Annual Alumni Meeting

Class Reunions

We are thrilled to celebrate 5, 10 and 15-year anniversaries of the following cohorts: MBA 2009, MBA 2014, MBA 2019, EMBA 2007-2009, EMBA 2012-2014, EMBA 2017-2019, MIM 2017-2019. Join us for a drink or two, and a walk down memory lane with your fellow alumni and professors, as we celebrate different milestones in your alumni journey. Please note: the anniversary cohorts are counted from the year of their graduation. This session is open only to celebratory cohorts alumni.

16:00 - 18:00

Town Hall

Join us for another one of our traditions: our alumni town hall with Jörg Rocholl! In a slightly different setting, we will announce our alumni award winners, hear the latest updates from the school and engage in a fishbowl conversation in order to discuss items of strategic importance for developing our alumni network and improving the overall ESMT community. This session is open to all alumni.

18:00 - 19:30

Reception

Join us for a delightful reception following the town hall. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and conversations with fellow alumni over a spread of light refreshments.

19:30 - 22:00

Registrations

Registration will take place in the Foyer on the ground floor. Please make sure to arrive on time in order to collect your name tag.

10:00 - 11:00

ESMT Community Impulse

Following the success of the inaugural ESMT Community Impulse, we are delighted to hear more provoking ideas from our very own alumni. This session will feature eight different speakers, who will deliver their presentations, after which we will split into breakout sessions to discuss their ideas in greater detail and to network with one another. The speakers will be announced soon.

11:00 - 13:00

13:00 - 14:00

Parallel session: "Innovation through collaboration between corporates and startups – an ecosystem perspective" by Baris Efe

Innovation is a critical issue for the economy in Europe and beyond. Collaborations between startups and corporates are a significant factor in driving innovation; hence, corporates and SMEs heavily invest in offerings such as corporate venture capital, venture building, or venture clients. However, these collaborations often fail due to factors such as cultural differences or integration issues. Vali will present recent cases from the community and studies that show how to overcome these burdens, enabling A) startups to better sell their services to corporates and B) corporates to boost their innovation agenda by working closely with startups.

This session is delivered by Baris Efe, Manager & Co-founder of Vali Berlin - Entreprenurship Hub at ESMT

14:00 - 15:30

Parallel session: "Cyber Diplomacy - Navigating Technology and Policy in the Digital Age” by Helene Pleil

 In our increasingly interconnected digital societies and economies, our dependence on the seamless functioning of the Internet is growing by the day. At the same time, geopolitical tensions are escalating, turning cyberspace into a battleground for influence, values, and power. With the number of cyberattacks increasing daily, the level of risk has reached unprecedented heights, posing a significant threat to businesses worldwide. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in improving cybersecurity through international organizations such as the UN, regional forums, as well as national policies and laws, all underpinned by cyber diplomacy. This parallel session aims to demystify cyber diplomacy by discussing how current policies are contributing to managing cyber threats amidst geopolitical challenges and what critical role the private sector plays in enabling a stable and secure digital future. Join us as we navigate the intersection of technology, diplomacy and the economy to understand and contribute to the future of cybersecurity.

This session is delivered by Helene Pleil, Research Associate at the Digital Society Institute at ESMT Berlin.

14:00 - 15:30

Parallel session: "Should I stay or should I go? - Unleash Your Inner Team’s Power" by Annette Malmann

The “Inner Team” method is a transformative approach that visualizes the different voices within us as team members. Each member represents a unique aspect of our personality, with its own perspectives, strengths, and weaknesses. Imagine being able to tap into the wisdom of a calm strategist, the creativity of an innovative thinker, or the courage of a fearless leader, all residing within you. This method allows you to do just that! By understanding and harmonizing your inner team, you can enhance your decision-making, improve your relationships, and lead more effectively. It’s like having a personal board of advisors, ready to help you navigate life’s challenges. In this session, we will not only learn about the “Inner Team” method but also apply it in real-time. To make the most out of this session, bring a question or challenge that is currently relevant to you.

This session is delivered by Annette Malmann, EMBA 2008-2010 alumna; Head of Strategic Talent Management and Org. Development Oerlikon Textile; Business Coach, Agile Transformation Coach, Scrum Master; Lead the Matrix: Coaching, Consulting, Training.

