SIMONE SCHMITT-SCHILLIG – OUR FOUNDER
About me
I was born near Frankfurt am Main in October 1979. I grew up in the German state of Hesse with my parents, two older sisters, horses, cats, and a dog.
After graduating from high school, I completed an apprenticeship as an aviation clerk at South African Airways, and later studied tourism management in Munich. During my apprenticeship, I realized the importance of intercultural communication, and I knew that I wanted to work with diverse groups of people in the future.
After graduating, I spent some time in Cape Town, South Africa, experiencing firsthand what it means to find my footing in a completely new country—finding a job, obtaining a work permit, and living as a foreigner far from home.. South Africa is still where my heart belongs, and I return there regularly, even though the country’s inequalities brought me back to Germany. You can read more about this in Unequity’s founding story.
Today, after over 20 years in Bavaria, I live back in Hesse with my partner and our children, Anton and Anna. Once a week, I take the train to Munich to meet our Unequity team, clients, and friends in Bavaria.
I enjoy connecting with new people and shaping our diverse world together.
See you soon!
Simone
Hi!
I am Simone, founder and Managing Director of Unequity.
UNEQUITY
OUR STORY SO FAR
The story of Unequity begins with me—because I cannot bear injustice or uncertainty. Which led me to become what I am today: a conveyor of good ideas from and for people, and a communicator of important information.
Good ideas, valuable programs, and important information should reach where they belong. In the heads and hearts of people.
I founded Unequity in 2011 as a specialized communications consultancy and agency focused on compensation & benefits. This included all elements of cash and equity remuneration, as well as the fringe benefits that increase a company’s attractiveness as an employer. Thanks to this unique positioning, the one-woman show quickly grew into an interdisciplinary team of permanent employees and freelancers, who together with me “lead people projects to success through communication“.
Unequity stands for unique in equity
Excellent work
Over the years, our campaigns for renowned global brands such as McDonald’s, adidas, and Siemens have helped my “boutique agency”, as one client called us, earn a strong reputation and several industry awards.
I am particularly proud of the HR Excellence Award, won by McDonald’s in 2012 for the McBenefit campaign for the conversion and communication of its company pension scheme (bAV). And that was just the beginning!
Through my involvement in the DACH chapter of the Global Equity Organization (GEO), I have continuously expanded my network of experts. I am delighted that our projects have been recognized with multiple GEO Awards—including the GEO Star Award, honoring my personal contribution.
As a speaker and co-organizer of specialist conferences, webinars, and networking events, I continue to support the establishment of an equity culture in Germany and promote employee share ownership—which I consider a particularly compelling component of a modern employee benefits package.
In good company
After an initial participation program with real GmbH (Limited Liability Company) shares, only one person still has a stake in the company today: Elke Grüßing. She holds 4% of the company shares. As a freelancer, Elke has managed Unequity’s finances alongside me for more than 10 years, and continues to help me find and retain the best employees.
Where we stand today
We have significantly expanded our service portfolio to support leadership teams, HR specialists, and communications departments. From A for analysis to Z for zeitgeist—and beyond—our services cover every aspect of Total Rewards communication. (Learn more at Services.)
We have stayed true to our core themes while constantly evolving to meet emerging technologies. Today, IT systems, LLMs, and artificial intelligence complement our human intelligence—where it makes sense.
Future and vision
Our uneQUBE enables collaborative and more efficient structuring and administration of all components of a global Total Rewards system. It also serves as a direct interface for employees to explore their Total Rewards options, and ensures clear, efficient communication and training to help them better understand their package. With the uneQUBE, sustainable business success becomes a shared mission, and the employer becomes a place of belonging.
I will be happy to answer any questions personally.
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Our specialty is the communication of Total Rewards topics.
We develop communication strategies, creative media designs, and clear, captivating content, and we manage projects and campaigns that deliver a lasting impact—motivated, loyal employees, and successful companies.
We lead people projects to success through communication.
Your contact person