It is with deep sadness that we must say goodbye to our co-founder, boss, friend, companion, and above all, a person who shaped sagamedia for over 21 years: Iris Bettray.

Iris founded sagamedia in 2005 together with Jutta Pinzler. What began as a bold idea has grown into a company that, for many of us, is much more than just a place of work. It’s a little piece of home – a place where people come together, tell stories, develop ideas, laugh, argue, and make a difference together. And that’s exactly what Iris stood for.

She had courage, clarity, and incredible energy. She was able to make decisions and take responsibility, even when things got tough. She had her own unique way of inspiring people, challenging them, and reminding us time and again why we do what we do: because stories about people matter.

Iris didn’t just co-found sagamedia. She gave her company a sense of purpose – one shaped by curiosity, journalistic responsibility, and, above all, humanity.

But Iris wasn’t just our CEO. There was her laughter. Her directness. Her sense of humor. Her passion for people, good conversations, and life. And her ability to make us feel, even in difficult moments, that we could get through it.

We’ll miss her for a long time to come in those moments when we ask ourselves: What would Iris say now?

But perhaps that is also the most beautiful thing that can remain of a person: that their voice continues to resonate within us, their attitude continues to influence us, and that we sometimes do things the way we do them because that person showed us how.

Dear Iris,
We would have loved for you to have had much more time – for new ideas, new stories, the mountains, your family, your friends – and for us. We will miss you very much. And we will never forget you.

Thank you for everything! Your Sagamedia