Our global economy and society are driven by innovation and ever-increasing diversity. Every human being’s individuality contributes to diversity based on gender, nationality and ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical capability, religion, worldview, and other dimensions. In our globalized world, diversity is increased by the internet; other media, such as TV, global travel opportunities, and increased mobility of the workforce. With students from over 70 countries studying different disciplines, such as the Arts, Business, International Relations, Media Communications, and Psychology, and a truly diverse faculty and staff, Webster Vienna is experiencing diversity on a daily basis.

Studies show that diversity fosters innovation, yet it can also represent a problem for communication and trigger conflict. Companies need a certain amount of conformity, for example common educational and lingual standards and a common culture, in order to function effectively. While too little diversity may be stifling for innovation, too much diversity can result in organizational and atmospheric chaos. This year’s panel of experts will examine this tension, the effects of ever-growing diversity, and how to find a balance that is positive and productive for business.

Register here!

Program

18:00    Start of registration
18:30    Official welcome by KommR Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, President of the Österreichischer Gewerbeverein
18:40    Official welcome by Dr. Arthur Hirsh, Director Webster University & Stefano Cantini, President of the Vienna Alumni Chapter of Webster University
18:45    Key Statements of all Panelists & Panel Discussion
20:15    Cocktail & Networking – sponsored by Hilton Hotels Austria & Starbucks Coffee Austria

Panelists

• Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, Dean, George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, Webster University
• Ing. Reinhard Backhausen, Managing Director, Backhausen Interior Textiles & Design
• Prof. Thomas Hintze, Managing Director, UPC Austria
• Mr. Felix Thun-Hohenstein, Managing Director, 3M Austria and Switzerland
• Mr. Erno Karl, IBM Intellectual Property Licensing, Europe
• Mag. Doris Tomanek, Head of HR Austria and CEE, Member of the Board, UniCredit Bank Austria
• Ms. Samantha Yarwood, Marketing Director, Switzerland & Austria, Starbucks Coffee Company

Moderator

• Dr. Eric Frey, Managing Editor, Der Standard

Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the following sponsors: 3M Austria, Hilton Austria, Österreichische Gewerbeverein, and Starbucks Austria
             

 Corporate Participant

 Media Partner
 

Target groups

Austrian business community, Alumni, Students & Faculty Members of Webster University & other universities in Austria, members of various business associations such as the Österreichische Gewerbeverein and Club Diplomatie.

Location

Palais Eschenbach
Festsaal, 1st Floor
Eschenbachgasse 11
1010 Vienna

The Österreichischer Gewerbeverein für Industrie, Gewerbe, Handel und freie Berufe will be the host of the evening.

Project Team

• Stefano Cantini, MA ’94, Managing Director, Karba Pack, President of the Alumni Association
• Angelica Vuzem-de La Rosa, BA ’85, Vuzem GmbH, Vice-President of the Alumni Association
• Anna Ganovszky, MA ’10, Department Head, Alumni & Development Programs
• Lizabeth Strini-Brown, MA ‘09, Alumni & Student Community Coordinator, Webster University