Dec 15, 2022

An Allianz X Christmas The Allianz Xers reflect on an eventful year and share how they celebrate the festive season It’s that time of the year again: Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. For many of us it’s the time to review the past year and look ahead to the next one. 2022, however, has been hard. There is war in Europe. The pandemic has retreated but still looms in the background. The global economic environment has changed radically. Tech and growth companies, in particular, have felt the consequences, as well as individuals. Inflation is at its highest level in forty years. Everything is in flux, but one thing is certain: Allianz X will continue to succeed thanks to its incredible employees, whose passion, pride, and hard work drive us and our portfolio companies to top performance. We enjoy a unique team spirit that has reached a new level, extending beyond the office walls, strengthened by the challenges we’ve faced and reinforced by our successes. That’s why we’re wrapping up the year with an article that takes a closer, more personal look at some of our colleagues. Crew Love Actually: What were their highlights in 2022? How do they celebrate the festive season? And what do they secretly wish for? Read on! What was your highlight of 2022? Stefan, Philip, and Johannes at Allianz Sports “Getting back to the office, meeting and exchanging with colleagues in-person, and celebrating together at team events.” — Stefan Wachenheim, Manager, joined 2018 Maya, Florian, Laura, Sümer, Irene, Luna, and Nane at the FinTech Germany Award (FTGA) “Reaching a big milestone at Allianz X: More than 3 billion euros of assets under management (AuM) — ten times more than only a few years ago. I am proud and happy to be part of such an exceptional growth story and looking forward to building upon it in the coming years.” — Maya Rollinger, Manager, joined 2018 Sümer, Philipp, Philip, Raffaele, Gregor, Dani, and Niklas at the Oktoberfest “Meeting this amazing team, which is so dedicated in everything it does, and being provided extensive learning opportunities within FinTech, InsurTech, and ClimateTech — topics I am very passionate about.” — Philipp Kirchhoff, Intern, joined 2022 Laura, Ben, and Maya at the Oktoberfest “Bringing the team together, for example at the Oktoberfest or our Offsite. For me, that’s the best: When it’s not just about work, but also about getting to know your colleagues better and growing closer together as a team. — Laura Roedern, Head of People & Organization, joined 2018 Nhi, Florian, Stefan, Usain Bolt, Gregor, Maya, and Sümer at the Allianz World Run finale “It’s been satisfying to see our little company become more prominent in the world by shining a spotlight on the excellent work of our colleagues.” — Gregor Wills, Head of PR & Communications, joined 2021 Johannes and his baby on a hike “I had the privilege of spending five months with my child full-time during my parental leave.” — Johannes Walder, Senior Associate, joined 2019 How do you celebrate the festive season? Raffaele, Nhi, and Filipa at the Money 20/20 conference “By going back to my sunny home country. On the 24th and 25th the whole family gets together, and there is a lot of food involved!” — Filipa Brenhas Sancho, Senior Associate, joined 2020 Carsten, Irene, Nazim, Philip, Maya, Alex, Laura, Sümer, Nane, Luna, Florian, and Gregor at the FTGA “By visiting the various Christmas markets in Munich for the first time ever.” — Luna Wang, Compliance Officer, joined 2021 Kevin (center) at the Portage Ventures & Allianz X side-event at Money 20/20 “I will celebrate Christmas in Brazil, replacing snow with sand for the first time in my life. Is it possible to build a sandman? I will find out!” — Kevin Harder, Manager, joined 2017 Philip competing at Allianz Sports “My partner is originally from Bulgaria. Her family will come to Munich for Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve, as is tradition in Bulgaria, we will cook and eat a variety of vegetarian Bulgarian dishes.” — Philip Wieland, Senior Manager, joined 2018 Do you or your family have special, interesting, or funny traditions? Nhi (center) at the signing of the simplesurance acquisition “We used to catch fish from the local river and have oven-baked fish for Christmas Eve. Otherwise, I was playing in the German chess championships every year between Christmas and New Year.” — Nhi Huynh, Senior Manager, joined 2019 Michael (left) at the Allianz X Offsite “Following an old family tradition of my paternal grandparents, we prepare Hungarian pork sausages with delicious oven baked potato slices.” — Michael Bradt, Executive Assistant to the CEO, joined 2020 Nane at the Allianz X Open Day “After the ‘Bescherung’ (sitting around the Christmas tree and giving each other gifts) we play charades, at which my grandma is always the best.” — Christiane von Truchseß, Junior Communicator, joined 2021 Catherine, Michael, Robroy, and Tamara at the Allianz X Christmas Party “My dad decorates our tree on the 24th — blasting Pink Floyd, Steppenwolf, and so on. Meanwhile, my mum and I take a stroll in the city and enjoy a delicious lunch.” — Tamara Teske, Team Assistant, joined 2021 If you could make a wish, what would it be? Oliver (right) at the Allianz X Christmas Party “That society returns to the basic values of solidarity and community instead of isolation and acting against each other.” — Oliver Schwall, Investment Controller, joined 2021 Sümer, Niklas, and Florian at the football “To bring back order again on earth, to end the wars. Ideally, in such a way that society comes to their senses and focuses on the true issues our planet is facing.” — Sümer Uysal, Senior Manager, joined 2020 Nhi and Johann in an interview on diversity “In my home country, I am used to a hot, sunny Christmas on the beach. This year, I very much look forward to a Christmas in the mountains. So, my wish is: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” — Johann Kraberger, Senior Associate, joined 2020 Michael, Oliver, and Servet at the office “We are expecting our baby girl in a couple of months. This is pretty much everything I could have wished for.” — Servet Gözel, Information Security Officer, joined 2020 Robroy and Jessica at the Oktoberfest “To have all my family from Peru, Spain, USA, and Germany at my Christmas table.” — Jessica Matos, Finance Administrator, joined 2016 On behalf of Allianz X and all our colleagues, we wish you a wonderful festive season and quality time with your loved ones!