EXPERT TEAM
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
Our group of experts is one of a kind. Our media training for C-suite executives combines different points of view from the worlds of business, politics, media and society, enabling us to create an effective course that is tailored to you. We will work together with you to identify your challenges, set your goals and craft your messages.
Our expert team is where worlds collide to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Renowned journalists, highly accomplished communication experts, award-winning directors and top-notch coaches bring their decades of executive experience to the table, joining forces to provide you with a 360-degree perspective and engineer your success.
Sven H.
Korndörffer
- Almost three decades of experience in the banking industry
- Most recently Divisional Board Member for Corporate Communications at Commerzbank AG, responsible for corporate communications, public affairs, brand and research, the Commerzbank Foundation and the Group’s archives
- Group Managing Director at Aareal Bank Group (2016 – 2021),
responsible for corporate communications, public affairs and marketing; responsible for the Management Board Office and all committee matters within the Bank and Group during restructuring - Managing Director at Aareal Bank Group (2007 – 2016),
responsible for corporate communications, public affairs and marketing - Bank Director at Norddeutsche Landesbank, Head of the Managing Board Office (2002 – 2007)
- Divisional Director at Norddeutsche Landesbank, Assistant to the Chair of the Managing Board (1999 – 2004)
- Deputy Head of Events, Trade Fairs, Conferences, Communications and International Relations at Norddeutsche Landesbank (1995 – 1999)
- Studied economics at the University of Bonn (1989 – 1994)
- Chair of „Wertekommission – Initiative Werte Bewusste Führung“ (Values Commission – Initiative for Values Conscious Leadership) (since 2005)
- Author and editor of a number of books covering values-based corporate governance; most recently „Die Wertschätzungskette: Warum wir uns Chefs ohne Empathie nicht leisten können“ (The appreciation chain: Why we can’t afford to have bosses who lack empathy), February 2024, ECON Verlag, Berlin, which became a manager magazin bestseller in March of that year
- Jury member of the Deutscher Journalistenpreis (German Journalism Award) and the PR Report Awards
Almost three decades of experience in the banking industry Most...
Sven H.
Korndörffer
Dr Kathrin
Degmair
- Experienced executive and advisor at the C-level with expertise in business, politics and the media
- Communications, media and public affairs expert | Reputation and crisis manager | Journalist
- Most recently Senior Advisor for German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party chair Friedrich Merz (2023)
- Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU): Head of Strategic Planning and Communications (2022)
- Boston Consulting Group: Global Director Communications / Marketing and Director Marketing & Communications EMESA (Europe, Middle East, South America, Africa) (2021 – 2022)
- German broadcaster ARD (Bayerischer Rundfunk): Member of the Executive Board under the direction of Ulrich Wilhelm | Manager of the northern Bavarian part of the broadcaster | Head of the Franconia Studio division (2014 – 2019)
- ARD (Bayerischer Rundfunk): Managing Director of the Board of Directors of Bayerischer Rundfunk and Manager of the Broadcasting Council’s and Board of Directors’ offices (2007 – 2014) | Personal Advisor to the Chairs of the Board of Directors, President of the State Parliament Alois Glück and President of the State Parliament Barbara Stamm
- Editor, host and manager of radio broadcasting service (news and politics) | Bayerischer Rundfunk (2002 – 2007)
- Reporter/freelance editor | Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich (1999 – 2001)
- Reporter/freelance editor | Abendzeitung, Munich (1998 – 1999)
- Freelance work for magazines including Focus (1998 – 2003)
- Coach-Akademie Schweiz, Switzerland: Certified qualification as a values-oriented systemic coach and consultant (CAS/ISO/ICI)
- Graduate of Deutschen Journalistenschule (German training institution for journalists)
- Degree in journalism and doctorate (Dr phil.) from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (magna cum laude)
Experienced executive and advisor at the C-level with expertise in...
