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

Alexander Hardt, Germany

Describing Ottobock as a part of my life is a thought that has been on my mind for a long time.

Alessandro’s words encouraged me to also share a few thoughts about my own stories at Ottobock. Like my Italian friend, I started my vocational training at Ottobock at an early age, in 1987. This decision was well considered at the time and had a clear background. Through my father, who worked as a physician, I was already influenced early on. Patients and their stories and challenges were familiar to me, so I felt somewhat predestined to pursue a profession with a medical focus. However, a purely medical profession felt too monotonous for me—I also wanted to work with my hands. Through a former Ottobock employee who was also a patient of my father, I was given the opportunity to take this path as early as 1985 through an internship at Ottobock. Back then, Dieter Storck took me under his wing—he is still working for Ottobock to this day. Through him and the work I was able to accompany in the field of myoelectric hand prostheses, a light truly went on for me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do: orthopedic technology.

The attached drawing was created by a patient whom we fitted bilaterally with myoelectric prostheses during this time. It was human, reliable, and smart all at once. The patient (user) relied on us to help him fulfill a fundamental human need—his hobby, drawing—once again. During the fittings, he created this drawing for us and gifted it to us as a token of gratitude.

Describing Ottobock as a part of my life is a thought that has been on my mind for a long time.

Alessandro’s words encouraged me to also share a few thoughts about my own stories at Ottobock. Like my Italian friend, I started my vocational training at Ottobock at an early age, in 1987. This decision was well considered at the time and had a clear background. Through my father, who worked as a physician, I was already influenced early on. Patients and their stories and challenges were familiar to me, so I felt somewhat predestined to pursue a profession with a medical focus. However, a purely medical profession felt too monotonous for me—I also wanted to work with my hands. Through a former Ottobock employee who was also a patient of my father, I was given the opportunity to take this path as early as 1985 through an internship at Ottobock. Back then, Dieter Storck took me under his wing—he is still working for Ottobock to this day. Through him and the work I was able to accompany in the field of myoelectric hand prostheses, a light truly went on for me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do: orthopedic technology.

The attached drawing was created by a patient whom we fitted bilaterally with myoelectric prostheses during this time. It was human, reliable, and smart all at once. The patient (user) relied on us to help him fulfill a fundamental human need—his hobby, drawing—once again. During the fittings, he created this drawing for us and gifted it to us as a token of gratitude.

After completing my training, things continued in an unexpected direction at first. I was able to move abroad to France and learned a great deal from Mario Henkel, who brought me in to help set up the workshop in Les Ulis. It was a real challenge—one I gladly accepted—and it gave me a great deal of life and professional experience.Many stories followed.

As a customer for seven years, customer events with Ottobock were unforgettable. I still remember one trade fair—back then in Essen—where Liza Minnelli was the show act. During this time, I also met my wife, who works in the same profession. She and our daughter were always part of Ottobock as well. We spent time abroad together for Ottobock and were able to experience a great deal during those years. In addition, both of them were willing and thankful photo models to highlight the true heroes (see photos).

Since the year 2000, I have been back at Ottobock in various roles—starting in Hungary as workshop manager and responsible for customer training and continuing education, up to my current role in HCD. There have been very, very many stories and experiences over the years. One highlight was the first fitting—initially as a test case—of a spinal cord injury patient with a C‑Leg, which we mounted in parallel with an orthosis to prove that a paraplegic patient could benefit from the function of a C‑Leg. As we can see today, it was a success! Today, the C‑Brace sets a benchmark in this type of treatment. Many more topics followed, many trade fairs and congresses, and another recent highlight is the interim orthosis (C‑Brace Interim). With it, we are once again offering an innovative treatment concept today that enables patients to recover faster and regain mobility sooner. Of course, there are not only many stories related to products.

Countless interpersonal experiences and relationships have emerged as well. The global Ottobock family is so diverse and exciting—something I have been able to experience throughout all these years. Many of us have been with Ottobock for decades; we know and appreciate one another. We share many experiences together, and that makes us strong and unique worldwide.Because we share the same values and a fundamental intrinsic desire to empower people to live their own lives independently and self‑determined. You could fill entire books with our shared experiences!

Attached are a few impressions from the past decades.

Kind regards,
Alexander Hardt





Patrick Milbrat, Germany

I often say this when I’m down in Production: the Ottobock core values are truly lived here. The humanity among colleagues is outstanding. Especially when I need help or support—not only from my own team or coworkers, but also from the machine operators on the shop floor—there is always someone willing to assist me with maintenance tasks or machine operation.

I often say this when I’m down in Production: the Ottobock core values are truly lived here. The humanity among colleagues is outstanding. Especially when I need help or support—not only from my own team or coworkers, but also from the machine operators on the shop floor—there is always someone willing to assist me with maintenance tasks or machine operation.

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