High Praise for WHU Community in Capital’s 40 Under 40

Whether they’re active in politics, management, or beyond, some of Germany’s brightest stars are still under forty years of age—and the world still has much to learn from them. Those who have made the highly anticipated 40 Under 40 lists published annually by financial magazine Capital are considered by economic experts to be some of the top performers in their respective areas and within their age bracket. 

This most recent edition features ten members of the WHU community, with Hussain Beschir, Samuel Deichmann, Johanna Heise, and Dr. Matthias Mauch making the list for “entrepreneurship”; Maximilian Eckel and Assistant Professor Julian Schenkhofer, “society”; Stefanie Jacobsen, Cornelius Menke and Dr. Malte Susen, “management”; and Verena Hubertz, “politics.”

The theme of this year’s lists is “Navigating with ‘Halt und Haltung,’” that is, leading with purpose and clear values. “This is a fantastic result for WHU, a university with comparatively few alumni,” says Professor Christian Andres, Dean of WHU. “We are particularly pleased that Capital emphasizes its commitment to recognizing young leaders who are steadfast and committed to their values—a goal we keep at the forefront at WHU. Capital’s lists clearly show that our graduates are well-rounded and play a valuable role, whether they’re active in politics, management, entrepreneurship, or are focused on our society.”

WHU Community Members in Capital’s 40 Under 40 for 2025:

Hussain Beschir (MSc 2013), Founder and CEO of Nesting Company 

Hussain Beschir completed his Master in Management at WHU in 2013 and is now an entrepreneur in the rapidly expanding ghost-kitchen sector, and founder and CEO of the Nesting Company. He founded Vertical Food (now Chefly), a cloud-kitchen platform operating several digital food brands, and previously co-founded Hellofood in the Middle East. Before entering the start-up world, he worked in strategy consulting, private equity, and the public sector. With his ventures, he has become one of the early drivers of digital food-delivery kitchens in Germany.

Samuel Deichmann (MSc 2016), Managing Director at Deichmann

Samuel Deichmann joined Deichmann SE’s six-member management board on August 1, 2020. The economist now leads as the company’s Managing Director of Digital Innovation, Investments & Corporate Development. As the son of the company’s CEO, he is continuing a family tradition that reaches back four generations. Before entering this role, Deichmann was active as a member of the company’s board of directors.

Maximilian Eckel (BSc 2015), Managing Director of the WHU Entrepreneurship Center

Maximilian Eckel earned his bachelor’s degree from WHU in 2025. After starting his own businesses and earning a master’s in science and technology studies from Maastricht University, he became the Head of Startup Coaching for RWTH Aachen’s deep-tech ecosystem. Today, he is one of the directors of the Entrepreneurship Center at WHU, which is supported by the school’s alumni community. He ensures that community members can connect and that knowledge, talent, and resources are made visible and quickly accessible. He is driven by a dedication to expanding active and equitable networks comprising students, alumni, and other partners. “This honor belongs to the whole of our WHU community,” said Eckel. “My job is to build bridges. I’m proud to represent WHU, and this recognition belongs to everyone who eagerly and readily contributes to our ecosystem.”

Johanna Heise (BSc 2021), Partner and Head of Brand & Culture at Heise

Johanna Heise, along with her two siblings, has been a shareholder in her family’s eponymously named business, which specializes in directory media as well as in public and specialized media, since 2023. After earning her bachelor’s degree from WHU and later a master’s in management from ESCP Business School, she became Head of Brand & Culture for the Heise Group’s corporate design and employer branding in May 2023. She is also CEO of the innovation program Heise Ventures and, in June 2024, was appointed Managing Director of Heise Knowledge GmbH.

Verena Hubertz (MSc 2013), Entrepreneur and Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building

Thirty-seven-year-old Verena Hubertz earned her master’s degree from WHU in 2013 and, since then, has gone on to become Germany’s Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building. Before her time in office, Hubertz had already successfully co-founded the start-up Kitchen Stories with business partner Mengting Bönsch (née Gao). She transitioned into politics in 2021 after being appointed a representative in the Bundestag for the voting district of Trier. With her post in the current German government, this SPD policymaker has had a particularly illustrious career among all the honorees. “The field in which I have the privilege of working is not an easy one. But it is essential for our country,” noted Hubertz in a statement to Capital. “I’m bringing a unique set of entrepreneurial skills to the table. It is my optimism and my outside perspective that make me who I am.”

Stefanie Jacobsen (BSc 2011), Associate Partner at Bain & Company

Stefanie Jacobsen earned her Bachelor’s degree from WHU in 2011 and is now an Associate Partner at Bain & Company in Berlin. Her work focuses on advising financial institutions on digital transformation, channel strategy, and customer-centric growth. She is also committed to developing young talent and leads the internal mentoring initiative Women@Bain. Since joining the firm in 2012, she has become a key contributor to shaping customer-driven strategies across the financial sector.

Dr. Matthias Mauch (Doctoral Program 2018), Founder and CEO of TERN Deutschland

Dr. Matthias Mauch earned his doctoral degree in economics at WHU. After continuing his studies, partially at the London School of Economics, he spent time working at the European Central Bank and the German Federal Bank, where he gained experience in financial processing and consulting. Dr. Mauch is founder and managing director of TERN Deutschland GmbH, one of the German job market’s service providers for the placement of skilled workers coming from abroad. In this role, he uses his economic experience to advise companies on creating inclusive work environments for international talent.

Cornelius Menke (BSc 2016), Partner at Sequoia Capital

Cornelius Menke completed his bachelor’s degree at WHU in 2016 and later studied at the Stockholm School of Economics and University College London. He then worked as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and in the finance department of Swedish fintech company Klarna. Since 2022, Menke has been supporting founders of European start-ups as a partner at Sequoia Capital in London.

Dr. Julian Enrik Schenkenhofer, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Families

Dr. Julian Enrik Schenkenhofer is Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Families at WHU and a member of the newly founded Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurial Families (supported by LGT Private Bank). At the school, he advances research and teaching within the fields of entrepreneurship and family business research. “Being selected as one of the Top 40 under 40 is a special recognition and a motivation for me to continue advancing our research at the WHU Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurial Families, in order to provide family businesses with sustainable impulses for their future,” he commented on the award. His research focuses on innovation and strategic renewal within such firms, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, sustainable transformation, and next-generation succession processes. He is recognized internationally as a leading scholar on hidden champions and strategies for small and mid-sized enterprises.

Dr. Malte Susen (BSc 2010), Capital Market Manager and Investor for Green Infrastructure

Dr. Malte Susen graduated from WHU as part of its 24^th bachelor cohort in 2010. After completing a master’s degree at HEC Paris, Dr. Susen earned his PhD at King’s College London and now teaches at University College London. Alongside his academic work, Dr. Susen has extensive practical experience as CFO of a European battery technology investor, as well as in capital structuring and investment strategy for energy-transition and next-generation infrastructure companies. Prior to that, he held positions at an American investment fund and in investment banking. The motto of this year’s Capital award is a particularly good fit for Malte Susen, who said: “WHU was the beginning of a path where excellence, responsibility and the desire to make an impact did not just remain values but became a mindset.” 

• Germany’s 40 Under 40 from Capital Magazine (paywall; in German)
• Click here to read about the five members of WHU’s community who were heavily featured in previous editions of the 40 Under 40.