Olivier Kayser

Olivier Kayser

In January 2009, Olivier founded Hystra (www.hystra.com), a global consulting firm that works with business and social sector pioneers to implement hybrid strategies and innovative business approaches that are profitable and scalable. They are designed to eradicate social and environmental problems, requiring the combination of insights and resources from the business and citizen sectors. Hystra’s first five clients are among the top 20 largest French corporations.

From 2003 to 2008, Olivier was Vice-President Europe of Ashoka, a global not-for-profit organization supporting social entrepreneurs. He launched its Paris and London offices, and designed and launched what is now the Ashoka Support Network, a rapidly growing global network of over 250 business people who support social entrepreneurs financially and with expertise. He was a leader in Ashoka’s global “Hybrid Value Chain” initiative, fostering partnerships between corporations and social entrepreneurs.

From 1985 to 2003, Olivier was with McKinsey&Company, being elected a Partner in 1991 and a Senior Partner in 1998. From 1998 to 2003, Olivier led the Corporate Finance & Strategy practice in France and served several leading industrial groups and private equity firms. From 1995 to 1998, Olivier was based in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, serving leading multinationals throughout Asia (China, India, Korea, and SEA), designing entry strategies, identifying JV partners or acquisition targets and restructuring their operations. He also initiated and led McKinsey’s first client relationship with a Chinese State-Owned Enterprise. From 1985 to 1995, Olivier was based in Paris (with a one-year stint in Chicago). He served industrial (including a Korean chaebol) and transportation companies in a range of strategy, organization and operations projects.

From 1980 to 1984, Olivier founded and led TER (Transports, Etudes, Recherche), a consulting firm specializing in Transportation economics. From 1979 to 1980, Olivier lived for one year in Belize living from shipping and trade. Since 2006, Olivier is a non-executive member of the board of two subsidiaries of La Poste, Coliposte and GeoPost (a €3 billion leader in the road express parcels industry) where he chairs the Strategy Committee. Since 2010, Olivier is also a board member of Belron, the global market leader in vehicle glass repair (Carglass). He is also a member of Danone’s Social Innovation Advisory Board and a board member of three non-profits: the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the Center for Digital Inclusion-Europe and LightYearsIP.

Olivier holds a diploma from HEC (1979). He was born in France in 1957 and spent his teenage years in Spain. He married his wife Christine in 1980. They have three children.