Bench to Boardroom: How Scientific Thinking Drives Global Sustainability Transformation

Bench to Boardroom Talk
Hosted by the IDM Sustainability Working Group

30 March 2026 | 10:00 - 11:00
Training Room, IDM Building

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In an era of accelerating environmental and societal challenges, sustainability has become a scientific and industrial imperative. Join us as we host the Chief Sustainability Officer of Volkswagen Group, who will explore how the Group’s regenerate+ strategy is transforming one of the world’s largest mobility companies into a nature- and society-positive enterprise. This talk aims to inspire emerging and established scientists alike to build purpose-driven careers, combining scientific rigor with entrepreneurial thinking to actively shape a sustainable and economically resilient future.

About the Speaker

Dr. Dirk Voeste joined Volkswagen Group as its Chief Sustainability Officer in April 2023. In this function he together with his team is responsible for the development and implementation for the Groups’ sustainability strategy, ESG-related topics and stakeholder relationships.

In 1994 Dirk graduated with a Ph.D. in biology from University Bonn in Germany and a M.Phil. from the Cranfield Institute of Technology in England. After his studies he was the scientist responsible for three space flight experiments in cooperation with NASA, USA. Since 1998 he has held various positions in the field of biotechnology, breeding and crop protection. Dirk joined BASF SE in 2001. Since 2012 Dirk lead BASFs corporate sustainability strategy and later on he has the responsibility as a Senior Vice President of Regulatory, Public Affairs & Sustainability for BASFs Agriculture Solutions.