D21 Initiative appoints Kaste as its new Chief Operating Officer
In a significant move to strengthen its leadership structure and further its mission, Initiative D21, Germany's largest non-profit network for the Digital Society, has announced that Stefanie Kaste will become the Chief Operating Officer (COO) starting June 2025.
Kaste, who has been a dedicated member of the Initiative D21 team since 2019, most recently served as the Deputy Managing Director. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading operational activities and managing the growing operational area of the organisation.
The appointment of Kaste as COO is part of Initiative D21's shift towards a CEO/COO model, a strategic move aimed at professionalising and strengthening the organisation's operational efficiency. This change will better equip the network to support its mission of digital transformation and progress in the digital society in Germany.
In her new role, Kaste will oversee the growing portfolio of projects at Initiative D21 and manage personnel effectively to ensure the efficient implementation of all association activities.
Stefanie Kaste's extensive experience within the organisation makes her an ideal choice for this role. Her tenure as the Deputy Managing Director has provided her with a deep understanding of Initiative D21's operations and objectives.
The new CEO/COO structure of Initiative D21 underscores its increasing importance as a network, debate forum, and visionary for digital transformation. With Kaste at the helm, the organisation is poised to continue its significant contributions to the digital society in Germany and beyond.
| Name | Stefanie Kaste | |-----------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Affiliation | Initiative D21 | | Role since June 2025 | Chief Operating Officer (COO) | | Responsibilities | Leading operational activities and managing growth | | Previous Role | Deputy Managing Director (since 2019) | | Organizational Change | Part of Initiative D21's shift to a CEO/COO model |
This leadership change aims to professionalise and strengthen the organisation’s operational efficiency to better support its mission related to digital transformation and digital society progress in Germany.
Stefanie Kaste's new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Initiative D21 defines a shift towards a CEO/COO model, aiming to bolster the organization's business efficiency and finance management. In her position, she will be responsible for leading operational activities, managing the growing operational area of the organization, overseeing the portfolio of projects, and managing personnel effectively to ensure the efficient implementation of all association activities.
