6th AG-Career Hub Career & Business Networking Meet-up 2026: Key Note Speaker, Panelists & Exhibitors

Dr. Seronei Chelulei Cheison  (Key Note Speaker)

Scientist & Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO Sinonin Biotech GmbH 

From Scientist to Founder: Building a Biotech Company in Germany

Many highly skilled professionals remain in employment due to uncertainty. This session challenges that mindset with a real example. If you are considering starting a business, this is the right session to attend and connect

Dr. Seronei Chelulei Cheison is a Kenyan-born scientist and entrepreneur based in Germany with over 15 years of international experience in food science and biotechnology, having lived and worked across Kenya, China, and Germany.

He holds the prestigious Venia Legendi in Food Biotechnology from the Technical University of Munich and brings over a decade of industry experience, including work in pet food innovation and protein science at Mars Petcare.

He is the founder and CEO of Sinonin Biotech GmbH, a biotech company focused on alternative protein innovations and palatability solutions for pet food applications. Working with plant, insect, and microbial proteins, the company develops sustainable and nutritious solutions for animal health and welfare.

Starting from the ground up, he grew the business into an established GmbH within just two years—driven by strategic partnerships and a deliberate reinvestment approach.

Engineer Salim Wanyande  (Key Note Speaker)

Project Engineering Manager; Siemens Energy

Relocating from Kenya to Germany: Building a Career in High Voltage Power Systems Engineering

The journey of accessing opportunities beyond Kenya is never easy. It requires commitment, preparation, resilience, adaptability, and the ability to position suitably yourself in an increasingly competitive global job market. 

Eng. Salim Wanyande is a seasoned High Voltage Power Systems Engineer with 15+ years of experience across extra High Voltage AC and High Voltage DC systems. Salim, recently relocated to Germany in July 2024, bringing a unique perspective on global professional adaptation and a passion for navigating complex, international engineering landscapes.

Salim brings a recent and relatable perspective on navigating international career opportunities and adapting to a new professional environment. He is a seasoned and passionate Power Systems Engineering professional with over 15 years of experience in extra high voltage, high voltage AC, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power systems.

Salim’s journey in High Voltage Power Systems spans from the core of Kenya’s transmission network at the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd, KETRACO to his current role with Siemens Energy GmbH, in Erlangen, Germany. His professional growth is rooted in continuous learning and a collaborative approach to solving complex technical challenges in multicultural environments.

His extensive experience spans across feasibility studies, design, construction, testing, commissioning and operations & maintenance of HV power systems.

Beyond the technical field, his journey reflects the realities many professionals face when pursuing opportunities abroad—from building an internationally competitive profile and navigating complex relocation processes to adapting professionally and culturally within the German work environment.

Katja Theuerkorn  (Key Note Speaker)

Recruiting expert  & Interview Trainer | www.katjatheuerkorn.de 

Career Growth in Germany: A German Recruiter’s Perspective on International Talent

At our events, we aim to help international talents connect with employers and professionals already working in Germany. We also create opportunities to learn directly from German recruiters about how candidates can best position themselves and remain competitive in the evolving job market.

Katja Theuerkorn, is the founder of Speak German. Get the Job and an experienced interview trainer and recruiting expert with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources in Germany. Since 2004, she has worked across industries including IT, SaaS, MedTech, automotive, e-commerce, and consulting, supporting candidates through the German hiring process.
 
After conducting thousands of interviews, Katja noticed a recurring challenge among highly qualified international professionals: many had the right skills, education, and experience, but struggled to communicate their true value during interviews in German. Not because they lacked competence, but because language barriers prevented them from expressing themselves with confidence and clarity.
 
This realization inspired her to create Speak German. Get the Job, where she helps non-native German speakers close the gap between what they know and how they present themselves in interviews. Through practical interview simulations, communication coaching, and deep insights into recruiter expectations, she empowers international professionals to present themselves clearly, confidently, and authentically.
 
Katja strongly believes that many talented professionals are overlooked not because they lack qualifications, but because they are unable to fully express their expertise during critical interview moments. Her mission is to help international talent become not only heard, but truly understood — and ultimately secure the opportunities they deserve in the German job market.

Elizabeth Osumba (Panelist)

Product Designer | Zalando SE

Beyond Borders: Building a Career in Product Design in Germany

Elizabeth is a Product Designer with a passion for creating user-centered digital experiences that solve real-world problems. Originally from Kenya, she relocated to Germany with her family three years ago after securing a full-time role at Zalando, marking a significant milestone in her global career journey.

Her professional experience reflects the growing impact of African talent on the international technology landscape. Through her work in product design, she has contributed to the development of digital products that prioritize usability, accessibility, and meaningful customer experiences while collaborating within diverse, multicultural teams.

Relocating to a new country presented both professional and personal challenges, from adapting to a different work culture to building a new life in a foreign environment. Through resilience, continuous learning, and determination, she successfully navigated this transition while advancing her career in one of Europe's leading tech ecosystems.

