“Ask for more, the universe is not on a budget” – under this life mantra, Bachelor student “Charlie” has developed from scratch and participated in social engagement projects that have not only earned her a scholarship to KLU, but most importantly have bettered the experiences of hundreds of people. From representing over 80,000 students in her federal parliament to building an AI app with IBM, Charlie’s drive does not stop with the words “No” or “impossible”. Learn how she’s facilitated the happiness of others with her can-do attitude, all while remaining humble and true to herself.

In this episode, Carlos Avila Gorostiaga and Ferdinand Quaye are joined by Professor Rodrigo Garrido, Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Data Science and Professor of Industrial Engineering at Universidad Diego Portales in Chile. Together, they explore how human capital is at the heart of building sustainable logistics systems. Rodrigo discusses the challenges of workforce development in South America, from mental health pressures after the pandemic to the fear of automation. He emphasizes the need for innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and closer ties between academia and industry. He also highlights how music and diverse social networks contribute to creativity, resilience, and well-being in logistics professionals.

In this episode, So-Young Kim and Katja Wiedemann talk with René Vorpahl, Change Manager at Airbus, about the future of digital logistics. With over 25 years at Airbus, René shares how digitalization is reshaping supply chains from creating digital twins of physical processes to streamlining warehouse flows and reducing waste. He explains the challenges of integrating new systems, ensuring data security, and bringing people along in the transformation. The discussion also highlights Airbus’s broader sustainability efforts, including sustainable aviation fuels, energy-efficient warehouses, and innovations like rotor-equipped cargo ships.

In this episode, MBA students Ina Litterst and Agata Florek welcome Lucy Cooper, Project Lead for Refill, and Steve Hanks, National Account Manager for Customer Partnerships at CHEP. Together, they explore how circularity is more than a buzzword – it’s the DNA of CHEP’s business model. Lucy and Steve explain how CHEP’s share-and-reuse approach reduces packaging waste, how refill pilots in UK supermarkets are pioneering scalable solutions, and why every job at CHEP is considered a sustainability role. They also share insights on company culture, innovation in pallet and container design, collaborations to reduce empty miles, and navigating legislation across markets.

In this episode, SuMO students Zakaria Nefaoui and Spencer Artman are joined by Nelson Zampieri, Lean Six Sigma Manager at Pandora, who shares his journey from a law graduate in Brazil to an operations leader in Europe. Nelson explains how Lean principles like Kaizen, PDCA, and standardization are applied in practice, why people and mindset matter more than tools, and how coaching and teaching fuel successful transformations. The discussion also highlights the challenges of engaging employees, creating lasting habits, and building momentum for continuous improvement.

In this episode, SuMO students Merry Haarder and Thomas Ponath talk with Thomas Hougaard, Senior Vice President at IFU (Investment Fund for Developing Countries), about the role of sustainable finance in accelerating the global green transition. Drawing on IFU’s portfolio and Thomas’s own experience, the conversation explores both the opportunities and challenges of impact investing in developing economies. Thomas shares concrete examples, from scaling solar power in Nigeria to reducing the carbon footprint of cement production in Ghana, illustrating how private capital can unlock solutions to systemic sustainability challenges.

His passion for logistics and sustainability is only comparable to his passion for people. Ferdinard Quaye, recent participant of KLU’s Master’s in Sustainable Management and Operations, gives us first-hand insights into sustainability practices across the world. From his homeland, Ghana, to Germany, Ferdinard looks back into his educational journey and how sustainability is met in different societies. How can we encourage green technologies? Can we be really sustainable when not all the countries comply? Find out in this episode!

Endless curiosity and fascination for exactitude. These two traits made KLU Professor Arne Heinold embark on a life of research to find the optimal solution for very complex problems. Get to know his journey from studying at KLU to teaching the next generations about AI, transportation, and operations, from Hamburg to Vietnam. See how pure mathematics, logistics, data science, and business analytics can deeply influence to make our lives easier.

