The aim of the conference is to provide the NextGens a platform to connect, expand their network, and gain insights from a range of leadership and transatlantic topics while they can introduce their own perspectives on these matters and takeaway learnings for their own day-to-day business. Further, AmCham Germany seeks to give the cohort insights to the different sides of the organization, its membership, the NextGen Initiative itself, and exchange with speakers from the transatlantic business community as well as offer workshops on topics such as leadership and diversity while providing enough room for social interactions.
The conference started with a mix of transatlantic trivia and icebreakers for the cohort to get to know each other. Followed by the welcoming dinner, Dr. Stefan Mair, Director, Stiftung Wissenschaft & Politik (SWP), joined the NextGens and provided key geopolitical insights and implications of the Zeitenwende for Germany and the transatlantic relationship. Mair provided an overview of factors that have placed Germany in its current situation and talked about how Germany can interact internationally to secure its energy supply, tackle inflation, and become a stronger transatlantic partner within the European Union and how to use the challenging situation as a massive opportunity to grow stronger with the U.S.
The following day, the NextGens gained first-hand insights of the NextGen Initiative from the Steering Committee members present. The Steering Committee, filled by different NextGen members of past cohorts, talked about their role within the organization. This includes how they contribute towards making the program a long-standing network, introduce topics of interest for the NextGen events, and being a vital linkage point between the NextGens and AmCham Germany’s membership.
With team-building as the theme of the day, Catharina Riedl, Head of Cloud & COO at SAP Germany, offered a thorough workshop on team leadership and how to improve work in a team and leave a positive impact as a leader – especially in an ever-changing professional setting. To put those skills directly to the test with a fun twist, the evening was wrapped up with building box cars from scratch and no instructions whatsoever – besides creativity, ingenuity, and team spirit.
As per tradition, one of the days included a site visit at one of our member companies. We thank Accenture, and especially Christina Raab, for inviting us to their Munich office and hosting us for the day. On this occasion, the NextGens learned about the digital opportunities ahead to improve the future of work and exchanged ideas on diversity and many more aspects that are defining their professional and personal settings.
To provide key insights to the organization, Daniel Andrich, General Manager, and Thomas Henneberg, Head of Membership Engagement & Events at AmCham Germany, explained the structure of AmCham Germany and introduced our extensive membership as well as projects and topics that are vital to the Chamber. AmCham Germany President Simone Menne virtually joined the cohort and talked about her role as president, her experience and advice as a high-ranking businesswoman and leader, as well as her personal connection to the transatlantic project.
To offer another perspective on the Chamber and insights from another sector, Prof. Dr. Kai Andrejewski, Regional Committee Chair (Bavaria) and CFO at SIXT SE, joined the NextGens as a special guest and talked about the challenges in the mobility sector but also the opportunities for the future period in a post-pandemic setting, concluding that ‘’mobility is a key right for humanity’’.
To conclude the day, Arvid Nienhaus (Arvid Nienhaus Coaching), centered his workshop on ‘‘Improving Personal Leadership Communication’’ and presented tools to strengthen values in the workplace, communicate appropriately, and learn from methods to strategically utilize them in day-to-day settings.
We warmly thank everyone who contributed into making this kick-off conference a success and a special memory for our participants. We are thrilled to have had such engaging participants from our membership delve into the content and talk passionately about the transatlantic partnership and keen to learning more about the possibilities of involvement at AmCham Germany and fostering transatlantic business relations.
Learn more about the NextGen Initiative here.
