Ethical Challenges of Historical Legacy with Scholar: Colinne S. Bartel a 3 Part Series

Ethical Challenges of Historical Legacy

This virtual course provides an in-depth exploration of ethical dilemmas faced by corporations during historical periods of conflict, specifically focusing on the behavior and decisions of companies in Nazi Germany. The course will examine how these historical legacies continue to influence corporate practices and ethics today. Students will engage with case studies, historical analyses, and contemporary corporate challenges, developing a nuanced understanding of leadership, ethics, and corporate responsibility.

Scholar: Colinne S. Bartel is a lecturer with a diverse background in corporate strategy, business development, and academic research. Her research interests span corporate engagement in national development, World War II, defense strategy, environmental engagement, and cultural interchange.

Ms. Bartel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Claremont Graduate School, and a dual MBA in Strategy and Finance from The Peter F. Drucker School of Management and EDHEC Business School in Nice, France. Since 2002, she has been based in Germany, where she has made significant contributions to various industries.

Her corporate career includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for a McKinsey & Company venture, overseeing a high-yield debt offering for cable television, and managing 29 acquisitions for an Advent International management team that executed one of the fastest-growing telecommunications buy-and-build projects in Europe. Currently, she is the owner of Truffle Time, a thought leadership platform that explores critical macro issues affecting the world today. Additionally, AC Innovation GmbH, where she is a key figure, acts as a marketing and business development catalyst for entrepreneurs.

Colinne’s diverse expertise and passion for sports, the arts, and cultural exchange further enrich her professional and personal endeavors.

Session 3: Management Expertise, Ethical Dilemmas, and Legacy Management: April 9th, 2025

In the final session, the focus shifts to the ethical dilemmas faced by corporate management and how these are addressed in the context of their historical legacies. The session begins with a discussion of the Nürnberg Industrial Trials, exploring the concept of justice in relation to corporate complicity in wartime atrocities. Participants will learn how companies today manage the legacy of their involvement during the Nazi era, assessing both the challenges and strategies of modern corporate communication and branding in the wake of historical scrutiny. Student presentations on companies that were operational during World War II will provide a practical application of these concepts, demonstrating how historical legacies are handled in current corporate contexts. This session culminates in a discussion on ethical leadership and the responsibility of corporations to stakeholders, encouraging students to develop strategies for navigating ethical challenges in their future careers.