Inspiring Careers – Insights on Female Leadership

The event marked the culmination of a month-long campaign highlighting women at Helmholtz Munich. The panelists enthralled the audience of over 150 guests with their personal insights into their career and life journeys.

Breaking Barriers: Stories of Success and Challenge

Julia Dannath (ETH Zurich) opened the event with a short opening talk on leadership, challenging traditional categorizations of feminine and masculine leadership styles.

The subsequent panel discussion featured Carolin Daniel (Helmholtz Munich), Julia Dannath (ETH Zurich), Janina Kugel (Supervisory Board Member), and Andrea Martin (IBM), who shared their personal career paths, the challenges they faced, and key lessons learned along the way. They advised all guests aspiring to a leadership role to actively seek support from mentors, coaches, and especially sponsors to advance their own, personal career path.

Carolin Daniel summed up her insights in a powerful statement: "Be yourself, follow your passion, be curious, and ask bold questions. Trust the journey, foster team growth and diverse perspectives."

Matthias Tschöp (Helmholtz Munich) had to cancel at short notice due to illness and deeply regretted it. However, in a written message, he emphasized the importance of a diverse and inclusive environment: "Diverse perspectives are a key factor for excellence and success in any field. I am personally convinced that fostering an inclusive environment is essential for groundbreaking research and cutting-edge innovation."

Exchange and Networking

Following the inspiring discussions, the event provided ample opportunity for open dialogue and networking. The participants appreciated the inspiring and honest discussion and took the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the panel guests, exchange ideas with one another, and gain valuable insights for their own professional development.

A Strong Signal for the Future

With this event, Helmholtz Munich encouraged talent to take on leadership roles while reinforcing its commitment to equal opportunities and diversity. The initiative also strengthened the dialogue between science, industry, and society.

As a research center dedicated to discovering breakthrough solutions for better health in a rapidly changing world, Helmholtz Munich is committed to fostering career opportunities and supporting the next generation of leaders.