April 23, 09:30 – 09:45 am
Opening
Carsten and Michael welcome you to the summit, outline the day ahead, and share insights on where Boehringer Ingelheim stands on its data culture journey; setting the stage for a day of learning and collaboration.
Michael Schmelmer, Vice Chairman & Member of the Board of Managing Directors | Boehringer Ingelheim
As Vice Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors, Michael Schmelmer is responsible for central corporate functions at Boehringer Ingelheim. He has been with the company since 2012. Following his tenure as CIO (2012-2017), he founded BI X in 2016, the company’s digital lab, which he continues to lead as Managing Director. In 2018, he joined the Corporate Management Board with responsibility for Finance, and from 2019 additionally for Corporate Functions (until 2024).
His areas of expertise include IT Management, Digitalization, and Cross-functional Team Leadership.
April 23, 09:45 – 10:15 am
The State of Data Culture
Dr. Carsten Bange, renowned data culture expert, provides insights into the status quo of data-driven organizations. He addresses current challenges companies face in their transformation journey and highlights opportunities for building competitive advantage through strong data cultures.
Dr. Carsten Bange, CEO & Founder | BARC
Dr. Carsten Bange is the founder and managing director of BARC. He is one of the leading experts in the successful implementation of information technology for business intelligence & data management within the framework of the transformation to data-driven companies. As a neutral market observer he has been the coach & strategy consultant for companies of the most varied industries, frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and the author of numerous industry publications and market studies.
April 23, 10:15 – 10:45 am
Keynote Discussion
Three distinct perspectives converge: the clinical lens on turning data into patient value and anchoring strategy to business outcomes, the technology view on building scalable AI platforms and analytics capabilities, and the governance angle on ensuring data quality, trust, and effective acquisition.
Discover how these perspectives align to drive real data culture transformation and what it takes to make collaboration work.
Till Eggers
Head of AI & Analytics, IT-Enterprise Data, AI & Platforms
Head of AI & Analytics, IT-Enterprise Data, AI & Platforms
Jutta Schubert
Head of Data Acquistion & Governance
Head of Data Acquistion & Governance
Feryal Tanriverdio
Head Medicine Data and AI
Head Medicine Data and AI
April 23, 11:15 – 11:45 am
Our journey to a new approach of supply chain decision making
The implementation of a Digital Supply Chain Twin for simulation and optimization.
In today’s increasingly complex and fast-paced business environment, supply chain decision-making must adapt to meet the demands of agility, resilience, and efficiency. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are working to enhance our Human Pharma Supply Chain Operations by implementing a Digital Supply Chain Twin—a virtual representation of our supply chain ecosystem designed to support simulation, optimization, and data-driven decision-making.
This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of our progress, including the challenges we have encountered, the opportunities we have identified, and our strategic approach to scaling the digital twin. By sharing our pilot experience and roadmap, we hope to contribute to the broader conversation around the potential of digital twins in supply chain decision-making. In the presentation, we will:
- Demonstrate how integrating data from multiple sources across the supply chain enables the digital supply chain twin to create a unified view of operations, supporting actionable insights and allowing for the testing of decision-making strategies in a virtual environment.
- Discuss the business potential and key benefits of the digital twin, such as improved visibility, enhanced scenario planning, and greater agility in responding to market dynamics.
- Outline the steps taken to design the pilot, emphasizing the integration of established operations research techniques with emerging AI technologies to support smarter and more autonomous decision-making.
- Share implementation insights and lessons learned from real-world deployments, focusing on critical areas such as stakeholder engagement, addressing data integration challenges, and aligning the digital twin’s capabilities with business needs.
Christian Petri, HP PS & GQ Supply Chain Management | Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Petri is acting as Head of Supply Chain Analytics at Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading pharmaceutical company based in Germany. With over 18 years of experience in supply chain management, operations, and digital transformation, he focuses on developing data-driven solutions to improve efficiency and resilience. Dr. Petri has been instrumental in initiatives such as the creation of a Digital Supply Chain Twin, which enables optimized end-to-end supply chain scenarios through advanced analytics and simulation.
Committed to fostering innovation and a data-driven culture, Dr. Petri approaches supply chain management with a focus on practical solutions and continuous improvement. At the BARC Data Culture Summit, he will share insights and best practices on the role of digital twins in transforming supply chain management.
