Founder Gold of Puglia

Carmen is an experienced marketing leader, building and transforming (digital) marketing teams across both B2C and B2B organizations. Originally from Germany, she has lived and worked in Germany, the US, and China, holding several global roles before settling in the Netherlands.

Her deep love for Puglia - its culture, landscapes, and lifestyle - has inspired her to found the ecosystem Gold of Puglia, where she brings together her international experience and passion for authentic luxury. Beyond her professional career, Carmen is married to Tim, stepmother of two, and proud dog-owner of their poodle Lola.

Co-Founder with focus on Gold of Puglia Living

Tim is Managing Director of Designa, where he brings together his passion for design, strategy, and people. With a strong background in change management, sales & marketing and leadership, he has guided teams and businesses through growth and transformation. Alongside his role at Designa, Tim is co-founder of Gold of Puglia, where he combines his love for Italian culture and architecture within the real estate pillar.

Inspired by Italy’s way of life, he brings professionalism together with a love for style, harmony and family as a proud father of two.

Focus: Gold of Puglia Experiences & Collections

Simona is a seasoned sales executive with extensive experience in the luxury tourism industry, most recently at one of the Leading Hotels of the World in Lecce. Her career has taken her abroad to countries such as Germany and Malaysia, where she gained valuable international expertise, yet her heart has always remained in Puglia.

Born in a small village near Bari, Simona brings a true Apulian spirit to her work—combining local authenticity with a global perspective. At Gold of Puglia, she focusses on sourcing exclusive brands and producers, as well as developing and selling curated experiences to our customers in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, UK and the US.

Focus: Gold of Puglia Living & Experiences

Francesco brings years of experience from Lecce’s luxury hospitality scene. He is known for his customer-first mindset and has built a wide network of trusted local contacts— ranging from artisans and suppliers to contractors and service providers across Salento.

At Gold of Puglia, Francesco is sourcing exclusive contractors, vendors and service providers and with his strong organizational skills he serves as the local point of contact for our carefully curated experiences and real estate projects. He oversees contractors, manages execution with precision, and ensures clients experience the same elegance and care that define his hospitality background.