Dr Kathrin
Degmair
Dr Rainer
Sontowski
- More than 35 years in various political and administrative positions in Germany at both the federal and the state level
- Former State Secretary (since April 2018)
- State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (2014 – 2017) and at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office (2017 – 2018), while also being Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office; Member of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bahn (2014)
- Office Manager for SPD party chair Sigmar Gabriel at the SPD party headquarters (2009 – 2013)
- Head of the Central and General Policies Department of Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (2005 – 2009)
- Head of the Press and Public Relations Department at the Press and Information Office of the German Federal Government (2003-2005)
- Secretary to the SPD parliamentary group in the Lower Saxony state parliament (2003)
- Head of the Lower Saxony State Representation Office in Berlin (2002 – 2003)
- Office Manager for SPD party chair Gerhard Schröder at the SPD party headquarters (1999 – 2002)
- Head of the Political Planning Section of the Federal Chancellery (1999)
- Advisor and Section Head at the Minister for Education and Culture’s office (1994 – 1998); Head of Parliamentary and Cabinet Affairs, Strategic Planning and General Coordination in Lower Saxony’s Ministry for Education and Culture (1998 – 1999)
- Research assistant to member of the German parliament Karl-Hermann Haack (1987 – 1990);
Advisor to the SPD parliamentary group in the German parliament (1990), and to the SPD parliamentary group in the Lower Saxony state parliament (1990 – 1994) - Master’s studies of politics and history at the University of Hanover (1981 – 1987), doctorate in 1989
- Wikipedia entry
More than 35 years in various political and administrative positions...
Dr Rainer
Sontowski
Kirsten
Harms
- German stage director and general manager at various opera houses
- Studied musicology at the University of Hamburg and music theatre direction at the Hamburg University of Music and Performing Arts
- One of the first young female directors in Germany to succeed as an opera director at the end of the 1980s
- Lecturer on voice-over and theatre directing at the Hamburg University of Music and Performing Arts on the “Musical theatre directing” course (1992 – 1994)
- General Manager at the Kiel Opera, which became one of the most successful medium-sized opera houses in the German-speaking world under her direction (1995-2003)
- Stage Director at the Deutsche Oper Berlin (2003)
- General Manager at the Deutsche Oper Berlin (2004)
The first woman worldwide to hold the position of general manager at a major opera house
| Renowned for rediscovering great operas by outlawed and persecuted composers
| During her time at Deutsche Oper Berlin, tickets sold rose by 22% and revenues doubled - Stage director in France, Italy and Sweden
- Vice-President of the International Women’s Forum Germany (since 2016)
- Wikipedia entry
German stage director and general manager at various opera houses...
Kirsten
Harms
Dr Hans-Dieter
Heumann
- Former ambassador; currently Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), and lecturer at the University of Bonn
- Head of the German Federal Foreign Office’s programme for young leaders from Ukraine
- President of the Federal Academy for Security Policy in Berlin (2011 – 2015)
- German Ambassador to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (2009 – 2011)
- Senior Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Washington, D.C. (2008 – 2009)
- Lecturer at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (2008 – 2009)
- Head of the political affairs departments at the German embassies in Paris (2000 – 2005) and Washington, D.C. (2005 – 2008)
- Fellow at the New York Institute for East-West Security Studies (1987 – 1988)
- Diplomat at the United Nations in New York City (1983 – 1984) and in Moscow (1991 – 1994)
- Member of the planning and management staff, among other positions, at the Federal Foreign Office, and member of the planning staff at the Federal Ministry of Defence
- Author of books and articles on international politics, most recently of the book „Strategische Diplomatie – Europas Chance in der multipolaren Welt“ (Strategic diplomacy – An opportunity for Europe in a multipolar world)
- Author of a biography on long-serving German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher
- Regular commentator on international politics for the German TV channel Phoenix
- Before his diplomatic career: Professional musician (violoncello) at the Chur Cölnisches Orchester (now the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn)
- Wikipedia entry
Former ambassador; currently Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced...
