Past Speakers
President of Kuehne+Nagel Canada
Kuehne+Nagel Canada
CEO of DH Foods
HR Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding at Beiersdorf AG
Beiersdorf AG
Founder and CEO of FV Hospital
Managing Director CMA CGM Germany
CEO Lufthansa Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Former professional soccer player and president of the HSV soccer club
Chief Executive Officer
Hapag-Lloyd
CEO & Founding Partner of VinaCapital
Vice President and Head of Vietnam Management at DKSH
Founder of The Coffee House
Vice President Refreshment DACH
Unilever
Vice President Refreshment DACH
Unilever
CEO
FRoSTA
Co-Founder & CEO
impacc
Previous Stories From the Top
Leading With Courage: Inclusion, Resilience, and the Power to Step Forward
Dianna Fioravanti-Ashikwe has served as President of Kuehne+Nagel Canada since 2022 and is responsible for around 2,500 employees across the country. Her path into logistics was unconventional: after beginning her career in insurance, she joined Kuehne+Nagel in 2014 to lead its insurance division before later taking on the presidency.
In this Dock & Talk session, Dianna reflects on inclusion, resilience, and the importance of creating workplaces where people feel safe to contribute and step forward.
The conversation also explores the ideas behind her book, “Flip the Switch: From Playing It Safe... to Crushing It!”, and her belief that personal and professional growth begins when people stop waiting for permission, challenge limiting expectations, and create space for both themselves and others to succeed.
Redefining Success: Building a Business Without Losing Yourself
Nguyen Trung Dung is the CEO and founder of DH Foods, one of Vietnam’s leading manufacturers and exporters of natural spices, dipping salts, and sauces. After
studying, living, and building businesses in Poland for 30 years, he returned to Vietnam to create a company rooted in Vietnamese flavors, entrepreneurial resilience, and pride in local products.
In this Dock & Talk session, Nguyen reflects on business attempts, failure, burnout, and the lessons that shaped his understanding of leadership and success.
This conversation offers an honest look at entrepreneurship and the importance of building not only a successful company, but also a life that remains balanced, healthy, and joyful.
Building Inclusion in a World Full of Bias
Misel Ahom is HR Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Talent Acquisition at Beiersdorf. After more than two decades in international marketing and innovation, she moved into HR, bringing with her a deep interest in people, representation, and the conditions that allow talent to thrive.
In this Dock & Talk session, Misel reflects on the role of representation, quotas, equity, and psychological safety in global organizations. She explains how clear goals, local understanding, and personal stories can help turn inclusion into everyday practice.
This conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on inclusive leadership and the responsibility organizations carry to create workplaces where people feel respected, valued, and able to contribute their full potential.
Building a Hospital Across Borders
Dr. Jean-Marcel Guillon is the founder and CEO of FV Hospital, one of Vietnam’s leading international hospitals. After moving from France to Vietnam, he brought together an international team to build a large-scale medical institution from the ground up, helping raise standards of private healthcare in the country.
In this Dock & Talk session, Dr. Guillon reflects on the vision, resilience, and relationships required to establish a hospital in a new cultural and business environment.
This conversation offers a personal look at building across geographical, cultural, and professional borders, and at the responsibility leaders carry when creating organizations that have a lasting impact on people and communities.
Leading with Purpose: Empowering Leadership in Global Shipping
Mirja Nibbe is an experienced international executive with more than 25 years in the maritime industry. She has managed large teams in Europe and Asia and now oversees CMA CGM’s operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, leading close to 500 employees in one of the world’s top three container shipping lines.
In this Dock & Talk session, Mirja reflects on her career journey from shipping agent to senior executive and how it shaped her personal approach to leadership and teamwork. She shares her conviction that strong leadership starts with empathy, open communication, and mutual respect—values that foster trust and performance across diverse, international teams in today’s fast-evolving maritime sector.
This conversation offers a candid look at leadership in global shipping and the balance between professional ambition, people-oriented management, and the collective drive to shape a more sustainable industry.
A Long Career in a Changing World
Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, will join KLU’s Hafencity campus to share practical experiences from a career that began in 1992 in India and led to the global boardroom. Expect a respectful, down-to-earth conversation with a leader who values teams, long-term thinking, and real-world learning. Ashwin will discuss the decisions, mistakes, and habits that shaped his path and offer concrete advice students can use in internships, projects, and first jobs, while leaving plenty of time for questions and direct interaction. Did you know that as a child Ashwin dreamed of becoming a film director?
Sustainability is a central topic in his work and a great conversation starter for students because Lufthansa Cargo pursues clear climate targets, is modernizing its fleet, promotes sustainable aviation fuel options, and aims for net-zero pathways on a defined timeline. Ashwin can explain how a cargo company balances economic performance with environmental responsibility and what trade-offs and innovations make progress possible.
