Jobs - Career - Career Moves @ WU EA

Congratulations to Ksenia Gutman, alumna of the Global Executive MBA program (Class of 2022), who has just stepped into a new and exciting role as PR Specialist within the PR & Information Department at OPEC! Ksenia has been part of the OPEC family for nearly 13 years, where she has been contributing her expertise in the Data Services Department. Now, she is embracing a fresh challenge - bringing her passion, purpose, and dedication to the world of public relations. OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), a global leader in the oil and gas sector, aims to unify petroleum policies among Member Countries and ensure market stability. Ksenia’s move marks a powerful step toward impactful communication and engagement at the highest levels.

Big congratulations to Vera Economou, Executive MBA in Finance alumna (Class of 2016), on her exciting new role as Sustainable Solutions Group Lead at ING Wholesale Banking! Vera is on a mission to drive positive change and help ING’s CEE clients make the leap into a more sustainable future through innovative finance solutions. With over 13 years of experience at Raiffeisen Bank — most recently as ESG Group Competence Center Lead — she’s no stranger to making a lasting impact in the sustainability space. Furthermore, Vera is also party of the Sustainability Advisory Board at the Qorus Sustainability & Regulation Community Advisory Committee, tackling also there sustainability-related topics.

Congratulations to Daniel Tudose, alumnus of the Bucharest Executive MBA (Class of 2019), on his new role as Country Manager Romania at Ericsson! Daniel has been an integral part of Ericsson for over 16 years, taking on impactful roles both in Romania and abroad. His past positions include Head of Operations, Head of Digital Services, and Advisory Board Member. Now, he steps confidently into this exciting leadership position — and we’re certain he’ll thrive in it! Over the years, Daniel has built a wealth of experience within the company, positioning him perfectly to take on this new challenge. Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks connect billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, they’ve pioneered communication technology, delivering mobile and connectivity solutions that empower service providers and enterprises alike.

Big congratulations to Sebastian Popescu, alumnus of the Bucharest Executive MBA (Class of 2019), on his exciting new role as Partner at EY Parthenon leading the Grants and Incentives Advisory practice! After an impressive 15-year journey at Noerr — where he held roles as Senior Financial Advisor, Counsel, and Associated Partner — Sebastian has now taken a bold step forward in his career. His move to EY comes after deep reflection, soul-searching, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact while continuing to grow and evolve. Sebastian shared: "I am confident that my MBA from WU, which I completed from 2019 to 2021, was instrumental in equipping me with the skills and insights necessary for this career advancement. The strategic knowledge gained during the program has been pivotal in preparing me for this leadership role and driving my professional growth."

Big congratulations to Wolfram Kroiss, GEMBA Alumnus (Class of 2008), on his exciting new role as Senior Project Manager at Tietoevry in Vienna, Austria! Tietoevry’s mission is to develop purposeful technologies that will help pave the way to a more sustainable future. They offer cutting-edge services in cloud & app development, energy management, data, AI, analytics, and much more, combining global expertise with local presence, serving clients in over 90 countries worldwide! Before this, Wolfram was working at Deloitte, focusing on project management and the insurance industry, gaining valuable experience that will no doubt support him in this new chapter.

Congratulations to Georg Hadl, GEMBA alumnus (Class of 2019), on his exciting new role as Managing Director at SEGULA Technologies in Vienna, Austria! SEGULA is a leading engineering powerhouse with innovation at the heart of its strategy, driving competitiveness across major sectors like automotive, aerospace, energy, rail, naval, life sciences, and telecoms! In his new role, Georg will be leading the Austrian and Hungarian business units, focusing on business development, leadership, and portfolio diversification – talk about an exciting challenge! Prior to this, Georg made an incredible impact at Andritz as Director of Business Development, where he gained invaluable experience that will undoubtedly fuel his success in this next chapter. Wishing Georg all the best as he embarks on this amazing journey!

Congratulations to Calin Purice, alumnus of the Global Executive MBA (Class of 2019) and valued member of the WU Executive Academy International Advisory Board, on his new role as COO at ITech Consulting GmbH! Before stepping into this exciting new chapter, Calin spent an impressive 9 years at Serrala, a leading software development company, where he held a variety of managerial roles — from Project Management to Senior Leadership. His dedication, vision, and experience have clearly paved the way for this next big milestone. Now, as COO of ITech Consulting GmbH, Calin will lead a company that specializes in SAP Treasury solutions — with a focus on Cash Management, Payment Transactions, In-House Banking, Treasury Management, and Reporting. Their expertise supports businesses in implementing innovative and efficient financial systems.

We’re proud to share that René Hütter, alumnus of the Executive MBA in Marketing & Sales (Class of 2021), has been promoted to Vice President Automotive at Seoul Semiconductor. In this new role, René will continue to shape the company’s growth in the automotive sector, driving strategic development and customer success across key global markets. Over the past three years, he served as General Manager Automotive, making a strong impact and helping position Seoul Semiconductor as a key player in the LED industry. Seoul Semiconductor is the world’s third-largest LED manufacturer, with over 18,000 patents and a broad portfolio of cutting-edge technologies used across automotive, general lighting, and backlighting applications. Photo: photopam

Congratulations to Thomas Haslinger, a proud student of the EMBA Health Care Management (class of 2023), on his new role as Market Access and Government Affairs Director at Bristol Myers Squibb! With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Thomas has held several key leadership positions, including General Secretary of the FOPI Pharmaceutical Association, Senior Market Access Manager at AbbVie, and Market Access Director at Novo Nordisk Pharma. His international expertise, including his time in Brussels as Head of the Austrian Pharmacists' Liaison Office, makes him a true leader in the field. In his new role, Thomas will be responsible for Market Access, Pricing & Reimbursement, Field Access, Health Economics, and Governmental Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company. Photo: BMS/Lukas Lorenz

Congratulations to Marinko Rade, GEMBA alumnus (Class of 2019), on his exciting new role as Associate Professor – Spine Research at Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) in Finland! Marinko has been an integral part of KUH for nearly 14 years. In his previous role as Research Advisor, he led over €2 million worth of EU-funded projects focused on regenerating intervertebral discs using memory-depleted stem cells. Beyond his groundbreaking research, Marinko has been a dedicated mentor to PhD students, earned international scientific awards, and became the youngest recipient of the prestigious National Award for Science from the Croatian Parliament — a testament to his exceptional contributions to the field. What sets Marinko apart is his remarkable ability to lead cutting-edge research in Finland while simultaneously serving as CEO of the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital Martin Horvat in Croatia for over 11 years. This demanding dual role is a true testament to his organizational skills, commitment, and strategic leadership—skills he honed and applied during his GEMBA journey at WU Vienna, blending clinical excellence with business acumen. KUH is renowned for its world-class specialized healthcare in the North Savo region, and with Marinko’s deep expertise and visionary approach, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to make a lasting impact in the field of spine research. Photo: gianmariagava/forbesdach

A huge congratulations to Mihail Serafim, a proud student of the Executive MBA Bucharest (class of 2024), on his new role as Principal Software Manager at Microsoft in Bucharest, Romania! Mihail has shown exceptional dedication, taking on even more responsibility after his successful tenure as Senior Software Manager at Microsoft. All of this while balancing the challenges of completing his MBA! Before joining Microsoft, Mihail spent 4 years at GoPro, where his latest role was Software Engineering Manager. His journey has been nothing short of impressive! Pic by Mihai Ciobanu

Congratulations to Ryan Hines, an esteemed alumnus of the Executive MBA Marketing & Sales (class of 2020), on his new role as Digital Marketing & PR Manager at DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health! Ryan has been an incredible asset to the company, and after serving as Media Manager, he’s now taking on even more responsibility and preparing for a journey full of exciting learning and challenges! DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health is on a mission to help the animal farming industry feed our growing population more sustainably. Their farm-to-fork solutions help farmers reduce environmental impact, improve animal performance and welfare, and secure sustainable livelihoods—all while putting high-quality, nutritious, and safe animal protein on our plates!

Congratulation to Daniel Thomas, a proud alumnus of the GEMBA class of 2019, for his exciting new role as Head of Sales - Key Accounts - at Allane Fleet! Allane Fleet is a leader in B2B fleet full-service leasing, helping to make mobility seamless for its customers, and Daniel will no doubt bring his extensive expertise to the role. Before stepping into this new position, Daniel honed his skills at Allane Mobility Consulting GmbH as Strategy Business Manager and Head of Corporate Mobility Solutions Sales, where he made significant contributions to the field. Daniel’s background also includes nearly twentyfive years in banking at Unicredit, giving him a well-rounded skill set that blends strategic thinking with deep industry knowledge. And let's not forget his incredible support for the WU Executive Club Community. As a member of the International Advisory Board, Daniel is instrumental in providing strategic advice, managing community projects, and ensuring quality management across our international network. Daniel, your achievements are an inspiration, and we wish you continued success in this new chapter. The future of mobility is in great hands with you at the helm at Allane Fleet!

Congratulations to David Fischanger, a student of our Executive MBA in Digital Transformation & Data Science (Class of 2023) , on his new role as Senior Consulting Sales Executive at Oracle! This exciting career milestone comes after David’s successful tenure at several renowned software and technology companies, including Dell Technologies, Gameloft and Ubisoft. Throughout his career, David has demonstrated a keen expertise, amongst many more, in driving digital transformation, fostering strategic partnerships, building innovative business segments. His deep understanding of the technology landscape, including AI, coupled with his exceptional leadership and advisory skills, position him for continued success in his new role. We are very proud of David’s achievements and look forward to seeing his ongoing impact in the world of technology and digital solutions. Congratulations once again, and best of luck on this next chapter of your career!

Zagorka Bozhinovska, a graduate of our MBA in Digital Transformation & Data Science program (class of 2021), has recently advanced her career by stepping into the role of Product Owner at Deutsche Bank in Germany, as of July 23, 2024. Zagorka has been with Deutsche Bank, where she previously served as Lead Business Functional Analyst. In this role, she demonstrated exceptional analytical skills and a deep understanding of business functions, contributing significantly to the bank's strategic projects. Her promotion to Product Owner is a testament to her expertise and her ability to drive digital transformation initiatives within the organization. Congratulations, Zagorka, on this well-deserved promotion! We wish you continued success in your new role at Deutsche Bank.

Congratulations to Martin Nikolov, alumnus of our Professional Executive MBA Bucharest Program (class of 2021), on his new role as Director of Branch Network at First Investment Bank, Bulgaria, starting this year! With his exceptional expertise in strategic leadership, innovative financial solutions, operational excellence, and enhancing customer experiences, Martin is poised to make a significant impact on the bank's growth and success in his new position. Having spent 15 years in the banking industry, Martin has gained invaluable knowledge and honed his skills, becoming a true expert in the world of banking. We wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter of his career!

We are thrilled to announce that Michael Großegger, a student in our Executive MBA Digital Transformation & Data Science (class of 2024), has taken on the role of COO at Energy Services! Energy Services provides cutting-edge SaaS solutions from a powerful, certified data center, and with Michael’s expertise, we’re excited to see them reach new heights! Before joining Energy Services, Michael was the Customer Director at Netconomy, where he honed his skills in digitalization strategies, client acquisition, and leading international, cross-functional teams to innovate and drive digital transformation. These skills will be invaluable as Michael leads Energy Services toward continued growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Congratulations once again, Michael! We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter.

Congratulations to Eva Pavelka, alumna of the MBA program in Health Care Management (class of 2019), on her exciting new role as Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Oberpullendorf Hospital in Burgenland, Austria! Eva is committed to making a real impact, with one of her top priorities being the certification of the hospital as a "Baby-Friendly Hospital" by 2025. Staff training will ensure the best possible breastfeeding support, and upcoming renovations—including the creation of family rooms—will enhance the experience for expectant parents. For Eva, respectful communication with patients, families, and her team is key to success. Before stepping into this role, she dedicated 24 years of service at University Hospital Wiener Neustadt, where she worked as a senior physician in the gynecology department. Her impressive training journey has taken her from Nepal to China to Australia, enriching her expertise across the globe. Wishing you all the best, Eva, as you take on this inspiring leadership role!

Congratulations to Thomas Wagner, alumnus of our Global Executive MBA program (Class of 2020), on his new role as Chief Technology Officer at Speech Processing Solutions! Before stepping into this exciting position, Thomas accumulated over 20 years of experience in software development, product management, and digital transformation. His career journey includes leadership roles where he focused on driving innovation and integrating cutting-edge technologies. At Speech Processing Solutions, Thomas will oversee the development of innovative hardware and cloud software solutions, with a particular focus on leveraging AI technologies to further maintain the Philips Dictation brand's position as a global leader in speech technology. Congratulations, Thomas, we look forward to seeing the impact you’ll make at Speech Processing Solutions!

Congratulations to Marilena Ignat, alumna of our EMBA Bucharest program (Class of 2020), on her new role as Manager IT Special Projects at Red Bull Austria! Before stepping into this exciting position, Marilena was an Executive Partner at FlowX.AI, where she helped drive AI-driven software for banking modernization. Prior to that, she worked at BCR, one of Romania's leading banks, honing her skills in governance, project management, and change leadership. Red Bull, known for its innovation and energy in every field, will surely benefit from Marilena’s expertise in leading complex projects and driving impactful change. Congratulations, Marilena, on this remarkable career move! We are excited to see all the great things you will accomplish in this new chapter!

