At our first TEDxKLU Hamburg event, our speakers explored topics ranging from AI to the power of our minds and emotions, creating our own stories, and surviving the quarter-life crisis. Together, we reflected on what it means to navigate an uncertain world — and how understanding ourselves helps us build a more resilient future.
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Niels Van Quaquebeke
Leadership Professor at KLU
Niels Van Quaquebeke is a psychologist, leadership expert, and award-winning professor whose work sits at the intersection of human behavior, technology, and the future of work. With a deep belief in the value of evidence-based thinking, Niels explores how we can remain meaningfully human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Florian Kühn
Former KLU Student and Product Owner at passify
Florian Kühn is a Product Owner at passify, where he works at the intersection of digital product development and logistics innovation. With a background in business administration from Kühne Logistics University and Heriot-Watt University, Florian brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the challenges of modern venture building.
Bisila Bokoko
United Nations Honoree & Global Leadership Speaker
Bisila Bokoko is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, leadership speaker, author and former Executive Director of the US-Spain Chamber of Commerce. Born in Spain to African parents and based in New York, she has spent over 20 years inspiring leaders, advising Fortune 500 companies, and championing women entrepreneurs as chair of the UN’s EMPRETEC Awards.
Prof. Dr. Brooke Gazdag
Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education at KLU
Brooke Gazdag is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and author who equips organizations to lead with clarity, courage, and inclusion. With expertise in negotiation, team dynamics, and behavior change, Brooke brings research to life in keynotes and workshops that deliver actionable insights. Known for her engaging style and sharp clarity, she leaves audiences with the tools—and motivation—to lead real change.
Dr. Ralf Belusa
Ex. MD Hapag Lloyd
Ralf Belusa is driving business growth across 144 countries for 20+ years. As Managing Director at Hapag-Lloyd, he led digital business, product development, and transformation. A Supervisory Board Member at PHOENIX Pharma Group, he focuses on AI, automation, and sustainability. Named one of Europe’s top digital managers by Wirtschaftswoche, Ralf is a two-time TEDx speaker, co-founder, and investor. With a doctorate in cell research and studies in nanotech, astrophysics, and AI, he advances digitalization toward a regenerative future.
Lara Sophie Bothur
Voice for Innovation at Deloitte
Lara Sophie Bothur is Deloitte’s first full-time Corporate Influencer and a Global Tech Influencer. She collaborates with leading companies like Google, AWS, NVIDIA, and SAP to Translate Tech for Good. As the No. 1 female LinkedIn Creator in the DACH region, she’s recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Tech & AI and featured on Business Punk’s Watchlist 100. Passionate about making complex tech accessible and impactful, Lara continues to inspire others to embrace innovation and leverage technology for good.
Laura Lewandowski
Founder Smart Chiefs / Speaker
Laura Lewandowski is an entrepreneur and former journalist dedicated to making sense of the AI era. She curates top tools, interviews leading minds, and shares insights that help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder. Through her Smart Chiefs Newsletter and her YouTube channel, Laura provides actionable advice to help businesses stay ahead of the curve. Named a LinkedIn Top Voice and honored with awards like Frauen 100 (Focus), Top 30 under 30 in journalism, the Digital Female Leader Award, and Xing Top Minds.
Chiara Behrens de Luna
Sportspsychologist at HSV & U17 National Team Germany
Chiara Behrens de Luna is a sports psychologist who combines her passions for football, psychology, and storytelling. She aims to make football more human by helping individuals and teams navigate its challenges. Chiara has contributed to major successes, including European and World Championship titles with Germany’s U17 team. Her mission: to empower every player and team to reach their full potential and achieve extraordinary success.
Estanislao Bachrach
Leadership & Neuroscience in Business Speaker
Estanislao Bachrach is the Founder and Director of Cocolab and Professor of Innovation, Leadership, and Neuroscience in Business at Torcuato Di Tella University. A former Harvard Medical School instructor with a PhD in neuroscience and an Executive MBA, he is the author of bestsellers Agilmente and EnCambio. Estanislao works with NGOs, business leaders, educators, and elite athletes to foster creativity, transformation, and leadership worldwide.
Hannes Höhne
Farmer, industrial engineer, consultant
Hannes Höhne is a farmer, industrial engineer in environmental technology, and consultant for regenerative land use. Since 2017, he has developed projects in regenerative agriculture through einfach erden and, since 2020, has been a full-time farmer at Gut Haidehof near Hamburg. Together with his team, he is building a model farm using holistic grazing, mobile pasture poultry, no-till vegetable farming, and agroforestry to strengthen regional food sovereignty in Hamburg’s west.
Cathy Molohan
Public Speaker, Parkinson Advocate
Cathy Molohan is an Irish Parkinson’s advocate, speaker, and eternal optimist based in Germany. Diagnosed at 38, she left her executive role to advance patient-centric care and the search for a cure. As Head of International Relations at the Yuvedo Foundation, observer Board Member of Parkinson’s Europe, and World Parkinson Congress Ambassador, she drives awareness and collaboration. She advises global healthcare firms and EU projects on digital biomarkers and AI, believing in communication’s power to create change and connection.
Sponsors
