René Schaar is a Diversity Manager at Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) in Hamburg, Germany. With more than 14 years of experience in the media industry, including eight years as a video editor, he works at the intersection of media production, representation, and structural change. He has played a key role in advancing inclusive storytelling at NDR, most notably by spearheading the creation of Elin, the first German Sesame Street Muppet with a disability. The project set a new benchmark for representation in children’s television and highlighted the impact of inclusive design in public service media. Born with a physical disability himself, René brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work.