BCG Henderson Institute

Johann D. Harnoss

Functional Leader, People & Talent

Expertise

Education

  • PhD, economics, Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne
  • Master’s in Public Administration/International Development, Harvard University
  • Master of International Management, Thunderbird School of Global Management
  • Diploma in Business Administration, European Business School, Oestrich-Winkel

Location
Washington, D.C.
Contact

Johann D. Harnoss

Functional Leader, People & Talent

Johann Daniel Harnoss is the Functional Leader for People & Talent based in BCG’s Berlin office. He is a Partner and Associate Director for Innovation, a member of Boston Consulting Group’s Corporate Finance & Strategy practice. Johann co-leads BCG’s research on innovation and co-authors BCG’s annual Most Innovative Companies Report. His advisory work centers on developing more effective innovation strategies and operating models to improve clients’ hit rate on breakthrough innovation. 

Previously, as an Alum Fellow (2021-2023)his research is focused on Innovation Without Borders. Johann studied the future of global talent mobility, innovation, and the strategic implications for global firms. His work has also been published in leading publications including Harvard Business Review, the MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Economic Growth among others.

Prior to his fellowship, Johann was an Ambassador to BHI’s Strategy Lab based in New York where he explored topics such as corporate vitality, your strategy needs a strategy, leadership and strategy, amongst other themes.

Johann is also the founder and CEO of Imagine Foundation, a social startup dedicated to advancing global equality of opportunity by providing digital coaching to students in the Middle East.

Johann is a frequent speaker at C-suite events of Fortune 500 clients and has been named a Top40 under 40 by Capital Magazine. He is also a member of the Migration Strategy Group (MSG) and a Gates Foundation UN SD Goalkeeper.

Outside of work, Johann enjoys running and podcasts, often together.

Recent Work

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BCG.com | July 21, 2025

Where Will Tomorrow’s AI Geniuses Go?

Policy shifts could reshape the AI map—but talent, not tariffs, will have the greatest long-term impact.

BCG.com | March 28, 2024

Global Workers, Local Impact: The Power of Talent Funds

Public talent investment funds come with a clear business case for action: attracting and retaining global top talent generates a substantial return on investment.

Fortune | March 21, 2024

China May Have Asia’s Most Vibrant Companies, Thanks to Green Tech, AI, and EVs—But Don’t Count The Rest of The Region Out

The Asia Future 30 companies focuses on public firms, but excitement is also brewing in the IPO market, with big names set to go public in 2024. They may shake up a hypothetical next edition of the Asia Future 30.

TED | July 4, 2023

How Your Company Can Gain a Global Talent Advantage

Johann Harnoss discusses the advantage of global talent and how build organizational systems that welcome immigrants to your staff.

World Economic Forum | April 26, 2023

The Next Billion Workers: How can Countries Attract the Global Workforce of the Future?

The geography of global talent pools is shifting – the global population is growing and becoming more educated. Many countries that rely on migrant talent today lack crucial connections to those countries that will become future talent hubs.

BCG.com | April 3, 2023

A New Migration Strategy for Growth and Innovation

BCG’s Global Talent Migration Index can help countries tap the full economic potential of both immigration and emigration—and track their performance over time.