Cornerstones for a Successful Europe

Jennifer L. Schenker has been covering the technology sector from Europe since 1985. She worked in various positions for the Wall Street Journal, TIME, and BusinessWeek. In 2016, she launched The Innovator, a website and subscription newsletter about digital transformation and sustainability that is read by the people responsible for innovation at some of the world’s largest companies. 

Peter Bakenecker is Mastercard’s Division President for Germany and Switzerland. Since joining in 2006, Peter held various management positions, including Head of Product, Business Development as well as Digital Payments for Europe. Before joining Mastercard, Peter was with Batten & Company as well as Roland Berger Strategy Consultants as part of their financial services practices.

Hanno Renner is co-founder and CEO of Personio, Europe’s leading HR software company for small and mid-sized businesses. He studied in Munich, Auckland and New York and worked as a skipper on sailing yachts. Renner was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020.

Frank Thelen is Chief Executive Officer of the 10xDNA Disruptive Technologies Fund. A serial entrepreneur, technology investor and TV personality, he has founded and managed technology and design-driven companies since 1994.

Nicole Gerhardt is Chief Human Resources Officer of Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG. Previously she served as Executive Vice President Human Resources at Pro7/Sat1 and held various leadership positions in Human Resources at Vodafone.