Diversity Day: About career paths, identity, and diversity
19.05.2026. For Diversity Day on May 19, we want to highlight diversity where it is seen every day: in the stories of our colleagues.
One of these stories is about Amina, who works in Performance Management in Groß-Gerau. She started as an apprentice, developed her skills, pursued her degrees, took on new responsibilities, and pursued new opportunities within the company. At the same time, she decided to make an important part of her identity visible in her everyday work life by wearing her hijab.
In this interview, we’d like to learn what has driven her along her journey, what experiences have shaped her, and what message she’d like to share on Diversity Day.
“Diversity starts with authenticity. Be yourself and accept others for who they are.”
A path with many facets
Can you briefly describe how your journey at the Nagel-Group began and what steps you’ve taken since then?
After graduating from high school in 2017, I immediately started my apprenticeship at the Bochum location and began my bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, the Nagel-Group didn’t offer a dual degree program for my class, so in agreement with my apprenticeship supervisor at the time, I started a combined degree program. How I got into freight forwarding and logistics is also an interesting story. Back in 6th or 7th grade, I already said I’d like to work in logistics, without really having a clue what that actually entailed. But I’ve always admired the entire structure of the supply chain and, above all, the trucks themselves.
My absolute favorite department has always been Customer Service, and it still is today. Fortunately, my colleagues at the time also appreciated my work there, which made it possible for me to be hired in Customer Service. And not only that, but shortly after completing my apprenticeship and with my bachelor’s degree in sight, I also took on the role of deputy department manager. That was an enormous vote of confidence from the Bochum management, for which I am still very grateful today. That was one of the first major milestones in my professional career. In Bochum, I also got involved in performance management and worked on customer analyses and key performance indicators. That, too, was very educational and laid the foundation for my current position.
You’ve also taken new paths within the company. How did you experience this step, and what helped you settle into a new environment?
Yes, that’s right. In 2023, I moved to Wiesbaden for personal reasons. My branch manager in Bochum at the time put me in touch with Erik Bernknecht, the branch manager in Groß-Gerau, so I had a smooth professional transition within the Nagel-Group. In October 2023, I joined the Groß-Gerau office as department manager of the Service Network and took over a team of seven employees. Fortunately, thanks to my time in Customer Service in Bochum, I already knew some of my colleagues in Groß-Gerau through email and phone contact. That made it much easier for me to start this new chapter.
How has the Nagel-Group supported you along your career path?
That’s a great question, one I’m actually asked quite often and always enjoy answering when I talk about my career journey. I’ve always found the Nagel-Group, including all the managers who have mentored me along the way, to be very supportive and encouraging. I’ve been given a lot of trust, and I’ve been encouraged to develop my skills and have always been well supported along the way. For example, I was able to continue my part-time master’s program in Dortmund even though I was already living in Wiesbaden and working in Groß-Gerau. That was only possible because of the flexible option of remote work.
Personal Identity and Visibility
How did you decide to wear your hijab in your everyday work life? What thoughts, insecurities, or moments of encouragement have accompanied you on this journey?
For me, the decision to wear a hijab was a lengthy and very deliberate process. I had actually made the decision itself quite some time ago. I am aware that the hijab is difficult for some people to understand or is even perceived negatively. For me, however, it is the visible expression of my religious identity, something I have been living from within for a long time.
At the same time, the hijab also stands for self-determination for me, because I am making a conscious decision to wear it and to go my own way. It is an expression of my spirituality, but also of strength and resolve, precisely because it is not always the easiest path. For me, authenticity means that my inner self and my outer self are in harmony. And it shows that emancipation is multifaceted: every woman defines her own path, and this is mine.
How did the people around you react when you took this step?
Both my personal and professional circles reacted positively across the board, and I’m truly very grateful for that. So far, I haven’t had any negative experiences related to my hijab. Of course, the reactions varied, but that’s completely normal and understandable, after all, it is a visible change at first. I still remember my first day wearing a hijab at the office very well. I was nervous and had a lot on my mind: How will my colleagues react? Will the way they treat me change? Will I perhaps be reduced to just my hijab?
Ultimately, I started the day quite deliberately as usual, greeted everyone, made small talk, made myself a coffee, and went about my daily work routine as normal. I did notice the nonverbal reactions, such as a brief silence even though people had been talking quite normally just before, but I decided to approach the situation openly and without prejudice. And that was exactly the key for me: Once my colleagues realized that I hadn’t changed as a person, everything very quickly felt completely natural again. For me, this confirmed that, in the end, it’s behavior, performance, and interpersonal relationships that matter, not what you wear.
What would you like to see when it comes to dealing with visible diversity—for example, when people have questions or aren’t sure how to react?
I can only encourage people to consciously set aside their prejudices and approach diversity with an open mind. It’s crucial to make up your own mind, and the best way to do that is through honest dialogue.
My hope is that people will have the courage to reach out to one another and ask questions when something seems unfamiliar or not immediately understandable to them. As long as this is done respectfully and with appreciation, it’s absolutely fine. It usually only becomes uncomfortable when hesitation, uncertainty, or prejudices hang unspoken in the air. An open and respectful dialogue helps to avoid exactly that and foster genuine understanding.
Leadership, Team Culture, and Belonging
What does it mean for you, as a person in a leadership role, to create an environment where diverse people can find their place and grow?
For me, as a person in a leadership role, this means first and foremost creating an environment where people feel seen, respected, and valued, regardless of their background or individual life circumstances. Especially in our logistics industry, we work with a wide variety of people every day, whether they are international drivers, colleagues abroad, or our customers. Diversity here is not just a “nice-to-have,” but a real added value. Different perspectives help us think more flexibly, find solutions, and sometimes think “outside the box.”
Personal Message for Diversity Day
What advice would you give to people who are considering making an important part of their identity visible in the workplace but still feel uncertain?
I would encourage them to take the time they need to make this decision, because it’s a very personal step. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain. The important thing is to listen to your own feelings and move forward at a pace that feels right. And even though you can’t control how others react, you can control how you handle it yourself. Openness, calmness, and self-confidence are very helpful in this regard. Ultimately, it’s about being true to yourself, and that’s always a win.
What is your message to all colleagues on Diversity Day?
Diversity starts with authenticity. Be yourself and embrace others as they are.