14:00 - 15:30

Parallel Session: "From Rosie the Riveter to Lean In: Shifts in the Meanings of Women in Business Discourse, 1945-2023" by Matt Bothner

We integrate techniques from machine learning with canonical concepts from network analysis in order to examine how the meaning of women has evolved in business discourse over multiple decades. Using articles in Harvard Business Review from 1945 through 2023, we induce yearly semantic networks comprised of terms structurally equivalent to the term women. Such terms vary in content from Americans and girls to CEOs and professionals. Yearly shifts in the structural equivalence of women to clusters of thematically-linked terms reveal a post-war decline and late resurgence in agentic depictions of women in business. Implications for new research on semantic networks are discussed.

This session is delivered by Matthew Bothner, ESMT Professor of Strategy, Deutsche Telekom chair in Leadership and  HR Development

14:00 - 15:30

15:30 - 16:00

Parallel session: "AI Design Sprints™ Experience Session" by Adrian Pawellek

Do you know how to kickstart AI projects within your organization or with your clients? Join our AI Design Sprint: Process Automation Experience Session and get a taste of what it takes to harness the power of AI. The session is an immersive workshop that focuses on exploring, learning, and collaboratively developing AI solutions without tech knowledge. In the Process Automation variance of the AI Design Sprint™ this session will focus on pinpointing the most suitable processes for automation. By the end of the session, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to approach AI projects effectively.

This session is delivered by: Adrian Pawellek, MBA 2008 alumnus and Principal CSAM at Microsoft.

16:00 - 17:30

Parallel Session: "Getting on Mission – Leading Yourself and the People Around You with a Coaching Attitude" by Gianna di Lorenzo

In this short, very interactive, hands-on coaching workshop, our workshop lead would like to address talented up-and-coming managers in particular and encourage them to engage even more intensively with the topic of leadership excellence and personal growth in one by taking a coaching attitude towards themselves and others they lead. To transmit this leadership style, participants will actively experience it by being guided as to how to take this attitude which guarantees an exponential learning curve and memorable takeaways.

This session is delivered by Gianna di Lorenzo, MIM 2021-2023 alumna and PhD Candidate in Business Psychology; Founder and CEO of MINDIGO and Co-Founder of conSensio.

16:00 - 17:30

Parallel session: "Quiz: Technologies of the Digital Transformation (DigiTech Quiz)" by Dr. Jens Weinmann

Digital transformation affects all companies, but which digital technologies are most likely to transform business operations, which ones will be the platform for new business models, and which ones are doomed to remain in niche applications? This quiz will use gamification as a trigger for reflection and discourse on tomorrow’s digitalized business world. In a “Who wants to be a millionaire?” setting, you will obtain hands-on insights of the most relevant technologies of digital transformation. We will discuss use cases and challenges of disruptive digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR and the Metaverse, Robotic Process Automation, Additive Manufacturing, or Quantum Computing.

This session is delivered by Dr. Jens Weinmann, Program Director - Executive Programs at ESMT Berlin

16:00 - 17:30

Parallel session: "The Power of Rankings: How to Play and Win" by Dr. Margo Kriger

In this session, participants will explore the intricate dynamics of business school rankings and learn how to strategically navigate this competitive landscape. From understanding the methodologies behind rankings to leveraging them for personal and institutional success, this session provides invaluable insights. Attendees will discover how to optimize their business school experience, increase visibility, and enhance opportunities post-graduation. By mastering the game of rankings, participants will uncover a pathway to unlocking their full potential and achieving their professional goals.

This session is delivered by Dr. Margo Kriger, Alumni and Rankings Data Manager at ESMT Berlin.

16:00 - 17:30

Walking tour: "Take a walk down memory lane: an updated campus tour" 

Whether it’s the grand staircase in the foyer or the stunning views over Schlossplatz from Palace View, join us for an engaging and informative guided tour of the campus - revisit all your favorite places at ESMT and hear about our exciting plans for the future! Meet us at 4:00 pm in the Foyer of the Learning Center.

16:00 - 17:30

Berlin Summer BBQ

Join us for a delightful community BBQ in our picturesque garden, where families (both spouses and kids) are warmly welcomed. We hope for a great weather and even more opportunities to reconnect and network.

17:30 - 21:30

Party time!

We will wrap up the Annual Alumni Meeting by partying in our wonderful and historical building. Please note that we will have a cash bar available here for drinks.

21:30 - 02:00