Carina Stöttner

As a child, Carina Stöttner had two big dreams: to become an astronaut or an author. 

Even then, she was fascinated by the idea of seeing the world from different perspectives: whether as an astronaut, to recognize patterns and dynamics from above, or as an author, to describe the world in all its facets and nuances.

So it’s no surprise that at the age of 27, she founded a think tank that develops future scenarios for executives. Before that, she studied communication sciences and sociology and chose unusual perspectives even during her studies: three years before the launch of ChatGPT, she conducted interviews with chatbots to understand how artificial intelligence could change our communication and society. A niche topic that she recognized early on as crucial for the future.

Three hearts beat in her chest: that of a scientist, that of an entrepreneur, and that of a communicator.

At the age of 31, she took the next step toward self-employment. In the face of global crises and social upheaval, it became clear to her that the future needs more than just good research. Today’s leaders also need a new way of thinking.

Today, Carina Stöttner helps decision-makers move from strategic to future-oriented thinking and develop visions for their companies. All with the aim of shaping the future in a complex world in a forward-looking and responsible manner. In doing so, she combines analytical depth with narrative power: because the future must not only be thought about, but also told and brought to life.

Her professional career led her early on to boardrooms and international projects. Her double master’s degree in Germany and Italy, stints in various European countries, and work with global teams have given her a keen sense of intercultural communication and global dynamics.

Today, the topic of “the future” brings her to stages around the world: in keynotes, panels, and projects with executives. She opens up new perspectives on future planning, economic change, and social transformation.

Carina Stöttner Lecture topics

• A turning point? A societal transformation!
• The future as an opportunity: How companies can leverage forward thinking
• The future of industry: Four scenarios that companies need to be aware of

Keynote: A turning point? A societal transformation!

In 2022, the then chancellor coined the term “turning point” in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. But the real turning point we find ourselves in is more profound and began much earlier. We are in the midst of a social transformation.

We have all experienced this in recent years: the creeping departure from old certainties, from trust in institutions, from shared value systems. Generational conflicts and polarization are the buzzwords of the moment. The world seems to be in chaos. And yet, what many hastily interpret as doom is in fact a transformation. One that is long overdue.

In her presentation, Carina Stöttner talks about how this transformation can lead to a positive future. She discusses which institutions we need to rethink, why it is time to break taboos, and how artificial intelligence may lead us to something we have lost: genuine human emotion and cohesion.

In the keynote speech, listeners will gain:

• Confidence in the future in uncertain times
• A deeper understanding of how society works
• Why transformation is necessary and what it could look like
• Insights into how the society of the future, and thus companies, employees, and customers of the future, could be shaped

Keynote: The future as an opportunity! How we can tackle the future again.

Fear of the unknown is human nature. But the future is not a threat—it is a space full of possibilities. In this keynote speech, Carina Stöttner highlights the thought patterns that cloud our perception of the future, how this limits our actions, and what we can do to regain our ability to shape the future. Using insights from psychology, sociology, and foresight, she shows how we can move from a reactive attitude to actively shaping the future, presenting five methods that she regularly uses with business leaders.

Instead of asking, “What could happen?”, we should ask ourselves, “What do we want to create?” – because the future is not predetermined, but lies in our hands.

In this keynote speech, listeners will gain:

• Motivation to help shape the future
• Insights into “futures thinking” and foresight methods

Keynote: The future of German industry and industrial work: Four scenarios for the future

German industry is at a turning point. Rising energy costs, geopolitical uncertainties, disruptive technological developments, and immense pressure to decarbonize require companies to be not only adaptable but also forward-thinking. But what might the industrial landscape actually look like in the coming decades? What risks need to be anticipated, and what potential could be tapped?

Carina Stöttner investigated this in a 12-month research project. Based on intensive analysis and collaboration with leading industry representatives and scientists, the futurologist has developed four well-founded future scenarios. These scenarios shed light on possible developments in German industry and provide valuable guidance for decision-makers in industrial companies, suppliers, and industry-related service providers.

In the keynote speech, listeners will learn:

• Which industrial sectors are under pressure or growing in the scenarios and can deduce from this where adjustments to business models or investments in new business areas make sense.
• How their company should shape its strategic orientation between local production, global value creation, and technological specialization in order to remain competitive in the future.
• How the requirements for industrial workers will change depending on the scenario and what this means for their human resources strategies and qualification programs.

An excerpt from her speaking engagements:

• Handelsblatt Future Conference Steel 2025, AI Summit 2024, Hydrogen Summit 2023
• Company and association events, e.g. for the Otto Group, Google, EnBW, Erste Group, The Marcom Engine, Südwestmetall, and Rotary
• FIFU – Conference on the Future of Family Businesses
• First Braunschweig Digital Congress
• Berlin Women Entrepreneurs Day 2023

A reference from the Eberspächer Group, Senior Director Global Talent & Culture Paul Eckert:

„Carina held an insightful keynote on AI and the future of HR during our this years’ Global HR Conference “Shaping the Future”. She illuminated the path ahead and sparked a collective drive for positive change in our understanding of technology and its impact on human resources. Her speech inspired our global HR community and laid the foundation for very fruitful work session that followed afterwards. Many thanks, Carina!“ 

Interested in working with Carina Stöttner?

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