Meet Our Speakers for the Summit 2026.
These speakers have already been announced, and there are many more to come.
Melanie Kreis
We are pleased to announce that Melanie Kreis, Chief Financial Officer of DHL Group, will be a speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Melanie Kreis is recognized as one of the leading executives in global finance and business management. When she assumed her current role in 2016, she became one of the first women to hold such a senior position in a major German corporation.
Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Physics from New York, a Diploma in Physics from Bonn, and an MBA from INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau. This interdisciplinary foundation shapes her analytical and open-minded leadership style.
Before joining DHL Group in 2004, Melanie held positions at McKinsey & Company and Apax Partners. At DHL Group, she has contributed significantly in areas such as strategy, controlling, and corporate management before joining the Board. Since 2023, she has also served as President of the Deutsches Aktieninstitut (DAI).
Lisa Komischke
As Chief Client Officer Wealth Management at BNP Paribas, Lisa is responsible for the strategic dialogue on M&A-, IPO- and Private Placement projects with all German family office and entrepreneurial clients. She has more than a decade of investment banking experience. A second topic which is close to her heart is supporting ambitious female talents in high performance industries. With this in mind, she has written a book on how to optimize the path from starting your studies to getting the full-time job offers of your dreams. It will be published in German in Dec. 1st via Amazon (English version to follow in early 2026). She also recently gave a TEDTalk on this topic.
Erich Vad
We are honored to welcome Erich Vad, Brigadier General (ret.), as a participant in a fireside chat at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU!
Erich Vad is one of Germany’s most renowned security experts. During his active service in the German Armed Forces, he served in the Federal Chancellor`s Office as Secretary of the Federal Security Council and Military Policy Advisor to former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
With decades of experience at the intersection of politics, military affairs, and strategic decision-making, he offers a rare perspective on leadership under pressure. Together with Sandra Cegla, he co-authored the 2023 publication “New Female Leadership – What We Can Learn from Angela Merkel and Other Women”, exploring modern leadership through political and societal lenses.
In his recent bestsellers “Ernstfall für Deutschland. Ein Handbuch gegen den Krieg” and “Krieg oder Frieden. Deutschland vor der Entscheidung” , co-authored with Klaus von Dohnanyi) Erich Vad examines Europe’s current security challenges and the future of German foreign policy.
Dr. Alena Kretzberg
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Alena Kretzberg as a speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU!
Dr. Kretzberg is a leading expert in digital transformation and IT strategy across the financial and technology sectors. Since March 2023, she has served as a Board Member and CIO at Volkswagen Financial Services AG, where she plays a key role in shaping and advancing the IT and process landscape of one of Europe’s largest financial service providers.
Before joining Volkswagen Financial Services, she held senior leadership roles at Commerzbank AG, including responsibility for Digital Banking & comdirect and Group Digital Transformation & Strategy. Earlier in her career, she was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, focusing on digitalisation and technology in the financial industry.
Dr. Kretzberg studied Business Administration and Business Informatics at the European Business School (EBS) in Oestrich-Winkel, Computer Science at James Madison University in Virginia/USA and earned her PhD in Economics from WHU.
Christina Ellringmann
We are proud to announce Christina Ellringmann as a Speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU!
As Managing Partner for Germany and Austria at Bain & Company, Christina oversees one of the firm’s most strategically important regions. Since joining Bain in 2002, she has taken on multiple leadership roles, shaping both client engagements and the firm’s internal development. She is a member of Bain’s global Promotion and Compensation Committee and previously led Bain’s Insurance practice across the DACH region before transitioning into the Managing Partner role.
In her long-standing client work, Christina drives major transformation programs, growth strategies, and the adoption of new technologies across established industry players. Her deep expertise spans business and organizational strategy, large-scale transformations, and customer-focused innovation. With a diploma and doctorate in business administration from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, she combines academic excellence with more than two decades of hands-on consulting experience.
Throughout her career, Christina has been a strong advocate for building high-performing, inclusive teams and empowering the next generation of leaders. Her perspective on leadership, resilience, and sustainable transformation makes her a highly respected voice both within Bain and across the broader business community.
Theresa Holler
We are thrilled to announce Theresa Holler, Chief Operating Officer and Responsible Pharmacist at Redcare Pharmacy, as a speaker at the FEM Summit 2026!
As one of Europe’s most prominent leaders in digital healthcare, Theresa Holler combines scientific expertise with strategic vision. Holding a degree in Pharmacy from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a Master of Science in Consumer Healthcare from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, she bridges medical knowledge with a deep understanding of business and innovation.
At Redcare Pharmacy, she has been instrumental in driving the company’s digital transformation, expanding international operations, and improving patient access to reliable, technology-enabled healthcare solutions. Her leadership is defined by clarity, responsibility, and a focus on sustainable growth.
Sophia Herrmann
Sophia Herrmann is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley in Firm Risk Management, based in Frankfurt. She serves as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for MSESE Group, Morgan Stanley’s Continental European entity, a position she has held since June 2025. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the firm’s risk agenda across the region.
Sophia joined Morgan Stanley in April 2019 and has more than 20 years of experience in risk management. Before becoming CRO, she spent five years as an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley, where she became Deputy CRO in 2021 and led the Credit & Liquidity Risk function. In this capacity, she played a central role in shaping the firm’s risk framework through multiple market cycles, including periods of heightened market volatility and regulatory change. Her expertise is grounded in nearly fifteen years at Goldman Sachs, where she progressed through various roles within Credit Risk Management & Advisory.
Dagmar Rosenfeld
We are delighted to welcome Dagmar Rosenfeld as a speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU.
