Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Ann Cathrin Riedel is Managing Director of NExT e.V. and one of Germany's leading voices on digital government and administrative modernisation. She works at the intersection of technology, policy, and democratic resilience — with a growing focus on geopolitics and international order. At NExT, she drives impulses for a digitally capable, future-proof public administration. Previously, she led international digital policy at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and chaired LOAD e.V. — Association for Liberal Internet Policy from 2018 to 2024. From 2022 to 2024, she served on the Federal Government's Digital Advisory Council. She is a member of the Digital Council of Saxony-Anhalt and an advisor to the Centre for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG). Her academic background spans Islamic Studies (Languages, History and Cultures of the Middle East) and Political Science — her Bachelor's thesis analysed Saudi Arabia's #Women2Drive campaign as an early example of digital activism in authoritarian contexts. She is currently completing a Master's in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and the Middle East. Her expertise is regularly sought by political bodies including the German Bundestag and multiple state parliaments. She has spoken and moderated alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, former Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. She publishes and speaks on digitalisation, governance, and geopolitics — including in her award-winning newsletter Ann Cathrin's Digital Digest. Recognised as Young Leader in GovTech 2025 (Handelsblatt/Possible), Atlantik-Brücke Young Leader 2023, Capital Top 40 under 40 (Science & Society, 2020 & 2025), and awarded Gold at Women in eGovernment/Leadership 2024 and 2025.
NExT e.V. is Germany's leading network for the digitalisation and modernisation of public administration — bringing together innovative thinkers from within government to drive systemic change. Since joining as Managing Director in 2023, I have grown the organisation from a small office of 1.5 staff to a team of ten, while building a sustainable funding base and expanding our work into three clear pillars: community & network, research and advocacy. Under my leadership, NExT has grown to over 6,000 network members and published research on the value of networks in public administration and on share & reuse practices across government. We also regularly publish on topics identified as priorities by public sector practitioners themselves. I lead the organisation's strategic direction, public positioning, and its role as a convener at the intersection of practice, policy, and reform.
Advisory council to the State of Saxony-Anhalt on digital policy and transformation, appointed by Digital Minister Dr. Lydia Hüskens. Provides expert input on the state's digitalisation strategy, with a focus on administrative modernisation, digital infrastructure, and citizen-centred services.
Speaker and moderator on digital policy, government reform, and geopolitics — in German and English. Regular appearances at national and international conferences, ministries, and political forums. Past conversation partners include Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, former Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. Recurring engagements include the annual GovTalk (Initiative D21), NATO Talk (Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft), and Univention Summit.
Member of the Federal Government's advisory council monitoring the implementation of Germany's Digital Strategy. Provided expert input across ministerial digitalisation projects, with a focus on administrative modernisation and democratic accountability.