A Fresh Start with Momentum

Our young professionals are hitting the ground running, with some high-profile reinforcements

Text by Jonas Koch | Junior Communications and Marketing Specialist

On a balmy summer evening, we invited the Young Professionals to join us in the Goldberger Saal to kick off the next phase with a new leadership team. The highlight of the evening was the introduction of our new co-chairs, Emil Montag and Maximilian Kirstein, as well as the staff members at the office, Annette Kusche and Jonas Koch.

At the start of the evening, Annette Kusche, program coordinator for all 14 VBKI expert groups, and Jonas Koch, junior communications and marketing specialist, briefly welcomed the participants. The new co-chairs of the forum, who were appointed by the VBKI executive board, then took the floor: Maximilian Kirstein, Senior Manager for the Public Sector at GROPYUS and City Lead for Überstunde Berlin, and Emil Montag, Vice President at MH+P Technology. They welcomed the group and announced their first surprise guest: the newly elected VBKI President, Harald Christ.

Christ briefly outlined the major projects the VBKI will need to tackle in the near future. With the new clubhouse—scheduled for completion early next year—the move is just around the corner. In addition, the VBKI will celebrate its 150th anniversary in three years, in keeping with its motto, “Tradition in Motion.” By then, he aims to modernize the VBKI and broaden its reach—even beyond Berlin—to strengthen key future sectors, place greater emphasis on young female entrepreneurs and startups, and make the VBKI more diverse in terms of age and gender. He assured the Young Professionals of his support, as well as that of the Executive Board.

Emil and Max presented their vision for the Young Professionals Forum: Young professionals should be more closely integrated into the association’s work—serving as a bridge between experience and new beginnings, as the next generation, co-creators, and catalysts—thereby becoming more visible and relevant. In the future, the focus will be on five key areas: politics and location strategy, technology and transformation, business and entrepreneurship, urban development and infrastructure, and society and social responsibility.

New formats for the future were also presented, supplemented by ideas from the evening’s brainstorming session: after-work events, Future Sessions Berlin, company visits, collaboration with other committees, “Meet the CEO,” the Young Leaders Dinner, sports and community events, mentoring, and a Next-Gen Forum.

After the upcoming events were announced—a meeting with Alexander Slotty, State Secretary for Construction, on August 10, and a golf introductory course or a round of golf for participants with a valid golf license on August 27—the evening transitioned into a relaxed get-together and networking session. Over cool drinks and light snacks, there was a lively discussion about the next steps. It was a successful and energetic kickoff with many new and familiar faces: the next phase of our network has been successfully launched.

If you would like to stay informed about upcoming events, you can find details, as always, in the invitations sent directly to you or on our website. If you would like to become a member or did not receive an invitation, please contact us directly at: youngprofessionals@vbki.de We look forward to seeing you!

Photo credit: VBKI – Julian Oßwald (ONE2SEVEN Media)