Our Team
The Team, that'll get you to the next level
We see ourselves less as a company than as a team of people who help others to grow beyond themselves. Honesty and transparency are just as important to us as an open and welcoming corporate culture. We look forward to getting to know you: Hi! 👋
Experience on all levels
Dalia Das
Founder
For more than 15 years, the Hamburg native with Indian roots worked in business development for companies such as AOL Europe and the Bertelsmann Group. In the process, she repeatedly discovered that the implementation of the digital transformation depends massively on the availability of qualified employees. In recent years, she accompanied a U.S. education fund with a focus on investments in innovative education and workforce acquisition models. There, she came to appreciate the established Technology Bootcamps that successfully train career changers to become in-demand developers and Data Scientists. These bootcamps not only create more digital workers, but also more diversity in digital jobs. Without further ado, she founded in Germany; the birth of neuefische - School and Pool for Digital Talent. "Don't complain, just do it," is her motto.
Stephan Rathgeber
Managing Director & CMO
As Managing Director & CMO at neue fische and SPICED Academy, I'm driving skills transformation in Germany – with intensive tech training in AI, cybersecurity, marketing, cloud, data, and much more. Our mission: Empower talent. Make companies future-proof. Secure competitiveness.
Jerry Erbs
Head of Teaching
Concentrated experience from over 15 years of development: In permanent positions and as a freelancer, Jerry has already worked for renowned companies such as JvM Next, SinnerSchrader, Libri and XING. As a coach, participants and employers alike appreciate him because he always intersperses playful elements for a sense of achievement without losing sight of modern technologies and clean code.
Florian Weber
Head of Java and Web Development
Florian has been gathering insights into software development since 2011 and has already created many of his own projects. During his computer science studies, he was already in charge of the website of the Fraunhofer Institute and completed our Java Bootcamp himself in 2021. It all went so well that he joined us as a coach in the same year and has been inspiring new fish with his affinity for algorithmic thinking ever since.
Dominic Singaraj
Head of Cloud and Security
As a true AWS Cloud fanatic, Dominic has already managed and implemented various projects of his own over the last 20 years and has continuously developed himself in the field. Born in India, Dominic has an impressive and diverse academic background, having studied mathematics in Madras, India, and AI and data science in the US, where he worked for many years. Dominic has been teaching since his university days and as a coach at neue fische he would like to inspire interested IT newbies with the topic of his heart, AWS Cloud Computing.
Sara Maras
Head of Data Analytics
Originally from Croatia, Sara graduated from the University of Zagreb with Master's degree in Geographic Information System. In 2018, she moved to Berlin in search of new opportunities. Last year she decided to take the Data Science course and shortly after graduating, she joined Spiced as a Teaching Assistant. Now Sara is our Track Lead in Data Analytics and when she doesn't teach, she loves to dance, read, and spend time in nature.
Gábor Gaya
Head of UX/ UI
Originally from Mallorca, Gábor made the transition to UX/UI design after a decade as a professional artist, discovering his passion for education and coaching. He believes that art, UX, and coaching are all about solving compelling problems. As the department's UX/UI Track Lead, he focuses on creating the best learning experience for students of diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Drawing on over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience, his strengths lie in innovative problem-solving, strategic ideation, and collaborative debugging.
Arjun Haridas Pallath
Data Science & AI + Data Engineering Coach
Originally from India, Arjun has over seven years of combined experience in the IT, Research, and Data Science. He holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and possesses a strong background in machine learning and deep learning. His professional journey began with work as an IT consultant in India, after which he moved to Germany to complete his Master's in Electrical Engineering. Arjun's technical expertise is highlighted by his research, which focused on leveraging convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for MRI data classification and utilizing Explainable AI (XAI) to ensure transparency and trustworthiness of the models, particularly within healthcare applications. He has since been actively involved in the field for over four years as an educator, teaching both Data Science and Data Engineering. Arjun greatly enjoys mentoring and guiding aspiring data professionals.
Nubia Fantechi
AI Powered Marketing Coach
With a background in Communication Design and experience ranging from digital to print, Nubia brings a versatile creative perspective to every project. After completing the UI/UX program at SPICED Academy, she worked as a graphic designer and junior art director in creative agencies in Berlin, continuing to develop her skills and grow in the design field. She later returned to SPICED as a Teaching Assistant for the Digital Marketing & AI, opening the door to new professional experiences and further growth in the creative world.
Jan Sammeck
Digital Sales with AI Coach
With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and e-commerce, I help companies build their online sales in a data-driven and efficient way. In my work, I have developed numerous digital campaigns from the ground up – from automation and CRM integrations to conversion optimization along the entire customer journey. I have held both management positions and served as a subject matter expert. A particular focus of my work is the use of artificial intelligence in digital campaigns. I use AI tools to produce content faster and more creatively, automate campaigns, and develop brand presences entirely with AI support – including automated content and sales processes. Furthermore, I bring extensive experience in building digital sales infrastructures, such as platform relaunches, API integrations, and the implementation of web and app projects. Today, I share this knowledge as a consultant, lecturer, and author – with the goal of showing others how they can use AI effectively and practically in digital marketing and sales.
Elisabeth Buchsteiner
Head of Product and Project Management
Elisabeth, originally from Austria, has been designing learning and development processes for teams since 2019 – focusing on growth, trust, and collaboration. Her experience is a diverse mix of online marketing, business administration, product management, and digital sales. In Dublin, she had the opportunity to gain experience and support projects at large companies like Google and Pinterest. "At NeueFische, I bring my passion for coaching, creativity, and continuous learning to inspire others on their journey into the tech world." When she's not teaching, you can find her at Hyrox or in a bookstore.
