Anna Luisa Winkelmann-Durakli brings extensive experience in international project management and event coordination, with a strong focus on fostering intercultural dialogue and diplomacy. 

She has successfully connected stakeholders across Germany, the MENA region, and Eastern Europe, creating meaningful collaborations between young leaders, women, and diverse communities. 

As a seasoned moderator, she guided the Panel Discussion: "Voices of the Future: Listening to the Next Generation of Pipeliners" during the Global Women in pipeline event in Berlin focusing on giving young professionals, students, and emerging talent in the pipeline industry a voice. The key idea was not to talk about the next generation, but to listen to them and create a genuine dialogue between experienced industry leaders and future pipeliners.
 

1. Which experiences have most strongly shaped your perspective on intercultural collaboration?

Working with an international team, where everyone has a different background, personal history, and perspective on cultural etiquette, has shaped my perspective the most. Some projects were incredibly challenging and stressful to realize, but it is exactly during those moments that you learn the most about your colleagues, their ways of working, and their different approaches. In the end, it is always rewarding to see a great result despite all the challenges.

I think it is incredibly powerful to overcome prejudices by giving each other the chance to get to know one another through cultural interaction. There is no better way to build closer relationships as a team or between partner organizations than by working together on a shared project.

Sometimes, we only truly understand cultural differences when we are open enough to be patient and really listen to each other. For me, working with Arab countries, especially in the Gulf region, has meant learning to be more flexible and to put my typically German, always-planned mindset aside from time to time. At the same time, bringing structure to a project also helps to implement it successfully.

For me, working internationally means learning something new every single day.
 

2. What was your first impression of the Global Women in Pipeline event?

When I first heard about it, I was super excited because it immediately sounded like something big, even though it had only just been launched. I have been following the inspiring women who share their stories, the growing community, and the appreciation for a platform that gives women greater visibility. Global Women in Pipeline is still growing, but it is already fully living up to its potential.
 

3. What helped you successfully moderate the session despite not coming from the industry?

I prepared by familiarizing myself with the topic beforehand so that I had a basic understanding of the industry and the key issues being discussed. At the same time, I knew that moderating a conversation with young professionals required a different kind of preparation than speaking with long-established industry experts. What helped me the most was talking with the panelists in advance. Those conversations allowed me to understand their perspectives, experiences, and individual points of view. Even though I am not an expert in the industry myself, this preparation enabled me to connect their insights with the interests and needs of the young participants and guide the discussion in a meaningful way.
 

4. Why is it important for technical industries to include external perspectives?

I actually think this is important for every industry, not just technical ones. By exchanging ideas with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, experts can challenge their own way of thinking, discover new approaches, and solve problems from a different point of view. In my experience, innovation often comes from bringing together people who don’t all think alike.
 

5. Which themes from GWIP resonated most with you personally?

I think it was the exchange and the opportunity to connect with people outside of my own bubble. What I find especially inspiring is listening to the different personal stories and seeing how they resonate with so many others. Another theme that stood out to me was mentorship. Having experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge, encourage others, and support the next generation is incredibly valuable. I believe these kinds of connections and conversations are what make a community like GWIP so meaningful.
 

6. What role can platforms like GWIP play in shaping future dialogue between diplomacy, industry, and young women leaders?

Platforms like GWIP can bring together established leaders and young women leaders through mentorship and meaningful exchange. One of the aspects I value most about GWIP is its workshop format. It creates a great foundation for bringing together young professionals, students, and experienced leaders to exchange ideas, overcome challenges, and grow through the power of networking and mutual support. As young leaders take these experiences back into their own careers and organizations, they share new perspectives and ideas. In this way, companies and institutions can also learn from them, creating a dialogue that benefits everyone involved. I believe this kind of exchange is essential for building stronger connections between diplomacy, industry, and the next generation of women leaders.