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TALKS & PANELS

At STICKS & STONES in Cologne you can expect a diverse stage program that focuses on current topics from the world of work and the community.

In our talks and panel discussions, you’ll learn how to present yourself confidently during job interviews. You’ll receive practical job-search tips for your career path and discover why neurodiversity is your superpower. We’ll also show you how to use AI responsibly in the workplace and outsmart imposter syndrome.

Look forward to inspiring talks, personal stories, and valuable insights that will help you view the working world from new perspectives and further develop your own potential.

Christopher May (he/him)
Christopher May (he/him)
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DOMINIK KOWOL (HE/HIM)
DOMINIK KOWOL (HE/HIM)
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ILKA THEURICH (ALL PRONOUNS)
ILKA THEURICH (ALL PRONOUNS)
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Nicole Reiss (she/her)
Nicole Reiss (she/her)
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Niklas Titgemeyer (he/him)
Niklas Titgemeyer (he/him)
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Christopher May (he/him)

Global Agile & DevOps CoP Lead | Avanade Deutschland GmbH

Commanding Presence in Job Interviews –
Projecting Confidence, In-Person and Virtually

Language of the presentation: German

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Do you know the feeling of simply going through the motions during a job interview instead of being yourself? In this talk, we dispel the illusion that an interview is merely a “performance” where you have to deliver a flawless act. Discover why nervousness is actually valuable energy—provided you interpret it correctly—and learn how to break free from the typical “stage fright” mindset.
This talk focuses on your mental resilience and the impression you make: we examine critical moments, ranging from the crucial first impression made in the opening 30 seconds to handling unexpected questions and silence with composure. Whether in person or via video call, you will learn practical tools to tell your story authentically and maintain mental resilience, even when facing multiple interviews.
A talk for anyone who wants to do more than just demonstrate professional competence in an interview—and instead connect as a genuine individual.

SHORT VITA

Christopher: Transformation, Agility & Humor

Christopher brings over 25 years of experience in project management and 10 years as an Agile Coach to the table. He is passionate about transformation: as a consultant, he successfully guides clients through digital and agile change processes, always keeping the product and the people at the heart of his work. For the past eight years, he has shared his expertise as an instructor in agility, project management, and design thinking. He loves engaging with his audience and is always willing to go the extra mile to tackle new challenges.

Outside the business world, his heart belongs to stand-up comedy. Having started four years ago, he is now an established figure in the German and international comedy scene in Berlin.

The result: Christopher combines deep professional expertise with the empathy and quick wit of a stage professional—a unique combination that inspires teams and drives real change.

Dominik Kowol (he/him)

Chief Technology and Product Officer, Eperi GmbH

Why detours are sometimes the best shortcuts

Language of the presentation: German

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In retrospect, careers often appear to be the result of a carefully crafted plan. In reality, however, they usually feel quite different—shaped by chance events, doubts, and changes in direction, but also by unexpected opportunities.

Drawing on my own journey—from dropping out of psychology studies and working in email support to becoming a Chief Product & Technology Officer—I want to show why apparent detours often yield the most valuable experiences. The focus is on practical insights for your own career path: How do you turn setbacks into opportunities? How do you make decisions without knowing the entire road ahead? And how can a non-linear career path become a unique strength? After all, the goal remains to shape your own path with confidence—even if it doesn’t follow the traditional career blueprint.

SHORT VITA

I am the Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) of a mid-sized software company. My career path was anything but linear: after finishing school, I began studying psychology, entered the IT sector as a student worker in email support, and progressed through roles in product management, marketing, software development, and various leadership positions to reach the C-suite.

Supporting people on their professional journeys has long been a passion of mine. I have been active as a mentor since 2021 and was initially involved in coordinating the RAHM mentoring program.

Today, I combine technological, strategic, and human perspectives, and I enjoy sharing my experiences in a practical, peer-to-peer manner.

