We are managerberater:
Take Advantage of our Versatility
Our team has a wide range of know-how in the sector and a wide range of specialisations – which we make available to you in our joint project. We advise you personally and find individual solutions for you and the right answers to your questions. Get to know us!
The managing partners are Mario Lukié, Michael Basmann and Nikolai Förster. All three partners have worked in HR consulting for many years and know the business inside and out.
Nikolai Förster
Managing Partner
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Resident in the USA (Los Angeles) as a child • Studied psychology and business administration (formerly called a “Diploma”) • Further education: cooperative team coaching, IHK (German Chamber of Commerce) certificate course “Agile Mindsetter”, MBTI • Specialist areas: leadership development, potential and aptitude diagnostics, team development
What others say about me:
A person with the necessary degree of self-irony and humour, whose thinking and actions are directed towards understanding and results, with a pronounced sense of “fairness”.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
I grew up very close to the Alps, and hiking in the mountains still gives me a great sense of calmness and contentedness. In a big city like Cologne, any beach volleyball court gives you this influx of energy. When you're playing, it makes you feel as if you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the city on a beach (if only the sea were always nearby!). And at home? Preferably cooking (new) delicious recipes with one of our children or my wife!
Mario Lukié
Managing Partner
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Involved for 40 years now in the areas of people development, training and management diagnostics • Responsible leadership positions in these fields with large and internationally active companies - for 10 years • Several years working in the UK • Managing Director of a well-known HR consultancy • for 26 years, focusing on management diagnostics; numerous publications on this topic
What others say about me:
Eloquent and charming conversationalist, clearly structured and always looking ahead • Role model when it comes to the “classic work virtues”: punctual, disciplined, swift worker • life motto: “Fortitudine vincimus – success through perseverance”.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
On the one hand, in my kitchen and in restaurants: I enjoy good food and I’m a passionate cook myself with a tendency towards intricate cooking – I don’t eat to feel full, but for the pleasure of eating. Secondly, taking part in sport. What’s important to me: “Mens sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body”.
Michael Basmann
Managing Partner
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Vocational training as a banker • Studied for a Diploma in business administration • For about 25 years, various roles in HR management in different locations, as a consultant, manager and entrepreneur • Several qualifications and certifications, e.g. as a Scrum Master or for the Hogan and Big Five Inventory.
What others say about me:
In football, the classic “number 6”: a good overview of the game, technically savvy, robust, passes the balls and occasionally scores goals himself.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
My family are very close to my heart, as are refined food, comedy and long-distance travel. Now and then my heart beats to the rhythm of my favourite music, and that’s from 160 bpm upwards.
Maral Zandjani
Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
B.A. Business Administration; English & French • M.A. Business Psychology • Training as Systemic Coach & Change Manager • IHK certification in leading virtual teams • HR Manager at GALERIA Karstadt Kaufhof
What others say about me:
I think that the people around me would describe me as extremely warm, courteous and communicative. I am especially appreciated for my empathy and my "thinking along". Especially when it comes to problems that do not affect me personally, I still try to help and give food for thought to the best of my ability.
Where you can find me when I am not at managerberater:
Outside of my work at managerberater, you can find me on my motorbike on the nearby main roads of Cologne. On the other hand, I am enthusiastic about teaching at universities. I love to teach, especially psychological behavioural structures as well as conversation methods and techniques. In my free time, I like to go swimming so that I can literally 'immerse myself'.
Elias Küster
Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Completed dual studies in business administration at Deutsche Telekom AG • Since 2023: Studied Master of Science Innovation and Information Management at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences • Practical experience in the HR Business Partner and IoT environment • Approx. 1.5 years as HR Manager at a Telekom subsidiary • Link between HR work, consulting and IT
What others say about me:
Curious and inquisitive all-rounder with a strong affinity for IT and an interest in working with people. Always new ideas.
Where you can find me when I am not at managerberater:
Sport. More often in front of the TV than active. Nevertheless, often found in the gym, on the tennis court or football pitch. Also in front of a good book, regardless of the subject.
Isabelle Dichmann
Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
B.A. Business Psychology with focus on Personnel Psychology • Foundation & Establishment of a further education centre • Development & Implementation of seminars/workshops • Several years of experience as a manager in the service industry • IHK examiner
What others say about me:
Fun-loving and bright person who knows how to enjoy life to the fullest. Her positive attitude towards life is infectious and does not stop at any challenge. Likes to solve problems and takes care of her fellow human beings. But beware, all this only applies after her first coffee in the morning!