Congratulations to Modhar Abdulfattah, alumnus of our Executive MBA Marketing & Sales (Class of 2022), on his new role as Business Development Manager at Hikvision! Before stepping into this exciting position, Modhar gained invaluable experience at Huawei Technologies, where he deepened his expertise in the tech industry. He then spent more than five years at Schneider Electric, where for the final two years he was a Sales Expert for the Secure Power Business Unit, further enhancing his already impressive expertise in sales and service. Hikvision, a trailblazer in machine perception, AI, and big data, is leading the way in AIoT, transforming industries with innovative technologies. Modhar’s wealth of experience makes him the perfect fit to drive forward Hikvision’s mission of shaping the future of technology. Congratulations, Modhar, on this amazing career milestone! We’re confident that you’ll continue to make impactful contributions to the tech world and beyond.

A huge congratulations to Cedomir Pusica, alumnus of the Executive MBA Marketing & Sales program (Class of 2020) and current Vice-President of the International Advisory Board, on founding his own Italian products retailer, Amalphis! After almost 20 years in the language, copywriting, and translation business, Cedomir has taken an exciting leap into a new adventure, bringing the best of Italy—especially the beautiful southern regions—to the world. Amalphis offers top-quality Italian products like olive oil, wine, cheese, and coffee to both businesses and consumers. Amalphis isn’t just about great products; it’s about sharing the Italian way of life, culture, and traditions. Congratulations again, Cedomir, on this "tasty" new venture!

Congratulations to Leonel Oliveira! We are thrilled to celebrate his new role of our GEMBA alumnus (class of 2014) as Business Development Manager at Hitachi Energy! Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future, and it's exciting to see him join a company dedicated to making the world’s energy system more sustainable, flexible, and secure. With over 22 years of experience in in engineering, manufacturing, and services for large infrastructure projects and equipment in the energy sector, Leonel has developed a deep expertise in innovative solutions and a strong understanding of the energy sector. His experience will undoubtedly be invaluable in his new position. Wishing him continued success as he embarks on this exciting new chapter with Hitachi Energy!

Congratulations to Iulia Malis, alumna of the EMBA Bucharest (Class of 2022), on her new position as Head of Legal & Compliance at Kanal D, a leading force in Romania’s media landscape, renowned for connecting audiences to relevant information and quality entertainment through a complex media package. Iulia’s impressive career journey includes her recent role as Legal Counsel IIS & ROU at Ipsos, a global leader in market research and public opinion, where she led internal processes and enhanced workflows to support the company’s comprehensive data-driven services over two and a half years. Prior to that, she was part of the team at MedLife SA, Romania’s largest private healthcare provider, where she contributed to the takeover and post-integration of over 40 acquisitions and actively participated in the company’s corporate governance as a publicly listed entity on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. This exciting new chapter at Kanal D is a testament to Iulia’s dedication and talent. We are confident that she will continue to achieve great success in her new role. Congratulations, Iulia, and best of luck in this exciting endeavor!

Congratulations to Alexander Blazhev, alumnus of our EMBA Bucharest program (Class of 2016), on his new role as Managing Director at Aurubis Middle East DMCC, a newly formed entity of Aurubis AG! In this position, Alexander is leading efforts to expand market presence, explore new recycling opportunities, and build sustainable partnerships in the MENA region. Prior to this, Alexander served as Commercial Director at the same company. Aurubis AG is a globally leading provider of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. Sustainability is at the core of Aurubis’ strategy. Guided by the principle “Aurubis responsibly transforms raw materials into value”, the company integrates sustainability into its corporate culture through the responsible use of natural resources, social and ecological accountability in daily operations, and a focus on healthy, sustainable growth. Best wishes to Alexander in this exciting new chapter, contributing to sustainability and innovation!

Congratulations to Alexander Hoopenrath, student of our GEMBA program (Class of 2024), on his new position as Head of Sales & Marketing at MBIT Solutions GMBH! Before stepping into this role, Alexander led the CE sales department at Western Union, a company renowned for making financial services accessible to people around the world. Between these two significant milestones, he made the courageous decision to take a career break to focus on his mental health and well-being—a choice we fully support and commend as an opportunity to reset, prioritize personal needs, and recharge for new challenges. For more than 20 years, MBIT Solutions GMBH has been delivering tailored digital solutions to meet complex business demands. Specializing in mission-critical websites, customer portals, and web applications, the company is known for creating robust platforms that prioritize security, scalability, and efficiency. Congratulations, Alexander, on your courage and ambition in taking on this exciting new role while pursuing the demanding journey of your MBA studies. We are confident that you will excel in both!

Let’s celebrate Emilia Gniesser, an alumna of our Executive MBA in Digital Transformation & Data Science program (class of 2022), who has recently taken on more responsibility at Austrian Airlines and been promoted to Team Leader for Data and Analytics! With nearly six years at Austrian Airlines and her previous success as Team Lead for Digital Innovation, Emilia has gained invaluable expertise that has propelled her to new heights in this exciting role. Congratulations, Emilia, on this well-deserved promotion, and thank you for your ongoing contributions to our national carrier, ensuring it remains at the forefront of data-driven innovation and keeps us all flying high!

Breaking new ground: EMBA student Eliza Gereanu launches NGO for social change - the student and Ambassador Alumni of the EMBA Bucharest Program (Class 2023-2025), is once again leading the charge for positive impact, this time with the launch of her NGO, the Civic Partnership for Development and Inclusion Association. With a formidable background as Senior Expert at the Ministry of Finance, Eliza has consistently demonstrated her expertise in financial governance and sustainable development. Her work has been instrumental in shaping Romania's participation in high-level international bodies, such as the European Investment Bank, World Bank, the European Council, the OECD, and the European Commission, where she participated in the design of key policies and projects. Her reach goes beyond Romania’s borders, working on blended finance, MDBs coordination, G20 infrastructure, Eliza was part of the teams developing key policies and financial instruments while working for the European Commission in Brussels. Furthermore, Eliza’s experience in the Central African Republic is particularly noteworthy, where she led the economic section of the European Union Delegation, where she led the development of Jobs and Grouth Compact, PAPEUR Project resulting in key sectors and job creation. Working with the World Bank and international financial institutions, she played a pivotal role in improving the business climate and driving sustainable development in the region. Her personal project with an orphanage in Bangui was the reason for her Association. On the ground, she observed that the communities need tailor made solution, and the fragile communities are the most exposed. What they really need is not what they get. In December, Eliza will also debut her art exhibition, "Together We Are Stronger”, a stirring collection that embodies themes of resilience, hope, and unity, presented to the Romanian Hub community. Eliza’s passion for social inclusion and sustainable development continues to shine through her work, and her latest venture underscores her commitment to transforming lives. Congratulations, Eliza, on this remarkable new chapter!

Alfred Karl, an esteemed graduate of our MBA in Strategic Marketing & Sales programme (class of 2012), has recently taken on an exciting new challenge as Senior Partner Development Manager at Microsoft Austria. In his previous role at Accenture, where he was Senior Manager - Business Architecture for nearly three years, Alfred excelled at driving innovative business strategies and delivering impactful solutions. His dynamic leadership and strategic vision were key factors in his success. As he transitions to this exciting opportunity at Microsoft, we look forward to the remarkable achievements Alfred will undoubtedly bring to his new role. Congratulations, Alfred, on this exciting career move - we wish you every success at Microsoft!

Angel Tcholtchev, a distinguished alumnus of our MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation (class of 2020), has recently transitioned to IBM, where he will play a pivotal role in integrating the webMethods products and teams, starting July 1st. During his 14-year career at Software AG, Angel began as an Integration Consultant, delivering numerous high-critical projects across Europe. He later excelled in product management, overseeing multiple product releases and spearheading key initiatives within the webMethods Product Management team. Angel's leadership in organizing the International User Group conference further exemplifies his impact and commitment to technological advancement. We congratulate Angel on his new role and look forward to his continued success at IBM!

We’re thrilled to share that Andrés Anrique has now taken on an exciting new role as Product Manager at Dily! Andrés, a graduate of our MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Class of 2022), has been developing his leadership and innovation skills as a business owner, project engineer & consultant at various companies in Chile and Austria. Now, at Dily, Andrés will be contributing to a company that is revolutionizing the vehicle buying and selling experience between individuals and automotive companies, offering a 100% online platform with comprehensive services for every stage of the process, all driven by innovation. Congratulations, Andrés, on this fantastic career move—an achievement that is well-deserved!

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Aleksey Ovinnikov, an alumnus of the Global Executive MBA program (class of 2013), who has recently returned to the financial services sector, assuming the role of Chief Risk Officer at Capital Union Bank in Abu Dhabi, UAE! Prior to this appointment, Aleksey led the Global Middle Office within the commercial division of one of the largest energy corporations in Dubai, a position he held since 2022. With over two decades of experience, he has held senior roles at prominent international banks across Switzerland, Austria, and Russia. Congrats Aleksey - keep on rocking!

Ziya Mert Gönlüsen, is a current Global Executive MBA student (graduating in 2025) who has taken up the role of General Manager SBU Commercial at Daikin Central Europe in July 2024. Prior to taking up this new position, Ziya Mert spent three years and six months as Business Development Manager at Daikin Central Europe. His time in this role was marked by his ability to drive growth and strategically expand the company's presence in the market. Now, just two months into his role as General Manager, Ziya Mert is already making significant progress in leading the Commercial SBU.

Stefan Holzer, a graduate of our Global Executive MBA program (class of 2007), has recently embarked on an exciting new journey. As of August 1, 2024, Stefan has assumed the role of Senior Director TIS Digital Health Solutions at Terumo Europe. Prior to this, Stefan served as VP International at AliveCor Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing the EMEA business across B2C, B2B, and Enterprise sectors with full P&L accountability. His leadership was key in building and steering a highly skilled team, expanding existing markets, and breaking ground in new territories. His commitment to improving patient outcomes and enhancing customer success has been a driving force throughout his career.

Burak Yildiran, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2011) is an experienced expert in the banking and finance sector and has complied more than 18 years of leadership experience in Turkey and Romania. He has honed his leadership skills in C-level positions and has now taken on a new role. In July 2024 Burak has been appointed CEO of TOKEN Financial Technologies Romania, a leading provider of payment system platforms.

Sorin Ionascu recently completed his Executive MBA Bucharest program (class of 2024) and adds his new skills to over 18 years of experience in the tech industry. He is passionate about leveraging his deep understanding of the tech sales landscape and strong business acumen to drive business success in fast-paced and evolving markets. Since January 2024 Sorin M&A & Group Integration Director and Board Member at Smart ID Technology, a leading provider of hardware and software solutions and automation. Sorin is focusing on driving successful mergers and acquisitions, and oversees the integration of acquired companies and assets, ensuring smooth and seamless transitions and synergies across the group.

Petar Dimitrov, an MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2018) is a seasoned expert in developing business applications as well as domain and software architechture with more than 16 years of experience. Since November 2023 Petar is the Director of Engineering at SimCorp, a provider of industry-leading integrated investment management solutions for the global buy side.

Angela Putylina, MBA Marketing & Sales Alumna (class of 2015) is a strong leader achieving outstanding results through strategic thinking, systematic work, and cross-functional collaboration. She is an expert in the field of pharmaceutical sales and has sucessfully filled Marketing roles in several international pharmaceutical companies. Angela has also been supporting the WU Executive Club community as Hub Manager for Russia in the past years. In July 2024 Angela has been promoted to Regional Lead for the Central Asia and Eastern Europe at Gilead Sciences and is now responisble for business development across 9 countries. She is moving to London to work at the Global HQ.

Martin Atassi is an MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation alumnus (class of 2010) who won the second place in the European Innovation Master Thesis competition with his MBA thesis. He has over over 20 years of experience in the delivery of complex digital projects and development of new business opportunities with clients across various industries. In August 2024 Martin joined BearingPoint, an independent management and technology consultancy as Senior Manager.

Sebastian Cristoiu, Executive MBA Bucharest Alumnus (class of 2022), is a senior retail executive with 20 years of experience from which more than 15 years in management positions in different industries such as: sports, fashion and FMGC. He is Passionate of developing and implementing commercial strategies with proven track record of increase of revenues, market share and profitability. In June 2024 Sebastian has been appointed Director of Sales & Category Management at Freshful by eMAG, the award winning for the best on line grocery store in 2024 in Romania, according to "Progresiv Awards".

Ulrike Klein, MBA Digital Transformation and Data Science Alumna (class of 2021) has used her background in Industrial Engineering and dedicated her career to push the organizations she has worked for towards data driven change and transformation. She previously served as the Head of Enterprise Data Management at AT&S, where she played a pivotal role in steering the company’s data strategy and management. In November 2023, Ulrike took on a new challenge by joining the Vorwerk Group, a family-owned manufacturer of household technology with a rich 140-year history, as the Head of Data Analytics.

Jose Faria Agrela, MBA Marketing and Sales Alumnus (class of 2020) has been intensely focused on digital transformation and social innovation in his career so far. He has collaborated with industry experts to bring smart spaces to life via integration of AI, IoT, video analytics, and cutting-edge technology and is experienced in upselling and cross-selling comprehensive portfolios and services results in significant recurring sales revenue growth. Since November 2023 Jose is Regional Sales Manager, Alpine Region at Brivo, the global leader in True Cloud-Based access control for commercial real estate, multifamily residential, and large distributed enterprises.

Olivier Pol, current MBA Energy Management student, is burning for renewable energy, a sector in which he has been active in the past 20 years. He is an experienced leader implementing day-to-day renewable energy projects and energy efficiency in the industrial and construction sector. In June 2024 Olivier has joined Venergi GmbH as Head of Engineering. He will be contributing to the decarbonization journey of Wien Energie GmbH.

Milica Simon, MBA Finance Alumna, class of 2023, knows the hospitality sector and its financial workings from her experience of almost 20 years in the business. She has truly risen through the ranks starting out as service trainee, assuming more and more responsibility in controlling and accounting on her way to management positions. In her latest career step Milica has been promoted to Director Finance Policy & Governance - EMEA at Marriott International in May 2024.

