Human Firewall Conference

Ranga Yogeshwar

Science journalist

Ranga Yogeshwar is one of Germany’s leading science journalists. He is regarded as the “knowledge broker of the nation” and an expert on all topics relating to artificial intelligence. He presents complicated issues in a practical, understandable and passionate way.

Yogeshwar (*1959) grew up in Luxembourg and India, studied piano in Luxembourg and experimental physics at RWTH Aachen University. He then conducted research in Geneva at CERN and at the nuclear research center in Jülich.

He has worked as a journalist since 1983, initially for various publishing houses, then in radio and television. In 1987, Yogeshwar began working as a science editor at WDR Cologne and was involved in numerous programs, including “Wissenschaftsshow”, “Kopfball”, “Bilder aus der Wissenschaft” and “W wie Wissen” and developed numerous TV formats. From 1995 to 2001 he was deputy head and from 2001 to 2005 head of the science television program group at WDR. Since 2008, Yogeshwar has worked as an independent journalist and author.

Yogeshwar regularly contributes to leading newspapers and is a welcome expert on numerous talk shows. His books “Sonst noch Fragen?”, “Ach so!” and “Nächste Ausfahrt Zukunft” have become bestsellers and have been translated into numerous languages.

Philipp Westermeyer

Founder and CEO, OMR

Philipp Westermeyer is the founder and CEO of OMR, Europe’s leading platform for the digital economy. Its portfolio includes content, events and technology. Every year, around 70,000 people gather in Hamburg for the OMR Festival, one of the largest events in the global digital industry. OMR subsidiary Podstars produces over 100 podcast formats, including the OMR Podcast, hosted by Westermeyer with guests from business, sport and pop culture. The episodes reach more than 100,000 listeners. Prior to OMR, he co-founded two digital marketing companies that were sold to Bertelsmann and Zalando. His book “Digital Unplugged” reached the SPIEGEL bestseller list in 2021.

Aya Jaff

Tech founder, author, and coder

Aya Jaff, an Iraqi-born entrepreneur who sought refuge in Germany, is a renowned Forbes 30under30 honoree, keynote speaker, and author of the acclaimed book “MONEYMAKERS.” As Tradity’s voluntary CTO for five years, she attracted 5,000+ members across 80 schools, providing engaging finance education. A self-taught programming and trading expert, Aya’s commitment to learning earned her multiple tech scholarships.

Sascha Lobo

Digital Entrepreneur, Author & Podcast host

Sascha Lobo, a digital entrepreneur, author, and podcaster, has been discussing the advantages and disadvantages of digitization since 2006, including through his weekly column on spiegel.de. He has been particularly interested in the field of artificial intelligence and its role in digital transformation for the past decade. Sascha currently resides in Berlin with his wife and two children, as well as in the vast world of the internet.

Photo credits © Anatol Kotte

Yasmine Douadi

Cybersecurity expert & CEO of RISKINTEL MEDIA and RISK SUMMIT

Yasmine Douadi is the founder of RISKINTEL MEDIA and RISK SUMMIT, and a renowned speaker on cybersecurity issues in Francophone social and mainstream media. As the leading content creator on cybersecurity in France, her media aims to inform professionals about pressing issues and make cybersecurity a mainstream topic to raise global awareness. With over 15 million annual viewers, RISKINTEL MEDIA is a premier hub for learning and discussion. Risk Summit is an exclusive event for decision-makers in cybersecurity (CISOs, CEOs, Army and Police Officials), held annually in Paris at les Salons du Pré Catelan, with conference content broadcast via Riskintel Media channels.

Frank Schätzing

Best-selling author

Frank Schätzing, born in 1957, is a renowned German author best known for his groundbreaking eco-thriller “The Swarm,” which has sold over 4.5 million copies since its publication in 2004 and has been translated into 27 languages. Schätzing made his literary debut in 1995 with “Death and the Devil” and has continued to captivate audiences with a series of bestsellers, including “Limit” (2009), “Breaking News” (2014), and “The Tyranny of the Butterfly” (2018). In addition to his fiction, Schätzing has written two bestselling nonfiction books: “Notes from an Unknown Universe” (2006) and “What If We Just Saved the World?” (2021). His contributions to literature have earned him numerous awards, and his works have collectively sold some 9 million copies worldwide. Schätzing’s unique blend of scientific intrigue and complex storytelling has established him as a major figure in contemporary literature.

Carsten Thoma

President of Celonis

Carsten is the President of Celonis, the global leader in process mining. He has founded and scaled SAP Hybris, served as an advisor to La Famiglia/General Catalyst, and has been a long-standing investor and entrepreneur.

Julius van de Laar

International Political Campaign & Strategy Consultant; former Manager in Obama Campaign

Julius van de Laar is a campaign and strategy consultant with extensive experience in political and NGO campaigns. He served as Regional GOTV Director for Barack Obama in the pivotal swing state of Ohio during the 2012 U.S. presidential election and previously worked on Obama’s 2008 campaign. Since then, he has advised on German federal elections and various European campaigns, helping organizations develop integrated communication and mobilization strategies. Julius regularly provides political analysis for major media outlets and lectures on campaigning and digital strategy at institutions like the Hertie School, Harvard, and Oxford.