- Verena Gründel ranks among Germany’s 100 most influential women STRIVE Magazine honors the DMEXCO Director of Brand & Communications for her formative role in the digital economy.
Cologne, October 23, 2025 – Verena Gründel, host and Director Brand & Communications at DMEXCO, has been included in STRIVE Magazine’s list of Germany’s 100 most influential women (STRIVE100). With this award, the business magazine honors women who are shaping the future of business, media, politics, and science. The selection is made by a high-caliber jury of experts, including Donata Hopfen, Fränzi Kühne, Christian Miele, Sara Nuru, Ines von Jagemann, and Dr. Nicolas von Rosty.
Verena Gründel was honored in the “Impulse Generators” category for her contribution to the advancement of the digital economy in Germany and for her work at the intersection of media and marketing technology.
“Verena Gründel took a roundabout route to the top of the digital economy, and that’s exactly what makes her influence so special,” said the STRIVE jury in its statement. Starting out as a biologist, she became a journalist, then editor-in-chief of W&V, and is now the face of DMEXCO, Europe’s leading digital marketing event with around 40,000 visitors annually.
“Since 2024, as host and director of brand & communications, she has not only shaped the program, but also the attitude of the trade fair – approachable, relevant, forward-looking. She gives the industry a voice and attitude and is indispensable for the further development of Germany as a digital location. Not least thanks to her keen sense for change, networking, and impact,” the jury explained.
“Awards like these are important because they create visibility,” says Verena Gründel. “They give women who are shaping and advancing our industry with courage and passion a platform, and they create role models who encourage others to follow their own path. I am incredibly happy to be one of the 100 most influential women in Germany.”
With STRIVE100, the magazine underscores its goal of making women in business more visible and establishing new role models. Instead of a ranking, the list presents 100 personalities who can serve as role models with their influence, creative power, and sense of responsibility. Tina Müller, CEO of Weleda AG, Lea-Sophie Cramer, co-founder of Amorelie, Maja Göpel, political economist, Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, CEO of DB Cargo, Marion Horn, editor-in-chief of BILD, and Anahita Thoms, partner at Baker McKenzie, were honored as STRIVE100.
Images from DMEXCO 2025 are available online at
https://go.dmexco.com/press-downloads-dmexco.
About DMEXCO
DMEXCO is Europe’s leading digital marketing & tech event. We are a community and a central gathering place for all key players in the digital economy and the spheres of marketing and innovation. We bring together industry leaders, marketing and media professionals, and tech pioneers in one central location to collectively set the digital agenda. DMEXCO offers a comprehensive ecosystem featuring presentations from internationally renowned speakers, exhibitions from top brands and hands-on masterclasses – all centered around digital trends and future business opportunities.
Both in Cologne and online, we set the benchmark as the go-to networking and business platform for the digital economy. At DMEXCO, decision-makers gain valuable insights, draw inspiration, make contacts and seal deals. This is where the digital business landscape of tomorrow unfolds today. The 2026 edition of the event will take place in Cologne on September 23 and 24.
The German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) – together with the online marketing association Online-Vermarkterkreis (OVK) – is the ideational and professional partner of DMEXCO and owner of the DMEXCO brand. DMEXCO is organized by Koelnmesse.
Image material on DMEXCO is available online at https://go.dmexco.com/de/press-downloads-dmexco.
Media contact
Elena Fischer
PR & Media Relations Manager DMEXCO
Email: elena.fischer@dmexco.com
Phone: +49 17612562802
