As a youngster, Carina Stöttner dreamed of two main careers: becoming either an astronaut or a writer.
From an early age, she was captivated by the concept of viewing the world from various angles: as an astronaut, to observe patterns and movements from above, or as an author, to capture the world’s complexity and subtleties in writing.
It is therefore unsurprising that at 27, she established a think tank focused on creating future scenarios for business leaders. Prior to this, she studied communication sciences and sociology, adopting unique viewpoints even during her academic years: three years before ChatGPT was introduced, she interviewed chatbots to explore how artificial intelligence might transform communication and society—a niche area she identified early as vital for the future.
She embodies three roles: scientist, entrepreneur, and communicator.
At 31, she advanced toward entrepreneurship. Confronted with global crises and societal shifts, she realized that the future demands more than solid research; today’s leaders require a fresh mindset.
Currently, Carina Stöttner supports decision-makers in transitioning from strategic to future-focused thinking and crafting visions for their organizations. Her goal is to help shape the future responsibly and proactively in a complex world. She merges analytical rigor with storytelling skills, emphasizing that the future must be envisioned, narrated, and brought to life.
Her career quickly took her into boardrooms and international projects. Holding a double master’s degree from Germany and Italy, along with experience in multiple European countries and collaboration with global teams, she has developed a strong sensitivity to intercultural communication and worldwide trends.
Today, the theme of “the future” leads her to speak on stages worldwide—delivering keynotes, participating in panels, and engaging with executives. She offers fresh insights into future planning, economic shifts, and social change.
Carina Stöttner Lecture topics
- A turning point? A societal transformation!
- The future as an opportunity: How companies can utilize forward thinking
- The future of industry: Four scenarios companies should be aware of
Keynote: A turning point? A societal transformation!
In 2022, the then chancellor introduced the term “turning point” in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, the true turning point is deeper and began much earlier. We are currently undergoing a social transformation.
Recent years have shown us a gradual loss of old certainties, diminishing trust in institutions, and weakening shared values. Generational conflicts and polarization dominate discussions. The world appears chaotic, yet what many hastily label as crisis is actually a long-overdue transformation.
In her talk, Carina Stöttner explains how this transformation can lead to a positive future. She explores which institutions require rethinking, why breaking taboos is necessary, and how artificial intelligence might help us regain something lost: authentic human emotion and unity.
Attendees of the keynote will gain:
- Confidence in facing an uncertain future
- A deeper comprehension of societal functioning
- Understanding why transformation is essential and what it might entail
- Insights into shaping future society, including companies, employees, and customers
Keynote: The future as an opportunity! How we can approach the future anew.
Fear of the unknown is natural. Yet, the future is not a threat but a realm full of opportunities. In this keynote, Carina Stöttner addresses the mental patterns that distort our view of the future, limiting our actions, and explains how to regain the power to shape it. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and foresight, she demonstrates how to shift from reactive to proactive future shaping, sharing five techniques she regularly applies with business leaders.
Rather than asking, “What could happen?”, we should ask, “What do we want to create?” – because the future is not fixed but lies within our control.
Participants in this keynote will receive:
- Inspiration to actively shape the future
- Understanding of “futures thinking” and foresight techniques
Keynote: The future of German industry and industrial work: Four scenarios for the future
German industry faces a critical juncture. Rising energy prices, geopolitical instability, disruptive technologies, and strong decarbonization demands require companies to be adaptable and forward-looking. But what will the industrial sector look like in the coming decades? What risks must be anticipated, and what opportunities can be seized?
Carina Stöttner explored these questions in a year-long research project. Through detailed analysis and collaboration with top industry experts and scientists, she developed four well-founded future scenarios. These scenarios illuminate potential developments in German industry and offer valuable guidance for decision-makers in industrial firms, suppliers, and related service providers.
In this keynote, attendees will learn:
- Which industrial sectors face pressure or growth in the scenarios, helping to identify where business model adjustments or new investments are advisable.
- How their company should strategically position itself among local production, global value chains, and technological specialization to stay competitive.
- How industrial worker requirements will evolve depending on the scenario and the implications for HR strategies and training programs.
An excerpt from her speaking engagements:
- Handelsblatt Future Conference Steel 2025, AI Summit 2024, Hydrogen Summit 2023
- Corporate and association events, including for the Otto Group, Google, EnBW, Erste Group, The Marcom Engine, Südwestmetall, and Rotary
- FIFU – Conference on the Future of Family Businesses
- First Braunschweig Digital Congress
- Berlin Women Entrepreneurs Day 2023
A testimonial from the Eberspächer Group, Senior Director Global Talent & Culture Paul Eckert:
“Carina delivered an insightful keynote on AI and the future of HR at our recent Global HR Conference ‘Shaping the Future.’ She illuminated the path forward and ignited a shared enthusiasm for positive change in our understanding of technology’s impact on human resources. Her presentation inspired our global HR community and laid the groundwork for highly productive sessions that followed. Many thanks, Carina!”