Israel Miranda, an MBA Project Management alumnus (class of 2023) is an experienced supplier procurement specialist and project manager with a history of success working with globally recognised brands. His journey at Hilti, an international construction corporation, began in 2016, when he assumed various roles in logistics and procurement, playing a key part in the global planning of branded items. As a Scrum Master, Israel played a pivotal role in the agile transformation of the Branded Items team. In May 2024 Israel embarked on a fresh chapter as the Strategic Supply Manager for indirect materials.

Stefan Richter is an Executive MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation alumnus (Class 2017) and CEO Energy Automation at KEBA Group since December 2023. He is leading a division of highly motivated and skilled people who are eager to accelerate energy and mobility transition.

Petra Ujmiakova is a Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2021, vice class president), an energetic leader who describes her most important value as growth and prouds herself as creating enviroments that enable diverse teams to achieve more. She has started her career and gained managerial experience in HR prior making a cross-functional move and joining Commercial Excellence as Sales Enablement Leader. Since September 2023 Petra is Senior Key Account Manager in Cargill's Go To Market Food Solutions EMEA team. For the past 11 years she has been working at Cargill, a family company committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.

Walter Lackner, MBA Finance Alumnus (class of 2015), is a successful banking executive with more than 17 years of international experience. He possesses extensive skills in the areas of loan restructuring, risk management and financing. From April 2024 onwards Walter will be taking over a newly developed department of Tiroler Sparkasse, a bank with more than 200 years of corporate history. He has been appointed as Head of Business Development and a number of previously independent departments will be combined under his lead.

Anastasia Pikman, Executive Health Care MBA Alumna (class of 2020) started her career as a certified health and nursing professional. She has continued to complete a range of additional qualifications and has quickly taken on diverse management roles. Anastasia has gained ample experience as leader in the Austrian hospital sector applying her skillset. In March 2024 she has been appointed Director of Nursing at the Anton Proksch Institute Vienna, one of the leading clinics dedicated to treatment of addiction in Europe.

Alexander Kirchner, Professional MBA Controlling & Finance Alumnus (class of 2011) is an experienced project, asset, production and maintenance manager with skills in controlling & finance as well as business development. He is passionate about building a greener future and reaching climate neutrality to which he has dedicated his past 20 years in the energy and waste management sector. As Division Manager for Wien Energie GmbH he has been resposible for the Energy Production & Circular Economy for the past 9 years. From August 1st, 2024, Alexander will be joining Energie AG Oberösterreich as Chief Technology Officer. In his new role he will be involved in achieving the company goals of security of supply through grid expansion and the expansion of renewable energy sources as well as investments in hydrogen.

Gabriele Schallegger, current Global Executive MBA student (class of 2024) is an experienced finance executive who is passionate about continually driving improvements. Over the past 20 years she has worked in several commercial and executive finance position in a range of international companies and sectors. Gabriele is also active as class representative of her current GEMBA cohort actively contributing to forging a strong community. In November 2023 Gabriele has joined CMBlu Energy as Group CFO where she is supporting the company on its way to serial production . CMBlu Energy develops and produces high-performance batteries for energy utility companies, grid operators as well as commercial and industrial demand.

Philipp Schmallegger, MBA Project Management Alumnus (class of 2019) is a versatile, experienced and customer focused project and portfolio manager with 10+ years experience in local and international project management and transformation projetcts. He has been gaining experience in the financial (insurance), service sector (assistance industry) and media in Austria and internationally. In August 2023 Philipp has been appointed Digital Transformation Manager at Raiffeisen Digital where he is applying his skills to automation, business process improvement, digital innovation, agile project management and exploring business use cases for ML and AI, leading into the digital future.

Tarek Mansour, MBA Finance Alumnus (class of 2018) is a seasoned Business Associate with demonstrated experience in the international chemicals industry. He has been working in the Sales Department of several international companies in the past 11+ years and gained substantial skills in equity research, DCF, and other areas. In September 2023 Tarek was appointed Sales Executive at Suzano, a Brazilian multinational company and the largest pulp manufacturer in the world.

Iubatan Antonino Pinto is a MBA Energy Management Alumnus (class of 2018) and is an engineer with his main professional background being in petroleum Reservoir and E&P Development Projects. He has excelled in managing projects with in very different topical areas which allowed him to change to a joint venture support/consultancy team within his company. In September 2023 Iubatan has been promoted to Petroleum Engineed Project Leader in Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage at Petrobras. He is responsible for identifying CCUS business cases, internally and with external partners, as well as opportunities for the sustainable development in the new Energy Transition era of Petrobras and its partners.

Olena Khlon, Global Executive MBA Alumna (class of 2017), is a skilled Business Developer, mentor and crisis manager with more than 15 years of experience in consulting, financial & fintech industries. She has remaines closely linked to the WU Executive Academy and dedicated her time and energy to giving back to our community through her previous membership of the International Advisory Board and her active membership of the WU EA Female Leaders Network. Olena joined SHB Finance in August 2022 as the Permanent Deputy General Director. SHB is a consumer finance company based in South East Asia, part of MUFG (Japan), SHB (Vietnam) and Krungsri (Thailand) banking groups with 6000 employees and holds the TOP 8 position of financial companies in Vietnam. She has led her teams to quickly promote digital transformation, improve productivity of sales, quality of the portfolio & collection efficiency, bring new revenue sources & optimize business processes. In January 2024 Olena has been promoted to General Director of SHB Finance.

Roland Szugyiczki, Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class of 2016) is a financial top manager with over 20 years experience in the European banking environment. He has been contributing to several large, internationally operating banking cooperations and has also been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Hungarian Banking Association. In August 2023 Roland has been appointed Head of Department at the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary, where he is responsible for supervisory reporting and statistics.

Elvira Czech, Executive MBA Health Care Management Alumna (class of 2022) has been leading non-profit organisations with a focus on health for the past 10 years. She has been responsible for the strategic planning and implementation across departments during her time at the Kuratorium Wiener Pensionisten-Wohnhäuser (KWP), the largest provider for Senior Care in Austria. In September 2023 Elvira has been appointed General Manager at the Herz-Jesu hospital in Vienna, only specialist orthopaedic clinic in the heart of Vienna with a high level of internal medicine expertise in rheumatology, osteology and remobilisation and part of the Vinzenz Group.

Dominik Millner has completed his Master of Legal Studies in European Business Law in 2018. He has gained in depth knowledge in the areas of business analysis, accounting, and controlling across several different sectors including the international oil market. In July 2023 Dominik has been appointed Director of TPA Group which is one of the leading tax advisory companies in Central and South Eastern Europe. In the past months since then Dominik has continued as successful finance leader focusing on consolidation, IFRS, process management and financial analysis.

Mihai Muresian, Executive MBA Bucharest Alumnus (class of 2016) is an Investment Products Sales professional with more than 15 years of experience with both retail and corporate clients. He is experienced in strategic development and training for selling investment products and discretionary portfolios. Mihai has worked for several important financial institutions in Romania. In September 2023 he has been promoted to Head of Sales and Product Management at Erste Asset Management Romania.

Gabriela Marin, Executive MBA Bucharest Alumna (class of 2013) has made a significant career change in 2023. While successfully fulfilling the role of HR Executive Director and working with Executives on improving performance Gabriela also went back to her first career choice: sports. She became a Professional Executive Coach and Growth Mindset Leadership Coach. Gabriela is now working with athletes from the National Rowing junior team to help them to adopt a Growth Mindset and improve their performance. She says: "It's great to work with young people and help shape them. It is a feeling of joy and motivation that comes from the desire to give and share my own experience. It's a win-win. At the same time, I feel that as entrepreneur, I offer much more to the community, in terms of knowledge and best practices."

Madara Sturm, MBA Marketing & Sales Alumna, class of 2016, is a results-driven Portfolio, Product and Project Manager with more than 13 years of professional experience. She has been working for a range of multi-national corporations and also in the Austrian public sector. In September 2023 Madara joined UNIQA Insurance Group, one of the leading insurance companies in its core markets of Austria and Central and Eastern Europe, as Lean Portfolio Manager, where she actively facilitates the Agile Transformation.

Annemarie Bauer, MBA Industry Enhancement Alumna, class of 2021, has indeed gone back to her roots in the past year. After a successful international career as communication specialist at the European Central Bank and the Finanzmarktaufsicht Österreich her career path has taken her back to her hometown in Lower Austria. Since August 2023 Annemarie is leading her hometown Neulengbach as City Office Director, where she has been taking over administrative and legal matters in close cooperation with the local mayor.

Peter Stangl, Master of Legal Studies alumnus (class of 2019), works in a variety of professional fields and functions. He is an expert in water jet technology and contract manufacturing at Biribauer GmbH, a traditional, family-run metal construction company. There he is responsible for the calculation of contract manufacturing, order processing, material and spare parts procurement as well as customer support. He is also able to utilise the expertise he has gained as a site manager for residential and house construction projects. In addition to this role, Peter took over his family business in 2020 and switched to organic farming. In his endeavour to serve his community, he is also active in local politics. In June 2023, Peter was elected Chairman of Raiffeisen Lagerhaus NÖ Süd eGen, which is part of the largest agricultural co-operative in Austria.

Roxana Barbato, alumna of the Executive MBA Bucharest (class of 2021), has more than 19 years of experience in the financial sector. She is a senior banking manager with seasoned experience in corporate business, strategy and working with strategic projects in various areas such as business, M&A, compliance and subsidiaries. In August 2023 she was promoted to Director ESG & Sustainability at Raiffeisen Bank (Romania), a leading bank on the Romanian market, where she has been working for more than 19 years. In her new role, Roxana plays a key role in integrating ESG and sustainability principles into the Bank's operations and strategic decision-making.

Tanja Kienegger, MBA Energy Management Alumna (Class of 2015) is passionate about mobility and sustainability. She is a highly successful, versatile and experienced leader who has been responsible for weathering challenging times and facilitating the strategic realignment of the Austrian Railway Infrastructure Energy Division in the past 3.5 years. Since October Tanja is applying her extensive skillset to a new professional challenge. She has been appointed CEO of Siemens Mobility Austria/CEE. Tanja is responsible for championing sustainable mobility solutions and digitalization of railway transport in Austria and the Central European Region. Congratulations Tanja and lots of energy for your new role!

Andrej Kredatus, MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class of 2017), has the unique combination of almost 20 years of marketing experience within the IT sector and a financial education background. In May 2023 Andrej has been promoted to Global Portfolio Planning – Inspiron and Vostro Notebooks at Dell Technologies. In his new role he will be setting offer strategy and complexity targets and be responsible for vendor funding activities for the given portfolio of products.

Alexey Sokolov, an alumnus of the MBA Finance, class of 2017, boasts a wealth of experience in the banking sector. Over an impressive career spanning 18 years, he has honed his skills & acquired comprehensive knowledge across various banking domains, including Global Transactional Banking & Global Markets. His professional journey has taken him through esteemed institutions such as Citibank, ABN AMRO, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Deutsche Bank. Notably, his career trajectory has spanned continents, from his home country Russia to the vibrant financial landscape of Los Angeles, California. In July 2023, Alexey returned to Citibank, assuming the role of Vice President in Cash Management Product Sales.

Douglas Heller Neves, a current MBA Strategic Project Management student, is a supply chain professional with over 13 years of experience. His career has already taken him from his homeland Brazil to Hungary and now to Italy. In August Douglas has been appointed Transportation Manager EME at AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of smart solutions for sustainable agriculture. Douglas has relocated to Italy to fulfill his new role in which he is responsible for EME and Global supply chain projects and freight cost negotiation.

Bogdan Barbu, current Executive MBA Bucharest student, is an enthusiastic leader with international experience in managing large banking operations departments and complex strategic projects. For the past 18 years he has been striving to achieve efficiency and improve the quality of services managed, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation, both through continuous improvement and strong support for innovation. Working together with many teams, from different environments and cultures, Bogdan has a strong belief that great and sustainable success can be built with respect and honesty, always caring about people's development while fostering a culture of business ethics, fairness and transparency. Bogdan has been nominated as Director of Operations at First Bank SA, position formally authorized by the Romanian supervision banking authority in October 2023. He will be coordinating a wide range of operations activities and centralized services related to loans administration for legal entities and private individuals, payments processing and settlement, debit/credit cards and cash management, Nostro/Loro accounts reconciliations, liabilities products processing, accounts opening, maintenance and related diligence, clients and branch support, Call Center and claims management.

Franz Josef Utz, Global Executive MBA Alumnus, class of 2021, knows the automation sector like the back of his hand! He has a proven track record in Business Development, Global Sales, Marketing and International Logistics and worked for some major players of the automation field. In September 2023 Franz Josef has been appointed Director of Sales DACH at CoreTigo, a global company which enables faster and more flexible manufacturing by providing high-performance machine digitalization, wireless connectivity and edge solutions for machine builders, system integrators and industrial equipment manufacturers.

Fabian Elflein, Global Executive MBA Alumnus, class of 2021, is an experienced practitioner in public sector consulting. He specialises in transformation, organizational development, IT- & project management, process optimization and strategy and has gained leadership experience during his 14 year tenure with public authorities. In August 2023 Fabian has been promoted to Manager at the Kienbaum Public Sector and Health Care Team, focusing on leadership advisory and management consulting. Fabian and his team will be working with their clients to challenge their status quo and guide them on new, innovative topics and paths.

Majda Meric Iljazovic, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2021), is a legal talent with more than 15 years experience working in legal and compliance teams of large, international corporations. She is experienced in leading international teams and fostering crossborder/cross-functional collaboration and possesses a deep understanding of how to apply her business and legal knowledge to seize te opportunities the law offers for complex problem solution. In July 2023 Majda has been appointed Global Head of Legal and Compliance at Innomotics, an industry leading company with more than 150 years of engineering expertise, providing reliable motion for industries and infrastructure worldwide.