Dr Hans-Dieter
Heumann
Prof. Dr Claus
Richter
- Multi-award-winning television journalist
- As a correspondent, he has extensive experience abroad – including in crisis zones – as well as domestic experience in investigative journalism
- Professor of Television Journalism at the University of Television and Film Munich (2014 – 2022)
- Head of German broadcaster ZDF’s investigative TV show Frontal 21 (2001 – 2014)
- Chief Reporter at ZDF (1998 – 2000)
- Foreign correspondent for German broadcasters ARD and ZDF in Warsaw, New York, East Berlin, Singapore and Moscow (1981 – 2001)
- Editor and reporter for German broadcaster WDR’s TV show MONITOR (1976 – 1981)
- Graduation and doctorate at the University of Bonn (1974 – 1976)
- Studied German and political sciences at the Universities of Bonn, Heidelberg and Mannheim (1969 – 1974)
- Wikipedia entry
Multi-award-winning television journalist As a correspondent, he has extensive experience...
Prof. Dr Claus
Richter
Severin
von Hoensbroech
- Psychologist, actor, director and passionate organic farmer
- Coaches senior politicians and top managers whenever they need to make an impact, e.g. in speeches, appearances, interviews or on television | For example, he crafted the speech that made Armin Laschet CDU party chair
- Many appearances on theatre stages and in front of the camera
- Teaches in the international programmes of various universities, including Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU) in Vallendar and the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin
- Considers himself above all a craftsman because everything – from an inspiring performance and a captivating story to a gripping speech and a perfect pitch – requires, next to a little talent, some technical tools: the knowledge of how language works, the ability to apply rhetorical methods and the communication know-how
- Wrote the book “Das Peripetie Prinzip – Die Kunst wirksamer Führung” (The peripeteia principle – The art of effective leadership) together with his brothers
- Tries to show how things can be done differently at Türnich Castle in Kerpen; is passionate about topics like permaculture, agroforestry, market gardening and regenerative agriculture
- Regularly hosts the “Masterclass Sustainable Leadership” for top managers of international companies there
- Hosts a podcast with film-maker Valentin Thurn named “Plan C – weil Plan B hat eh nicht funktioniert” (Plan C – Because plan B didn’t work anyway)
- One of the most sought-after coaches in Germany with an active presence abroad, too
- With his inspiring, astonishing and entertaining keynotes, he has the ability to captivate entire halls
Psychologist, actor, director and passionate organic farmer Coaches senior politicians...
Severin
von Hoensbroech
Emilia
Lampen
- Education:
Currently studying philosophy and economics at the University of Bayreuth (since 2023)
Studied philosophy and theatre studies at the University of Mainz (2022/23)
Attended Schloss Hansenberg boarding school (2019 – 2022) - Practical experience:
Hessian State Chancellery, Wiesbaden (7 weeks in 2023) | Procter & Gamble, Kronberg (21 days in 2021)
Lebenshilfe Görlitz e. V. (charity helping people with mental disabilities and their families, 21 days in 2018) | Hessian State Theatre Wiesbaden (14 days in 2016) - International school exchanges: Coshocton, USA (30 days in 2018) | Tours, France (30 days in 2017)
- Foreign language skills: English (fluent), Spanish (advanced), Swedish (native speaker), French (basic knowledge)
- Further qualifications:
Long-standing member of Schloss Hansenberg’s student and boarding school councils
Head of numerous study groups and committees
Treasury Auditor of the Hansenberg Alumni Association (seit 2023)
Advisor and Member of the Management Board of the Hansenberg Alumni Foundationg (seit 2022)
Delegate in the Stadtjugendring & Jugendforum Wiesbaden youth organisations (2017 – 2022)
Award for outstanding personal commitment to the school community (2022)
Recognition for voluntary work at schools by the Hessian Ministry for Education and Culture (2021)
Education: Currently studying philosophy and economics at the University of...
Emilia
Lampen
Selina
Komander-Baumann
- Executive Assistant | Management and coordination of workflows, development and optimization of digital processes, implementation of automation solutions (since 2025)
- Independent Consultant in Web & Graphic Design, Marketing Funnels and Automation | Development of modern web projects, creation of visual brand identities, design of efficient marketing systems and establishment of clear digital processes (since 2021)
- Executive Assistant & Project Coordination | Implementation and optimization of web projects, development of social media presence, project organization (2023)
- Office & Process Coordination | Customer service, scheduling, invoicing and day-to-day business operations (2019 – 2023)
- Executive Assistant & Content Management | Web and social media projects, client acquisition, content creation (2018 – 2019)
- Vocational Training in Wholesale & International Trade Management | Customer service, complaints management, accounting and coordination of logistical processes (2016 – 2018)
Executive Assistant | Management and coordination of workflows, development and...
