Details about the moderator: Begonia Vazquez Merayo
Vita: Begonia Merayo, Founder & Managing Director of Why Consult, is a cosmopolitan entrepreneur on the mission to leverage the power of diversity for organsations, teams and executives. Her pioneering spirit and over 20 years of executive C-Suite experience in global corporations driving brands globally led her to establish Why Consult in 2011, advocating for diversity as a catalyst for innovation. Since then, Begonia has supported companies in recruiting and retaining women up to the boardroom level and in advising C-Level decision makers on how to shape the future of work while creating a new culture of leadership. In 2018, she launched net4tec | 4 FeMale Careers in Technology, a global network that has grown to over 1,500 members, fostering diversity and enhancing women’s careers in technology through a strong international ecosystem and community support.

Begonia is a serial entrepreneur, advisory board member, coach, mentor, and inspiring keynote speaker in the DACH region and internationally.

Details about the participant: Prof. Dr. Julia Dittrich
Vita: Prof. Dr. Julia Dittrich is Professor of E-Commerce Management & Digital Business and Program Director of the B.A. study program E-commerce at Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences. As person in charge for entrepreneurship at Campus Chiemgau, the promotion of student start-ups is a special concern of hers. As well, she is a member of the economic board of Chiemgau GmbH and Advisory Lecturer of the German National Academic Foundation.

Her research expertise lies in the areas of e-commerce management, digital strategy & digital business models, entrepreneurship, and digital operations. She is currently fascinated by the many possibilities offered by generative AI and is intensively integrating them into her teaching and research practice.

Prior to her return to academia, she worked as a manager in the private sector for fifteen years: As a top management consultant as well as being part of the management team in various high-growth digital startups. Here, her focus was particularly on the strategic and operational challenges of rapidly scaling organizations.

Details about the participant: Bettina Haas
Vita: 20 years with Siemens:
(Co)-Head of Cybersecurity Detection: June 2020 – now
Cybersecurity Projects – Security Assessment & Improvement: Oct. 2017 – June 2020
Head of IT Project Management. Feb. 2013 – Sept. 2017
IT Account Management & IT Project Management: Apr. 2006 – Jan. 2013
IT Project Management, Siemens Columbia / Bogotá: Nov. 2008 – March 2009
IT Consultant: Apr. 2004 – March 2006

Studies:
– Diploma in Computer Science & Business, University of Applied Sciences, Deggendorf
– Master in Intercultural Communication & Cooperation

Details about the participant: Leonie von Anderten
Vita: Leonie von Anderten is a Cybersecurity Professional specialized in Vulnerability Management at Siemens Healthineers. After successfully completing her Master’s degree in Information Systems at Otto Friedrich University in Bamberg, she began her professional career in cybersecurity where she plays a critical role in safeguarding digital infrastructures against emerging threats. Her expertise involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities within an organization’s network, applications, and systems. By proactively managing these vulnerabilities, she ensures that potential security breaches are addressed before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

The IT Security Professional, originally from Frankfurt/Main, envisions the future of cybersecurity increasingly relying on AI-driven defenses and advanced threat intelligence to proactively identify and neutralize sophisticated cyber threats. She also emphasizes the importance of user education and robust privacy measures to mitigate human mistakes.