GREENTECH FESTIVAL SPEAKERS

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.

Sylvie Nicol is member of the Henkel Management Board as Executive Vice President Human Resources, Infrastructure Services and Sustainability. Additionally, Sylvie Nicol is responsible for Henkel’s corporate sustainability strategy and heading the Sustainability Council as Chairwomen. The council is the company’s central decision-making body including all functions and businesses at Henkel. Born in 1973 in Paris, France, she started her career at Henkel early on. In 1996, after graduating from the renowned ESCP Europe business school, Nicol joined Henkel Beauty Care France, where she later became Corporate Vice President and General Manager Beauty Care Retail. In 2013, she moved to Düsseldorf, being responsible for Human Resources at Beauty Care. One year later, she became Corporate Senior Vice President for Beauty Care Retail in Europe as well as Global Sales at Beauty Care. In 2018, she became Corporate Senior Vice President Global Human Resources.

I’m Vikas Garg and I started abillion, a consumer movement for sustainability that’s spread to over 10 million people in 188 countries. I started working on Wall Street when I was a kid and in my 30s I began asking how I could bring my values closer to my work. I became vegan, a choice that meant I could no longer turn my back on animals and the planet. In 2017 I took the leap and resigned from one of the world’s most successful hedge funds to start abillion. I’m a product of NYC and believe in the power of hustle.

Achim Wambach, Professor of Economics at the University of Mannheim, PhD, is President of the ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and was Chairman of the Monopolies Commission. Achim Wambach initially earned his doctorate in physics at Oxford University and completed his habilitation in economics at the University of Munich.

Fulco Treffers is a lead architect and urbanist working in Ukraine since 2015. Director of Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine, a network that unites more than 100 specialists from Ukraine and abroad to develop knowledge and create methods for rebuilding urban and rural environments and infrastructure of Ukraine. The coalition was founded in March 2022 in response to the massive destruction caused by Russian military aggression. Through design and research, Ro3kvit addresses urgent needs and connects them to future strategies. Fulco is tutor and program developer of Kharkiv School of Architecture. Specialization: social urban design, participation and circularity.

Oleg Drozdov is an architect, urbanist, artist, educator. Was born in 1966. In 1990 graduated Kharkiv University of Civil Engineering with a degree in architecture. Since 1997 is the founder and Chief Architect of Drozdov&Partners architectural office. In 2017 became one of the founders of the Kharkiv School of Architecture and its lecturer. KHSA is the first private and independent architectural school in Ukraine. The curator of exhibition projects on Biennale in Rotterdam (2005), “Patiology” (2006), Moscow Biennale (2012). Expert of European Commission and EU Mies van der Rohe Award. Co-author of the book «Talks on architecture»2022. In 2022 became a co-founder of Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine, that will develop a methodology for rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities.

After completing his PhD in theoretical physics at the Weitzman Institut of Sciences, Prof Levermann joined the Potsdam Institute in 2002. He has been an author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 2007, has published more than 150 scientific article on physical and economic aspects of the climate problem, including papers in Nature, Science and PNAS. He is frequently making contribution to the public debate on scientific and societal issues in the Guardian, the Economist, Frankfurter Allgemeine and Die Zeit. Prof. Levermann is advising industry and politics. He is heading the department of complexity science and has recently published a book (Die Faltung der Welt) on a new narrative for modern democratic states of law.

Melanie has held various executive positions in the global biotechnology, agrochemical and chemical industry including Vice President EHS Corporate, Senior Vice President Global Safety Cluster and Senior Vice President Regulatory, Sustainability & Public Affairs Agricultural Solutions. She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated track record and an accomplished regulatory professional with more than 16 years of in-depth experience. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology, from Max-Planck Institute of Brain Research.

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson is the president, International of The New York Times Company. Dunbar-Johnson is responsible for the oversight and strategic development of the Times Company’s international businesses. Dunbar-Johnson was appointed president, International for The New York Times Company in October 2013 to lead the global expansion of the company.

Sandrine Dixson-Declève is an environmental scientist and an international climate change, sustainable development, sustainable finance, and complex system thought leader. She is Co-President of the Club of Rome and divides her time between leading the Club of Rome, advising on non-Executive corporate and academic Boards, lecturing, and facilitating difficult conversations. She is a TED global speaker and was recognised most recently by Reuters as one of 25 global female trailblazers and by GreenBiz as one of the 30 most influential women across the globe driving change in the low carbon economy and promoting green business.

Pierre Paslier is a London-based Innovation Design Engineer who has spent his career exploring the intersection of design and technology. He started his career as a Packaging Engineer for L’Oréal. His passion for innovation led him to study design at the Royal College of Art. Pierre is now the cofounder and CoCEO of Notpla a startup that creates sustainable packaging materials from seaweed to replace plastics. Notpla won Prince William’s £1,000,000 Earthshot Prize in 2022. Pierre has a Masters degree from the RCA’s Innovation Design Engineering program and INSA de Lyon. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub and a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of Imperial College London Dyson School of Design Engineering.