We promote DiversITy: Let's work together, let's code the future! 🌈
Admissions
Marie Zahnen
Admissions Manager
Prior to neuefische, Marie did an office management apprenticeship in a management consultancy and joined their HR team afterwards. She drove the entire Data Science recruitment process and all HR management topics. Marie started with neuefische in March 2023 and she is based in Cologne. Fun Fact: Marie likes to collect rare, tropical plants.
Melina Pelzer
Admissions Manager
Originally from Lake Constance, Melanie moved for her Master M.Sc. Sociology & Social Research to Cologne. The professional path led from research to a store manager position in a café, to a sales manager position in an ice cream start-up, to freelance work for Teddy Teclebrhan and ultimately to the admissions team at neue fische. Anything but linear, but all jobs had in common that she enjoys working with people.
Stefanie Grimnitz
Admissions Assistant
With a background in Tech sales in various positions and countries, Stefanie switched career completely in 2023 and became a freelance Life Coach. Strongly believing in New Work, Stefanie joined neuefische to find a balance between Coaching & Admissions work, combining her passion in helping and supporting people.
Sarah Eßmann
Admissions Manager
After a decade in retail, most recently as a store manager, and a brief stint in the recruitment industry, where she placed IT specialists and managers, Sarah has now joined the Admissions team in Hamburg. Nerdalert: Whether roguelike, MMORPG, moba or card games - if you don't find her on the climbing wall, then on the console or PC.
Oleksandra Rashchenko
Admissions Manager
Oleksandra is a Ukrainian who lived in Ukraine and Netherlands before coming to Berlin. She prefers her close ones to call her Sasha, which is the short form of her name. Oleksandra has 5+ years of experience and started her career path by developing one well-known unique project as Project & Event Manager. Later she switched to Project Management & Operations in Tech to work on AI & IoT projects. She has a wonderful memory and attention to detail, is passionate about bio and neurosciences, and loves ballet. She is a pro lemon pie maker who cannot resist petting your dog. Oleksandra joined Spiced to help our potential students find the right career path and support their first steps.
Tiago Marques
Admissions Manager
With over 18 years of experience in graphic design and 2D animation, Tiago brings a deep creative background to everything he does. After completing the UX/UI program at SPICED Academy, he joined the Admissions team, where he now helps guide and support future students on their own journeys into tech and design.
Program Management and Career Development
Robin Liedel
Team Lead Program & Careers
Robin has been a proud part of the team since 2022. In his role as Team Lead Career Development, he oversees both new fish and the Spiced Academy, supporting our students on their journey into the dynamic world of tech careers. With a background as a sports psychologist and extensive experience in business coaching, personnel development, recruiting and career counselling, his focus is on accompanying the individual career journey of our students. His aim is to provide them with the necessary tools and confidence to successfully position themselves in the modern job market.
Franz Wilhelmy
Program Management
Before Franz joined neue fische he was working as a Coach and in the HR department in different companies. He has a bachelor’s degree in business psychology and a qualification as office clerk. Funfact: Franz loves fantasy novels. Especially The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings.
Filip Vukovic
Program Management
Filip is originally from Croatia and moved to Berlin in 2018. He has a background in content creation, education, and project management. In his free time, he writes in various genres (he's published a novel and is working on a second!) and tends to create chaos in the kitchen in search of new recipes and cooking techniques. He also loves to travel and is always looking for the next exciting destination for an over-planned and jam-packed trip.
Valeria Pizzolorusso
Program Management
Valeria was born and raised in Salerno, a city in the south of Italy. She studied Languages and Multiculturalism in Naples and after her degree she gained experience in the tourism industry. She has lived in many European countries before landing back to Germany, where she spent a semester as exchange student during her university time. She moved to Berlin to volunteer in a youth club, then she decided to further explore the education industry: that’s when she started her career at Spiced. She has a vivid passion for food, traveling and outdoor activities.
Renate Mikucevska
Career Development
Renate is a transformational coach supporting people on their individual change journeys to achieve their personal and professional goals. Originally from Latvia, Renate has always been drawn to international environments and since 2016 she lives in Berlin. With over 10 years of professional experience across public and private sectors, Renate applies her versatile skills in project management, tech recruitment and event production to her work as a trainer, facilitator and coach. Forever learning, Renate loves improvisation theater, and believes we are all born improvisers.
Olga Lavrenko
Career Development
Olga is a Learning experience designer, business skills trainer, and a qualified coach, with extensive expertise in crafting both digital and classroom training experience, managing training programs, and coaching teams and individuals.
Valeria Kopyl
Projectmanagement
Marketing
Stephan Rathgeber
Managing Director & CMO
As Managing Director & CMO at neue fische and SPICED Academy, I'm driving skills transformation in Germany – with intensive tech training in AI, cybersecurity, marketing, cloud, data, and much more. Our mission: Empower talent. Make companies future-proof. Secure competitiveness.
Kobi Cohen
Brand, Community & Events Manager
For the past 10 years, Kobi has worked in a wide variety of marketing roles: co-running a record label and clothing brand, setting up a retail marketing department for a coffee roastery, and building creative assets for startups around the world. Over the past 5 years, he’s been working in the education space, leading content marketing operations for some of Germany’s biggest educational institutions.