Theme: WRONG TURNS, RIGHT DESTINATIONS: Embracing the Unexpected Path

Sometimes the most unplanned steps lead us to exactly where we were supposed to be, demonstrating that what we thought was wrong can guide us to the right destination. It is okay to make mistakes, as some perceived “wrongs” lead to a journey of profound growth, connections, and accomplishments.

This year’s conference will take place on February 1, 2025, at ESMT Berlin. With the theme “Wrong Turns, Right Destinations: Embracing the Unexpected Path”, we present to you the embodiment of such remarkable stories: our great speakers who have chosen a path that is conventionally at odds with the blueprint and five-year plan-driven world. Together we will experience their hard sailing journeys through resilience and purposeful experiences, who believed not in scripts but in their wonderfully imperfect plans, proving that life is not just about the destination, but about the discoveries you make along the way.

So, get ready to explore the truth that unites us all to our theme “Wrong Turns, Right Destinations: Embracing the Unexpected Path”, to challenge our perceptions and welcome a day of inspiration, transformation and most importantly, self-reflection.

ESMT Berlin
Schlossplatz 1
Second Floor - Auditorium Maximum
Berlin, Berlin, 10178
Germany

Antonio Batinovic

Influencer

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Diana Nanova

Head of Customer Engineering, Startups & Scaleups, Google Cloud

Dr. Diana Nanova is a Customer Engineering Manager at Google Cloud, based in Berlin's thriving tech startup scene. She leads a team that empowers startups across diverse sectors to harness the power of Google Cloud, focusing on building cloud-native solutions. A passionate advocate for women in tech, Diana actively contributes as a mentor and coach. As a physicist by heart and training, Diana is not only passionate about data and AI, but is also part of a technical working group that explores applications of Quantum Computing. Before Google, Diana was a hardware engineer for processor physical design at IBM R&D and later a technical consultant at IBM Consulting where she designed and built AI/ML solutions for customers. Diana holds a Masters degree in physics, and a PhD with specialization in semiconductor physics from the Heidelberg University in Germany.

Domi Perek

Founder of Mess Mag and Art Director

Domi Perek is an art director and media producer that started her journey by launching her own magazine at age 18. Domi was featured in prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media X Marketing category in Europe. She produced and art directed for titles such as Vogue Mexico, Vogue China, Vogue Ukraine, Vogue Poland and more.

Eric Quintane

Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior

Eric Quintane is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior (with tenure) at ESMT. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Melbourne in Australia and is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Eric's research work focuses on understanding the dynamics of interpersonal networks and their consequences for individuals (such as creativity or burnout). His research work has been published in peer-reviewed international journals in Management, Psychology, and Sociology, Eric has taught and teaches courses related to organizational behavior, organizational theory, social networks theory and methods, and change leadership.

Hiu Pun Chong

Leadership Coach

Hiu Pun Chong is a visionary trainer specializing in leadership, teamwork, and soft skills, as well as a training consultant, personality type expert, learning and development specialist, and analytical psychologist. His life journey spans diverse careers in IT consulting, art administration, and social entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experiences of navigating life’s wrong turns, he empowers individuals to embrace growth through adversity in his impactful workshops and talks.

Leander Kirschner

Founder and CEO Bamboo Artist

Leander Kirschner is the CEO of Bamboo Artists, the leading independent label, publishing and management company in the GSA region. With a tech-driven approach inspired by his experiences at Spotify, Amazon, and Uber, Leander has built Bamboo Artists into a powerhouse of efficiency and innovation in the music industry. Under his leadership, Bamboo Artists has seen multiple #1 albums and singles as well as several gold and platinum records. In the last six months, Bamboo Artists' roster has generated over 1 billion streams, cementing its position as a leader in artist discovery and development. Leander’s hands-on mentality and expertise in building effective teams have made him a successful serial entrepreneur, known for driving creativity and operational excellence in every project.

Manuela Verduci

CEO of Kiron Digital Learning Solutions

Manuela Verduci is the CEO of Kiron Digital Learning Solutions. Kiron’s mission is to provide access to education for refugees and underserved communities worldwide while offering inclusive ed-tech solutions to companies and institutions across Europe. As a co-founder of the Match Talent Initiative, Manuela also leads one of Germany’s most successful integration programs, working to reshape inclusion efforts in Germany and globally across sectors like healthcare, software development, the green transition, and education. She is a PhD candidate at the Free University of Berlin and holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from both the University of Florence and the Free University of Berlin. Manuela is a published author of several works in the fields of Philosophy, Migration, and Diversity. She also teaches Ethics and Philosophy of Technology to international tech entrepreneurs.

Philipp Buddemeier

CEO of Better Earth, General Partner and Chief Impact Officer at Marvelous

Philipp Buddemeier is a seasoned leader in sustainability and impact-driven business transformation, with over two decades of experience at the intersection of business and sustainability. As CEO of Better Earth, he empowers organizations to transition towards future-ready, sustainable business models. At Marvelous, an investment firm driving breakthroughs in deeptech climate solutions, he serves as General Partner and Chief Impact Officer. Philipp's career includes leadership roles at Save the Children, McKinsey, Accenture Strategy, and Bain, reflecting a lifelong commitment to impactful change.

Sebastian Rosengrün

Founder

Sebastian is a pioneering thinker specializing in digital strategy, AI ethics, and human-centered innovation. As a consultant, speaker, and researcher, he bridges the gap between technology and society, empowering organizations to implement AI responsibly while fostering sustainable growth. Sebastian’s career spans creating humanistic education programs for digital pioneers, publishing thought-provoking works on AI, and shaping critical conversations about the future of technology. Deeply committed to digital humanism, Sebastian inspires audiences to reflect on and celebrate the unique and unexpected qualities of the human being in the Age of AI.