Selina
Komander-Baumann
HOW WE WORK
Independent Perspective, Deep Expertise, Holistic Thinking
Every successful strategy begins with a precise, holistic analysis. Our strength lies in our independent viewpoint, our long‑standing expertise, and our extensive network. This enables us to inject powerful impulses into strategic processes – going beyond established internal tools or complementing them where needed.
Strategy and Communication as one
A strategy is only as strong as the organization’s ability to win its stakeholders for it. That is why we take a holistic view of all stakeholder interests when developing corporate and communication strategies. This includes political advocacy aimed at creating growth‑enabling conditions for the company’s specific operating environment.
Executive Search, Organizational Development, Change Management
Employees are among the most mission-critical stakeholders for any leadership team. We advise on strategic workforce planning, organizational development, and change management. Through our executive search practice, we recruit leaders who shape culture, elevate performance, and shape the future.
Our Seniority Principle as a Promise of Quality
At the core of our quality commitment stands our seniority principle – from personal advisory and client support to the development and quality assurance of every single deliverable.
ADVISORY BOARD
DRIVING INNOVATION FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE
Feedback, reflection and constructive criticism are essential drivers of innovation that no company can afford to overlook. And we’re no exception.
That is why Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung relies on an Advisory Board to openly reflect on and critically discuss both its general focus and future direction. The Advisory Board is comprised of experienced and successful leaders who bring foresight and innovative strength to the table.
PROF. DR CLAUDIA PEUS
has held the positions of Professor of Research and Science Management at TU Munich since May 2011, Senior Vice President for Talent Management and Diversity since October 2017, and Founding Director of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning (TUM IL3) since December 2019. After completing her doctorate at LMU Munich, she worked as a Visiting Scholar at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Harvard University. Claudia Peus’ research is focused on leadership and leadership development in the digital age, management practices of research organisations and diversity in organisations. She is a member of various advisory boards, such as the Governing Board of RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, the Board of Trustees of the “Wertekommission” (Values Commission) and the Board of Trustees of the Max Planck Institute for Physics, and advises businesses and academic organisations on topics such as leadership, diversity and talent management. In 2020, Claudia Peus appeared on the list of “Germany’s Most Inspiring Women”.
ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR
DR WOLF SCHUMACHER
has been Chair of the Supervisory Board of BayernLB and BayernLB Holding since 12 April 2018. Having completed his university studies in law, Wolf Schumacher began his career at Bayerische Hypotheken- & Wechsel-Bank AG in 1988. Over the course of more than a decade, he held a variety of management roles within the HypoVereinsbank Group before assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer on HVB Real Estate Bank AG’s Management Board in September 2001.
In February 2003, Wolf Schumacher joined DG Hyp Group, becoming Deputy Chair of VR Immobilien AG’s Management Board. In April 2003, he took the helm at DG Hyp AG as Spokesperson of the Management Board.
He took over as Chair of the Management Board of Aareal Bank AG in April 2005, a position he held for over ten years until September 2015.
FRANK MARRENBACH
has been Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Althoff Hotels since May 2020. Before he began overseeing operations at the renowned hotel chain, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Oetker Collection Management Company from 2008 and General Manager at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, for around twenty years. Frank Marrenbach has made a name of himself at the world’s leading luxury hotels, including the Berkeley in London, Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, Frankfurter Hof in Frankfurt and Hotel Petersberg, Germany’s official government guest house.
He also has an MBA from the State University of New York at Albany, which he earned while working. In recognition of his impressive contribution to the industry over a career spanning more than 35 years, he has received numerous awards, including “Hotelier of the Year” (2016), “Leading Legend” (2017) presented by The Leading Hotels of the World and “Restaurateur of the Year” (2019) by Gault & Millau.