Heard of love at first sight? This is more like “friendship at first talk”. Exchanging a few words was enough for David and Michael to know they had found a real soulmate, matching each other’s craziest ideas. From gaming together to becoming business partners, they have gone through it all, and have the greatest tips for a healthy relationship. Throw in the mix drones, AI, unstoppable energy, laughter, and a bit of insanity, and you've got the recipe for a lifelong and meaningful connection.

Comfort-zone free. This way can Leska and Linus be described after challenging themselves during their semester abroad. From the skyscraper fantasy of Shanghai to the flavors of Mexico City, our KLU students bring us along on this journey through their experience. Discover how they went from misunderstandings with the locals to receiving wedding invitations from them. And of course, add incredible places to your bucket list.

Inspiration has one name: TED. And KLU students Oleksandra Shvets, Paul Scharlau, and their team have dedicated a year of hard work to bring the world-renowned seal of impactful stories to our Campus and to Hamburg. Get to know how a small student club became a true task force in pursuit of knowledge beyond the classroom, gathering some of the most stimulating minds to share a piece of their exciting lives with our community.

Diversity and inclusion are not synonyms, but they are interconnected. As a manager, employee, or simply as a human being it is key to understand this connection and have the tools to integrate diverse people. How can you become more inclusive in your day-to-day life? Prof. Gazdag, our expert on the topic, gives us in this episode clear achievable steps to make this happen and create for us all a better work environment, and a more aware and respectful world.

The right attitude and a good pitch. Those tools made Alan Coronado stand out at KLU's annual Career Connect recruiting event and get hired by Sysmex, an international company specializing in medical devices. Sysmex hosted Alan for his mandatory internship. In this experience, he further developed his knowledge of sustainability, learned about the day-to-day life of a big corporation, and of course, made a lot of new contacts. Alan runs us through his experience and gives his impressions about the intern life.

As a child someone handed him a hockey stick, and his enthusiasm, abilities and hard work did the rest. Bili’s dream of being in the world’s biggest championship, the Olympics, has come true… twice! Discover in this episode not only a great athlete, but a great person, and how true effort, big ambitions, and deep humbleness lead to superb achievements.

In this last episode of The Sustainability Talks, hosted by Ilkka Kujala from our Master in Sustainable Management and Operations (SuMO), we explore the world of emission reporting and accounting for companies. Ilkka is joined by Sirkku Palmuaro, an accounting and sustainability reporting expert, who shares her extensive experience and insights into the evolving landscape of sustainability standards and legislation.

In this episode of the "Sustainability Talks" series, Jonathan Schünke and Lidija Peters from the Master in Sustainable Management and Operations (SuMO) dive into the practical aspects of achieving sustainability goals in the logistics industry. Their guest is Anders Christensen, Vice President of Logistics for Nordics at DFDS, a leading ferry and transport company based in Denmark. Anders shares insights into DFDS's ambitious sustainability strategy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

In this episode of the "Sustainability Talks" series students Jonathan Schünke and Sophie Drakopoulos of the MSc in Sustainable Management Operations (SuMO) dive into the critical topic of sustainability collaboration in the logistics industry. They are joined by Christoph Wolff, CEO of the Smart Freight Centre, a leading non-profit organization in climate action for the logistics sector. The discussion explores the importance of cross-industry collaboration to break down sustainability barriers, accelerate progress, and spread the burden of innovation.

Constantly highlighted by our students as one of the best evenings spent at KLU, this event brings the community together to learn through short films about leadership and organizational behavior. Discover in this episode everything about this fantastic event!

Traveling through Europe was a clear goal in his life and an exchange semester at KLU made this, and much more, possible for him. With the energy of a spicy habanero, Cristobal guides us in this episode through the city of Hamburg, through the classes at KLU, and through an unforgettable experience that has broken all stereotypes and changed paradigms for him. Discover his journey and let yourself dream to live your own soon!

The war in Ukraine forced her to leave her studies in Kyiv and find a safe place to continue her life. However, no army can destroy the extraordinary energy of Oleksandra and her will to grow, thrive and give back to her community. Now inside the walls of KLU Campus, she is still the extremely engaged student she already was in Ukraine, and her story of overcoming all kinds of challenges with a bold and positive attitude has conquered our hearts. Let yourself be inspired by it too!