Julia Matzinger, alumna of the Master of Legal Studies (class of 2019), brings extensive experience in process innovation, strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational change management. Demonstrating remarkable ambition, Julia also holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) in Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control. Her professional journey includes roles as a Managing Consultant at Avoras, a business technology advisory firm, and as a Manager at Ernst & Young. In May 2023, she was appointed Director at PwC Switzerland, the leading audit and advisory company. In this role, she will continue to empower her team and clients throughout digital transformation, enabling them to achieve sustainable value and translate strategies into actionable results.

Khiya James, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2023), is a rising expert in the field of quality and regulatory affairs management in the healthcare sector. She is passionate about driving innovation and ensuring compliance in the healthcare industry, especially in the field of neuro-therapy. After completing her Global Executive MBA Khiya has been promoted to Lead Quality Managment & Regulatory Affairs at nyra health in July 2023. She will be responsible for management and implementation of regulatory affairs, quality and information security requirements for software as a medical device.

Anna Mecko (born Geißler), MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2021) has gained skills in the leadership of sales teams over the past years. Driven by her interest in nutrition and sports she has made an interesting sector shift from the aerospace industries industry to the food & beverage sector in 2020. In July 2023 Anna has been promoted to Head of Sales and Marketing at AIYA Europe, the world market leader for organic matcha tea.

Roland Winischhofer, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2022), is a financial expert who knows exactly how to successfully lead the financial side of the international logistics, transportation, supply chain and storage business. He has navigated these waters for the past 10 years and is well versed in leading financial teams of large international organizations. In July 2023 Roland has been appointed CFO at DHL Express Austria, a global player in logistics servicing 220 countries and territories worldwide as well market share leader (with more than 55%) in the in the Austrian Express logistics.

Özlem Şensin, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2018), has almost 20 years of experience as an executive in the financial services industry and is currently leading Retail Banking Products at DenizBank AG. Özlem is passionate about networking and has co-founded the WU Executive Academy Female Leaders Network. In spring 2023 Özlem has been elected as the next Vice President of the WU EA Female Leaders Network.

András Sávos, Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class of 2012), is an experienced leader with almost 25 years of experience in the braking technologies sector. After applying his talents and skills in the same company for almost 25 years, he has decided to make a career change! In May 2023 András joined MetMAx Europe ZRt. as Executive Board Member and will apply his skills to support the growth and further development of this innovative, technology intensive metalworking company.

Florentina Rondin-Irimia, a current Executive MBA Bucharest student, calls 15+ years of comprehensive experience of Finance intelligence and project management her own and possesses a great capacity of developing teams, projects, and processes as well to inspire result oriented teams. In July 2023 Florentina has been promoted to Senior Director Centre of Excellence at UiPath, a leading developer of AI-powered Business Automation Platforms. She will be leading the innovation agenda in the fields of intelligent automation, championing innovative solutions, and striving to foster a culture of continuous learning and development for UiPath's internal departments.

Mihaela Calis, MBA Finance alumna, class of 2023, is a dedicated finance professional with experience in a variety of field from banking to energy storage development. She is driven and committed and has gained experience in the financial lead of diverse types of projects. In July 2023 Mihaela has been promoted to PFM/CFM Director Germany at Fluence, a global market leader in energy storage products and services, and cloud-based software for renewables and storage.

Masato Nagayoshi, MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2021), is a skilled engineer turned business development manager. Based on his training as electronics and mechanical engineer he has built a successful career in the automotive industry changing his focus from research and development to project management. In 2022 Masato relocated to Japan, after 8 years in Austria, to join Woven by Toyota, a division of Toyota Motor Corporation, where he has been promoted to Senior Business Development Manager in July 2023.

Simon Parth, MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class of 2016), started his career 13 years ago at a well-known Austrian beverage company. During his time there, he developed new areas of business, managed overseas exports, and developed, as well as managed, a new branch in the United Arab Emirates. In January 2023 Simon has been appointed Managing Director of EWP Recycling Pfand Austria gGmbH. EWP Recycling Pfand Austria which will be responsible for the development all organizational and structural agendas of the mandatory single use beverage container deposit system which will be implemented in January 2025 in Austria.

Maarten Pieters, MBA Digital Transformation and Data Science alumnus, (class of 2023), has extensive 15+ years of experience in establishing growth for top player organizations by creating value for people, through experiences, products, services, and brands. He co-founded The CoCreators engaging as innovation consultant, public speaker, and author of among other "The 7 Principles of Complete Co-creation". Maarten has joined EY (Ernst & Young) with the focus to further grow the Customer & Growth department in June 2023. Maarten and his team will be tackling challenges in commercial excellence, growth and customer experiences.

Adela Mehic-Dzanic, MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alumna (class of 2019) is a Forbes-featured female tech leader, speaker, and mentor. She is passionate about supporting international talent to make it in Austria bringing successful expats to the front stage on her ‘Making it in Austria’ YouTube channel. In addition to her role as strategic advisor for 387 Labs Adela has also been successfully climbing the ranks in her core business. In May 2023 Adela has been promoted to Director of Business Development Western Europe at MAVOCO AG an international telecommunications company enabling IoT business models by managing assets and customers. Her responsibility will include Business Development for IoT Consent Management Platforms for Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Virtual Network Operators in Western Europe.

Tsvety Kyoseva, MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation alumna (class of 2014), is an expert in the field of global information technology. Since 2016, she is CEO of Methodia, a leading Business-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider. Tsvety has proven incredible dedication to gaining deeper insights into her field by pursuing a PhD at the Technical University of Sofia. She has graduated in June 2023 after completion of her thesis on ‘Disruptive innovative models for the development of telecommunication technologies’. Congratulations!

Eduardo Posch, MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2012), has over 18 years of work experience in the energy industry with a focus on new energy including hydrocarbons and renewables, value chain assessment, and strategy and business model innovation. He has an extensive international network and work experience ranging from global corporations to start-ups. In May 2023 Eduardo has been appointed Vice President Carbon Markets at Goldman Sachs International and will be leading the development of solutions for markets with compliance requirements.

Dileep Raghumahanti, MBA Project Management Alumnus (class of 2021), has 15+ years of extensive experience in the fields of Finance, Controlling, Accounting, Customer Engagement, Change Management, and Project Management. He has mainly been focused on driving projects related to financial and operational process improvement and change management for precise planning and forecasting, and to identify cost optimization and margin enhancement opportunities helping better financial reporting and decision making in the fields of sports technology, energy management and health care. In March 2023 Dileep has been appointed Senior Management – Finance Systems at Magna International where he will used his skills to be the stream leader for data & integration for the Corporate Finance and IT system landscape.

Evgenia Ostrovskaya, Professional MBA Marketing and Sales alumna (class of 2013), can rely upon her 15+ years of experience working in Executive positions with strategic technology alliances, strategic business development, marketing & sales, project management, process management, strategic product management and partner management based on her deep knowledge of information technology and telecommunication. In June 2023 Evgenia has joined Johnson Controls as Digital Region Leader in their OpenBlue Partner Program. She will be Engaging and building the OpenBlue partner ecosystem, recruiting, onboarding, and growing partners across Cloud/Solution Provider/SI and channel ecosystems.

Artem Vystorobets, MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2022), is a seasoned financial expert with a proven track record in business analytics, strategy development, digitalisation, and operational efficiency in the banking sector. In May 2023 Artem became Managing Director of WSV Advisors, a boutique advisory company in the area of business and investment consulting, project and change management. In June 2023 Artem got a consulting contract with the IFC - International Finance Corporation (member of the World Bank Group) to support advisory projects of the Financial Institutions Group in the Central Asian Region.

David Baumgartner, MBA Health Care Management Alumnis (class of 2021) can already look back on a diversified career path. Following a well-founded training as Industrial Engineer and an early career in the technologies and service sector at Bosch, he transferred to managing health sector institutions. In Mai 2023 David has been appointed CEO at Doringer, a private Institute for computer tomography and magnetic resonance tomography.

Vladimir Vano is one of our Global Executive MBA alumni (class of 2011), WU EA Alumni Ambassador and Alumni Hub Manager for Slovakia. Since he entered the financial sector in 1999 he has had a most distinguished career as economist, analyst, columnist and external advisor to the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic as well as vetted expert for UNDP. In June 2023 Vladimir has been appointed Chief Economist of GLOBSEC an independent, non-governmental and non-partisan organization whose mission is to connect key experts on foreign and security policy from all over the world while shaping the global debate.

Sara Moghaddam Tabar, MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2019) is passionate about social sustainability which is why she is currently undertaking her PhD in International Business at WU while also working at the Sustainable Finance Department at Raiffeisen Bank International. In her role she strives to use the "profit-with-purpose" business model to nourish sustainable growth, social improvement, and long-term prosperity of future generations. In May 2023 Sara has been promoted to Professional Product Manager at Raiffeisen Bank International AG.

Nora Jurkschat, MBA Health Care Management Alumna (class of 2021) is a Omnichannel Marketing & Customer Engagement expert. She calls a treasure trove of experience in strategic and digital marketing as well as transformation and change management for international pharmaceutical companies her own. In April 2023 Nora has been promoted to Global Marketing Director for MPS (Mucopolysaccharidoses) in the Rare Disease Franchise at Sanofi, Specialty Care. Nora will lead and develop global marketing strategies and execute innovative tactics with key markets, to drive increased awareness around MPS disease in order to accelerate early diagnosis and ensure treatment and proper disease management with appropriate patients.

Dr. Lisa Cichocki, MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2020) is an advocate for equal opportunities in science and healthcare. She has more than 15 years experience in international science communications leadership roles. As co-founder and vice-president of the Association for the promotion of management culture in Mathematics, Informatics, Science and Technology (VFF-MINT), Lisa advocates for equal opportunities and gender equity in leadership positions in the science space and healthcare sector. In April 2023, Lisa was promoted to Associate Director World Wide R&D Communications at Bristol Myers Squibb, a global a global leading biopharma company and relocated to Switzerland.

Florian Gradwohl, Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class of 2022) has been the financial leader of several institutions at the heart of the pulsating Austrian cultural scene. He is passionate about making financials work behind the scenes. In April 2023 Florian has been appointed CFO of CTS Eventim Austria GmbH that owns oeticket, the leading ticketing brand in the country. He will be guiding the company’s financial journey in cooperation with its subsidiaries in Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Péter Gulyás, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2020) is passionate about cyber security. He is a strong believer in serving the customers to protect their assets and support them to face current and future cyber threats. In April 2023 Péter was promoted to Group Chief Executive Officer at QUADRON Cybersecurity Services, a specialist in cybersecurity, advanced data analytics and software development.

Predrag Mitic is currently busy finalizing his MBA Marketing & Sales at WU Executive Academy. This has not stopped him to use his experience as Sales Manager and substantial expertise of the Austria and the Eastern European Region to secure a promotion. Since January 2023 Predrag is Channel Partner Manager for Germany and Regional Sales Manager for Austria and Eastern Europe at VIAVI Solutions, a global leader in Global Leadership in Communications Test and Measurement and Optical Technologies.

Peter Steiner, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2021), knows fire…and how to keep it in check. In the last five years he has dedicated his career, after transitioning from research and teaching to the manufacturing sector, to the production of refractory materials for application temperatures up to 1800°C. Peter and his respective teams have been responsible for maintenance and investment strategy development as well as production plant management. In April 2023 Peter has been promoted to Head of Group Supply Chain Management at Rath Group, a specialist in the refractory sector.

Fabiana Grisendi, MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2022), has gained diverse experiences in Sales and Key Account Management at international trading companies specializing in chemical raw materials in the past nine years. In April 2023 she has been promoted to Sales Leader of the Performance Chemical Business Unit at IMPAG Group. We want to share Fabiana’s kind words: “Thank you WU Executive Academy that the great MBA in Marketing and sales boosted this next step of my career”. We do thank you Fabiana and wish you all the best for this new responsibility.

Magda Neagu, MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2013), loves the challenge of bringing new products to life or conquering new territory for existing products. Magda has been successful in the software industry for more than 18 years. After working for Adobe and Bitdefender she joined UiPath, creator of an AI-powered Business Automation Platform, over 4 years ago. In April 2023 Madga was promoted to Director of Product Marketing at UiPath.

Lukas Hrdlicka, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2017), has dedicated his successful career to high quality beverages. Based on his extensive finance, sales and strategic business development experience, he has been appointed Managing Director of Vinospirit GmbH as of January 2023. Lukas will lead this premium online seller of wine, spirits and more into a prosperous future satisfying the tastebuds of private connoisseurs.

Birkan Özkan is one of our current Global Executive MBA students. He has obtained considerable know-how in the areas strategic planning, sales and distribution as well as marketing during his time at Microsoft and Adobe. In March 2023 Birkan has been appointed to Senior Client Director at Merkle, a full-service and data-driven customer experience transformation business and market leader in the DACH region. Within this role he will contribute to building unique, personalized customer experiences.

Alexander Diebalek, MBA Project Management alumni (class of 2017), has accumulated profound knowledge of Building Information Modeling in the course of his career which he has also shared as lecturer. He is passionate about life-long personal and professional development and enjoys sharing and gaining knowledge in a collaborative, engaging and multi-cultural working environments. In April 2023 Alexander has been appointed Sales Executive at #Dalux, where he is responsible for the sales and strategic implementation of user-friendly digital BIM tools for the international construction industry.