Jacquelyn Omosunbo Omotalade, a distinguished finance, government affairs, and public policy leader, currently serves as the Climate Investments National Director, steering Green For All’s Justice40 agenda. She played a pivotal role in executing the transformative $369 billion Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, ensuring its benefits reach communities grappling with poverty and pollution. Jacquelyn focuses on directing investments through minority-owned enterprises, fostering job creation, improving health outcomes, and amplifying opportunities. With international experience spanning the US, Indonesia, Guatemala, Germany, Spain, France, Kenya, and Nigeria, she stands out as an expert in programs, policy, and equity. A climate policy expert, technologist, Afro-futurist, and trusted strategist, Jacquelyn excels in leadership, stakeholder alliances, partnership building, and advocating social responsibility.

Isabel Gebien, a 35-year-old native of Germany’s north coast, combines her roles as a devoted mother, wife and successful entrepreneur. After thriving as a consultant, she embarked on an inspiring journey, founding »Equality 365«. As both podcast host and founder, Isabel passionately addresses societal challenges – from inequality and diversity to equal opportunity and belonging. Through impactful conversations and education, »Equality 365« strives to illuminate these issues, contributing to a more inclusive, fair society. Isabel’s dedication to fostering positive change is evident in her commitment to building a movement that transcends rhetoric, seeking genuine progress for today and the future including opportunity for all people.

Céline Flores Willers is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of The People Branding Company, the leading German consultancy for personal branding and corporate influencing on LinkedIn. Céline is one of the most relevant voices around the topic of visibility as well as personal and corporate storytelling in the digital world. For her contributions around entrepreneurship, innovation and future trends, Céline Flores Willers has already been awarded three times as LinkedIn Top Voice and is also on the road as a speaker throughout Europe (including TEDx Talk).

Swedish-born Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky has emerged as a trailblazing figure in the racing world. With her grandfather, Freddy Kottulinsky, being the only Swede to win the Paris-Dakar Rally, and her mother, Susanne Kottulinsky, a European Rally Champion, Mikaela was destined for a career in motorsports, despite initial interest in gymnastics and dancing. Her breakthrough came in 2014 when she became the first woman to win a race in the German Scirocco R-Cup and made history at the Norisring. Mikaela’s versatility saw her gaining experience in Rallycross and competing in the Audi Sport TT Cup and ADAC GT Masters. Joining PWR Racing in 2018, she made history again by winning a race in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC), demonstrating remarkable skill and determination. Her most recent achievement came in 2023 when she clinched the Extreme E Championship with teammate Johan Kristoffersson, beating renowned motorsport legends and cementing her status as a formidable force in the racing world.

Antoinette Taus a Filipino-American award-winning actor, singer, host, and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Combining her renown with her longstanding dedication to people and the planet, she founded CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation), a nonprofit organization that fosters sustainable development through impactful programs with volunteers, women, youth and local communities in order to help build a more just and resilient future for people and the planet. As a passionate advocate of the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), Antoinette leads programs centered on solutions focused on sustainability, climate action, women empowerment, inclusive resilience, and the circular economy, in order to unite more people in action towards creating a better future for all, without leaving anyone behind.

Born in 1982, lawyer with a focus on economic and environmental criminal law as well as media and film law. Ph.D. in media and copyright, 2017. After several stations in Media and Film law, included FFA and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, i have been Legal Counsel at UFA Fiction from 2018 to 2024. Passionate about addressing the climate crisis, I obtained further training in climate psychology. In 2023, alongside Lars Jessen, I co-founded the PlanetNarratives Initiative (as part of Global Eco Transition gGmbH), led by Prof. Maja Göpel and David Wortmann.

Matt Petersen is the President and CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI.) LACI is creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (e.g., incubating leading startups), transforming markets (i.e., creating aspirational partnerships), and enhancing community (i.e., inspiring future entrepreneurs). LACI’s three priorities are accelerating transportation electrification, clean energy, and sustainable cities. Prior to joining LACI, Matt Petersen was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti as the first ever Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Los Angeles. Serving as CSO for four years, Petersen was the chief architect of the groundbreaking Sustainable City pLAn, led efforts to make LA a global leader in EVs, and helped create the Climate Mayors.

Gabriele Haessig is responsible for corporate communications, public affairs and sustainability across business units at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Prior to her move to the top of Corporate Communications in 2012, she was in charge of international communications for P&G Prestige’s country organizations and previously managed the P&G’s brand communications in the DACH region. In addition to her duties as Managing Director Communications & Sustainability of P&G DACH, Gabriele is Vice Chair of IKW (Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel), a Chair of AmCham Germany and on the Board of the German Packaging Institute dvi. Further, Gabi is engaged in various social initiatives in the Frankfurt area and on the board of enactus student initiative.

Marco Lescher is currently Customer Care & Services Director at Nespresso Germany. He leads the Customer Care & Services unit and coordinates the activities of customer care, supply chain, after-sales services, quality management, and sustainability. Marco Lescher has a background in Mechanical Engineering.

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.