Ideas comeptition Jury
Prof. Dr. Erik Bertram
Vice President Experience Management at SAP SE
Erik Bertram studied physics at the University of Heidelberg and then completed his doctorate in theoretical astrophysics. After a short postdoc phase, he moved to SAP, where he is now Vice President of Experience Management. He is also Professor of Digital Business Management at Fresenius University in Heidelberg.
Hint: Is my project relevant and SMART?
Dr. Andrea Edel
Head of the Heidelberg Cultural Office and Coordinator of the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg
Andrea Edel studied music at the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt am Main and art history at the universities of Freiburg im Breisgau and Bern. Since 2014, she and her team have been building up the regional and global networks of the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg as head of the city's cultural office. On the advisory board of the German UNESCO Commission, she is committed to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity.
Tipp: "Realize collaborations with interesting partners and help those who deserve it to solve their problems through joint projects."
Dr. Christian Fuat J. Ecer
Investor and Executive Board Advisor
Fuat is an investor and Executive Board Advisor. He is a part-time research fellow at Harvard University and an adjunct professor of strategy at business schools. He also mentors high-achieving high school students at the Cambridge Center for International Research. Previously, he worked as CFO and COO in start-ups, Head of M&A and Corporate Strategy in corporations and Investment Director in the private equity industry. He completed his post-doc at the University of Oxford and studied at Heidelberg University and Harvard University as part of his doctoral studies.
Hint: „We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.“ (Walt Disney)
Dr. Hannes Hudalla
Co-founder & CEO of Digital Health Companion
Hannes is a pediatrician and founder of a community medtech start-up that develops digital solutions with & for rare disease communities. He studied medicine in Heidelberg and then worked primarily in pediatric intensive care medicine. After several years of research at HMS in Boston, he returned to Heidelberg as a research group leader and founded DHC.
Hint: It is more likely to found a start-up too late than too early. Start-up also means "just do it".
Tijen Onaran
Entrepreneur, investor & bestselling author
Tijen Onaran is an entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author and one of Germany's most important opinion leaders when it comes to diversity, visibility and digitalization, as well as one of the most prominent voices in German business. Her motto: "Diversity is not a trend. Diversity is the cornerstone of a company's success!"
Hint: "Have the courage to think big!"
Christine Rittner
Supervisory board member, business angel, interim manager
Christine Rittner, a high-profile expert in the field of HR & retail, acts as a business angel for various start-ups, as an interim manager and holds demanding supervisory and advisory positions. She is a supervisory board member at Greenforce, a board member at Denner (Migros Group), a female founder mentor at Campus Founders and an advisory board member at The Hackathon Company and the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU).
With an impressive career of 19 years at Lidl, including 2 years as CEO in Lithuania, and until 2020 as Global CHRO and Board Member responsible for 300,000 employees in 32 countries, Christine brings extensive international experience. Her professional experience spans several countries (Ireland, Austria, Lithuania and Germany) and various management levels.
Hint: "Build a strong network, seek support from mentors and professionals and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it."
Reza Solhi
Top 100 Excellent Speaker, Economist & Artist
Reza brings 11 years of international experience as a specialist and executive at Lufthansa and SAP and another 8 years as a serial impact entrepreneur, public speaker, trainer and strategy consultant. During this time, he supported over 300 renowned organizations, including startups, SMEs, international corporations, foundations, associations and non-profit institutions. Today, he uses his wealth of experience to inspire and empower professionals and leaders at all levels - from trainees to top management. Reza is an alumni of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers and Artist in Residence at the European Commission's European Social Economy Summit. As a poet and musician, he is currently touring Europe and transforming events, conferences and congresses into musical meeting places.
Hint: "It must come from the heart to have an effect on the heart." - Goethe