Stefan Grafenhorst, one of our Global Executive MBA alumni (class of 2021), is passionate about a much-needed transformation to create businesses that work for people, planet and profit alike. As sustainability and corporate affairs expert, Stefan has contributed his extensive skillset to the world of plastic and foam solutions for the past six years. In March 2023 Stefan has been promoted to Vice President for People & Sustainability at Greiner, a global player of this sector with a long corporate history.

Natalia Malashenko, MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2015), is an expert in communications, public affairs and ESG with experience gained in FMCG and B2B at international companies active on the Russian market. In March 2023 Natalia has been appointed Director Corporate Communications at Promomed Group, one of the leaders of the Russian pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Thomas Unger, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2022), is fascinated by the world of plastics. Based on his substantial technical education, Thomas has accumulated extensive experience in the field of extrusion. In January 2023, he was promoted to Vice President Technology Extrusion at KraussMaffei, a leading global manufacturer of machinery and systems for plastics production. Thomas is responsible for R&D, process engineering and the design and automation of extrusion systems. The focus of his activities is the largest and most modern extrusion test center with the world's largest team of extrusion process engineers.

János Filakovský is a Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2011). After a one-year spell as a board member he was recently appointed as the new CEO at Biomapas UAB, a Biopharmaceutical Services provider company, headquartered in Lithuania. János has got extensive professional experience in leading strategically and operationally complex, large-scale, highly regulated international multi-site operations, delivering transformation, and driving sustainable performance improvements.

Ivana Liebenberg, Executive MBA Health Care Management alumna (class of 2019) not only has several years of experience as a certified health care and nursing professional, but also in the areas of project management and leadership. In March 2023, she was promoted to Director of Nursing at the Sisters of Mercy Hospital Vienna. In this new position, she has responsibility for a nursing team of around 280 at the specialist clinic.

Oksana Kulakova, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2020) has many years of experience in project management and strategy consulting. Her fields of expertise are strategy and transformation consulting, organizational design and operational advisory for a wide range of industries and subjects. In March 2023, Oksana started a new role as Senior Manager at PwC Switzerland.

Marius-Gabriel Nuţ, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2019) has more than 15 years of accounting and finance experience in various industries. Since 2018 he is working as a CFO for Sanex, a Romanian producer of ceramic tiles. In March 2023, Marius has been appointed as a Board of Directors member for S.N.G.N. ROMGAZ S.A., the largest natural gas producer and the main gas supplier in Romania.

Álmos Mikesy, MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation alumnus (class of 2022) uses his 10+ years of financial experience and problem solving skills to build new organizations and ventures from scratch. In February 2023, he started a new position as CEO and Chairman of the Board at Diófa Asset Management

Lukas Skocek, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2018) has more than 18 years of international experience as IT-, Management-Consultant and Executive in various industries, and across multiple functions and business areas. Since February 2023, Lukas has a new position as Chief Technology Officer at Burgenland Energie AG. Photo © Aleksandra Pawloff

Peter Vysny, MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2015) is a true sales expert, with more than 10 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. In January 2023, Peter got promoted to Vice President eMobility and Retail Innovation at OMV.

Jan Häupler, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2016) has more than 20 years of international experience as Manager and Business Consultant. In January 2023, he got promoted to Director Operations at Fundermax GmbH.

Oliver Felszeghy, MBA Controlling & Finance alumnus (class of 2009) is a true expert in his field. He has many years of experience as controlling director and CFO in several companies. In January 2023, Oliver got promoted to Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO at the Slovakian lottery company TIPOS.

Christian Renz, MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation alumnus (class of 2022) is an e-commerce leader with more than 9 years of experience and deep understanding in data & analytics, agile transformation and leadership. In January 2023, he started a new role as Chief Operating Officer at PERGOLUX.

Zoltán Zsámboki, MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2020) is a corporate finance professional with more than 15 years of experience. He is specialized in managing complex financing structures and M&A transactions. In January 2023, Zoltan got promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Hiventures.

Dario Artiola, Global Executive MBA student (class of 2023) is a revenue expert with more than 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In January 2023, he got promoted to Senior Director of Revenue Performance at Radisson Hotel Group, where he is responsible for the results of 450+ hotels together with 80 revenue managers and specialists.

Stéphane Hatterer, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2022) is an experienced engineer that has been working in the aerospace industry for many years. In January 2023, he started a new role as Director Chip Integration & Validation at Infineon Technologies.

Ilina Stefanova, MBA Energy Management alumna (class of 2017) is an experienced legal professional with a strong focus on Energy Policy & Regulation. She has a demonstrated track record in leading diverse teams and managing complex energy and environmental projects. She is passionate about renewables integration, environmental protection and sustainable development. In January 2023, Ilina started a new position as Program Officer at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Dr. Rafael E. Hincapie, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class 2020) has over 16 year of experience in the energy industry. In January 2023, he got promoted to Head of Department Subsurface Technologies at OMV Energy. In this position, Rafael will provide focus on solutions (a global technology, R&D portfolio) around decarbonization and efficient Energy production, depleted reservoir utilization and subsurface energy storage.

Dejan Subotić, MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2021) is a corporate lawyer with more than 20 years of diverse professional and managerial experience in legal, HR, and energy in both private and public sectors. Since December 2022, he is Advisor to the Management Board at JANAF Plc. In that role he supports the company in business transformation and green transition.

Karin Apjarova, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2019) and board member of the WU EA Female Leaders Network is a senior technology marketing leader and a strategic account based marketing professional. In December 2022, she started a new position as Director, Global Communications Industry Marketing at Oracle.

Adelina Shickova, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2022) is an experienced manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Semiconductor and Automotive industries. She is skilled in Technology Innovation and Product Development, Customer Onboarding, Supplier Enabling and Change Management. Since December 2022, Adelina has a new role as Director Program Management for High Voltage Conversion at Infineon Technologies.

Werner Weingraber, MBA Banking & Insurance alumnus (class of 2008) has more than 15 years of experience as Senior Leader in banking, technology and non-profit. In September 2022, he started a new job as Managing Director Austria for Circular Real Estate Platform named Madaster. He is building up the 6th country based on an impact foundation in Holland 2017.

Elisa De Podestá Gomes, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2017) has over 15 years of experience in multinational companies. She acts in the energy sector and focuses on international projects and multi-location teams. In October 2022, she started a new position as Sales Project Manager in the Green Hydrogen division at ANDRITZ.

Pavel Kinev, MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2021) is a true expert in sales & operations, with experience in a variety of industries. In November 2022, he got promoted to Senior Associate at Alvarez & Marsal.

Ramon Gasull, Global Executive MBA student (class of 2023) started a new position as Sales Manager for the Nuclear Industry at TÜV SÜD in Germany. He has been working for more than 10 years in the nuclear industry, initially in international engineering projects and then in global business development activities.

Andrei Nae, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2021) has over 15 years of experience in Banking, Finance and Management Consulting. In October 2022, he got promoted to Manager Advisory at KPMG Romania. In this position, Andrei will assist customers in transforming their business models and addressing the most challenging problems confronting their industries.“

David Varga, Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2021) is heading to new challenges after several years of Management Consulting in Europe. In October 2022, he joined NEOM in Saudi Arabia. He has commenced a new role as the Strategy and Organization Lead of ENOWA and is responsible for the Energy & Water sectors. David is looking forward to contribute to the greenfield development of a new region supplied with 100% renewable energy, where nothing is impossible with the brightest minds from around the world. He is also really proud to be part of a team of accelerators of change.

Christoph Fraiß, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2022) has profound experience in business development, project management, production management and engineering. Since September 2022, he is Site Head and Managing Director at the Moguntia Food Group.

Claudia Cruceru, Professional MBA Banking alumna (class of 2013) is a manager and senior professional with more than 15 years of experience in payments, banking and consulting. In September 2022, she got promoted to Business Development Director for Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia at Visa.

Hans Langer, Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class of 2022), is an experienced commercial manager with a demonstrated history of working in contact centers, insurances and the automotive industry. In October 2022, he started a new position as Commercial Manager at Iron Mountain.

Alexander Ladner, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2021) is a true expert in project management with over 15 years of experience in that field. In October 2022, he started a new role as Vice President of Customer Engineering at INNIO Group.

Hrvoje Bujanović, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2016) is an experienced Banker and interdisciplinary manager with more than 25 years of experience in Corporate & Investment Banking and Investment Management covering Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central and South East European countries. Since October 2022, he is State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy & Sustainable Development for the Republic of Croatia. His gained knowledge from his MBA studies and his long-term working experience will help him to meet his new tasks and new challenges.

Abhishek Mysore, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2022) has over 15 years of senior-level managerial experience in leading customer engagements, strategic programs within the telecommunications, naval (marine) communications, and automotive industries. In October 2022, he started a new position as Senior Program Manager, Strategic Projects, Partnerships and M&A at Frequentis.

Stefan Kögl, Professional MBA Project Management alumnus (class of 2017) has over 10 years of experience as a project and development manager. In September 2022 he started a new role as Program Manager in the office of the CTO at Dynatrace.

Mario Barunica, Professional MBA Project Management alumnus (class of 2020) has extensive experience in operations and projects. He helps organizations to achieve productivity goals and implement complex projects within set targets. In September 2022, he started a new position as plant manager at AD Plastik Group

Radu Pojoga, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2015) is a successful operating executive with strong experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships with private and state owned institutions. In September 2022, he started a new position as Chief Revenue Officer at FINQware.

Alexandra Burchiu, Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2012) is an expert in Customer Experience and Product Marketing Management, with more than 11 years of experience in the insurance industry. In September 2022 she started a new position as Global Value Proposition Senior Manager at the Generali Group Head Office in Milan, where she is responsible for 50 global markets.

Karim Ganady, Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (Class of 2011) has many years of experience in the tech and service industry. In September 2022 he joined Accenture as Senior Manager in the Strategy & Consulting practice where his focus will be on advising financial services clients on their transformation journey.

George Struta, recent graduate of the Global Executive MBA program (class of 2021) is an experienced professional with expertise in various sectors from financial services to construction machinery. Since July 2022, he is General Manager at Global JCB Financial Solutions.

Christian Diendorfer, Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (Class of 2019) is an energy professional with more than 10 years of experience in the energy sector. In August 2022 he joined OPEC as Senior Research Analyst.

Florian Wandling, Global Executive MBA alumnus (Class of 2010) is an expert in product and strategic management with more than 21 years of experience in the automotive industry. In July 2022, he joined Apex.AI where he is responsible for products and partners. Apex.AI is a Silicon Valley based fast growing software startup, enabling autonomous mobility with safety certified software products.

Krassimir Todorov, Professional MBA Controlling alumnus (class of 2016) has more than 15 years of leadership experience in the financial and commercial area. In July 2022, he started as a professor in Strategic & Operations Management at the VUZF University.

Eduardo Cruz Medina, Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation alumnus and class president (class of 2017) has been working for global IT corporations for more than 17 years. In August 2022, he started a new position as GTS Bid Manager at Thales Group.

Professional MBA Project Management alumna (class of 2018) Adriana Pavlysh has 18 years of experience in business projects development, consulting, project management, distribution, and sales. Her dedication and leadership skills have helped companies to achieve fundamental success milestones, to win many long-term customers, and to steadily grow the companies turnover. She successfully managed her own business in Ukraine for many years, before starting as Project Manager at catelit GmbH in Germany in April 2022.

Miha Grilj, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2018), can look back on more than 15 very successful years of developing business networks in the pharmaceutical industry. Since June 2022, he is Country General Manager Croatia and Slovenia for Galenika, a regional leader providing pharmaceutical products designed to improve quality of life.

As an internationally successful business leader with proven results in developing and executing commercial strategies, the Professional MBA Marketing and Sales alumnus (class of 2011), Martin Tordsson has been promoted to CEO at Beckmann AS in July 2022.

Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2011), Reinhard Rengshausen is a customer-oriented energy expert. Since July 2022, he is Senior Key Account Manager at VERBUND Energy4Business GmbH.

Peter Daniel Erdei, Global Executive MBA graduate (class of 2020), has been promoted to Regional Logisitcs CoE Head – Europe, at Sanofi, proofing his expertise in distribution networks and transportation strategy.

Andreas Rauscher, Professional MBA Digital Transformation and Data Science (class of 2021-23), is an accomplished leader in the healthcare industry. In April 2022, he was promoted to Executive Director Global Medical Affairs, Oncology Pipeline and Innovative Strategies at MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme).

Dejan Radivojevic, Professional MBA Marketing and Sales alumnus (class of 2018), can look back at an impressive international career in the industrial materials sector. In July 2022, he has been promoted to Head of Sales Regions Middle East and Africa Industrial (Oil & Petrochem, NFM, Glas, Energy) at RHI Magnesita.

Professional MBA Finance student (class of 2020-22), Cenk Tosun, is an expert in Data Science and Risk Management. Even before completing his MBA, the Viennese was promoted from Credit Risk Manager to Head of Credit Risk & Contract Management at EWE TRADING GmbH, the energy trading subsidiary of EWE AG, the largest energy supplier in Northwest Germany

Harald Rossmann, Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2018), is an expert in financial analysis and reporting with several years of international experience managing digital transformation projects within the financial service industry. In July 2022, he was promoted to Manager at Horn & Company in Vienna.

PMO Specialist and Professional MBA Project Management alumnus (class of 2014), Srdjan Drljaca, can look back on a successful career in the telecommunications sector. Since June 2022, he is now Expert Portfolio and Performance Management at OMV in Vienna.

The experienced Customer Relations, Marketing and Sales specialist and Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2011), Valentina Perl has started a new position as Software Implementation Consultant at Lemax, joining a team of young professionals on a mission to transform the travel industry.