ILKA THEURICH (ALL PRONOUNS)

Founder, Senior Coach, and Performance Artist – Studio: Ilka Theurich – coaching lab

Shedding the Disguise: How Queer Leadership Is Revolutionizing Business

Language of the presentation: German

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You might recognize this scenario:
You want to make a strong impression during the application process, yet you barely notice yourself drifting away from what truly defines you.
Instead of showing your authentic self, an inner voice takes the lead, telling you:
“Don’t reveal too much. Be professional. Try to get everything right.”

The result: You overthink what will be well-received, choose your words cautiously, and come across as polished rather than relatable—leaving out the very things that truly interest others: personality, stance, and presence.
Yet, often, it is precisely what you hold back that would make the biggest impact and set you apart.

My talk explores how old patterns and your inner critic influence the way you present yourself—and why it is so difficult to stay true to yourself in the process.

This is for you if you no longer want to limit yourself just to appear “right.”

SHORT VITA

Do you know the feeling of constantly having to adapt, only to lose sight of yourself in the process?
I’m Kaya Prantl (all pronouns), a systemic coach and mental performance coach.
I help you find clarity amidst emotional chaos and break free from old labels—from the conditioning you adopted even though it never truly belonged to you. My coaching sessions give you the space to recalibrate, find your bearings, and reconnect with yourself—without making yourself smaller than you are.

Nicole Reiss (she/her)

Entrepreneur, ProMinds Health & Innovation

  • 7 years of coaching experience
  • Speaks German, English
SHORT VITA

Nicole Reiss has a clear vision: to make the healthcare system people-centered and future-ready. As an entrepreneur and executive, she supports medtech organizations in complex, regulated environments and has helped shape transformation projects in interdisciplinary R&D teams at Siemens Healthineers and Roche Diagnostics. She teaches at DHBW Stuttgart and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where she is establishing the Digital Health Transformation program as its program director. At the same time, she is conducting research on an AI-supported intraoperative solution for women’s health and is writing a book chapter for Springer Nature.

Focus Areas: Career Development & Career Guidance: From assessing your current situation to making your next informed decision (including visibility, resilience, networking, etc.)
Leadership & Executive Coaching: For anyone who is (soon to be) taking on a leadership role or wants to clarify their role within it
Communication, Team Dynamics & Conflict: Difficult conversations, clarifying expectations, collaboration

Topics: Role Clarity, Decision-Making, and Impact as a (Future) Leader
Finding Your Own North Star, Reevaluating, Deriving Systematic Strategies, and Translating Them into Action
Assessing Your Current Situation and Analyzing Strengths and Potential
Preparing Application Materials & Job Interviews
Career Reorientation & Choosing Among Several Good Options
Resolving Conflicts Within a Team & Conducting Difficult Conversations
Stress Management & Resilience During Change Processes
Networking, Visibility, & Personal Branding (e.g., LinkedIn Profile, Confident Presentation)
Self-Worth & Setting Your Own Standards Rather Than Seeking Validation from Others

Niklas Titgemeyer (he/him)

Sociologist and expert on AI risks, science communicator on social media

Responsible AI Use in the Workplace: Risks You Should Know About

Language of the presentation: German

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

An increasing number of people are using ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and similar tools in a professional context. Many employers now even explicitly expect a certain level of “AI fluency.” It is therefore all the more important for current and future employees to understand the risks associated with using chatbots. After all, the technology—particularly when it comes to processing information—is deeply prone to error. It invents sources, relies on data skewed by structural discrimination, and tells us exactly what we want to hear; these programs are not trained to provide accurate information, but rather to generate answers that appeal to us.

This presentation addresses the key aspects that any employee using—or planning to use—AI in the workplace should know.

SHORT VITA

Niklas Titgemeyer is a sociologist (M.A.) and keynote speaker specializing in the risks and limitations of AI language models. He previously worked in journalism. On social media, he engages in science communication regarding responsible AI usage and the risks associated with chatbots. A key focus of his work is the issue of chatbot-generated disinformation; his content reaches millions of people, and he has a combined following of over 67,000 across various platforms.

He possesses not only a practical and socio-technical understanding of the technology and its implications but is also familiar with the technical inner workings of language models—knowledge he acquired through various training courses. In his keynote speeches, he highlights where AI systems systematically fail and examines the consequences of this for society and democracy.