GREENTECH FESTIVAL SPEAKERS

Katharina van Bronswijk studied Psychology in Heidelberg and Berlin. She specialised in clinical psychology and the connection between psychology and action on climate change as well as planetary health. Katharina is an author and spokesperson of Psychologists/Psychotherapists for Future.

Katja Heintschel von Heinegg, M.E.S. is director general of the German Advertsising Selfregualtory Organisation “Deutscher Werberat” and director of the German Advertising Federation “ZAW”. From 2011 to 2022 she was the chair of the selfregulatory committee of the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA). She is a lawyer and holds a Master Degree in European Studies.

As Head of Sustainability & Environment at Deutsche Bahn AG, Katrin Habenschaden is playing a key role in shaping the sustainable mobility transition in Germany. In her position, she is responsible for DB’s green transformation and social responsibility. Her focus is on achieving climate neutrality by 2040 and, together with her team, she is also driving forward topics such as the circular economy and biodiversity. Before joining Germany’s largest mobility company, Katrin Habenschaden was the second mayor of the state capital of Munich. In her previous role, she was already responsible for issues relating to climate protection, mobility and gender equality.

Kevin Knitterscheidt works as the head of the Podcast, Live & Video department. Previously, he served as an editor in the Business and Markets department, covering the steel, mechanical engineering, and construction sectors. His career path includes studying Philosophy and Literary Studies in Munich and Düsseldorf, with journalistic roles at the Welt Group in Munich and Düsseldorf, the Süddeutsche Zeitung (Feuilleton), and the Westfälische Rundschau (Local Editorial Office Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis). He is a graduate of the Georg von Holtzbrinck School for Business Journalists.

A true music aficionado, whose passion for creating and producing music is second to none. From a young age, Kian has been consumed by music, mastering and expanding his skills to include guitar, bass, drums and production. Now based in London, Kian has established himself as a producer, known for his unwavering commitment to producing music of the highest quality and his ability to elevate the artists he works with to new heights. After a year of carefully crafting his latest project, ‘Nothing, It Was Just Temptation’, Kian is poised to make a splash in the industry. With a focus on his vocals and instrument playing, Kian has pushed himself to create a new sound he calls Psychedelic Soul, drawing on elements of soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock to bring back an old-school sound to the modern era.

Listen here to KIAN VATIRI on Spotify.

Kiro is the founder at BRVE, a venture studio building and investing in the next generation of companies at intersection of sustainability, technology, and culture. Prior to this, Kiro was a partner at Venturerock (a global venture capital firm) and founder at Eco Labs, a next-gen blockchain advisory firm that successfully onboarded some of the largest environmental entities into web3. Kiro sits as an advisor for Rewild and Earthed, and is also a graduate from Ivey Business School in Ontario, Canada.

Yamakoe is an early fire detection and prevention system based on on tree sensors

Larissa Holzki leads the Artificial Intelligence team at Handelsblatt. The team was established in 2023 as a strategic project alongside the major departments of Politics, Business, and Finance to accompany the significant technological transformation through AI. Larissa Holzki is a graduate of the Cologne School of Journalism and has studied Economics, Social Sciences, and Criminology. She began her professional career as an editor for the Süddeutsche Zeitung. In 2019, she joined Handelsblatt, initially reporting mainly on tech companies, the start-up scene, and eventually the defense industry.

Lars Jessen was born in Kiel in 1969. After studying history at the University of Cologne, Lars Jessen completed a course in film/television at the Cologne Academy of Media Arts. For years, Jessen has successfully directed numerous television formats such as TATORT as well as many other series or television plays. Most recently, LEGEND OF WACKEN. He has directed six feature films, which have been shown at numerous international festivals. His adaptation of the novel MITTAGSSTUNDE was the most successful arthouse film in German cinemas in 2022. In addition to his writing and directing work, Jessen has also been working as a producer and partner at Florida Film since 2015 and is co-founder of the agency Planet Narrytives.

As an expert in science-based sustainability and climate strategies, Lea accompanies companies along their transformation towards 1.5°C compatible business models and activities. With many years of experience in strategy and policy development, campaigning and stakeholder engagement with CDP and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Lea not only has deep technical expertise, but also a broad understanding of current market developments and business challenges.

Leonardo Estrada set his professional focus early on the Energy Transition during his studies of “Energy and Process Engineering” at the Technical University of Berlin. He has been member of the executive board at MegaWATT, before he started working at Drees & Sommer in 2019. At his current position as a Senior Manager he is responsible for the area of energy and sustainability at the Berlin location, as well as for the development of the competence area energy infrastructure and economy for the Drees & Sommer group. Project-related, his focus is on energy concepts for districts and large properties as well as contracting consulting, energy management and energy efficiency as well as the transition to zero carbon.

Founder & CEO of runningyouroffice, pioneering innovative office solutions provider and working culture, HR expert and moderator.

LORE VAIN embodies the essence of velvet dreams in Berlin’s underground scene, evoking the desire for gentle kisses and tender bites through her melodies. Her latest album, ‘Agony the Muse,’ released in 2023, captivates listeners with its allure.

Listen here to LORE VAIN on Spotify.

Lothar is a GreenTech entrepreneur and business builder. With Imhotep, he manages a sustainable water-from-air technology and won the Green Award in Berlin 2022. Lothar brings a long experience in business development of high-tech products and has held executive roles in the machinery industry. With a technical background and a PhD from WU Vienna, he is now an entrepreneur focused on innovation and transformation programs for technology-driven clients worldwide. Skilled in global sales, strategic planning and operational optimization, Lothar has a proven track record in commercial management. He is also actively involved in early stage technology investments and business successions. Outside of work, Lothar enjoys outdoor activities and classical music with his family in Austria.

In 2018 Lukas Neuss founded KitchenTown Berlin together with Eike Kieras. As Co-Founder he is dedicating all his professional attention to startups, venture building and food innovation. Earlier, Lukas lead a Digital Transformation Hub at Bahlsen Group.