Evgenia Ostrovskaya, Professional MBA Marketing and Sales alumna (class of 2011), has many years of experience working in executive positions focusing on strategic business development, marketing & sales and project and process management; thereby using and developing her deep knowledge of information technology and telecommunication. Since March 2022, she is now Senior IoT Solution Specialist at Microsoft in Vienna.

After two decades in top management positions at internationally renowned companies, the Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2009) Stephan Kocher became CEO of his own company BridgeKo GmbH, a consulting business situated in Bern, Switzerland. BridgeKo is specialized in Business Development Defence, general management and crisis management.

Andreas Diendorfer, a current student of the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation, joined the management team of TAmiRNA GmbH as COO. He is already leveraging his MBA knowledge, moving from a scientific/technical position into a management role. TAmiRNA, a biotech spinoff of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences works on micro-RNA based biomarkers, helping in diagnosis and treatment of age related diseases.

The Global Executive MBA student (class of 2021) Rafael Oliveira is a passionate marketing, brand and innovation professional with many years of experience. After 11 years at Red Bull, he is now moving to the health-tech start-up world, joining Eight Sleep as Associate Director, Global Sports & Partner Marketing.

With more than 20 years of professional experience managing companies of various sizes, the Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2018) Herbert Jung is an expert in business development, turnaround management and strategy. With November 2021, he has taken on the interims management of Sirocco GmbH (specialized in air, process, and heat engineering) as Business Development Manager and Sales Director New Business, as well as of Sinsoma (specialized in DNA/RNA Analysis) as optimization manager and consultant to the CEO.

Carlo Santangelo, Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2013), is an experienced commercial lawyer with a demonstrated history of working internationally in the oil and gas industry. He has been working for the legal department of Austrian energy and chemical company OMV for several years. In April, he started as Head of Legal – Compression Division at HOERBIGER in Vienna.

With more than 17 years of experience on three different continents, the Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2014) Andrei Vulpescu is an accomplished expert in financial management. In March 2022, he was promoted to Head of Finance at Siemens, Japan.

With more than 7 years of experience in the manufacturing industry of sustainable paper packaging at Hamburger Containerboard, Albrecht Miletzky, Professional MBA Project Management alumnus (class of 2017), joined ANDRITZ AG in April 2022, where he has taken on the responsibilities as the Head of Technology Paper & Board.

Tanja Spennlingwimmer is the new Business Unit Manager for Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property and Deep Technologies at Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws). The graduate of the Professional MBA Finance (class of 2015), who is also a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria and at the University of Vienna, was previously Department Head of Investor and Location Management at Business Upper Austria, where she gained experience in innovation and investment management. In the future, she will use this experience at aws to accompany innovative companies and startups on their path to success.

Having worked in top management position on three different continents, the logistics and automotive industry expert and Global Executive MBA student (class of 2021) Holger Wilhelm has now switched into the HighTech sector, joining Kühne+Nagel Management AG, Switzerland, as Vice President, Business Development Strategic Customers High Tech.

After working for more than 5 years in Iran as a key account manager for Advantage Austria, Hamid Ketabian started the university course Marketing & Sales in 2020. Now he is working as Business Development Manager at ANC Legal Office & International Consulting in Vienna.

After many professional stops across Europe and the Middle East, the Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2019), Gleb Dyachov, has now joined Accenture in Vienna as a manager, where he is using his skills in Strategy and Consulting focusing on the Finance and Information Technology industry.

After 17 years in the insurance industry, Jennifer Isabella Schimanko, Global Executive MBA alumna (class of 2019) joined the young Austrian company Credi2 that builds and operates innovative digital finance solutions for banks, payment institutions and retailers. In her new role as Chief People & Strategy Officer she will oversee both HR and the company’s strategic corporate development.

Maria Semenchenko can look back on an impressive career in the finance industry. With the help of her Professional MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation (class of 2014) she continued her development in the IT technology area. In February 2022, she moved to the Netherlands to work as Senior Architect CS Infrastructure Management at the high-tech company ASML, one of the biggest players in the semiconductor sector.

Carlos Trejo, Professional MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation (class of 2018) alumnus, has gained many years of experience in the automotive industry and management consulting. Since January 2022, he is Technical Project Controller at Semperit.

With more than 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Professional MBA Marketing and Sales alumnus Panche Gelevski (class of 2019), has now become Managing Director of Replek AD Pharmaceuticals Wholesale.

After several years in top positions at Volkswagen and Porsche Holding, Christian Thaler, Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2014), has returned to practise law and has joined PEHB Rechtsanwälte, one of Austria’s leading corporate law firms, as partner. He has always been an entrepreneurial inhouse lawyer who is a real "enabler" for his business partners. He will pursue this approach now as attorney at law for all clients of PEHB Rechtsanwälte. He is looking forward to empower his clients to establish and improve strong and successful business models within the legal framework.

After several years in senior management positions at renowned international companies, Executive MBA Bucharest alumna Ana-Maria Petecila (class of 2017) has now become Managing Director at DKV Mobility Romania.

After four years as commercial director of BMC Baumanagement Chmelar GmbH, Clemens Chmelar has been promoted to managing director of the company. The Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2019) heads a service provider in construction management now, which has been successful for 35 years. It provides comprehensive services for large prestige projects such as the Lufthansa Flight Training Center.

Global Executive MBA Alumna (Class of 2014) Marija Novakovic is an experienced top manager who can look back on many years in senior positions. The Regional Sales Manager at Hilti Austria has been promoted to Executive Board Member in Hilti Germany.

Shoshannah Ascione is a Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (class of 2017) and has been with Mondi Group for almost 4 years. Having already worked for the international packaging and paper producer as Marketing Manager in Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials, she has taken on the responsibilities as the business units' Customer Experience & Digital Communications Manager since August 2021.

Professional MBA Alumnus Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Class of 2015) Dr. Christian Kittel is an experienced researcher and manager who can look back on many years in senior positions in the biomedical industry. Since January 2022, he is Innovation Program Director at Royal DSM.

Professional MBA Finance alumnus Peter Toth (Class of 20013) was promoted to Senior Global Marketing Manager at Boston Consulting Group in Munich in December 2021.

Professional MBA Project Management alumnus Varvara Morozova (class of 2019) recently started working as a Program Manager for DOM.RF, a mortgage bank in Russia. She is now responsible for 10+ project portfolios in the field of digitalization of the housing sector.

Filippo Turturici has worked in the energy industry for most of his career. The Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (class of 2014) has now moved to the construction industry, where he has been Senior Engineer at Laing O'Rourke since August 2021, to follow up and help develop the projects of the British company in the nuclear sector.

Martina Olf-Meindl is a Professional MBA Health Care Management Alumna (Class of 2006). She has been employed by Merck Group for over 4 years as an Authorized Representative and Market Access & Governmental Affairs Director. Since June 2021 she is also Interim Director Business Unit Neurology & Immunology.

Wolfgang Leindecker is a Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class of 2008) and has been working in the IT industry for more than 20 years. In the last 2 years he gained board experience as CEO of TTTech Industrial Automation AG. Since July 2021, he has been able to apply this experience at Microsoft, where he is also a member of the Management Board as Director Solutions Sales.

Astrid Valek has already taken on responsibility at various companies as both Head of Business Development and Head of Marketing. Since July 2021, the graduate of the certificate program Post Graduate Management (class of 2008) combines the experience gained at the international law firm CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz, where she is Head of Business Development, Marketing and Communications for Austria and CEE. Foto © Ricarda Jost

Until recently, Gilbert Kratschmann was Marketing Manager at Kostad Steuerungsbau GmbH. After the short detour into the industry of electronics manufacturers, he now returned to the hotel industry. The graduate of the certificate program Marketing & Sales (class of 2017) has been General Manager of the Hotel Kaiserhof Wien since summer 2021. Photo © Georg Wilke

Sonja Lengauer was Deputy Head of Education and Society at the Federation of Austrian Industries and attended the Professional MBA Digital Transformation & Data Science at the WU Executive Academy, which she will complete this fall. Now she has taken another career step and started as Chief Business Owner Content as well as Head of Publishing and Training at Austrian Standards International in June 2021.

César Carmona is a Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2016). A trained technician, he joined Airbus in 2016 - first in Madrid and since 2017 in Munich. From Project Manager for Aero and Maritime Programs, he rose to Team Leader for Aerospace Security at Airbus CyberSecurity in June 2021.

Eva Mairhofer-Kraus, an expert for digital solutions in the business environment, completed her Professional MBA in Marketing and Sales at the WU Executive Academy in 2012. Professional stations at UNIQA, SAP and Microsoft finally led her to self-employment. Now, the board member of the Blockchain Initiative Austria association is taking off as Chief Executive Officer with Infinite Trust Digital GmbH since May 2021. Infinite Trust Digital offers innovative blockchain solutions to protect your most valuable digital assets.

Antonio Marques holds a Professional MBA degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation (class of 2017). He has worked as a lecturer for “Innovation in Global Companies” himself at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt and held the role of a Senior Business and Process Innovation Manager at Samsung Electronics, climbing the career ladder step by step in the company for many years. He later also moved on to A1 Digital. In July 2021 he was made Strategic Key Account Manager at Sony.

Professional MBA Project Management Alumna (Class of 2015) Alma Atic has been with the International Atomic Energy Agency for nearly 3 years. In June 2021, she assumed new responsibilities as Associate Accounting Officer.

Thomas Kaiser has been working for NetApp for almost nine years now, and every few years he continuously moves to more responsible positions. The PMBA graduate with a specialization in Executive Management and Change Management (class of 2008) started there as Director for Eastern Europe and Turkey, was later additionally responsible for other countries such as Russia & CIS, and most recently worked as Director Partner Led Area EMEA. Since July 2021, he has been promoted to Senior Director Partner Led Area EMEA. In this responsibility, Thomas is leading a Change & Transformation project to develop and implement a new, fully partner based, Go to Market Model for 70 countries in EMEA. Netapp is a "Global Cloud Led Data Centric Software Company".

Thomas Stubbings is a Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class of 2018) and has many years of experience in leadership positions. As Chairman of the Austrian Cybersecurity Platform, Managing Director of TS Management Consulting and Chief Executive Officer of CTS Cyber Trust Services GmbH, he has been moving in the cybersecurity space for a long time. As Associate Partner of InnovaticGroup he adds another rung to his career ladder in the digital sector.

After spending almost his entire professional career at Siemens, Diego Castellanos Torres has now climbed another rung on the career ladder. Since July 2021, he has been a project manager for rail vehicles at Siemens in Vienna. The Professional MBA Project Management Participant originally started working as an apprentice at Siemens in Colombia and then made a name for himself step by step and across continents over the years.

Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumna (Class of 2019) Valentina Moretti is a marketing all-rounder who has gained professional experience in many fields in the Pharma, OTC and FMCG industries. In 2020 she moved to AbeBooks, an Amazon company, as a Marketing Manager and is now Vendor Manager Books at Amazon since June 2021.

András Gyémánt worked as Sales Manager, Country Director and Global Executive in MedTech. He then changed industry and was Regional Manager in CEE/SEE at Gedore Group for the last 4 years.  Now he returned to MedTech. Since May 2021 the Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2006) is Head of Sales at the startup Tec-Innovation GmbH.

Nina Zenz is a graduate of the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation (class of 2014). After almost a decade at A1, she moved to Doka in the construction industry 3 years ago. In April 2021, she took over the responsibility as Head of Digital Service Development there.

Professional MBA Project Management Alumnus (Class of 2008) Evgheni Tirulnic is an experienced project manager in the IT industry. Based in Bucharest, he has worked as Software Developer, Technical Director and IT Manager, most recently as Project Manager at QQinfo. In April 2021, he moved to Modular Services Romania, where he took the position of Senior Database Administrator.

Jennifer Grubac has many years of international experience in EMEA and USA. The Global Executive MBA Alumna (Class of 2019) joined the international law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP in April 2021 as Internal Website Content Manager.

Stanislav Kubala completed his Professional MBA Finance in 2019 and has since worked as Insurance Audit Leader Central Europe at Deloitte. In May 2021, he started pursuing new career paths at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, where he is Head of Consolidation & Reporting.

A major career move was made by Alexander Vesely, who, after many years of experience in IT and business consulting, was most recently working as Sales Leader ServiceNow at DXC Technology. The Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2012) has now risen to Associate Director at Accenture. He will be leading the ServiceNow Business Group in Austria and Switzerland.

Katha Häckel-Schinkinger was press officer in the cabinet of Federal Minister Rudolf Anschober until recently. In April, the Professional MBA Social Management alumna (Class of 2017) followed DI Dr.in Hildegard Aichberger as Head of Communications & Fundraising at Caritas Austria.

Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class of 2018) Justinas Basalykas is the founder of TaxLink Lithuania and also a lecturer at Vilnius University Business School. For the past year, he has been in the top management of Stanhope Financial Limited. He was COO/CFO there until recently and he has held the position of Chief Executive Officer since May 2021.

Sándor Hóbor has been with Mediso Medical Imaging Systems for more than a decade. Originally, the physicist started working there in his field of expertise. But even before his Professional MBA in Project Management (class 2017) he turned to project management. Since March 2021, he has moved up from working as a Business Development Manager to serving as Head of Sales and Customer Support Process Development | Regional Manager EMEA - Preclinical Imaging.

Claudio Srepel has worked in the energy industry for many years and in many countries - including Norway and most recently Italy. Recently, his career path led him to Austria: the Professional MBA Finance Alumnus (Class of 2017) moved to voestalpine High Performance Metals GmbH in March 2021, where he is COO of the newly formed Oil & Gas / Chemical Process Industry Platform business unit.

