Our speakers come from a wide range of industries, from sustainability pioneers to corporate innovators. They provide us with valuable insights, discuss innovative trends and explore solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. We will continue to bring you leading minds who will inspire, educate and stimulate meaningful discussion. Stay tuned for upcoming events and the impressive list of speakers who will shape the discussions and contribute to the success of our future gatherings.
Our Chairman & Moderator
Dr. Bernd Weber
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Founder & Director
EPICO KlimaInnovation - Energy & Climate Policy & Innovation Council e.V.
Dr Bernd Weber is the founder and managing director of EPICO KlimaInnovation. Previously, he headed the Industry, Energy and Environment Economic Council of the CDU, where he worked from 2015 to 2020. With the European Energy Lab 2030, he founded and led for four years an agile energy policy think tank composed of 60 personalities from politics, business and science. Before that, he worked for the European Commission in Brussels in the Directorate-General for Trade. Dr Weber holds a PhD in European energy and climate policy from Sciences Po Paris and the University of Oxford. He is a member of the faculty of the College of Europe, where he teaches on EU energy policy.
Key Speakers
Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber
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Direktor & Gründer
Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (PIK) und Bauhaus Erde (BE)
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Founder of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), is an eminent figure in climate science. As a member of prestigious academic societies and recipient of numerous environmental awards, he's globally recognized.
Since 2019, he's been focused on the transformation of the built environment and the potential of wooden constructions as carbon sinks. Initiating the "Bauhaus Erde" gGmbH and serving on the New European Bauhaus High-level Roundtable, he continues to shape environmental discourse.
Prof. Asmus Wolff
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COO & Director Supply Chain
Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG
Asmus Wolff, born in 1969, lives with his family in Heidelberg. Since February 2019, he has been Managing Director Supply Chain at chocolate manufacturer Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co KG in Waldenbuch. Responsible for the entire value creation process from IT, purchasing purchasing, technology, quality, two production sites in Waldenbuch and Breitenbrunn Breitenbrunn (A), through to logistics.
The graduate engineer, who studied in Berlin and Stuttgart studied in Berlin and Stuttgart, worked at Unilever for fifteen years before joining before making a name for himself as Managing Director of Production and Technology at the Dalli Group and then as and then as Managing Director of Schwarz Produktion.
Prof. Dr. Maja Göpel
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Political Economist, Transformation Researcher, & Sustainability Scientist
Maja Göpel, born in 1976, holds a PhD in political economy and is a leading expert in sustainability and communication. As secretary general of the German Advisory Council on Global Change and honorary professor at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, she bridges science, politics, and society. She is also a member of the Club of Rome and a co-founder of Scientists4Future.
Dr. Petra Wicklandt
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Head of Corporate Sustainability, Quality and Trade Compliance, SVP & CSO
Merck KGaA
Dr Petra Wicklandt is Head of Corporate Sustainability, Quality and Trade Compliance, SVP & CSO at Merck, responsible for sustainability, regulatory compliance and safety. Previously, she was Head of Corporate Affairs, specialising in sustainability, bioethics and global health. With many years of experience in chemical and pharmaceutical development, she joined Merck from DuPont Pharma in 1994. Wicklandt is a pharmacist and holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical technology.
Jens Spahn
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Member of the Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag
Jens Spahn was born in Ahaus in 1980 and grew up in Ottenstein in North Rhine-Westphalia with two younger siblings. After leaving school, he completed a dual training programme to become a banker. Although he was already a member of the Bundestag, he studied political science at the University of Hagen between 2003 and 2017 and obtained both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. Spahn has been a member of the Bundestag for his constituency since 2002. He has secured the direct mandate in every election. He was mainly active in committees in the area of health, where he was able to prepare extensively for his later position as Minister of Health. In 2014, he was elected to the presidium of his party at the federal party conference. From 2015 to 2018, the CDU man was Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance until he was sworn in by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the new Minister of Health in the fourth cabinet under Chancellor Angela Merkel in March 2018.
Dr. Rüdiger Recknagel
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Chief Environmental Officer, Audi Group & Spokesman of the Board of Management
Audi Environmental Foundation
Rüdiger Recknagel, born in Karlsruhe in 1963, is an expert in environmental protection and paint technology. After studying process engineering at the University of Karlsruhe, he earned his doctorate in heterogeneous catalysis. Joining AUDI AG in 1994, he held various roles, overseeing the introduction of eco-friendly paint processes and leading the Corrosion Protection department.
From 2011, he managed the A4/A5/Q5 paint shop and played a key role in planning a state-of-the-art paint facility. Since 2016, he has been Head of Environmental Protection at Audi Group and CEO of Audi Stiftung für Umwelt GmbH, overseeing all environmental initiatives for the brand.
Dr. Ingrid Nestle
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Alliance 90/The Greens
Born in Schwäbisch Gmünd on December 22, 1977, I'm married with two children. I studied Energy and Environmental Management at the University of Flensburg from 1998 to 2003. Following that, I worked as a research assistant at the university until 2009. From 2009 to 2012, I served as a member of the Bundestag, focusing on energy economics for the Green Party. Later, I became the State Secretary for Energy Transition and Technical Environmental Protection in Schleswig-Holstein until 2017. Since October 2017, I've been a member of the German Bundestag, representing the Green Party as the spokesperson for energy economics.
