Water is "my" elements

Wedi employee Vanessa Beckmann spends most of her free time in, at and with water. She is active at DLRG Emsdetten as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, and since spring 2024 also as First Chairwoman – all on a voluntary basis, of course.

Water is an integral part of Vanessa Beckmann's professional and private life. In 2016, the Emsdetten-born woman had started training as an industrial clerk at wedi. Since 2019, she has been a member of the marketing team and, for example, takes care of the company's press work. It ensures that the innovative products from Emsdetten are presented in the right light. An important message: Water cannot harm the building boards and systems of wedi.

In their free time, water has been playing a major role for a long time: Vanessa learned to swim very early at the DLRG, the German Life Rescue Society. At the age of ten, she took part in her first competition. "My Large Sister was my role model here, and I wanted to emulate her. I found that water is simply my elements," says Vanessa.

At some point, it was almost self-evident that Vanessa also taught swimming together with the other DLRG-active small children. And they still do this with great enthusiasm today – even if that means spending several hours in the swimming pool every Saturday. "It is extremely important to me that boys and girls learn to swim properly. And it's incredibly great to see how the Small ones evolve over time."

She now trains "only" twice a week after work for the competitions. These are not classic swimming competitions. This is about saving: Swimming with fins, diving obstacles, pulling dolls or harness rescuers. "As a balance to desk work, this is perfect," explains the Emsdetten. And because she still did not have enough of the topic of water, she has also been the first chairman of DLRG Emsdetten since March 2024.

Working at wedi on the one hand, volunteering at the DLRG on the other: For Vanessa Beckmann, this fits together wonderfully, even if her free time is more than well filled with swimming courses, swimming training, competitions and club work. "Rolls not only water in both areas, but also values that are important to me. For example, supporting and engaging others."