14. Frauen-Wirtschaftsforum - women2BUSINESS

Dear entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders, dear visionaries,

The world of work is evolving alongside us—and we are shaping it. With every decision we make.

On September 15, 2026, Competentia DUS|ME and the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Düsseldorf) invite you to the 14th Women’s Business Forum—women2BUSINESS —the networking and discussion platform for executives and decision-makers from Düsseldorf and the Mettmann district who don’t just wait for the future—they shape it. The focus is on a question that helps companies clearly position themselves in the competition for skilled workers: How do I attract and retain qualified women as skilled workers?

Under the motto“We’re shaping tomorrow’s world of work today!”, we’ll discuss two topics that are crucial right now for future-ready companies:

Focus on Corporate Culture: Retaining Female Talent More Effectively Across All Life Stages
How do we shape corporate culture, leadership, and work organization so that women remain as skilled professionals in the long term—and can grow into leadership roles? Inspiration and practical insights for everyone who views a forward-thinking corporate culture as a strategic competitive advantage.

Women. Progress. Future Skills. – Lifelong Learning as the Key to the Future
What skills do companies need to master digital transformation, demographic change, and the shortage of skilled workers—and how can lifelong learning be successfully implemented as an organizational strategy?

The keynote address will be delivered by Christina Zimmermann (Managing Partner, Schüßler-Plan). She embodies new approaches to corporate leadership: self-assured, responsible, and forward-looking—in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Guests with specialized expertise from academia, corporate management, and HR practice will provide insights, share experiences, and join the discussion—directly, practically, and on equal footing. Also featured: conversations with specialists and executives from our economic region who face similar challenges.

Over 100 participants from the region. A focused setting. Direct exchange.

We look forward to it!

The Program

Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m. Welcome:
Johanna Torkuhl (Director of Competentia Düsseldorf / Mettmann District)
Kerstin Rapp-Schwan (Vice President of the Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce)

9:10 a.m. Keynote Address: Christina Maria Zimmermann (Managing Partner of Schüßler-Plan GmbH and Managing Director of Schüßler-Plan Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH Düsseldorf)

9:35 Presentation: Prof. Dr. Anastasia Hermann (Professor of Human Resources Management at IU International University)

Coffee Break

10:00 Panel 1: Focus on Corporate Culture: Retaining Female Talent More Effectively Throughout All Life Stages

Featuring:
Dr. Andrea Hammermann (Senior Economist for Labor Economics at the Cologne Institute for Economic Research)
Prof. Dr. Anastasia Hermann (Professor of Human Resource Management at IU International University)
Mark Sethe (Managing Director / CFO at Schulz & Sohn GmbH Chemical Products, Düsseldorf)
Christina Maria Zimmermann (Managing Partner, Schüßler-Plan) 

Break and opportunity for discussion

11:30 Keynote: Dr. Jana Emontz (Managing Director of the Heine Center for Continuing Education at HHU, Düsseldorf)

11:40 a.m. Panel 2: Women. Progress. Future Skills. – Lifelong Learning as the Key to the Future

Featuring:
Güncem Campagna (Managing Director of Tech and Teach gGmbH, Düsseldorf)
Dr. Jana Emontz (Executive Director of the Heine Center for Continuing Education at HHU, Düsseldorf)
Anna-Lena Meinhardt (Director, People & Culture, BU Horizontal & Yard and BA Technology, Konecranes, Düsseldorf)
Prof. Dr. Uta Wilkens (Head of the Chair of Labor, Human Resources & Leadership at Ruhr University Bochum)

12:30 p.m. Closing, networking, and refreshments

Moderator: Franziska Hilfenhaus (Kooperative W)

The Women’s Business Forum is a joint event organized by Competentia DUS|ME and the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Düsseldorf).