Carsten Thoma is President & General Manager of SAP’s Customer Engagement & Commerce (CEC) line of business, which includes the CRM and commerce divisions of SAP as well as the direct global Go-To-market strategy and geo-expansion, direct & indirect sales, solution management and ISV alliances. Responsible for CEC’s product and innovation strategy, Carsten leads an international, cross- functional team that is re-shaping how businesses market, serve and sell to customers. By unlocking the power of omni-channel commerce, CEC is helping some of the world’s biggest brands deliver richer, more rewarding customer experiences by enabling greater intimacy, interaction and responsiveness at every touchpoint and across every channel.
 
Prior to joining SAP, Carsten was the Co-Founder and President of hybris software, one of the world’s fastest growing e-commerce companies. With a strong focus on Research & Development, a vital partner ecosystem combined with a unique company culture hybris became one of the leading software innovator’s in the are a of e-commerce. He led the company’s entry into the North American market and spearheaded the acquisition and successful integration of iCongo. hybris was acquired by SAP in 2013 (being the world’s biggest private software company transaction until then) and subsequently became the centerpiece of SAP’s Customer Engagement and Commerce strategy. 
 
A seasoned industry executive, angel investor and successful entrepreneur, Carsten began his career at Hewlett Packard, where his ideas for a standardized and flexible e-commerce solution were the starting point for what would become hybris. His belief in the power of a highly motivated, passionate and engaged workforce has fuelled his pursuit of talent, resulting in a unique corporate culture that forms the foundation for his company’s success.  Carsten’s passion for new and innovative technologies is also reflected in his pursuits outside of SAP, where he remains active as a mentor and backer of several global start-ups.
Carsten studied law and also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.