DE 
An Alliance Manager At The Head Of The Largest Chemical Science Network In The EU
On August 1, 2024, Dr. Tom Kinzel took over the Managing Directors of the German Chemical Society (GDCh). He succeeds Professor Dr. Wolfram Koch, who led the fortunes of the GDCh for almost 22 years and has now retired. In his new role, Kinzel intends above all to continue to breathe life into the GDCh's mission statements and to support volunteer work. As a former alliance manager, he also wants to advance the chemical community together with friendly organizations.
Before taking office, Tom Kinzel spent three months familiarizing himself with the processes in the office . However, his first contact with the GDCh was much earlier. "During my studies and my doctorate, I received travel grants from the GDCh. Without this support, I would not have been able to take the path I did and I am deeply grateful for it," recalls Kinzel. He joined the GDCh back then and has been a member for around twenty years.
Since May, Kinzel has also gotten to know the GDCh from the inside. "I have observed enormous enthusiasm for the work and a strong identification with the charitable goals of the GDCh among the employees. This, as well as the good financial situation, is one of the most important achievements of my predecessor, Professor Wolfram Koch: The GDCh is very well positioned to face the challenges of the future," Kinzel sums up. "But the office with its full-time employees is only one part of the architecture. I am also impressed by the high level of commitment with which the volunteers contribute to the functioning of the GDCh."
Kinzel already has plans for the future direction of the GDCh: "The GDCh follows four guiding principles, namely relevance in society and politics, a lively network of committed members, a globally leading society and the creation of new forms of cooperation and communication. We need to examine the extent to which the GDCh's offerings for the chemical community correspond to these guiding principles, where a lot of progress has already been made and where we are perhaps still at the beginning. I also want to take a close look at how we deal with volunteers, because only together can we create added value for the chemical community. So we want to continue to achieve a lot for the chemical community and our members!"
Tom Kinzel studied chemistry in Göttingen and received his doctorate in organic chemistry there. After a postdoc stay at MIT in the USA, he started his Career as a laboratory manager at Bayer Pharma in Wuppertal in 2011. After several professional positions, he headed the Open Innovation Centers China and Europe, which are responsible for alliances and cooperation with external partners. In 2022, Kinzel moved to Nuvisan ICB, a company that researches new active ingredients on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry. There he headed the Services department within the Life Science Chemistry division. In 2023, he also completed an EMBA at HEC Paris.
The German Chemical Society (GDCh) is one of the largest chemical science societies in the world with around 30,000 members. It promotes scientific work, research and teaching as well as the exchange and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The GDCh supports education in schools and universities as well as continuous training for work and Career.
About GdCh
With around 30,000 members from science, business and the liberal professions, the GDCh represents a large, professionally and socially relevant community. Our more than 150-year history, our global network and our high scientific and social standards form the basis for our creative work in the interest of a sustainable, livable world.
Chemistry needs respect and support. Its benefits and general importance for our modern life and sustainable development are greatly underestimated by the public. Our ambition is to change this - by giving chemistry the recognition it deserves and giving it space to develop.