HAGEN SCHREMMER
has been Chief Executive Officer and Country Head for BNP Paribas Asset Management in Germany since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for the high-growth asset management business of Europe’s largest bank (by assets) in the strategic growth market of Germany.
Hagen Schremmer started his career in banking with vocational training, then went on to earn degrees in business administration and economics from Leipzig University. Immediately after leaving university he was hired as a Management Consultant for A.T. Kearney. From 2000 until 2016, he worked for Deutsche Bank in various roles and divisions: following a first stint in strategy development for Personal Banking Europe, he spent three years as the Executive Assistant to the then-CEO Dr Josef Ackermann. He then moved to London to help build the structured product and sales business for Germany for the Global Markets division, before assuming the role of Managing Director in the Wealth Management business, which saw him head product and asset management for the German market. In 2017, he joined DWS, Deutsche Bank Group’s asset manager, which had gone public the same year, serving as a member of the DWS International Executive Board and overseeing domestic wholesale sales.
PARTNER SERVICES
COMMUNICATION SUPPORT FROM A TO Z
With our strong network of renowned partner companies that boast national and international expertise and many years of experience, we at Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung offer customised consultancy services that span the entire communication value chain.
In other words, we can assist you in all areas that are key to state-of-the-art, successful and respectful internal and external communication – from brand architecture, event marketing and live communication to social media, advertising, podcasts and corporate films. Need assistance? We’ve got you covered. Our expertise is your gain.
DINO BÜSCHER
EVENT MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung knows more than just a thing or two about political and business events. Events and associated communications have the aim of informing and inspiring guests or employees. From annual CEO receptions and international management meetings with teams from all over the world to product presentations and financial statement press conferences – an event is considered successful if strategic messages generate an emotional response.
Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung has entered into a strategic event marketing partnership with fischerAppelt, live marketing.
The team, led by Managing Partner Dino Büscher, has received recognition for its exceptional event creations, most recently receiving the Agency of the Year award at the BEA World Festival in Rome in November 2023.
fischerAppelt, live marketing creates unique brand experiences. Innovative, interactive and immersive. As a singular experience or holistic brand experience. The team creates touchpoints at the crossroads of the real and the virtual world that pull people in emotionally and appeal on multiple levels. Its events are the result of well-thought-out strategies, meticulous planning and enthusiastic implementation; they build on on-the-point communication and enthusiastic implementation – and they are full to the brim with creative design.
LARA BUSCH
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADVERTISING
Social media is ideal for reaching specific target groups. However, tapping into this resource requires more than simply setting up an account. A clearly defined strategy is a must if you want to use social media to achieve your business goals. Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung has partnered up with Lara Busch and her agency Buschkommunikation, who will support you in all aspects of social media, providing a 360-degree perspective from strategy conception right up to end reporting.
Lara Busch began building her extensive repertoire of social media marketing expertise and experience in 2019, receiving the Young Professional of the Year award from PR Report in 2022. Whether you’re looking for organic or paid marketing, B2B or B2C, Lara is the contact you need. The LinkedIn Top Voice for social media and influencer marketing is also writing her doctoral thesis on polyphony in corporate communications with Prof. Dr Zerfaß in the Faculty for Strategic Communication at Leipzig University.
Whether you need a how-to LinkedIn training session or a strategy for positioning your CEO or executives, or want advice on creating a corporate social media account, Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung is on hand to help.
PETER SCHELS
CORPORATE FILMS AND PODCASTS
With new communication channels and increasingly complex target group structures, the world of communication is becoming more and more difficult to navigate. We will help you make your teams, your executives, and your company as a whole more visible and more approachable, for example by producing a recruitment video or an explanatory film.
Korndörffer Kommunikationsberatung partners with Al Dente Entertainment for this purpose. Peter Schels and his team have received several national and international awards for their films and campaigns. Clients include well-known tech and DAX companies as well as globally successful family-run businesses. Al Dente has been one of the top film agencies for corporate films and digital moving image content in the German-speaking part of Europe for many years now.