WiBD Berlin 10-Year Anniversary: Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It.
A Decade of Purpose and Progress
The Women in Big Data Berlin chapter celebrated a milestone moment hosted at Hertie School — the 10th Anniversary of Women in Big Data Global. From the incredible sense of community and togetherness to the inspiring keynotes and ‘hallway conversations,’ the event was a true reflection of what happens when passion meets purpose.
Celebrating the Core Team
Our Berlin celebration honored both the journey of Women in Big Data and the people behind it. At the start of the event, each core team member — Katarzyna (Kasia) Stoltmann, Anita F., Aliya Boranbayeva, Yulia Tokareva, Bosun Kim, Itai Yaffe, Maria Beiner — was called to the stage by surprise to receive a round of applause and a token of appreciation. It was a moving reminder that our community thrives through the dedication and leadership of each volunteer who brings energy and care to everything they do.
Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It.
This motto truly encapsulated our 10th Anniversary Women in Big Data World Tour celebration in Berlin. Our vision at Women in Big Data Berlin is to foster an inclusive and diverse AI world, offering equal opportunities to all. The event was a testament to the empowerment of women in tech and the collective impact of our global and local networks.
We kicked off with a vibrant networking session before diving into the story of Women in Big Data’s growth — from 15 participants in 2015 to over 50 chapters and 30,000+ members globally by 2025. The Berlin chapter began its journey in Munich in 2021, inspired by the leadership of Katarzyna (Kasia) Stoltmann, Nahia Orduña , and Kendy Rannenberg.
The Future of Tech: Courage, Balance, and Change
Excellence is a team sport, and every core team member played a vital role in making this event a success. We were also joined and supported by incredible partners, speakers, and sponsors including Rosanna Sibora 🧠 ➕ ❤️, Dr Julia Stamm FRSA, Sofia Trojanowska 🇺🇦, Kira Grabner, Nina Heiler, Amy Raygada, Matthew Poet, Carolin Böke, Julia Charlotte Einsiedel Lang, Silke Kaiser, Nina Heiler, Carolin Böke, Naima Hassan and many more — all of whom shared valuable insights and their personal motivations to champion Women in Big Data Berlin – the future belongs to those who actively step up & claim their share.
“Leadership isn’t about fitting in; it’s about standing tall in your difference and walking your own path with pride.”
“The Inner Algorithm of Success”
Naima Hassan delivered a powerful talk on redefining success:
“Change it, love it, or leave it.
Not everyone needs to like your ideas — and that’s exactly how innovation starts.”
Her message connected the logic of data modeling with the deeply human process of growth and self-trust.
Connection, Curiosity, Courage
As one attendee reflected:
“Each photo from that night tells a small story: connection, curiosity, and courage. Data starts with numbers, but it becomes powerful only when combined with human stories.”
The first day concluded with a thought-provoking panel on ‘The Future of Tech,’ moderated by Dilem Kaya. The panel featured Kendy Rannenberg, Aga Swiatowa, Tim Bunkus, and Kasia Stoltmann, exploring the evolving relationship between AI, leadership, and inclusivity. The discussion emphasized that the future of technology requires balance, courage, and collaboration — and that innovation flourishes in spaces where everyone’s voice is heard. the future belongs to those who actively step up & claim their share.
“The most dangerous phrase in the language is: ‘We have always done it that way.’” – Grace Hopper. Grace Hopper’s words perfectly capture the spirit that filled the room in Berlin. She didn’t wait for permission to change things — she simply built what didn’t exist yet. At the Women in Big Data Berlin anniversary celebration, we saw that same energy come alive.
From discussions on creating psychological safety and freedom for innovation, to reflections on balance — yin and yang — between men and women, the message was clear: progress requires both courage and compassion. As one participant noted, ‘If you’re happy with yourself, you can inspire the world with your energy.’
The panel left us with three defining truths: AI is here to stay; it will shape our lives more than we expect; and, most importantly, it is on us — as humans and as a community — to shape AI with empathy, ethics, and purpose.
Innovation in Action: The Female Founders Hackathon
Day two focused on our Female Founders Hackathon, led by Maria Beiner. Participants formed 11 teams and built innovative solutions in just a few hours — turning ideas into prototypes that reflected creativity, teamwork, and purpose. Sessions on strategic networking (by Kendy and Kasia), business planning (by Gordana McNamara ✨ ), and resilience (by Naima Hassan) set the stage for a day full of collaboration and innovation. Our jury including Anastasia Barner, Tim Bunkus, Ruta Donovan.
Top Teams:
- Real or AI? — A game to help users identify AI-generated text or images.
- Equiscore — Tackling gender bias in funding.
- Hivefit — Matching mood and focus to ideal co-working spaces.
- Cakecheck — Verifying authenticity of datasets.
“Not just ideas — these teams shipped. Full products, new websites, clear stories. All in one day.”
The hackathon showed what happens when creativity meets community: women founders stepping forward, building fast, and owning their vision.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
A special thank you goes to Hertie School and the Hertie School Data Science Lab for hosting us in their inspiring venue, and to Corina Filip for beautifully capturing the two-day celebration. To everyone who contributed, attended, or supported — thank you for helping us build what’s next.
The future of tech is diverse, inclusive, and fiercely innovative — and the Women in Big Data community is at the forefront of that change. Together, we are shaping an ecosystem where women lead, collaborate, and redefine what’s possible.
“Let’s keep this network growing.”
