No more wasting talent – diversity as an economic asset
About 200 people attended the Adlershof Diversity Conference 2026
The fourth Adlershof Diversity Conference took place on 7 May 2026 under the motto ‘Powered by Differences’. WISTA had invited prominent speakers to the Adlershof Technology Park, including TV presenter Mo Asumang, activist and influencer Beccs Riley, and 1. FC Union spokesperson Christian Arbeit.
Video of the event on YouTube
Highlights and videos on the WISTA Instagram channel
At a time when skills shortages and technological change are posing challenges for the economy, the conference highlighted diversity and the ability to engage in dialogue as key drivers of innovation and economic strength.
“Innovation needs diversity,” explains Bessie Fischer-Bohn, Head of Human Resources at WISTA Management GmbH, who organised the conference with her team. “The conference offers companies, start-ups and the academic community a platform to address blind spots in diversity issues that often cost teams motivation and success. Our programme provides concrete ideas on how individual differences can be turned into collective progress – through in-depth learning opportunities, inspiration and exchange, with plenty of practical ideas for everyday working life.”
Around 200 participants from across Berlin and beyond attended the free conference, where they experienced highlights including:
- ‘Inclusion as untapped potential’: In her keynote speech ‘Goodbye to wasted talent!’, influencer and activist Beccs Riley (autistic, non-binary, trans and severely disabled) demonstrated that only around three per cent of all disabilities are present from birth, whilst over 90 per cent are acquired later in life. Riley called for an end to ‘walking on eggshells’ and for highly qualified talent to be brought to the fore. Inclusion, she argued, must be understood as a corporate value put into practice, from which society as a whole benefits.
- ‘Reconciliation rather than accusation’: Journalist and activist Mo Asumang spoke about ways to overcome fear and helplessness. She highlighted how, through inner change, we can ‘de-train the anger muscle’ and instead strengthen the ‘dialogue muscle’. In her keynote speech, she outlined concrete steps towards maintaining composure amidst tensions.
Panel discussion: How diversity becomes everyone’s business – a prominent guest from the Bundesliga
A key theme of the conference was the extension of diversity measures from senior management to the entire workforce. In a panel discussion, Mo Asumang and Bessie Fischer-Bohn spoke together with Christian Arbeit, Head of Communications at 1. FC Union Berlin.
Union Berlin is playing a pioneering role in German professional football in this regard: as the first club in the Bundesliga (men’s), Union recently made history by appointing Marie-Louise Eta, thereby sending a powerful signal in favour of female expertise within the coaching staff of Germany’s top flight. Christian Arbeit provided insights into how such groundbreaking diversity decisions are received within teams and which approaches to fostering cohesion within organisations really work.
Diversity as an economic factor: a driver of innovation
The relevance of these topics is underpinned by economic data, such as that found in the McKinsey study “Diversity Matters Even More”. According to the study, companies with high levels of diversity in their leadership teams are 39 per cent more likely to achieve above-average profitability.
In addition, the conference offered a series of practical masterclasses – covering topics ranging from AI ethics to body language – thereby highlighting well-founded and innovative learning opportunities for everyday working life:
- AI and bias: Yolanda Rother analysed how artificial intelligence perpetuates existing inequalities using outdated, biased data. Through live demonstrations, participants learnt to recognise unconscious bias in prompts.
- Inclusive communication: Elizabeth Anderson taught techniques for difficult conversations in which ‘genuine growth takes place’. Her playful approach showed how confidence can emerge from tension.
- Body language: Arvid Nienhaus worked with participants to demonstrate how attitude and presence can stabilise communication and strengthen relationships, particularly in conflict situations.
Contact:
Bessie Fischer-Bohn
WISTA Management GmbH
Rudower Chaussee 17, 12489 Berlin
+49 30 6392-2373
fischer-bohn(at)wista.de
www.wista.de