[3][4] In 2022, a jury panel of 102 journalists among 33 countries named Donckerwolke the "World Car Person of the Year" for significantly impacting the automotive industry.
[5][6] Donckerwolke was born in Lima, Peru, and educated in various South American and African countries before studying industrial engineering in Brussels and transportation design in Vevey, Switzerland.
He was tasked with progressing SEAT design from Walter de'Silva's directorship to a look that would bring increased brand awareness and sales to the marque.
[9] In November 2015, he was tapped to lead Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis luxury brand from 2016[10] and work together with Hyundai-Kia's chief designer Peter Schreyer.
Donckerwolke replaced Peter Schreyer as Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group in 2017,[11] a position from which he resigned in April 2020.