Wharton Summit 2025 - A Look Back

On May 22–23, 2025, we were thrilled to welcome 120 guests to Berlin for the Wharton Summit — an exclusive opportunity to explore the future of business, technology, politics, and society.

The event was open to all curious minds, not just Wharton alumni, and brought together a dynamic group of professionals and thought leaders for two days of dialogue, discovery, and connection.

What We Offered

Over the course of two days, our guests experienced:

  • An exclusive networking dinner
    May 22, 2025 | 7:00 PM
    Austernbank, Behrenstraße 42, 10117 Berlin
    We kicked off the Summit in style at Austernbank — a stunning venue in the heart of historic Berlin — with a seated dinner and an inspiring keynote from a distinguished guest speaker.

 

  • A full-day conference
    May 23, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
    Zalando SE, Hedwig-Wachenheim-Straße 7, 10243 Berlin
    The heart of the Summit: a day filled with thought-provoking talks, panel discussions, and insights from a wide array of speakers across the economic, political, and tech landscapes.

 

  • Premium conference catering
    Including welcome coffee, networking breaks, and a delicious lunch — all designed to keep conversations flowing.

 

  • Reception
    We closed the day with drinks, celebrating new connections and fresh ideas.

 

Agenda, May 23, 2025:

 

Speakers:

We were honored to be joined by a remarkable group of speakers who generously shared their time, expertise, and perspectives:

 

       
Natalia Akst   Siobhan Brewster   Anna Sophie Herken    
Managing Director Macquarie Asset Management   Partner AENU   Managing Director GIZ    
       
Wolf-Jakob Herpich   Adrian Locher   Rubin Ritter    
Managing Director Solvia Family Office   Founder and General Partner Merantix Capital   Entrepreneur & Former Co-CEO Zalando SE    
 

 

 

 

 

 
Jörg Rocholl   Daria Saharova   Dr. Gundbert Scherf  

 

President ESMT   Founding Partner World Fund   Co-Founder & Co-CEO Helsing    
 

 

 

 

 

 
Caroline Schmutte   Oskar Schilcher   Marc Strobel

 

 
Senior Adviser Delivery Associates   CIO Equistone   Partner CVC

 

 
     

 

 

 
Björn Zikarsky      

 

 

 
CEO Pure Battery Technologies      

 

 

 

 

Images ©ESMT Berlin, ©CVC, ©Helsing, ©JanSchoelzel. All used with permission.

 

Bonus Weekend Event: Private Tour of Sammlung Hoffmann

For guests extending their stay in Berlin, we offered a special treat: an exclusive guided tour of Sammlung Hoffmann, one of the city’s most celebrated private collections of contemporary art.

Date & Time: Saturday, May 24 | 10:00 AM
Location: Berlin-Mitte
Costs: €30 for WCGA Members | €40 for Non-Members

This intimate tour provided rare insights into a unique and ever-evolving collection — a perfect cultural close to an inspiring Summit weekend.

 

Thank You for Joining Us!

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made the Summit a success — from our speakers and partners to every guest who brought their curiosity and energy to Berlin.