Dr. Philipp Steinberg
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Head of Department Economic Stabilisation, Energy Security, Gas, Hydrogen Infrastructure
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Philipp Steinberg is Head of Department Economic Stabilisation, Energy Security, Gas, Hydrogen Infrastructure, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)”. Prior to that, he was Head of Political Planning at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy from 2013 to 2016. Prior to that, he worked for a major law firm, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the executive committee of the German Social Democratic Party, where he drew up the catalogue of measures to regulate the 2008 financial crisis for Peer Steinbrück, among others. Philipp Steinberg studied law, political economy and taxation in Berlin, Münster and Paris. He received his doctorate in public commercial law in 2001. In addition to the 1st and 2nd state examinations, he also holds a Licence d'Etat Francais and an MBA. He is the author and editor of three books on governance options in multi-level systems, the financial crisis of 2008 and the reform of the eurozone (2016) as well as numerous articles on economic policy, economic and tax law. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nuclear Waste Management Fund, deputy member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Employment Agency, member of the supervisory boards of DIW, ifo and ZEW and deputy chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the OECD.
Kristina Haverkamp
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Managing Director
Deutsche Energie Agentur
Kristina Haverkamp has been Managing Director of dena since October 2015, overseeing administrative and financial areas, with a focus on sustainability in transportation and international collaborations. With a background in law, she began her career at the Federal Foreign Office, later holding positions at various ministries and the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU. Kristina is also a member of the scientific advisory board of the French energy agency ADEME and the board of the European Renewable Gas Registry (ERGaR).
Prof. Dr. Volker Quaschning
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Professor & Klimaschutz Buchautor
HTW Berlin
Volker Quaschning, Professor at HTW Berlin, is an expert in Renewable Energy Systems. With a doctorate in photovoltaics and a habilitation in climate-friendly electricity supply, he authored standard works and a Spiegel bestseller. Running his YouTube channel and podcast, he's a sought-after interviewee in media. As co-founder of Scientists for Future, he actively promotes climate protection. Honored in LinkedIn's Top Voices list in 2020, he received the German Solar Prize for his commitment.
Dr. Klaus Staubitzer
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CPO & Head of Supply Chain
Siemens AG
Dr Klaus Staubitzer began his career at Siemens in 1996 with various roles in Purchasing, Process Consulting and Strategic Marketing. He worked in various business segments and business units as CEO and CFO within Siemens. From 2008 to 2014, Klaus assumed responsibility as CPO Industry Sector and Head of Supply Chain Management in addition to his role as CPO of Siemens since 2013. Since 2014, he has been CPO of Siemens.
Prof. Dr. Julia Hartmann
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Professor of Sustainability Management, Supervisory Board Member
EBS Universität für Wirtschaft & Recht
Julia Hartmann, Professor of Management and Sustainability at EBS University, specializes in climate protection, energy transition, and sustainable supply chain management. As a speaker, she shares insights on sustainable management, showcasing how it drives innovation and long-term economic value while addressing environmental challenges. With engaging lectures, Julia highlights the circular economy model as a powerful solution and offers practical strategies for companies to transition. Known for her compelling presentations, she captivates diverse audiences with her dynamic style and expertise.
Dr. Lukas Köhler
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Deputy Chairperson
FDP
Lukas Otto Köhler, a member of the FDP, has been in the German Bundestag since 2017 and serves as deputy chairman of the FDP parliamentary group. Since 2019, he's also been General Secretary of the FDP Bavaria and a member of the Federal Executive Board of the FDP. With a background in philosophy, Lukas is actively engaged in various committees, including climate policy. He assumed the role of General Secretary after his election in 2019. In 2021, he was elected Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader, overseeing areas such as labour, health, tourism, business, and climate.
Dr. Ing. Sylvia Schattauer
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Director
Fraunhofer IWES
Dr. Sylvia Schattauer has served as Acting Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES since January 2022. Previously, she was Deputy Director at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle/Saale, overseeing the "Hydrogen and Carbon Process Technology" division. She has extensive experience in wind and hydrogen technology, contributing to the establishment of digitally networked infrastructure and overseeing test and qualification capacities for electrolysis and fuel cell systems.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Wollermann
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VP Corporate Responsibility
Otto GmbH & Co. KG
After earning his PhD from the University of Osnabrück, Tobias Wollermann led the Pop Music Design program at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, fostering collaborations with global companies. In 2008, he spearheaded The Young ClassX music initiative with Otto Group and Ensemble Salut Salon. Joining Otto Group Holding in 2020 as VP of Corporate Responsibility, Wollermann holds key positions in various organizations, including AVE, Systain Consulting, and B.A.U.M. e.V. As an educator, he teaches Entrepreneurial Cultural Promotion at the Institute for Cultural and Media Management.