Dock & Talk: Stories from the Top

From brokerage in an insurance company to leading one of the giants of logistics. Dianna Fioravanti-Ashikwe, President of Kühne+Nagel Canada reflects on her unusual path to success and how her listening skills, empathy, and vulnerability became key assets to build an empowering leadership style; one where the boss isn’t feared, but liked and respected. Guided by Prof. Andreas Kaplan, the conversation touches on topics like female leadership, diversity and inclusion, and the need for psychological safety in the workspace. How do you bring people in to share your vision and make it theirs?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI): a concept that is growing in all corporate agendas, but at different paces and with quite different standards. Misel Ahom, HRVP DE&I and Talent Acquisition at Beiersdorf, brings her broad experience in leading change at the structural level in one of the giants of the chemical industry. In an honest conversation with Prof. Andreas Kaplan, Ahom digs into topics like female representation, diversity quotas, DEI in international contexts, and the power of human stories over general stereotypes. How do you ensure real inclusion in a world full of bias?

A passion for medicine and an unexpected chance in a developing country catalyzed the creation of FV Hospital in Vietnam. French physician and entrepreneur Dr. Jean-Marcel Guillon seized this opportunity and brought international quality medical treatment to Ho Chi Minh City. He looks back on 20 years of continuous development that raised the standards of the Vietnamese healthcare sector, overcoming all kinds of obstacles, from power outages to the pandemic, all while fulfilling his own life. How does a leader succeed on such a massive venture in a completely different culture?

Emotional intelligence and diversity as a driver for more cohesive, stronger, more innovative and more resilient teams. Mirja Nibbe, Managing Director of CMA CGM Germany guides us through her leadership style and how it has developed across company cultures, living abroad experiences and even “reverse mentorship” programs. She reflects on the importance of a silent yet world-changing industry such as logistics, and gives her take on topics like sustainability and career growth. What are the traits that bring a person, and more concretely a woman, to the top?

Looking at the future with optimism and focusing on the solutions, not the problems. These are mantras that have helped the CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, Ashwin Bhat, navigate all kinds of waves: from economic crisis to pandemic to the booming of a new way of e-commerce. From technology to sustainability, he guides us through the topics that are radically changing the air freight industry. Will AI replace human labor? What is the role of humans in the new globalization? And what skills are key to succeeding in the upcoming decades?

Football and business have a lot of similarities, and Marcell Jansen, ex-professional player in the German national team and current president of HSV football club knows them very well. Teamwork, discipline, handling of pressure, but also personal resilience, positivity and care for one self and for others are aptitudes that go beyond the field and have made him a strong leader and successful entrepreneur. A big advocate for mental health, his company S’TATICS brings top-quality wellness to people of all backgrounds. How can you measure your own resilience in actually tangible terms?

Success as a synonym of resilience and adaptability. Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag Lloyd for over a decade, gives us insights into his journey through the logistics field, an industry that still fascinates him after a long and thrilling career. From sustainability advances to political lobbying, we explore the many challenges that a logistics giant such as Hapag-Lloyd faces and how the decisions and leadership need to evolve and adapt to those times to come. Will nuclear energy be the future of maritime shipping? How much can regulations and governments affect the business? And how does a leader manage it all in an ever-changing market?

Some years ago, the idea of job sharing was new and the path wasn’t easy, but at least at Unilever this “experiment” became a trending solution. Nearly 20 years later, Unilever's Vice Presidents Refreshment DACH, Christiane Haasis & Angela Nelissen continue to share one position in the company. They even have a common email address named CHAN and say: "100% sharing is 200% brain power".
In this episode of Dock & Talk - Stories from the top KLU president takes a deep dive into this job model with Christiane Haasis and Angela Nelissen. What is necessary for a shared job and position, and how can it help contribute to effective leadership? Is job sharing really top sharing and a win for human resources and work life balance? What should the next generation entering the job market know about how to use flexibility to their advantage?

The power of dedication, conviction, and staying true to oneself made their company reach the top. We meet Felix Ahlers, the visionary CEO of Frosta, market leader brand for frozen food in Germany. Taking over the family’s business, Felix underwent a radical transformation of the business model shifting away from the market trends and committing to quality, to choosing fresh ingredients and establishing a firm stance against any artificial ingredients. His good leadership, getting all employees on board of his vision, and his true values pushed the brand from a dip in revenue to being the market leader.

A non for profit with a “profit” business mindset? In the experience of Till Wahnbaeck this is the tool to make the world a better place. The founder of Impacc uses his business expertise from a background of working in major corporations to give back to the world. Impacc uses the donations to invest in innovative African start-ups that change the paradigm of their communities. Follow the CEO’s reflection on how to grow an operations mindset and use it to effectively change the world.