AmCham Germany Diversity & Inclusion Event

“Diversity is not a girls club”, emphasizes Bianca Bourbon, newly appointed AmCham Germany Diversity Champion and General Manager of Coca-Cola Germany

Berlin, Nov. 22. AmCham Germany hosted an event on “Die Bedeutung von Diversity in Unternehmen: Chancen und Herausforderungen von Vielfalt & Inklusion”. The diversity event took place at Facebook’s Berlin office. In his keynote speech, US Ambassador John B. Emerson stressed that diversity and inclusion activities contribute to the business success of companies. Newly appointed AmCham Germany

Diversity Champion Bianca Bourbon, General Manager of Coca-Cola Germany, gave insights into her diversity experiences and outlined the latest diversity developments at AmCham Germany. Ms. Bourbon highlighted that "diversity is not a girls club" and men need to be engaged in diversity and inclusion activities.

Panel Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges in Diversity Management

Representatives of BP, Catalyst, Facebook Germany, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with diversity and inclusion in companies. According to Markus Müller from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the interest of particularly SMEs in diversity and inclusion is still rather limited. Against this backdrop, Brigitta Wortmann, BP, pointed to a recent study on diversity management in Germany by the “Charta der Vielfalt”. The study states that diversity management in Germany is still in its beginnings. Regarding the differences in diversity management between the US and Germany, Dr. Isabelle Kürschner, Consultant at Catalyst, emphasized that diversity discussions in the US are much more emotional and inspirational. Eva-Maria Kirschsieper, Facebook Germany, agreed, pointing out that for German companies, diversity management is often perceived as an obligation, whereas US companies have recognized the benefit of diversity management for the company's business success.


The panel was moderated by Uwe Kleinert, Chair of AmCham Germany’s CR Committee and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Coca-Cola Germany. Following the panel discussion, Facebook hosted a networking reception, serving traditional Syrian food, where the discussion continued.

Corporate Responsibility Publication 2016

The event took place against the backdrop of AmCham Germany’s Corporate Responsibility Publication 2016 on “Diversity & Inclusion – Gelebte Vielfalt in global agierenden Unternehmen”. The publication presents best practice examples from AmCham Germany member companies; expert contributions complement the companies’ perspective.  

Access the Corporate Responsibility Publication 2016

More about AmCham Germany’s Corporate Responsibility Committee

For more detailed information please contact:

Heather Liermann

Head of Department

Membership Engagement & Development