Founder and water expert. Johannes Pfaffenhuemer successfully built up the distribution of a mineral water brand in Austria. Furthermore, he is a respected expert on health and nutrition issues, especially concerning water.
Social Entrepreneur | Expert for Integrated Management Systems | Pioneer in the Global Water Market | Strategic Advisor Kirchdorf am Inn | Austria | Global Engagements
Dr. Johannes Pfaffenhuemer is a distinguished international entrepreneur, consultant, and visionary with over 40 years of experience in executive management, business consulting, and the strategic development of global water resources. With an academic background as a PhD in Business Administration, he combines profound management know-how with unique expertise in integrated systems and sustainable value chains.
Strategic Management & Corporate Leadership
Johannes Pfaffenhuemer looks back on an impressive career in leading complex organizations. As early as the 1980s, he was responsible for human resources development for over 3,000 employees as an HR Manager and established a group-wide Management Information System (MIS).
Since 1986, he has served as Managing Partner of Caspar Zeitlinger GmbH, a traditional family business with a 450-year history. Under his leadership, the company expanded globally, exporting design hardware to over 30 countries, complemented by the establishment of its own branch in Hong Kong (1987–1992). In parallel, as a specialist in productivity enhancement and integrated management systems (ISO 9000/14000/18000/26000), he has strategically supported more than 200 companies across Europe.
Pioneering Work in the Global Water Market
As Founder and CEO of Water of Life GmbH (since 2014), Dr. Pfaffenhuemer has defined drinking water as one of the most critical markets of the future. His expertise in this field is deeply rooted both operationally and strategically:
Market Development & Sales: He successfully established the distribution for St. Leonhards Quellen in Austria and is considered an expert in exporting high-quality artesian waters.
International Representation: He is a recognized keynote speaker at international congresses and serves as Chairman of the European Global Water Forum to advance global dialogue on sustainable water management.
Economic Diplomacy: In collaboration with various institutes, he travels worldwide to initiate international water infrastructure projects and position Austrian quality standards globally.
Holistic Approach & Science
A unique selling point of Dr. Pfaffenhuemer is the connection between economic rationality and holistic health. In his Vitalpraxis in Kirchdorf am Inn, he deepens his knowledge of "living water," epigenetics, and prevention. This knowledge flows directly into the Water of Life business model, which is based on four pillars: 1. high-quality sources 2. specialized distribution 3. scalability through expert networks and 4. strategic consulting.
Impact Investing & Global Responsibility
His entrepreneurial actions are inextricably linked to social responsibility (ESG – Environmental, Social, Governance). Dr. Pfaffenhuemer is a pioneer for Impact Investment Networks aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean drinking water and clean oceans (SDG – Sustainable Development Goals – SDG6 + SDG14). A portion of the company's profits is consistently reinvested into global Water-Sanitary-Hygiene projects (= WASH).
Academic Background & Expertise
PhD in Business Administration: Johannes Kepler University Linz (Specializations: Marketing, Controlling, Organization).
Academic Teaching: Long-standing lecturer at the University of Linz / JKU as well as at the University of Applied Sciences for Health and Social Affairs in Linz.
Methodological Competence: Certified expert in the fields of Resonance Coaching, NLP, stress management, and innovative preventive medicine.
Dr. Johannes Pfaffenhuemer is characterized by the rare ability to translate complex conceptual relationships into economically viable, scalable operations. He combines the down-to-earth nature of a tradition-conscious entrepreneur with the vision of a globally active "system visionary" who perceives water as the decisive link between health, the environment, and the global economy.
Experienced investor and real estate developer with a proven track record as a serial founder. Oskar Franzmaier is exceptionally well-connected in both the Austrian and international investor scenes.