Criss Graf

Who I work with

I work with people for whom standard solutions fall short — because they think more deeply, perceive more, or see through structures faster than the norm. Neurodivergent people, the highly sensitive, creatives, activists, leaders who navigate the tension between adaptation and authenticity. Many have tried classic coaching or therapy formats and found them too shallow — because the surface is where those often end, while substance is where they begin.

I work with people who already sense their truth and are looking for accompaniment to turn it into workable decisions. With people who want a clear picture of themselves before they say yes again to structures they don't fit into. Not wrong — just not fitting every system; that's a strong starting point, not a deficit.

And I work with organisations that want real transformation — and have understood that it doesn't come from tools, but from relationship, posture and honest inner work. Teams, collectives, movements, startups and NGOs that treat psychological safety not as a marketing term but as a load-bearing foundation for shared growth.

Conversations on eye level — clear, present, human.

About me

Neurodivergent, multi-layered, precise.

I'm non-binary, 38 years old, and I work at the intersection of technology, psychology, politics and art. As an autistic person with ADHD and PTSD I've walked a demanding path that shapes my work today: leadership roles in politics and business, white-hat security work, federal-level press-spokesperson duties, speaker roles for NGOs, contributions in scientific and artistic contexts. A high IQ was both resource and responsibility — depth needs its own structures to become usable.

Today I found and lead Emotional Trust — an umbrella brand for products, training and AI systems at the intersection of emotional safety, self-regulation and trust culture. As CEO and CTO I own strategy, product architecture and the entire AI stack. Three current product lines: SystemN (state-aware app for self-reflection and regulation), SEC (Safety Emotional Certificate, leadership programme) and MAEVE Day-Companion (AI companion for co-regulation).

What defines me isn't a single profession but an entire ecosystem:

Professional

• Founder, CEO and CTO Emotional Trust — umbrella brand with three product lines (SystemN, SEC, MAEVE Day-Companion); accountable for strategy, product architecture and the entire AI stack.
• IT Senior Consultant (AI and digitalisation) — 15+ years in enterprise and public-sector projects.
• Agile Coach, Scrum Master, Product Owner — transformations beyond the buzzwords.
• Former federal press spokesperson of the Pirate Party; politically active with the Greens and NGOs — politics as practice, not pose.
• Speaker and ethical advisor on tech and AI projects.
• Article author and guest writer for magazines.

Special interests

• Language and social systems.
• (Neuro)psychology, trauma and healing.
• Polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems, co-regulation.
• Green IT, utopias, sci-fi, systems thinking.
• Responsible AI and companion systems.
• Poetry, music and artistic expression.

Engagement

• Ambassador against food waste (Foodsharing).
• Active in youth politics, urban development, hackerspaces and NGOs.
• Supporter of neurodiverse communities.

What drives me

My work rests on a simple premise: durable change doesn't begin with behaviour, it begins with the inner readiness to meet oneself honestly. I work in a scientifically grounded, pragmatic and emotionally present way — no esoterics, no coaching clichés, no needless pathos. What counts is durable connection and measurable effect.

What I bring

• Tools and workshops — scientifically grounded, practical, accessible to everyone.
• Coaching and accompaniment — especially for neurodivergent people who feel lost inside the system.
• Texts, talks, content — sharp, poetic, political.
• Artistic work — music under Zucker & Zorn and Lyttarae Noxys; poetry and performance. More under Art & Culture →
• Products and systems — currently under Emotional Trust (SystemN, SEC, MAEVE Day-Companion).