Alumni in Focus: Meet Ba Linh Le

Alumni in Focus regularly highlights one Hertie alum, who shares their personal and professional journeys, reflecting on their unique experiences at Hertie and beyond. Through these features, we celebrate their achievements, learn from their experiences, and inspire potential Hertians. 

This time, we sat down with Ba Linh Le, 2021 graduate of our Master of Public Policy programme and co-founder of Frontline. Ba Linh shares how Hertie opened doors to new opportunities, her journey from graduation to building life-saving technology, and why finding the right people and projects matters most. 

1.    What drew you to the Hertie School, and how did the school shape your professional journey?

I came from an underprivileged background, and Hertie promised to do what was most important to me at the time: expand the career opportunities I had access to. It succeeded.

2.    What have you been up to since graduating from the Hertie School?

Since graduating from the Hertie School, I’ve co-founded the social startup Frontline with my classmate Babatunde Williams. At Frontline, we develop digital tools to help end domestic abuse more quickly than usual. One example is Lizzy, a machine learning tool that allows emergency workers to quickly and accurately identify and support victims at risk. The most rewarding part of my work is seeing how technology can save lives when applied in this space. Our startup has even been recognised by organisations such as Forbes and the United Nations. 

3.    What’s a day in your current role like, and what excites you most about your work?

No two halves of a day look the same. Some mornings, I am talking with emergency workers to learn how they handle real-life cases, and in the afternoon, I might be with our machine learning expert, tweaking the algorithm behind our risk assessment tool. Other times, I am pitching to potential partners or funders.  

The most exciting thing is the sense that what we are building is not just theory; it is making a real difference. Our tool is already helping people on the ground. Even a one-percentage-point increase in accuracy could mean thousands more people getting the help they need sooner. Accuracy matters, and AI can help us make risk assessments more accurate.  

4.    What advice would you give to someone considering Hertie or just starting their journey here?

Find the right people and projects, then dive in! 

6.    Ten rapid-fire questions

• Favourite quote or mantra: “Life is not like formula fiction. The villain has a heart, and the hero has great flaws.” Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird.  
• Favourite book: The Dragons, The Giant, The Women
• Favourite movie: How to train your dragon 
• Favourite podcast: Freakonomics Radio 
• Most memorable course at Hertie: Statistics II 
• Most influential mentor or role model: Käte Strobel 
• Top skill that you've recently unlocked: Writing a decent policy briefing note 
• Favourite travel destination: Bavarian Alps. If you are new to Germany, make sure you visit! 
• Favourite way to stay active or exercise: Hiking and workout classes 
• Preferred way to relax or self-care activity: Sleeping in and spending time with loved ones
   

Photo credits: Zhihao Zhong.