AmCham Germany strengthens its focus on digitalization and diversity through new personnel

Hamburg, May 17, 2019 - Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany (AmCham Germany) gathered today for their 116th Membership Meeting to elect new officials for their executive bodies and to discuss the topic ''Urban Supply Chain - The City of Tomorrow in a Globalized World'' during the conference. Approximately 250 guests, members and representatives from government and society participated.

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Frank Sportolari has been the President of AmCham Germany for one year. The President of UPS Germany commented on a successful first year: "We were able to advance our core topics of free trade, digitalization and globalization in dialogue with German and US political representatives and in many events across Germany." The focus for the coming year will be on intensifying our exchange with the US and expanding our program for young business leaders. "Both are necessary right now in order to strengthen the transatlantic partnership in the future."

Sabine Bendiek elected as new Executive Vice President

Sabine Bendiek will represent AmCham Germany as the new Executive Vice President effective immediately. Since 2017, the CEO of Microsoft Germany has been a member of the Executive Committee of AmCham Germany and was elected Executive Vice President by the members today. From 2013 to 2015, Sabine Bendiek was a member of the Chamber's Board of Directors and is also active in the industry association Bitkom. In her new function as Executive Vice President, she has set herself the goal of consistently promoting solid, value-based German-American business relations and therefore against any form of state protectionism. "We must use the outstanding potential of digital technologies as economic and social bridge-builders between the European Union and the USA," said Bendiek.

New Diversity Champion: Sylvia Rothblum

With Sylvia Rothblum, the role of Diversity Champion has also rotated to a new individual. Effective immediately, Rothblum is in charge of diversity and transparency within AmCham Germany's governing structures and will foster these topics within the Chamber's membership. She has been a member of the Chamber's Executive Committee since 2018 and was previously active in its Board of Directors. Sylvia Rothblum has been Senior Vice President and Managing Director of German-speaking Territories at Warner Bros. since 2007. Commenting on her role as Diversity Champion, Rothblum said: "In today's globalized world, diversity is more important than ever. I am therefore very pleased to be given the opportunity to contribute my many years of involvement in this area, my international background and my experience as a manager and mother at AmCham Germany."

Further individuals newly elected to the Executive Board of AmCham Germany include Dr. Donatus Kaufmann, Member of the Executive Board of Thyssenkrupp AG and responsible for the regions North America and Western Europe, and Warren Marine, a US citizen who is Partner and USA Country Practice Manager at KPMG.

The Membership Meeting was accompanied by a conference with best practice examples on the topic of smart cities and showcased Hamburg's development in this area. The First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, also participated as a keynote speaker. You can follow the event in social media with the hashtag #AMM2019.

Press Contact AmCham Germany
Katharina-Luise Kittler
T +49 30 2130056-34
M: +49 151 14657921
E: kkittler@amcham.de

For more detailed information please contact:

Heather Liermann

Head of Department

Membership Engagement & Development