On October 7, 2021, we hosted a virtual leadership alumni event: “Philosophy In Crisis? The Role and Responsibility of Philosophers in Times of Crisis” with Dr. Nikil Mukerji, Philosopher, Author and Managing Director of the Philosophy Politics Economy (PPE) Degree Program at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments and society to balance individual freedoms against general health protection. Weaknesses of Western democracies became apparent and societal foundations were called into question. Together with our leadership alumni we discussed how philosophy can stimulate a critical reflection on problems in times of crisis and what lessons we should learn from the ongoing pandemic.

On March 11, we welcomed Dr. Friedrich Kuhn (Partner, Egon Zehnder International GmbH), Margit Lehwalder (Managing Director HR, Deutsche Bank AG) and Britta Weber (Managing Director Switzerland and Austria, United Parcel Service) for an exclusive discussion on Leadership in Times of Crisis with Aspen Germany’s members and leadership alumni.

We engaged in a virtual discussion on how COVID-19 changed the German and international corporate world. Effective leadership plays a crucial role in overcoming the crisis and provides opportunities for the future. What lessons can be learned from the developments of the past few months and how can leaders and managers set the course for a sustainable corporate culture? And which leadership trends will change and shape the business world in 2021?

Marina LeGree from Ascend talked to our Leadership Alumni on helping a team of young Afghan women do something radically new in their society – climb mountains! Through climbing, these women gained the confidence necessary to be change-makers, forging a path toward peace and stability in their war-torn country.

The Aspen Institute Germany in partnership with Value for Good, the Harvard Alumni Club of Berlin and Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus invited Aspen´s Leadership Alumni to a book discussion with Bina Venkataraman to discuss her latest book "The Optimist's Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age". The event took place at the Value for Good Office, Französische Straße 47, 10117 Berlin, on Thursday, 30 January, at 6:30 pm. 

The discussion was moderated by Clara Péron, Alumna of the Aspen Leadership Seminar and Founder of Value for Good, and Vice-President of the Harvard Alumni Club of Berlin, and Rüdiger Lentz, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Germany. Covering a wide range of relevant societal topics including controlling infectuous diseases, working towards sustainable fishing and agricultural practices and preparing for natural disasters such as floods and tsunamis, Bina Venkataraman's book highlighted the important skill of developing effective foresight and presented strategies for doing so with engaging storytelling backed up by scientific research.

In March 2020 our fellow alumnus Alexander Kulitz, MdB, invited us to a “behind the scenes” tour to the Bundestag. It was the morning after COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic. Still, a small group got together, gained insights we would not have seen otherwise. We were extremely grateful to MdB, Alexander Kulitz for having us and hope to plan more Aspen Leadership Alumni Events in the future. We look forward to seeing you all in real life again!