Beyond the Game
Join Marcell Jansen as he shares his inspiring journey from professional football to his impactful work in business and social causes. Known for his leadership and dedication both on and off the field, Marcell will discuss his transition from sports to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning.
The lessons he learned through football—teamwork, discipline, and handling pressure—remain integral to his current ventures, including various business projects and social initiatives. Success, he believes, stems not just from athletic ability but from a mindset rooted in growth, collaboration, and perseverance.
Marcell will also share how he’s used his platform to give back to the community and how the younger generation can make a meaningful impact, regardless of the field they choose. He’ll discuss how to think beyond traditional career paths, explore new opportunities, and demonstrate that making a difference requires both ambition and a strong sense of purpose.
Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Marcell Jansen's experiences and his enterpreunership vision.
Resilience: No Two Days Are Alike
To continue our captivating "Dock & Talk – Stories From The Top" event series, we are thrilled to welcome Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, for an engaging dialogue with KLU President Andreas Kaplan. Dive into the world of maritime logistics and leadership as Rolf shares his insights and experiences from over three decades in the industry.
Rolf isn't just another CEO; he embodies resilience and dedication, having spent the last ten years steering Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world's largest maritime service providers. With roots in logistics dating back to 1991, Rolf brings a wealth of knowledge for navigating the complexities of a global business.
Leadership With Compassion – on Balancing Growth and Empathy
In this episode of "Dock & Talk: Stories from the Top," Andreas Kaplan talks with Don Lam, CEO & Founding Partner of VinaCapital, leading investment fund in Southeast Asia. Dom Lam talks about his leadership journey, finding balance between balance ambition and compassion, and more, while also touching on the role of Vietnam in the country’s economic development.
Strategic Leadership – on Navigating Global Logistics and Business Success
In this special edition of Dock & Talk: Stories from the Top, filmed in vibrant Saigon, Andreas Kaplan sits down with Kim Le Huy, Vice President and Head of Vietnam Management at DKSH, and the first Vietnamese CEO in this role. Le Huy shares his inspiring leadership journey, insights into navigating Vietnam's dynamic market, and discusses the role logistics play in bridging the gap between products and consumers across the globe.
Entrepreneurial Insights – on Human-Centric Leadership in Vietnam
In this special edition of Dock & Talk: Stories from the Top, Prof. Andreas Kaplan, President of Kühne Logistics University (KLU), hosts an inspiring conversation with Hai Ninh Nguyen in the dynamic heart of Saigon. Nguyen, renowned as the founder of The Coffee House and a trailblazer in the co-living industry with M Village, delves into his human-centered leadership philosophy and the transformative role of vulnerability in fostering cohesive and empowered teams.
Generation Job Sharing
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".
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?
Follow Your Conviction
Ever wondered about the power of dedication, conviction, and staying true to oneself amidst the pressures of helming a thriving company? Felix Ahlers, the visionary CEO of Frosta, has quite the tale to share. Taking over the family’s business, Felix realized that for Frosta to truly shine, a radical transformation of its business model was essential. Moving away from the race to the bottom with low-cost he pivoted towards a commitment to quality, choosing fresh ingredients and establishing a firm stance against any artificial ingredients. The path wasn't easy; Frosta's revenues dipped by up to 30 percent. But Felix's unwavering conviction guided the company through. Fast forward to today, and Frosta stands taller than ever, leading the market and setting standards. It's a chat that promises to be as inspiring as it is enlightening, perfect for anyone looking to make their mark on the world.
A Business Mind for a Better World
To launch our new "Dock & Talk – Stories From The Top" event series we’re happy to welcome Till Wahnbaeck, the mastermind behind Impacc, showing us that a sharp business mind can be the most powerful tool for good.
Till isn't your ordinary CEO. He combines roots at Procter & Gamble and the Welthungerhilfe with a heart set on making a difference – and always believing in doing over dreaming. Or, as he says "I'm a doer—that's why I went into business." For Till, it's not just about profit; it's about purpose. He's taken what he knows about the business world and turned it towards fighting one of our biggest battles: extreme poverty in Africa.
His tool? Impacc, a non-profit shaking up the traditional charity model by investing in startups in Africa, that are so far often overlooked. Impacc hunts for brilliant ideas in communities living on less than two dollars a day, turning donations into investments that grow local businesses with the potential to change their world. Through Impacc, Till is blending the results-driven world of business with the mission-driven world of social impact. His vision: "We're using the tools of business for social change."
Join us at KLU’s campus in Hamburg’s Hafencity, enjoying the view among the rooftops and docks all the while enjoying Till’s story from the top. A journey from business to betterment, offering a unique perspective on how to use a business mindset to create a better world. It's a chat that promises to be as inspiring as it is enlightening, perfect for anyone looking to make their mark on the world.
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