April 23, 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
The Hidden Costs of Weak Data: Why FAIR Foundations Matter for AI
What does “AI-ready” mean for consumer? This session takes the audience on the journey of how FAIR, interoperable, and data‑centric design creates trustworthy, AI‑ready research environments. It highlights risks of fragmented data landscapes, hidden costs of weak foundations, and growing expectations for traceability from regulatory agencies. The talk highlights holistic knowledge management and connected data streams as the crucial glue across applications to enable resilient, future‑proof digital ecosystems along the research value chain.
Dr. Anna Dieckmann, Head of IT RDM Computational Biology | Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Anna Dieckmann is Head of IT RDM Computational Biology at Boehringer Ingelheim, leading a team positioned at the interface between enterprise IT and the Computational Innovation (CI) organization. Her group provides the technological foundations, platforms, and data‑enablement capabilities that empower CI and bioinformatics teams to conduct advanced computational research efficiently and sustainably. Combining modern compute infrastructure with an advanced biomedical data‑management framework and a deep understanding of AI/ML requirements, her team supports the development and operation of next‑generation scientific applications.
Anna is the originator of the Global ODM program, a critical foundation for FAIR and interoperable omics‑data practices across Boehringer.
She is deeply committed to fostering interactions across scientific, computational, and technical talent communities. With a leadership style grounded in empowerment and clarity of purpose, Anna focuses on enabling her team to excel in supporting CI’s evolving needs through reliable, scalable, and future‑ready digital capabilities. By strengthening collaborative networks and the bridge between enterprise IT and advanced computational research, she helps create an environment where innovation can thrive.
April 23, 2:30 pm
Powertalks
Join the discussion groups, workshops or presentations to network with your peers. Every Powertalk Session takes 45 Minutes plus plenty of time to continue exchanging ideas during the coffee breaks.
The True Impact of AI: Assessing AI maturity, adoption, and generated value
AI is everywhere, with teams across the organization driving pilots and integrating AI into workflows. The assumption is that we are generating value, saving costs, and increasing efficiency and revenue. But how can we measure the actual value created by AI? In this insightful Powertalk, I will share our approach to assess AI maturity at BSH Home Appliances Group, including our “AI Readiness Test.” We will discuss and exchange metrics and KPIs for measuring AI adoption and AI value in organizations. Join us to explore how to measure the true impact of AI!
Moderator: Charlotte Witte, Cluster Alliance Manager of Data & Artificial Intelligence | BSH Home Appliances Group
Business-driven AI: Preparing for responsible innovation
The Powertalk starts with a short introduction speech followed by an interactive group discussion. Key outcomes will be:
- How to Align AI with business goals and objectives
- How to measure the value of AI initiatives and report this to your C-Suite
- Ensure model explainability
- Embed fairness, transparency, and compliance into your AI lifecycle
- Establishing AI Governance through people, policies, technology, and processes to maximize data asset value and reduce risk
Speaker: Gaston Hummel, EMEA Lead Strategic Data Services | Precisely
Adding Organisational Context to Data Products for Agentic AI
Many organisations are building frameworks of interoperable data through data products, data contracts, and data marketplaces to make their data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). With the adoption of standards for data products and contracts – and their publication in data marketplaces – these assets become not only discoverable by humans, but also programmatically accessible. This creates a scalable path toward AI‑ready data and automation.
Data products provide access to high‑quality data along with essential context such as definitions, ownership, governance, and usage rules. However, this context only describes the data product itself. It does not capture the wider organisational context: how the organisation works, how decisions are made, what assumptions are baked into operations, and how value is created.
So how do we capture this institutional knowledge – our organisational memory – in a way that enriches automation and enables AI systems to act in alignment with company principles?
In this session, we will explore the key capabilities enabled by data products and invite participants to discuss (or debate!) how organisational knowledge can be modelled, shared, and applied to agentic AI systems. Attendees will work hands‑on to map data products, identify missing context layers, and design lightweight mechanisms for capturing and operationalising institutional knowledge. The session blends theory, templates, and peer coaching to help participants move from abstract data‑culture aspirations to actionable design practices.
Moderator: Noemi Moreno Fabelo, Head of Data Strategy & Architecture | Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Join this Power Talk if you need a hands-on workshop with real tools for implementing your Data culture in your company.
