Bertelsmann underscored its ongoing partnership with the talent network at the “2hearts New Year’s Event 2026,” held in early February at Bertelsmann Unter den Linden in Berlin. Dialogue, networking, and collaboration were at the heart of the event. Bertelsmann has been cooperating with “2hearts” since last year (see BENET report). The network primarily brings together talent from the tech sector. Members receive extensive mentoring to help them navigate cultural challenges and build successful careers. The aim of the partnership is to engage students and young professionals with international backgrounds at an early stage.
In her welcome address, Béatrice de Surmont-Harhoura, Executive Vice President Top Executives & Talent Management at Bertelsmann, described the partnership between Bertelsmann and “2hearts” as a natural fit. “We are convinced that diversity of perspectives is indispensable for creativity and progress – and therefore a cornerstone of our business success.”
Three hands-on workshops
Bertelsmann hosted the event, with the Employer Branding & Talent Attraction team supporting the partnership. Pamela Taylor, Aman Singh, Victoria Kirschberger, and Alev Ayhan organized the event and helped shape its content. In addition, numerous employees from across the Group are themselves members of “2hearts” and were available to guests as contacts throughout the event.
Three hands-on workshops took place – one led by Bertelsmann and two by members of the network. Sujay Joshy, AI Engineer at Riverty, shared insights into current developments and key future skills in the digital space under the title “AI, Data & Digital Skills.” Beyond the workshops, the accompanying mentoring program is a central element of the initiative. Representatives from various Bertelsmann divisions support young talents, founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs on their path into the European tech industry. The goal is to jointly advance innovation and sustainable growth.
Personal stories take center stage
Members of “2hearts” took the opportunity to connect with one another and with the Bertelsmann employees in attendance. Building personal networks is a key part of events like this. The conversations went beyond career opportunities, touching on identity, belonging, and perspective. On stage, participants shared personal stories. Guests also received a book as a gift: a copy of “Schwarz Rot Wir – Wie Vielfalt uns reicher macht” (Black, Red, Us – How Diversity Makes Us Richer) by Pierrot Raschdorff, Senior Director Global Corporate Responsibility at BMG. The book was published by Mosaik-Verlag, part of the Penguin Random House publishing group.
