kh_e - wissensstadt heilbronn

Prof.in Dr.in Katharina Hölzle

„The future is created when we shape change together – with human responsibility and technological competence.“

My work

Head of the Institute for Human Factors and Technology Management IAT at the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO

My professional background

Habilitation (2011) and doctorate (2008) in economics – TU Berlin
Graduate Industrial Engineer (1998) – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Master of Business Administration (1997) – University of Georgia, USA

My statement

This statement is shared by the woman featured and offers a personal and authentic insight into the thoughts, experiences, and perspectives that shape her professional journey.

The Future & Impact theme focuses on how she envisions the future and the ways in which she strives to make a meaningful impact within her professional environment.

The following statement captures her reflections on the topic of Future & Impact:

„In the working world of the future, people work with joy, dedication and enthusiasm. Work is experienced as meaningful – as an opportunity to have an impact with spirit and energy. Skills and framework conditions enable people to create added value for themselves and others, for which they are appreciated. Technologies support, complement and take on tasks where their strengths lie. Education and learning are a natural part of a lifelong process that constantly opens up new horizons. At the IAT of the University of Stuttgart and Fraunhofer IAO, we are actively involved in shaping this vision of the future: our research, projects and events contribute to it every day in a science-based and practice-oriented way.“

Networks

Networked as a founding member and advisor of #SheTransformsIT
Initiator of the „WOMEN OF TECH CONFERENCE“
Member of scientific and economic advisory boards (including acatech, DGFP)
Technology Officer to the Minister of Economic Affairs of Baden-Württemberg

I actively contribute by strategically linking research, teaching, and knowledge transfer with societal impact. As a professor, researcher, and institute director, I develop topics and projects that empower individuals and organizations to shape innovation and transformation responsibly—from the confident use of digital technologies to the further development of new forms of collaboration in ecosystems.

A particular focus is on equality and talent development in the technology sector: I organize the annual „WOMEN OF TECH CONFERENCE“ as a platform for the visibility, networking, and exchange of women in the tech and IT industry, and as a co-founder of #SheTransformsIT, I am committed to structural changes and concrete measures to strengthen women in digitalization and IT. In addition, I support women in the IT and high-tech sectors through mentoring and the development of robust networks. Furthermore, I contribute my expertise to various committees and advisory boards, participating in strategic discussions and recommendations on innovation, transformation, and human resources. In innovation policy consulting, I work at the interface between science, business, and politics, contributing to the development of framework conditions that promote innovation and impact-oriented strategies. In academic education, I advocate for more entrepreneurial thinking and action – with the goal of systematically strengthening innovation competence, responsibility, and implementation skills.

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