Success is possible. What could motivate teenagers to set big goals than meeting real role models? That was the idea of Angela De Giacomo, founder of the network start-up Wundernova, when she invented the “Thinkfest” event.
After some obstacles caused by the pandemic, it will take place for the second time on Saturday. A total of 40 young people from, among others, the Kepler Oberschule in Neukölln and the Kreuzberg Robert-Koch Gymnasium can be inspired by extraordinary life paths at Lake Herthasee in Grunewald.
Angela De Giacomo grew up with three siblings in an Italian guest worker family. She worked for the management consultancy KPMG and advises an Indian-American family of entrepreneurs, and sits on several start-up boards. “I have always been inspired by the extraordinary lives of women whom I met while commuting between different worlds,” she says.
The 40-year-old wants to pass this on. Many guests are at her side, giving keynote speeches and talking to the young people, led by the wife of the Federal President, Elke Büdenbender. The judge at the administrative court, who is currently on leave, first attended secondary school and then completed an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk before starting to study law. She is committed to educational opportunities in many ways.
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The ambassadors of Denmark, Susanne Hyledelund, and France, Anne-Marie Descotes, are there as well as the Minister of State for Family Affairs Juliane Seifert, the managing director of the British Chamber of Commerce Ilka Hartmann, the president of the Chamber of Crafts Carola Zarth, the flautist Kathrin Christians, the former Minister of Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries and the Vice President of the German Police Union Sabine Schumann. There are panel discussions on the subjects of ethics, politics, economics and entrepreneurship, art and culture and “A look at our neighbors”.
“Wundernova” is not only the name of the online platform that connects German and Indian start-ups. The summer “Thinkfest” is also part of it. That is her most important goal, so that Muslim boys, for example, start thinking when they meet a Turkish heart surgeon. Role models inspire you to broaden your horizons.
At the first Denkfest two years ago, many lasting connections were made. That’s what it’s all about. It is not the subject matter alone that paves the way to the future, but also the ability to network. That brought Angela De Giacomo to where she is now.
