



Katharina Nolte, Germany

For me, being human means above all one thing: the people around me. My team and my colleagues are the space where I can truly be myself—honest, creative, and authentic. This is where I am inspired, challenged, and encouraged. My team sees the best in me and helps bring it to the surface. We support one another, grow together, and stand up for each other.

This sense of togetherness creates trust, peace, and development—every single day. That is exactly what being ‘human’ means at Ottobock. It is the heartbeat of our organization, giving meaning and purpose to everything we do. When we truly live this value, Ottobock becomes more than just a company: it becomes a community shaped by empathy, care, and genuine connection.

To be human, for me, means growing together, strengthening one another, and creating impact— side by side.

For me, being human means above all one thing: the people around me. My team and my colleagues are the space where I can truly be myself—honest, creative, and authentic. This is where I am inspired, challenged, and encouraged. My team sees the best in me and helps bring it to the surface. We support one another, grow together, and stand up for each other.

This sense of togetherness creates trust, peace, and development—every single day. That is exactly what being ‘human’ means at Ottobock. It is the heartbeat of our organization, giving meaning and purpose to everything we do. When we truly live this value, Ottobock becomes more than just a company: it becomes a community shaped by empathy, care, and genuine connection.

To be human, for me, means growing together, strengthening one another, and creating impact— side by side.

Leni Marschall, Germany

The Ottobock core value ‘human’ is the most important one for me, because especially here in the apprentice workshop I can really feel what collaboration means and how we all work together toward a shared goal.

The Ottobock core value ‘human’ is the most important one for me, because especially here in the apprentice workshop I can really feel what collaboration means and how we all work together toward a shared goal.



Yordanka Astardzhieva, Bulgaria

Being ‘human’ is about more than the roles we hold or the work we do—it’s about the way we care for one another and for the communities around us. Last Christmas season, our GBS team reminded us exactly what that means.

Through our GBS Christmas Charity Food Bazaar, colleagues came together with open hearts, homemade dishes, and a shared purpose. The atmosphere was filled not only with festive treats, but with generosity, warmth, and genuine connection. Every contribution, big or small, was an expression of care. Thanks to this collective effort, we successfully raised an amount, which has already been donated to Children’s House in Sofia. This donation will help support babies and young children who need safety, care, and a nurturing environment during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

What made this initiative truly special was not just the amount raised, but the spirit behind it. Seeing colleagues support one another, share time together, and give back so willingly was deeply inspiring. It showed that beyond being professionals, we are first and foremost human.

Thanks to everyone who participated, supported, and believed in this cause. Their kindness will make a real difference —and it is this humanity that truly defines who we are.

Being ‘human’ is about more than the roles we hold or the work we do—it’s about the way we care for one another and for the communities around us. Last Christmas season, our GBS team reminded us exactly what that means.

Through our GBS Christmas Charity Food Bazaar, colleagues came together with open hearts, homemade dishes, and a shared purpose. The atmosphere was filled not only with festive treats, but with generosity, warmth, and genuine connection. Every contribution, big or small, was an expression of care. Thanks to this collective effort, we successfully raised an amount, which has already been donated to Children’s House in Sofia. This donation will help support babies and young children who need safety, care, and a nurturing environment during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

What made this initiative truly special was not just the amount raised, but the spirit behind it. Seeing colleagues support one another, share time together, and give back so willingly was deeply inspiring. It showed that beyond being professionals, we are first and foremost human.

Thanks to everyone who participated, supported, and believed in this cause. Their kindness will make a real difference —and it is this humanity that truly defines who we are.

2 results out of 2

Scott Schneider, USA

Noticed a young family at the weekend Farmers Market in Austin, TX in 2017. They parked near us and I noticed her super-cool prosthesis. We started a conversation and discovered they just moved to Austin from California. I invited them to our office. We fit her with a running prosthesis gifted through the Wiggle Your Toes non-profit organization. Today, almost 10 years later, we still chat and happy to share that she is excelling and is Paralympic hopeful in swimming!

Noticed a young family at the weekend Farmers Market in Austin, TX in 2017. They parked near us and I noticed her super-cool prosthesis. We started a conversation and discovered they just moved to Austin from California. I invited them to our office. We fit her with a running prosthesis gifted through the Wiggle Your Toes non-profit organization. Today, almost 10 years later, we still chat and happy to share that she is excelling and is Paralympic hopeful in swimming!



Erik Mini, Italy

My experience with this young man made me realize that, even though I consider myself a person full of flaws, when I set my mind to helping someone at all costs, I always achieve my goal. And this is what I really love about my job as CPO. During that day, I spent hours finding the right prosthetic alignment and the right settings for the electronic knee-joint he wanted to try, aiming for a better quality of life without the fear of stumble at any moment while walking. It was truly satisfying for me to see him go home with a smile on his face, knowing he had improved his condition. Experiences like this remind me that we all deserve help. In life, misfortune is always lurking, but that doesn't mean we'll never find someone who will be there to help us in bad times.

My experience with this young man made me realize that, even though I consider myself a person full of flaws, when I set my mind to helping someone at all costs, I always achieve my goal. And this is what I really love about my job as CPO. During that day, I spent hours finding the right prosthetic alignment and the right settings for the electronic knee-joint he wanted to try, aiming for a better quality of life without the fear of stumble at any moment while walking. It was truly satisfying for me to see him go home with a smile on his face, knowing he had improved his condition. Experiences like this remind me that we all deserve help. In life, misfortune is always lurking, but that doesn't mean we'll never find someone who will be there to help us in bad times.

2 results out of 2