Today, her journey serves as an inspiring example of how skilled professionals can successfully transfer their expertise across borders, thrive in international workplaces, and create opportunities for themselves and their families on the global stage.

Hillary Bett (Panelist)

Finance & Controlling Specialist, KWS Group Germany

Beyond Borders: Building a Career in Finance in Germany

Hillary Bett holds a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Eldoret, Kenya. He was later awarded a Nasdaq OMX Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Finance at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.

After graduation, he began his European career at ExxonMobil in Accounting & Reporting, gaining valuable experience as a Financial Controller. He later joined BASF and currently works as a Finance and Controlling Specialist at KWS Group in Berlin, Germany.

Passionate about mentoring and community building, Hillary believes that helping others achieve their goals is an important part of his own journey and is committed to inspiring the next generation of professionals.

Dorris Kirui (Panelist)

Seniour ESG Manager | Co-Founder of Black Professionals in Europe

Beyond Borders: Building a Career in Sustainability in Germany  

Dorris T. Kirui is a Senior Sustainability and ESG Expert with over 13 years of experience living, studying and working across the Netherlands, France and Germany. Having built a career in sustainability and ESG while navigating the realities that many diaspora professionals across Europe will recognise — how do you build a meaningful professional life in a country that was not built for you? 

As co-founder of Black Professionals Europe, her work has been focused on amplifying voices, building networks and creating visibility for Black professionals across Europe. Dorris also co-convenes the Let's Talk Money series in partnership with Positive Circles Kenya  bringing honest conversations about financial literacy and wealth building.

Her work sits at the intersection of sustainability, career development and diaspora empowerment. At this event she will be sharing her experiences of navigating life and building a career in Europe and the lessons that came with it.

Henry Odeny (Panelist)

Warehouse Logistics Specialist | XCMG-EUROPE-GmbH

Beyond Borders: Building a Career in Logistics in Germany

Henry Odeni is a Warehouse Logistics Specialist and certified forklift operator with over 10 years of international professional experience spanning the automotive, retail, and industrial sectors. Henry's career journey reflects versatility, resilience, and the ability to grow across diverse global environments. He has worked with leading organisations including the Opel Group, Decathlon Deutschland, and XCMG, gaining hands-on experience in automotive production logistics, retail warehousing, and spare parts management both in Germany and abroad.

With an academic background in Business Administration as well as Water Engineering & Technology, he brings a rare combination of technical understanding and operational expertise. His career has taken him across multiple countries including Kenya, Japan, Singapore, Seychelles, and Germany, offering him a truly global perspective on work, culture, and professional integration.

Celine Mwaura (Panelist)

SEO & Content Professional | Fintiba GmbH

Beyond Borders: Building a Career in Marketing in Germany

Celine Mwaura is a Nairobi-born SEO and content professional based in Frankfurt am Main and like many internationals, her journey in Germany started with a student visa and a lot of figuring it out along the way. 

Celine moved to Germany to pursue her Bachelor’s degree and successfully transitioned into the German job market, a journey she knows firsthand is anything but straightforward. That personal experience has shaped both her career path and her perspective. For over four years, she has worked at a Frankfurt-based fintech company dedicated to helping internationals navigate life in Germany. In that time, she has grown from an intern to owning SEO, website content and product marketing.

Celine understands intimately what it means to build a life in Germany as an international: the hurdles, the culture shocks, and the resilience the journey demands. Having navigated that path herself, and spent years working closely with that same community at Fintiba, she brings both a personal and professional lens to a journey many in the room will recognise.

Rachael Okongo (Panel Moderator)

Teacher / School in Berlin & Mentor for International Teachers & Education Professionals

Navigating the German Education System: Real Stories from Kenyan-German Youth & Young Adults

Following her contribution to last year's panel, Rachael returns this year to moderate a panel and to bring together Kenyan-German youth and young adults who will share their personal experiences navigating the German education system. From those who arrived from Kenya to Germany as children and to those who were born and raised Germany, the panel offers an opportunity to hear authentic stories of growth, challenges, resilience, and success.

Rachael is a passionate educator and Berlin-based teacher whose personal and professional journey reflects the diverse pathways many families navigate within the German education system. Having arrived in Germany as a student in the late 1990s, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her own educational experiences and years of working with children, families, and educators from multicultural backgrounds.

With academic backgrounds in Pharmacy and Biology, her career has spanned research, education, and mentorship. Today, she works as a primary school teacher and supports international teachers and educators as they transition into the German school system.

Beyond the classroom, she is a committed advocate for educational equity and inclusion, particularly for BIPOC children and families. Through her work with schools, educators, and international institutions, she helps create spaces where diverse experiences and perspectives are valued and supported.

Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, she is passionate about empowering young people and families to better understand educational opportunities in Germany while fostering a strong sense of belonging, identity, and achievement.