Back in 2024 we reported here on „Rising Stars in Business Administration“ow, one of Germany’s most prestigious awards for young decision-makers impressively underlines this assessment: the business magazine Capital has included Prof. Dr Anne Burmeister in its list of the 40 most outstanding talents in the category “Science and Society” as part of its “Top 40 under 40”.
Furthermore, in 2025, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo) is represented among the 40 most important talents by Sylwia Bialek-Gregory, Ph.D. As Executive Manager Research & Consultingof the Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI) she makes a significant contribution to the practice-oriented expansion of the WiSo research spectrum through energy-economics-based, agenda-neutral research and analysis. Her extraordinary commitment, recognised by her inclusion in the “Top 40 Under 40,” is also an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to Sylwia Bialek-Gregory on behalf of the entire faculty.
"I am delighted to be recognized among the Top 40 under 40. I see this award as recognition of economic insights and their role in society. With economic models and analyses, we can provide a basis for decision-making in politics and business and drive forward the energy transition. I look forward to continuing this work with the EWI team and the WiSo faculty", Sylwia Bialek-Gregory, Ph.D.
According to Capital magazine, this year a total of “160 promising individuals under 40 are being recognised as ‘Top 40 under 40’” – 40 candidates in each of four categories. The editors note that the current challenges facing the younger generation of decision-makers require talent from companies, start-ups, ministries, universities, and private organisations who are actively seeking solutions in many areas and making bold decisions.
Prof. Dr Anne Burmeister, described by Wirtschaftswoche as “one of the most research-intensive business economists under 40,” has held the Chair of Organisational Behaviour at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne since 2023. Her extensive expertise in organisational behaviour is reflected in her research on knowledge transfer processes and social interactions in the workplace. Her focus on diversity and inclusion, including ageing and age-diverse workforces, places her at the centre of current developments in management strategies for evolving organisations. As an editor and editorial board member of leading journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology, she is also highly active internationally.
"I am honoured to be included in the ‘Top 40 under 40’. This recognition is not only a personal acknowledgement, but also a testament to the importance of research and engagement in organisations, strategy and collaboration for our society. It encourages me to continue promoting knowledge transfer, diversity, and innovative approaches in the workplace", Prof. Dr Anne Burmeister
Prof. Burmeister’s engagement beyond academia is demonstrated, among other things, by the recent founding of the Cologne Evidence-to-Action Lab (CEAL), which she co-directs with Prof. Dr Dirk Sliwka. CEAL aims to improve working life through experimental insights generated in collaboration with organisations.
Under the motto “Top 40 under 40,” Capital has been identifying young talent since 2007 – individuals who have already made a notable impact in politics, business, management, and society, and whose future careers are expected to be significant. The alumni network now brings together around 1,500 decision-makers. In 2025, alongside Anne Burmeister, other prominent names will be added, including Federal Minister for Housing Verena Hubertz, Pascal Redding, Hannah Herzig, Christian Hassel, Alexandra Steiger, Matthias Nießner, Balázs Nagy, and cybersecurity researcher Michael Schwarz.
We are delighted that Anne Burmeister’s dedication – from which the WiSo Faculty benefits almost daily, in line with the motto “Today’s ideas. Tomorrow’s impact” – has received this further significant recognition, and we warmly congratulate her.