Dagmar Rosenfeld is one of Germany’s most renowned political journalists. She is the host and creator of Machtwechsel, one of Germany’s most successful political podcasts, and formerly co-publisher of The Pioneer.
Her journalism career, spanning over two decades, includes senior roles at leading German media outlets such as Der Tagesspiegel, DIE ZEIT and DIE WELT. She served as Editor-in-Chief of DIE WELT and later led WELT am Sonntag, shaping political discourse at the highest editorial level.
Her work is characterized by precision, responsibility, and a deep commitment to political journalism. With her extensive experience in editorial leadership and political analysis, Dagmar Rosenfeld brings a profound understanding of Germany’s political landscape to the FEM Summit stage.
She studied German studies and history in Cologne and completed her journalism traineeship at Der Tagesspiegel.
Prof. Dr. Heike Wieland-Blöse
We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Heike Wieland-Blöse as a speaker at the FEM –Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU.
Prof. Dr. Heike Wieland-Blöse has been the Spokeswoman of the Board of Directors at GrantThornton Germany since October 2023. She has worked for the audit and advisory firm for three decades and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. She advises clients with a focus on corporate transactions and valuations and is the author of numerous expert reports publicly associated with Grant Thornton.
In addition, she has been an honorary professor at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf since 2019, where she bridges academic research and practice in accounting and auditing.
Prof. Dr. Wieland-Blöse completed a banking apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank in Bonn, studied economics at the University of Bonn, and obtained her PhD from the University of Cologne. She received a scholarship from Deutsche Studienstiftung.
We look forward to hearing her insights on leadership, corporate governance, and the future of the profession at FEM 2026.
Bettina Stark-Watzinger
We are proud to announce Bettina Stark-Watzinger as a Speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU!
Bettina Stark-Watzinger is a leading figure in German politics and a strong advocate for innovation-driven, future-oriented leadership.
She is a Member of the German Bundestag and served as Federal Minister of Education and Research from 2021 to 2024, where she played a central role in shaping Germany’s education, research, and innovation agenda during a period of profound transformation.
Throughout her political career, Bettina Stark-Watzinger has been deeply committed to educational equity, scientific excellence, digitalization, and economic competitiveness.
As a long-standing member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), she consistently champions freedom, responsibility, and opportunity through education and knowledge-based policy.
Known for her clear analytical approach and decisive leadership style, Bettina Stark-Watzinger brings complex policy debates into focus with clarity and strategic vision.
Her leadership emphasizes empowerment through education, innovation as a driver of societal progress, and the importance of investing in talent and research for long-term impact.
We are honored to welcome Bettina Stark-Watzinger as a speaker and look forward to her insights and inspiration at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU.
Birte Stamm
We are proud to announce Birte Stamm as a Speaker at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU!
Birte Stamm is a senior leader in international management consulting and an expert in guiding organizations through transformation in times of disruption.
She is a Director at AlixPartners, a global consulting firm known for supporting companies in high-impact situations such as restructuring, carve-outs, and strategic change.
Throughout her professional career, Birte Stamm has been deeply engaged in helping organizations navigate disruption, adapt business models, and execute complex transformations.
Her work focuses on translating strategic ambition into operational reality, particularly in environments shaped by market volatility, technological change, and economic pressure.
Known for her clear analytical mindset and pragmatic leadership style, Birte Stamm brings structure and focus to complex challenges.
Her approach emphasizes resilience, decisive execution, and the importance of leadership that enables organizations and people to perform under uncertainty.
We are honored to welcome Birte Stamm as a speaker and look forward to her perspectives on leadership, transformation, and decision-making in disruptive environments at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU.
Ricarda Lang
Ricarda Lang is a leading figure in German politics and a prominent voice for inclusive, values-driven leadership. She is a Member of the German Bundestag and served as Federal Co-Chair of Alliance 90/The Greens from 2022 to 2024, where she played a key role in shaping the party’s strategic direction during a pivotal time for Germany and Europe.
Throughout her political career, Ricarda Lang has been deeply engaged in advancing feminism, social justice, health policy, and climate action. She prfeviously served as Deputy Federal Chair and Women’s Policy Spokesperson of the Green Party and as Co-Spokesperson of the Green Youth organization, consistently advocating for equal opportunities, diversity, and intergenerational fairness.
Known for her clear stance and authentic communication style, Ricarda Lang brings important societal debates into the public sphere with empathy and determination. Her leadership approach emphasizes responsibility, resilience, and the importance of aligning political decision-making with social and environmental impact.
We are honored to welcome Ricarda Lang as a speaker and look forward to her perspectives and inspiration at the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU.
Janine Heinrich
We are pleased to announce Janine Vanessa Heinrich, Co-Founder of ZULA, as the moderator of the FEM – Female Leadership Summit 2026 at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Janine Heinrich is an experienced moderator and communicator who has been hosting panels, interviews, and live-format discussions for several years. Her work includes moderating conversations with founders, executives, and experts from diverse industries, with a focus on highlighting different perspectives and enabling clear, structured dialogue.
She is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of ZULA, a platform dedicated to multilingual storytelling and inclusive children’s literature. In addition, Janine hosts two podcast formats, On the Up & Up and Behind the Click, where she speaks with entrepreneurs, innovators, and purpose-driven leaders about their work, challenges, and impact.
Janine holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, complemented by additional executive education such as the Launching Tech Ventures program at Harvard Business School Online.
We are delighted to have Janine Heinrich moderating the FEM Summit 2026 and leading the discussions that will shape this year’s conversations on female leadership, transformation, and future-oriented decision-making.