Moderator: Konstantin Riegel, Principal Solutions Engineer DACH | SnapLogic
Moderator: Viola Meisterling, Digital Officer | HPSG Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Are you a data changemaker? Data doesn’t change anything—people do.
Be the change!
Data alone does not change an organization—people do. In many companies, data-driven transformation initiatives fail not because of technology, but because of a lack of willingness to change and the ability to implement change. This is where the data changemaker comes in: they are the driving force that translates data into decisions, actions, and sustainable results. We show why successful data strategies need more than just tools and dashboards—namely, people who build bridges between departments, IT, and management, empower others, and lead the way. Learn how you can become a data changemaker yourself and join the discussion: What does it take for data to lead to better decisions in everyday life?
Moderator:
Lars Tams, Prokurist und Co-Leiter der Business Unit Analytics
Janine Ellner, Lead Consultant | OPITZ Consulting
New Ways of Working with AI – Practical Insights Presentation followed by an open Group discussion.
Moderator: Ali Farnoud, AI & Automation Lead | Boehringer Ingelheim
Julian Kurz, Lead Expert Generative AI | HMS Analytical Software GmbH
Powertalk 1: The True Impact of AI: Assessing AI maturity, adoption, and generated value
Charlotte Witte
Cluster Alliance Manager of Data & AI | BSH Home Appliances Group
Charlotte Sophie Witte is the Data & AI Culture Lead at BSH Home Appliances Group, where her mission is to enable teams across the company to generate business value through data, analytics, and AI. As a digital tech woman, Charlotte is passionate about driving impactful business transformation initiatives and inspiring others to embrace the potential of data and AI.
Powertalk 2: Business-driven AI: Preparing for responsible innovation
Gaston Hummel
EMEA Lead Strategic Data Services | Precisely
Gaston has over 20 years’ experience in enterprise software and has helped more than 50 organizations across insurance, banking, telecom and succeed in their digital transformation journey. He has led software solutions from their inception, through business case approval, development, sales enablement, successful launch, and 50 plus successful implementations across global enterprises including Santander and Telefonica and Vodafone. Today Gaston is a member of the Precisely Strategic Services Team and advises organisations how to become more data driven and the leading practices for successful data governance programs.
Powertalk 3: Adding Organisational Context to Data Products for Agentic AI
Noemi Moreno Fabelo
Head of Data Strategy & Architecture | Cambridge University Press & Assessment
With over two decades of experience in data engineering and business intelligence across various sectors, Noemi has transitioned from a software engineer in biotech to leadership roles in data strategy and analytics in multiple industries. Her career is distinguished by leading transformative projects and pioneering digital initiatives in multiple industry sectors, showcasing her commitment to leveraging data for strategic decision-making. Known for fostering high-performing teams, innovation, and contributing to a data-driven culture, Noemi’s career also includes co-founding Upuno Ltd, demonstrating her versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. Fluent in English and Spanish, she brings a global perspective to her work, embodying dedication to excellence and a passion for empowering organisations to harness their full potential through data.
Powertalk 4: Hands-on Workshop
Konstantin Riegel
Principal Solutions Engineer DACH | SnapLogic
Powertalk 5: Viola Meisterling
Digital Officer | HPSG Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Powertalk 6: Are you a data changemaker? Data doesn't change anything—people do.
Lars Tams
Prokurist und Co-Leiter der Business Unit Analytics
Lars Tams is an authorized signatory and co-head of the Analytics business unit at a leading IT consulting company specializing in digital transformation, custom software development, and data analytics. In his current role, Lars Tams focuses on driving market expansion and growth strategies for his business unit and effectively embedding data-driven innovation in organizations. He is convinced that data does not change anything—people do. He is passionate about empowering organizations to use data as a driver for better decisions, cultural change, and sustainable business success.
Janine Ellner
Lead Consultant
Janine Ellner works as a lead consultant for OPITZ CONSULTING in the field of BI and analytics. Her focus here is on providing comprehensive customer support. This includes analyzing requirements, providing support with technical issues, and further developing analytics systems. She is particularly interested in innovative technologies, modern analytics tools, and data culture topics.
Powertalk 7: New Ways of Working with AI
Ali Farnoud
AI & Automation Lead | Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Julian Kurz
Lead Expert Generative AI | HMS Analytical Software
Any questions? Get in contact.
