The inaugural essay competition of the German American Conference addressed the following topic question:
Germany, the United States, and the wider alliance are at a crossroads. We are entering a new era of international relationships, affecting dimensions such as global trade, defense, and security. This moment calls for a Transatlantic Transformation – a rethinking of how we collaborate, communicate, and confront global challenges together.
What are your ideas for redefining the transatlantic partnership in light of this transformation? How would you reinvigorate it for the future?
Every essay we received demonstrated insight, creativity, and real commitment to the future of transatlantic ties.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for contributing ideas, energy, and time to this dialogue. Your voices have enriched the conversation about how Germany, the United States, and their allies can navigate this new era.
While the overall quality of submissions was outstanding, the essays by the following authors stood out for their exceptional originality, clarity, and practical vision. Please join us in celebrating our finalists — the Transatlantic Thought Leaders of 2025!
Benedikt Busskamp
Benedikt is a Political Science student at the Technical University of Munich, passionate about how politics and communication shape democratic societies. After completing his voluntary military service, he gained political experience in the Bavarian State Parliament and at the press office of the “FREIE WÄHLER” (Free Voters). He is particularly interested in international relations, youth political engagement, and civic responsibility. Beyond politics, he enjoys hiking, running, and participating in Model United Nations debates.
Ceylin Demirezen
Ceylin Demirezen is a 19-year-old born and raised in Germany. At 13, she founded an anti-racism and human rights organization to amplify young voices. She later served on the Youth Council of the German-American Institute in Tübingen and deepened her political engagement as a Youth Ambassador in Berlin. She has also worked within the City Council, Youth Council, Integration Council, and other political bodies. Her focus lies on advancing diversity, social justice, and youth participation, with the goal of fostering transnational collaboration that builds more inclusive and equitable societies.
Constanza Vera Fluixá
Constanza Vera-Fluixá graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin and is now pursuing a joint Master’s degree in Global Studies and Economic History at Universität Leipzig and the London School of Economics, focusing on International Relations and Latin America.
Febin Roy
Febin is a Master in Management student at ESCP Business School, studying across London, Paris, and Berlin. He began his career in operations in Saudi Arabia before transitioning into strategy and finance roles at Henkel and Enpal in Germany. His thesis research focuses on building frameworks to assess and enhance how corporate venture capital firms invest in breakthrough startups. Recognized as a Leader of Tomorrow at the St. Gallen Symposium, his interests lie in deep tech, venture investing, and geopolitics.
Kaan Cihan Türkay
Kaan Cihan Türkay is a B.Sc. student in Business Administration at Freie Universität Berlin, specializing in Finance and Quantitative Methods, and a merit-based scholar of the state-funded Avicenna-Studienwerk. Professionally, he has gained experience through internships in M&A at Deloitte and as a Founders’ Associate at an AI startup, developing analytical skills in valuation and business development. Raised trilingually in German, English, and Turkish, he brings a transatlantic perspective shaped by diverse cultural backgrounds and seeks to shape the future at the intersection of Deep Tech and Finance.
Lea Korb
Lea is a graduate student at the University of Potsdam where she studies Military History and Security Politics. She currently works for the Strategic Foresight Team of Germany’s Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). She was a research assistant at the Global Public Policy Institute’s Strategic Foresight Issue Area and has published several pieces on foresight, defense and security topics. Lea is also a recipient of the Scholarship of the German People, a Hertog War Studies Fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, a Young Security Conference Fellow, and an OSCE Peace and Security Scholar.
Maximilian Schlenker
Maximilian Schlenker is a master’s student in International Relations and Diplomacy at Leiden University in The Hague, in cooperation with the Clingendael Institute. His academic and professional interests center on transatlantic relations, European foreign policy, and the role of international institutions in addressing global challenges. He has practical experience in political communications, public advocacy, and consultancy, and publishes analyses on international affairs. Originally from Munich, Maximilian is passionate about bridging theory and practice, and about fostering dialogue across the Atlantic on diplomacy, strategy, and governance.
Philipp Donie
Jean Philipp Donie is a bachelor’s student in IT-Systems Engineering at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam with a strong interest in the global AI race and technology policy. Beyond his studies, he serves on the Federal Committee for International Affairs of the Ring of Christian Democratic Students (RCDS), the student organization affiliated with Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and chairs its Northeast regional Political Advisory Board. He is also passionate about entrepreneurship within Berlin’s startup ecosystem, and aspires to found his own company in the future. Furthermore, he enjoys reading, chess and keeping ties with the German-Israeli-society.
Samuel Hasenpush
Samuel Hasenpusch is a Fulbright Scholar and recent graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned his Master of Science in Business Analytics. Originally from Krefeld, Germany, he now works as an Investment Associate at Henkel Ventures, focusing on innovation and startups across global markets, including the United States. During his time in the U.S., he also played for the university ice hockey team, a passion that became his deepest form of cross-cultural exchange both on and off the ice, shaping the mindset and understanding of exchange reflected in his essay.