Why learn alone when learning together makes you smarter? The Burda Academy is a platform for all Burda employees who want to support and help each other advance.
After a successful kick-off in Munich, the Leadership Walk has now taken place at the Offenburg location as well. The desire for in-person, offline exchange is strong – and this format demonstrates just how powerful conversations in motion can be.
“Walking and Talking” – personal exchange during a shared walk – is anything but routine for many leaders. Between meetings, decisions, and to-do lists, there’s rarely room for spontaneous encounters or peer reflection. The Catalysts Leadership Walk creates exactly that space.
During a walk through Offenburg, Burda leaders engaged in open, personal, and inspiring conversations outside their usual environment. They shared experiences, challenges, and new perspectives on leadership – strengthening not only individual reflection but also the sense of connection among leaders.
Sabine Schipke, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of MyLife, is an enthusiastic “Catalyst”:
“I’ve been with Burda for 30 years and I think it’s fantastic that we have a format like this. It fosters a wonderful sense of community. Especially during this walk, it became clear once again that others feel the same way you do. Sometimes you feel alone, even though you're not. We all face the same challenges and can find solutions together.”
Wolfgang Bohlsen, Editor-in-Chief of Mein schöner Garten, also found the conversations deeply relatable:
“I realized that we’re all in an ongoing process of transformation, and many participants are facing the same challenges as my team and I.”
The Leadership Walk ties into the Self Leadership module of the Catalysts program. It was developed by coach Andrew Bannon, business partner of renowned psychologist Jens Corssen. The aim is to empower leaders – starting with self-leadership as the foundation for leading teams effectively.
Nina Ottowitz, Head of Publishing Screens, traveled from Hamburg especially to take part in the walk:
“For me, the Catalysts program is true ‘me-time’ – stepping away from the daily routine and into reflection. In music, you need a shared rhythm for it to sound harmonious – and the same applies to teams. That’s exactly what Catalysts supports.”
The Catalysts program was developed in-house and launched in autumn 2024. So far, around 450 leaders from across all Burda units have taken part – or are currently participating. Burda Catalysts combines three key elements:
The program is led by Julia Menninga (Head of Organizational and People Development, Hubert Burda Media Holding) and Dr. Tanja Erlmaier (HR Manager Leadership Development, Hubert Burda Media Holding).
Their vision: To empower Burda leaders to practice impactful, future-oriented leadership – through a shared understanding of leadership, continuous skill development, and the building of a strong community.
👉 Learn more about our education programs and further benefits.