Where you can find me when I am not at managerberater:
You'll probably catch me gleefully eating my way through Cologne's culinary offerings. If I'm not out and about in the city, I like to spend time in my kitchen creating new recipes with my hungry friends and family. The right background music can't be missing in all of this. Although I can't sing, that doesn't stop me from doing it loudly anyway.
Fenja Adam-Förster
Team- and Project Assistant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Studied Law in Münster and Trier • GE-Fanuc, Echternach, Luxembourg: data conversion and administration • Cargolux Airlines International, Luxembourg: route planning, marketing, legal department • Key areas of focus: project management and accounting
What others say about me:
If I can believe what other people say about me, then they appreciate my big heart, my empathy and my joie de vivre. In addition, there’s my reliability, my loyalty and, when it’s called for, a huge investment in time and energy. A savvy operator, careful and sometimes even a bit “pernickety”.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
First and foremost, with my family and extended family, cooking and eating, doing sport - swimming, doing the tango, skiing - on my bike in town and in the countryside. I love music, adore listening to opera and like to go to concerts and the theatre. I like travelling to Spain, but I ‘am also fascinated by other countries and cultures.
Niclas Cronenberg
Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
B.A. in Media and Business Psychology, University of Media, Communication and Economics • Systemic Coach, DCV (German Coaching Association) certification, Institute of Coaching and Mindfulness • M.Sc. in International Human Resources Management, University of the West of England • Since 2021: Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
What others say about me:
A communicative and cheerful spreadsheet whisperer with an eye for detail. Dynamic, dedicated and restless until everything’s sorted or transferred to the next day’s to-do list.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
Either chasing after a football or sitting with an intense (and to be honest, often surprised, too) facial expression in front of an 8x8 square board, as I spend some of my free time doing team and mental sports. I also love being in nature, if possible in the form of trekking tours lasting several days.
Michelle Axer
Team- and Project Assistant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Completed vocational training in the book retail trade, Thalia Bücher GmbH • Since 2021: (part-time) studies in Media and Communication Management, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences • Key areas of focus: project and process management
What others say about me:
Flexible, communicative appointment juggler with a passion for process optimisation.
Where to find me when I’m not at managerberater:
If the weather’s nice, often outside: knee-deep in soil in the garden or out and about on my skates. If the weather’s bad: with a good book in my hand or in the auditorium of a theatre.
Project Partners
On a case-by-case basis, we reinforce our expertise and experience for certain projects with freelance consultants who share our passion for human resources and our clients’ projects with us.
Sandra Sester
HR-Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Bachelor and Master of Science in Business Psychology • Several qualifications, e.g. as a business coach, automation strategist and for Facet 5 Personality Profiling and the DIN 33430 Standard • Many years of experience as a diagnostician, consultant, coach and project manager.
What others say about me:
My customers and colleagues appreciate that I understand individual problems and find the right solution for them in the team. To do that, I open up new perspectives, create an understanding of change processes and act on a value-based basis: human, efficient, reflective and diplomatic.
Where to find me when I'm not in HR consulting:
Always on the go and ever-changing. Mostly on trips, experiencing new and extraordinary things. Otherwise, I’ll be boxing, dancing or out and about with friends and family. I only sit down if I have an exciting detective novel to read.
Albrecht Hadding
HR-Consultant
Milestones of my training and career biography:
Studied Psychology in Dresden, Marburg and Bonn • Three positions: in the public sector, a large technical service provider and with a consultancy • Subsequently, freelance in the service focus areas of management diagnostics and management development • Since 2018, project partner of managerberater.
What others say about me:
Not just “nice”, I hope, but very nice and a loyal friend, as well as a reliable colleague. I’m rightly told that I’m “sensitive”. But this could be seen in a positive light, in the context of my professional activities. 😉 And people who know me, know how to recognise and appreciate my sense of humour. What’s more, those around me know that I can prevent or at least reduce stress for everyone even in difficult and dynamic situations.
Where to find me when I’m not in HR consulting:
I’m an outdoor person, and so you’ll find me out in the forests and fields. Either accompanied by a four-legged friend or with my brothers, nephews and nieces. I like to keep moving by doing sports. Preferably where there’s a ball involved in the game. I play or have played almost every sport. Otherwise, for me, the best type of journey is a city trip to a European metropolis. I can’t deny a certain fondness for the Tuscan countryside, friendliness and cuisine.
Join our Team!
Do you like varied content and challenging tasks? Do you enjoy working with dedicated people around you and in an appreciative atmosphere? Is HR your passion? We offer you the chance to engage in a variety of ways and fulfil your potential.
We look forward to meeting you.