Zagorka Bozhinovska has just landed her dream job as Lead Business Analyst at Raiffeisen International Bank AG. Before, the PMBA Digital Transformation and Data Science student (2022) had been employed worked as Business Analyst in the Business intelligence Competency Center (BICC) at Sberbank Europe AG. The final kick-off for her successful application process was a mentoring chat she had when participating in WU EA´S “Making it in Austria” initiative.

Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class of 2008) Dietmar Wiesinger is an experienced top manager who can look back on many years in senior positions. The former member of the Managing Board of Kapsch CarrierCom AG moved to cloud software provider CELUM in March 2021, where he joins the management team as Chief Operating Officer.

Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumnus (Class of 2011) Thomas Moser started his career at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems as a Business Unit Manager. After holding various positions and serving as a Commercial Director, he moved to ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in March 2021, where he is Vice President Yale and Smart Residential EMEA.

Anna Bukowiecki, Professional MBA Finance participant (class of 2019), has just made a career leap. After more than seven years at Bloomberg LP in London, where she progressed step by step from intern to business development and relationship manager, she joined Accenture in Vienna as a manager in April 2021.

Angela Hodits is the new ombudswoman of the General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA). This department supports insured persons, patients and entrepreneurs and is open for their suggestions as well as complaints. The Professional MBA Health Care alumna (class of 2018) has already been working at AUVA for a decade. She first worked there as an assistant and then as an officer of the general management.

Catalina Otto is Executive MBA Bucharest alumna (class of 2014) and has taken another career step at Voith Hydro Europe. She started working for the company as a commercial project manager two years ago. For the last three months she has served as Business Manager to the CEO of Voith Hydro Europe. In March, she was promoted to Head of Business Development.

Global Executive MBA alumna (Class of 2019) Natallia Trubnikava can look back on a successful international career in Finance/Controlling and General administration at Continental. In her current role as Director Manufacturing Controlling Americas at Continental Tires Germany, she is responsible for the overall controlling of the production sites in North and South America.

After 7 years at Liechtensteinische Landesbank (Österreich) AG, where Robert Wallner has held  various management positions, most recently responsible for risk management, the Master of Legal Studies alumnus (Class of 2017 joins Marchfelder Bank eG, where he is Deputy Chairman of the Management Board.

Stanislav Tyves is a Professional MBA Finance Alumnus (Class of 2015) and has been in the banking industry for many years. He worked at Raiffeisen Bank Russia for more than 11 years before moving to Board Member position (Chief Risk Officer) in Uralsib Bank in early 2018. He assumed responsibility there as Head of Retail in February 2021.

Executive MBA Bucharest alumna (class of 2018) Oana Filipescu leaves Bucharest and moves to Zurich. After 5 years as Director of the Business Transformation and Consulting Division at Société Générale, and soon after graduating the EMBA program in May 2020, she joined UBS in December 2020 where she works as Director for Business and Process Transformation Practice/ Group Internal Consulting.

With almost 15 years of experience in Orange, Adrian Matei joins the company’s Executive Committee as its Data, AI & Enterprise Solutions Director, starting February 2021.  In his new role, the Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class of 2016) is leading and shaping the Data, AI/Analytics, Automation & Enterprise Solutions delivery strategy , at the heart of the company’s digital transformation journey in the pursuit of customer excellence, value creation, growth and operations efficiency.

The Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class of 2015) Dmitry Fialkovsky is an experienced venture capital and private equity professional with expertise in various areas like EnergyTech, GreenTech, Logistics, AR/VR and Corporate Digital Transformation. He worked as an Associate at RUSNANO (Russian Nanotechnology Initiative and Venture Fund) for 9 years and now holds a Principal position at New Industry Ventures, a corporate venture capital arm of Gazprom Neft, a leading Russian oil company. He is in charge of the full investment cycle - from origination to deal execution – and has 5-6 projects under way at each point of time. Under the open innovation approach Dmitry is constantly looking for venture investment opportunities worldwide and throughout a wide area of B2B and Industrial technologies.

Anna Tropsch, spent more than five years as Director of Business Development of Mentally Fit CIS supporting individuals as well as organizations to maximize their potential. Since the beginning of 2020, she has served as CEO of the company. The Professional MBA Project Management (class 2009) has taken on an additional area of responsibility as Director of Business Development for the Worldwide Business Alliance of Russian-speaking Women in the Netherlands since February 2021.

During his Professional MBA Marketing & Sales (graduation 2020) Wolfgang Aichhorn was already in charge of sales at the plant & equipment manufacturer GIG Karasek GmbH. In January 2021, the sales & marketing divisions were reorganized for the future growth strategy and he  took over the responsibility for them. With his team and global representatives he is now responsible for all the marketing activities, customer segmentation and acquisition, customer consulting, negotiation management up to the conclusion of contracts with industrial customers on an international level.

Matthias Bauer has been made head of "Assortment Coordination Food & Near Food" at Interspar and its subsidiary Maximarkt. He is in charge of the promotion and category management as well as the assortment of local and regional products. The Global Executive MBA alumnus (class of 2017) had already been responsible for assortment design at Interspar subsidiary Maximarkt since 2019.

Georgi Kirilov has been with The AES Corporation for 14 years. He has been Asset Management Coordinator for the Eurasian region for the last 4 years. Since the beginning of 2021, the Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (Class of 2016) is the new Global Norms, Standards & Systems Manager and as such responsible for ensuring that the company's global processes improve the future of energy by providing greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs.

As of March, Petra Keca Vidovic has started the role of Investor Relations Manager at Span in Croatia. Prior to that, the Professional MBA Finance alumna (class 2015) had been working for Agrokor as Mergers and Acquisitions Director.

Dennis Werner has been Vice President European Sales at Kronos International for 3 years already. The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumnus (Class of 2012) expanded his area of responsibility at the beginning of the year and is now the Vice President Sales in charge of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Furthermore he is responsible for Global Marketing.

Gabriela Maria Straka, Director of Corporate Affairs & CSR sets a milestone in the century old history of HEINEKEN subsidiary Brau Union Austria as a pioneer: the passionate sustainability and communications expert becomes the first woman to join the management board in March. For more than eight years, the qualified beer sommelier and EMBA graduate 2003 has successfully managed the sustainability agenda and corporate communications of Brau Union Austria and has set new national and international standards.

Alexander Sysoev, a Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumnus (Class of 2016), has been with Ericsson for almost 10 years. As Head of Telecom Core & Cloud in Northern & Central Europe he manages the core business across 18 countries. Since December 2020, he has also taken on the additional responsibilities of Managing Director for Ericsson Austria, being in charge of theentity's operations, profit, loss and strategy.

Katharina Radlinger-Köhler is Professional MBA Project Management alumna (class of 2017) and can look back on a long career at Novomatic. For 5 years, she was Head of the Project Management Office and Head of Product Line Management. In November 2020, she took over as new Functional Lead Project Management. In her new role, she is in charge of project management standards and the professionalization of project management in Research & Development.

Professional MBA Finance Alumnus (class 2018) Tomislav Šarlija moved to the automotive industry in summer 2020 after some time in the FMCG retail sector. In July, he was appointed new Head of Financial Reporting and Analysis at Tokić Ltd in Zagreb.

Toma Matei has already been with Ve Global for 5 years, where he took up a new position in November 2020. The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumnus (Class of 2011) is the new Vice President of New Digital Technologies, a position where he drives business growth through new products and technologies and develops new market strategies.

After 10 years in Information Technology as Tech Lead in SW Product Development – BMW Diesel Projects at Robert BOSCH AT in Vienna, Austria and the successful completion of the Global Executive MBA (class 2018), Saurav Prakash moved back to his home country, India in 2019. Early 2020 he started to shift his career towards Investment Banking & Financial Advisory at BPA Consulting. He serves as a Consultant for the Investment Banking arm of the firm as well as Head of the Human Resource Department. His responsibility comprises all aspects of client engagement and transaction execution, including preparation of engagement materials, valuation analysis, structuring and advising. Seeing himself as a technocrat, he also serves for start-ups with focused areas on new technologies.

Dr. Priyanka Dutta-Passecker has been working as Corporate Sales and Business Development Director at Bioseutica for 3 years. Moreover, the Global Executive MBA Alumna (class 2017) is co-founder and board member of the WU EA Female Leaders Network. Since October 2020, she is also Co-Founder, CEO and member of the Board of Directors at Healiva SA.

Dmitry Osokin has been in the pharmaceutical industry for many years, to which he remains loyal in his new job. The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumnus (class of 2007) moved from Takeda to Neuraxpharm, where he took over as new Country Manager in August 2020.

After nine years as a senior consultant at SynerGIS Informationssysteme GmbH and the successful completion of the PMBA Digital Transformation & Data Science (class 2018), Philip Glasner joined ZEISS. As Chief Data Management & Analytics Officer, he is responsible for Data Strategy, Data Governance and Data Science in the AT, CH & SEE region.

The Professional MBA Energy Management alumnus (class 2017) Christian Diendorfer, has won the OVE Energietechnik Award in November 2020 for his master thesis entitled "Investment decision making for blockchain applications in the energy sector using real options valuation and Bayesian learning". Every year, OVE Energietechnik awards the OVE Energietechnik Prize for young scientific and technical talents graduating from one of Austria's educational institutions. Congratuations on this great success!

Fritz Ploier, Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumni (Class 2017), has taken over the responsibility for Human Resources & Organization at 6B47 Real Estate Investors AG within august. The 6B47 Real Estate Investors AG is among the leading property developers in the German-speaking countries with offices in Vienna, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich and Warsaw. Our company develops and exploits real estate projects with a value of currently more than over EUR 1.6 billion Euro. Fritz’s aim is, to further develop 6B47’s already existing innovative ways of working as well as to increase it’s employer value proposition as state of the art & innovative employer of choice as leading property developer.

The Professional MBA Project Management Alumnus (class 2017) Enrico Soranzo returns after almost 6 years to the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, where the former Project Manager of iC Consulenten ZT GesmbH is researching and teaching as Assistant Professor. In his current research he is looking into the application of AI to geomechanics.

Christopher Krainer is leaving the consulting industry: the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumnus (class 2011) took over responsibility as Product Director Hardware at Zoomo in Sydney in September 2020.

Kristijan Kesinovic took up the challenge to pick up two new roles: After successfully leading Wellspect (Healthcare Unit of Dentsply Sirona) on a growth path with expansions to South Korea, Argentina and M&As in the United States, our Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class of 2014) has been assigned a new role as a Commercial Director for the MENA region AND becoming dad for the first time. While Kristijan is already brilliant in his professional life, the new role in his private life still seems to be very exhausting. Congratulations to both of your roles and to picking up the responsibility also in private life! Great example as dad AND leader.

The Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class 2017) Gusztav Iker is taking a new career step after more than 14 years with the Böllhoff Group. In August 2020, he became freelance Managing Partner at BdN Projects Hungary.

Hans-Peter Lacher is a graduate of the Diplom BetriebswirtIn Upgrade Program (class 2018-20). Since 2012 he worked for the former Salzburger Gebietskrankenkasse - now Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, Landesstelle Salzburg - in the field of communication & marketing. At the beginning of September 2020 he took over the new task of project and process manager.

Peter Wilfinger is a Global Executive MBA Alumnus (class of 2006) and Honorary Board Member of the WU Executive Alumni Club. As Director of New Business and Managing Director, he was responsible for sales, marketing and business development in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia at the leading manufacturer of automated storage and retrieval systems, Kardex Remstar. Since 1st of October 2020, his area of responsibility was extended to the countries Hungary & Romania.

Christoph Waldmüller is a participant of the Diplombetriebswirt-Upgrade (class 2018), which he enrolled after successful copletion of the certificate program Marketing & Sales (class 2016). He has been working for about a year at Erste Bank und Sparkasse, where he took over as a account manager for associations at the beginning of September 2020.

Anatoly Evdokimov has been with Indigo Capital Partners for 2 years. The Professional MBA Finance Alumnus (class of 2018) was an investment manager in this venture fund and became a Vice President in July 2020. He will be responsible for the sports tech and healthy foods related investments in the company.

Vitaly Berezka has been pursuing new career paths since July 2020. The Global Executive MBA graduate (class 2012), who is also a university lecturer at the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, has been Russian Country Manager at Plan Radar - a prominent Austrian PropTech company - since July 2020.

Stefan Distlberger has been working for voestalpine in the Sales & Marketing area since 2015. After several positions in the group and the completion of the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation (class 2016), he has been promoted to Managing Director - CSO for several locations worldwide in the Diagnostic & Monitoring Technologies for Rolling Stock unit since April 1, 2020.

Langa Manqele has recently completed the Global Executive MBA (class 2019) and can immediately prove his skills: In May 2020 he was promoted to Head of Equities and Equity Derivatives at JSE.

Philipp Bittinger is an alumnus of the Professional MBA Industry Enhancement (class 2014) and has spent many years in the financial industry. After more than 2 years as Senior Manager AML and Markets Compliance at Western Union, he joined Raiffeisen Bank International AG in July 2020, where he is Senior Compliance Officer.

The Global Executive MBA alumnus (class 2019) Fagan Naghiyev is taking over new responsibilities at Julius Baer, the leading Swiss wealth management group: after 5 years as Executive Director, Julius Baer Investment Advisory, RCEE, he recently became Executive Director, Head of Institutional Business, JB CIS - Russian, Central, and Eastern Europe.

The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class 2012) Artemy Seitz has been working for over 2 years at Linde AG as Global Procurement Manager. At the beginning, he was responsible for the Hardgoods division. A few months ago, he changed to Tanks & CES.

Daniela Jaeger-Bergaus doesn't waste any time with the next career move: The recent Global Executive MBA graduate (class 2019) is taking over new and challenging responsibilities at Borealis: After 5 years as Procurement Manager, she took over as new Head of Services in July 2020 and is now responsible for the group wide Procurement of Services.

