1. Name
Katrin Kirsch-Brunkow
Place of birth
Berlin
Education
Graduate engineer in Communications Engineering
Controller (IHK, Industrie- und Handelskammer, the German Chamber of Industry
and Commerce)
Current Profession
Manager Business Planning and Operations
Your function in the ICV
I am member of the work group Berlin/Brandenburg. I also support the Public
Relations team of the ICV.
For how long have you been a member/an operative member?
I have been working here for 6 years.
Your ICV-team consists of (names and tasks)
You can find both teams on the ICV web site
http://www.controllerverein.com/AK_Portrait.4284.html?
http://www.controllerverein.com/Presseartikel.152197.html?
Unfortunately at this time the information is available only in German – you see,
there is still a lot of work to be done.
How many hours a day/a week/a month or a year do you spend working for the
ICV?
That’s not so easy to say, I think 2 hours a week is down to earth.
What are your main duties and responsibilities in the ICV?

2. A lot of people are working actively in the work group Berlin/Brandenburg. That is
the basis of a successful community. I often support the team preparing the next
meeting, for example. But I am also trying to use the contacts I have, especially
those to the IHK [The Chamber of Industry and Commerce], to increase the
networking.
I am new in the public relation team therefore I am trying to find my place here
as well. But I think I will focus on specific IT issues, creating content for the web-
site or dealing with modern media.
What do you like about your work for the ICV, what could you easily leave
behind?
I like the networking with people from different companies. Learning from the
others’ experience helps me find new solutions, develop myself and a lot of fun is
also inclusive.
How does the ICV benefit from you – and how do you benefit from the ICV?
I think the ICV lives from members who are active and strive for the best. This is
the benefit for the ICV.
The ICV maintained my device – lifelong learning.
In the eastern European countries there are more women in positions with
responsibility within the ICV, compared to western European ICV work groups.
Why do you think it is like that?
Because of the structure we have also in the economy, especially in the
management of companies. In western European countries it is difficult to find a
place in the executive management of a company for a woman – maybe we
should learn here from our colleagues in the eastern European countries.
What could men in the ICV learn from women in the ICV, what could a man in any
organization learn from YOU?
Seriously? Thinking around the corner. Take a little bit of creativity from us – that
would be great.
What could a man learn from me? Team working I think – I see a lot of potential
to train a man in this specific area.
If you think of the ICV: just tell us one word or one sentence or one thing you do
immediately think of!
Networking.
If the ICV would fulfill you a wish straight ahead, no matter what – what would it
be?
It would be the wish to be open for partners around the world, to exchange
opinions and to learn more about the different cultures.
Are there any other organizations related to your profession that you do support
with your active work?

3. No.
In Germany there is a dictum saying that a working woman always has to be
twice as good to achieve the same level of appreciation that a man receives for
the same performance. What do you think about it – would you agree with it?
There are a lot of differences in career between men and women. I think in the
last years we had many examples that a woman can be successful as well. Twice
as good? I do not agree with that – in a different way that would be my favorite.