Since 2017, Christine Grotz has been CEO of Weber-Hydraulik GmbH, an innovative family business based in the Heilbronn-Franken region, which has been developing high-quality cylinders, control blocks, steering and suspension systems, valves, and power units for mobile machinery, commercial vehicles, machine tools, and rescue equipment for over 80 years, and is one of the most important managers and employers in the region.

Ms. Grotz joined Weber-Hydraulik GmbH as CEO in 2017 and successfully restructured the company in a short period of time by focusing the company on its core competencies as a development partner and system provider. Prior to this, she worked for 10 years as a management consultant for Kirsten Baus Institut für Familienstrategie and supported entrepreneurial families after holding senior management positions at Daimler AG in Stuttgart, Gaggenau, Mannheim, and Wörth, among others.

Ms. Grotz holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Rutgers University

Dr. Judith Elsner is a renowned leader with extensive experience across various sectors. Since April 2013, she has served as the Managing Director of the Hector Fellow Academy gGmbH in Karlsruhe, where she has established the academy as a nationwide leader in the field of natural sciences. Simultaneously, she continues to hold the position of Managing Director at the International Department of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, a role she has held since October 2005, overseeing various academic areas successfully. Dr. Elsner holds a doctoral degree in engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, as well as a degree in Industrial Engineering and a DEA in Economics.

Jingyuan Xu is the head of CZS Nexus research group on “zero-emission and eco-friendly heating and cooling technologies (ZEco Thermal Lab)” at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Prior to joining KIT, Dr. Xu worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge and a Research Associate at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on advancing zero-emission and eco-friendly heating and cooling technologies for energy transition, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy and/or waste heat. She has published one book, 50 peer-reviewed journal papers, and owns 15 patents. For her research, she has received Leopoldina Prize for Young Scientists from German National Academy of Sciences, Sadi Carnot Young Researcher Award from International Institute of Refrigeration, and Hector Research Career Development Award. She is a member of the Global Young Academy.

Ms. Fessenmayr embarked on her career journey in 2013 with a Dual Bachelor Studies program at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Germany and Japan, in collaboration with Daimler AG. There, she pursued a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Industrial Management. From 2016 to 2018, she worked as an IT Project Lead at Daimler Trucks Japan.

Since 2018, she has held various positions at Daimler Trucks Germany, including roles in international supply chain planning and logistics, product project management, and supplier management strategy and governance.

Additionally, from 2019 to 2021, Ms. Fessenmayt pursued an Executive Master's program at the Hector School of the KIT, earning a Master of Science in Production and Operations Management.

Song Pan Utz has made a 25-year career in international development, spanning IT, financial service and international higher education. She led mid-senior management responsibilities in all three fields with a solid track record. Ms. Utz is well-experienced in business development in local and international markets. Her particular strength lies in nurturing business relationships with executive-level customers by understanding their needs in the context of their cultural environment. She has applied this approach successfully to business development, marketing, contract negotiation, and operation.

Ms. Utz joined the University of Southampton in the UK in 2014.  As the Senior Executive Officer, she managed the Faculty of Social Sciences International Office in all areas of global engagement. Her main contributions were in partner development and student recruitment.

In her new role as the Manager College Program and Student Counselor of CBS, Ms. Utz aspires to continue contributing to higher education, and to empower students and academics from various cultural backgrounds to meaningfully connect and exchange.