Barbara Sladek is founder of myBioma. The Professional MBA Finance (class 2016) alumna was recently named Health Manager of the Month May/June 2020 by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO). Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

The Professional MBA Project Management (class 2015) alumna Kateryna Kryvoshei has succeeded in starting a career in an international context after completing her MBA. After working as a Monitoring & Evaluation Expert at the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, she joined the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. As Project Coordinator on Trade Policy, she contributed to the development of sectoral and cross-sectoral export strategies, among other things.

Thomas Beyer is Full Professor of Physics of Medical Imaging at the Medical University of Vienna, where he conducts research in the field of Quantitative and Hybrid Imaging. The Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumnus (class 2015) now employs his passion at the crossroads of technology and medicine as Co-Founder and CEO of Dedicaid GmbH, a startup that deals with AI-driven prediction models and applies modern technology to clinical decision support.

The Global Executive MBA alumnus (Class of 2013) Thomas Zwerger has been with Roche for over a decade. Since May 2020, he took over as new Head of Project Management, Roche Services & Solutions.

The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (Class 2016) Alma Ribanovic decided to stay in the insurance industry. After more than 6 years at UNIQA International AG, she joined the GrECo Group in March 2020 as Group Practice Leader Affinity.

Mircea Preda has been with Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA for more than 2 years. The Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation alumnus (class 2015) climbed up the career ladder from Head of Department Unit 3 & 4 to Head of International Relations and EU Affairs in March 2020. Additionally, he has taken on board positions with Telekom Romania and NextGen Communications.

After more than 8 years in various marketing positions at Samsung Electronics, Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna Katrin Markowski joined the international power management company Eaton. In February 2020, she took up a new position within the company and is now Marketing Manager Systems & Services, Power Distribution Division.

Günter Handler seems to be successfully going his way as managing director: the Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (class 2014) took up his new challenge as managing director at Nordmann, with responsibility for the countries of the AT Group (AT, SK, HU, RO, BG, SLO and SRB), in January 2020. Prior to this, he already gained experience as a Managing Director and was most recently involved in the restructuring of Forstinger GmbH.

Florin Cosac, Executive MBA Bucharest alumnus (class 2016), has started the new year with a career move: The former Country Business Manager of Villager took over as General Manager of Norm Fasteners Romania in January 2020. Norm Fasteners Romania is part of Norm Civata Group which continues to be a leader and pioneer organization in the fasteners industry with its superior quality policy and wide product range.

Daniela Dorner is pursuing a successful sales career at Mondi. The Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (Class 2016) has been with the global packaging and paper company for almost 8 years and took over as new Head of Strategic Channel Partners in January 2020.

Gabriela-Maria Straka completed her Global Executive MBA in 2003, is a certified beer sommeliere and has been Director of Corporate Affairs/ Communications & Sustainability at Brau Union Österreich for 7 years. Recently, in the course of a voting by numerous renowned Austrian business ad trade journalists, the magazine "Der Journalist" awarded her the title "Company Spokesperson of the Year 2019 in the FMCG industry”. Congratulations on this great achievement!

Following his stint as a member of Executive Committee at Africa’s second largest law firm, Webber Wentzel, being the founder of a management consultancy as well as a policy advisory boutique, and a total of 7 years in Johannesburg, South Africa, Global Executive MBA alumnus (`2008) Ignaz Füsgen has returned to Europe. On his quest for new challenges, he has joined Deloitte Legal’s Legal Management Consulting team as a Counsel in Düsseldorf in January 2020.  

Only 2 months on the market and already nominee for the eAward 2020, an incredible success for Dr. Gabriele Lang (left), Global Executive MBA alumna (class 2002) and Barbara Joshua, CEO and CFO of the digital start-up UP'N'CHANGE. The expert jury of the eAward 2020 was impressed: "access to coaching and consulting for companies has never been so easy" - "a platform with a lot of potential - we wish you success". The WU Executive Academy also joins in the congratulations on this outstanding achievement.

Balázs Toldi, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class 2016), is an experienced finance expert. After 9 years at Budapest Bank Zrt. as Head of Commercial Bank, he returns to Citi, taking over as Head of Citi Commercial Bank at the beginning of 2020.

Die Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna (Klasse 2015) Katarina Stanisavljevic übernimmt seit Dezember 2019 Verantwortung im Top Management. Als neue Managing Director der Carat Austria GmbH führt sie die innovative Medien Agentur, die Teil des Dentsu Aegis Networks ist, ins neue Jahrzehnt.

Ivaylo Peev completed his Professional MBA Marketing & Sales in 2017. After working for MetLife for many years, he decided to watch out for a new professional challenge: as Country Manager at Next Level Fitness Clubs in Bulgaria.

Ines Knapic looks back on a long career at Raiffeisenbank. For more than 7 years, the Professional MBA Finance alumna (Class 2011) has been Head of Collections and Workout at Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. Zagreb. Since November 2019, she has assumed new responsibilities at Raiffeisen Leasing as a Member of the Management Board.

In October 2019, the Professional MBA Finance alumnus (Class 2015) Cezary Baran decided to start his own business. Following his role as Vice President of the Board, CFO of Sklepy Komfort S.A., he is now Investment Director of Harvent Capital.

Thomas Perterer, Global Executive MBA alumnus (`2009), takes the next step on his career ladder: After 3 years as Director Cluster Western Germany at Lhoist, he was recently promoted to Vice President Operations within the international mining company.

The Professional MBA Project Management alumnus (`2015) Obaid ur Rehman Malik climbs up the career ladder at Greentube Internet Entertainment Solutions GmbH: After 2 years as Head of Corporate Portfolio and Projects, he now takes over as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Not only our alumni, but also our students are advancing their careers: the Professional MBA Project Management Student (Class of 2018) Florian Pertl left the MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH, where he has been working as Senior Cost Engineer until September 2019. Now he took on new responsibilities as Project Development/Bid Manager at STRABAG AG.

For Sandeep Hölzl-Singh, Professional MBA Finance alumnus (Class of 2011), 2 milestones from private and professional life coincided. In June 2019, an important update of the Tagetik system was due, which hundreds of colleagues needed operational the next day. At the same time, his unborn daughter decided not to wait any longer: Only 3 hours after the last conference call, which gave the green light for the next steps, he held his daughter in his arms. Congratulations!

Michal Puskar is a Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumnus (Class of 2010) and has made a transition from finance to telecommunications. The former Head of IT Business Partners at VUB Banka has been IT Business Partnering and IT Delivery Senior Manager at Slovak Telekom since August 2019.

The Global Executive MBA Alumnus Gerhard Neuhold (Class 2018) has changed companies after many years with BearingPoint. In October 2019, he joined Microsoft as Senior Global Account Technology Strategist.

The Global Executive MBA Alumnus Werner Zeitlberger (Class 2015) was the past 7 years Director Strategy & Transformation at The Hackett Group. He joined Borealis in Vienna in October 2019 and is responsible for a global transformation project.

Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class 2001) Martin Zinner adds a new entry to his long list of leading positions. After more than 6 years as Chief Financial Officer for Waagner-Biro AG, he took over as Deputy CFO of Vamed Management und Service GmbH in August 2019.

Adrian Vicovan is a Global Executive MBA Graduate (Class 2016) and Co-Founder, CEO and President of UIQT Inc. The company was represented at the World Aviation Festival in London in early September presenting its innovative service offering.

Lenka Cyprichova is a regular guest in our Career Moves: the Professional MBA Finance Alumna (`2018) joined Banca IMI in London at the beginning of the year, where she still works today in Structured Finance. In addition, as a founding member of a newly established CFA Society Slovakia, she became a Member of the Board of Directors and takes over the agenda of the Gender Diversity Director.

The Professional MBA Health Care Management Alumnus (`2018) Daniel Zimpfer took over the professorship for pediatric heart surgery at the Medical University of Vienna on September 1, 2019. There, he was already in charge of the pediatric heart surgery program at the Clinical Department.

Armin Rauschenberger can look back on a long career at Neuroth AG. The Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class 2018) has been with the hearing devices provider for more than 13 years and has held a variety of senior positions. In addition to his duties as Member of the Management Board, he took over as Head of Strategy in September 2019 and is responsible for the strategic process, strategy development and implementation.

When Camelia Stavarache completed her Professional MBA Marketing & Sales between 2014 and 2016, she held different positions at Vodafone: Product Marketing and Channel Manager and later Digital Commercial Lead. Since April 2019, she has been breaking new ground at Reckit Benckiser as Head of E-Commerce SEE.

After several years as Product & Area Sales Manager, the Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumnus Florian Sturm (Class 2017) is well prepared for his new position as Head of Sales - Special Applications at Semperit AG.

International Advisory Board Member Martina Ernst decided to move into self-employment. The Global Executive MBA Alumna (class 2006) an former Head of Human Resources at Erste Bank was on Sabbatical until now - a phase in her life which she calls "Happy time off" - and is now starting her own consulting firm with exclusive focus on salary negotiations: SalaryNegotiations, Earn Your Worth. In her coachings and trainings, Martina is supporting female professionals and female leaders in their careers and accompanying them in every phase of their salary negotiations because she wants her clients to really earn their worth.

The Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumnus Bojan Petković (Class 2018) is heading from one top position to the next. Since April 2019, he has been Country Manager South and Eastern Europe at PlanRadar, a provider of cloud-based software as a service solution for the real estate industry.

The Professional MBA Project Management Alumna Diana Romo (Class 2017) moves on to a new industry: Previously Purchasing Specialist at Rockwell Automation, provider of industrial automation and IT, she now works as Sourcing Specialist for GE Healthcare in the Austrian healthcare sector for life science in the cell culture division.

The Global Executive MBA 2008 Alumnus Christoph Kaipel moved to the German rope and lifting specialist PFEIFER. Since the beginning of this year, he has been heading the globally active business unit “Natural Hazard Solutions”, based in their Swiss subsidiary.

Kaitlyn Chang is a Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumna (Class 2016) and COO at the creative agency Kobza and The Hungry Eyes - KTHE GmbH. She has more than 15 years of experience in marketing - 10 of which were at Samsung as the Managing Director of Cheil Austria & Switzerland, a Samsung Group creative acency. Additionally, she has won numerous international creative and innovation awards. Recently, she was part of the expert jury at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, judging submissions in the Innovation category. Photo © Dina Lee

Irina Buzak, Professional MBA Marketing & Sales Alumna (Class 2015), moved last August from the American Chamber of Commerce in Moscow to ImmoTrading GmbH in Vienna. Now she is responsible for the international real estate projects of the company, focusing on the UAE. Her previous experience in real estate includes positions at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE and AFI Development.

Professional MBA Finance student and soon-to-be graduate Tihana Dumbovic remains loyal to the banking sector: After 3 years as Collection Manager for HETA Asset Resolution AG, she will take over new responsibilities as Director Real Estate Sales & Valuation at Addiko Bank AG as of June 2019.

Milan Vasilevski, who is currently in the middle of his Professional MBA Marketing & Sales studies, is experiencing some professional changes: Until April 2019, he was Partner Account Manager Adriatics and Hungary. Now he is responsible for a new region - as Distribution Account Manager for Eastern Europe and Turkey.

Friederike Skopek-Johnson completed the certificate program Health Care Management in 2017. She has already been able to gain and expand her experience in leading positions in several well-known institutions in the care sector, both in the extramural and intramural areas. In April 2019, she took over as new Director of Nursing at the Haus der Barmherzigkeit.

Thomas Gebhard, Global Executive MBA ('2018) alumnus, has been with Dr. Nagler & Company for several years. In April 2019, he was promoted from Senior Manager to Managing Director.

The Global Executive MBA (Class 2006) Alumna Timea Reicher was recently voted one of the most influential female top managers in Slovakia by Forbes magazine. As Retail Director and Member of the Board at Slovnaft, she took 2nd place in this year’s ranking, even improving her result by one place compared to the previous year.

Otto Kugler, Global Executive MBA alumnus (class 2007), can look back on a long management career, including top management positions at Ericsson and Deutsche Post. Besides his role as CEO at mils electronic, he became Managing Partner at i4-Guard GmbH in March 2019.

Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Class 2015) Alumnus Aleksandar Bogoevski takes the next step on his career ladder: Following his position as Head of IoT Business Development Europe at Nokia, he is now Director Global Solution Design Web&LE and Manufacturing at the global telecommunications company.

Birgit Oburger, Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumna (Class 2011) has been Head of Growth at KLAITON - the platform to find top business consultants & coaches. This April, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the company that recently changed the name to Haufe Advisory.

The Vice President of the WU Executive Academy International Advisory Board, Mae Hansen, has recently taken on new professional challenges: Starting in March 2019, the Global Executive MBA graduate (Class 2012) took over as Chief Transformation Officer and Member of the Management Board at the publicly traded company Baltika Group.

Helmut Forchtner can look back on a long track record at Siemens and adds another position to his list of responsible positions at the international company. The Global Executive MBA (`2008) Alumnus has recently been appointed Head of Engineering Metros.

Phillip C. Nell, professor at the Institute for International Business at WU Vienna and Academic Director of the Executive MBA Bucharest of the WU Executive Academy, took over as Academic Director of the CEMS Master in International Management Program of WU Vienna in March 2019. Congratulations!

Verena Riessberger completed her Global Executive MBA in 2009 and has been pursuing new career paths since February. After working for Microsoft, she is now Sales Director ERPM/HCM Central Europe at Oracle.

After 4 exciting years as CFO at the Mainstream Group, Aleksandar Nedeljkovic, Professional MBA Finance alumnus (class 2016), is moving back to the frontlines by taking over the position of the Chief Business Officer. His goals are spending more time focusing on clients across the Adriatic region and create value with intelligent utilization of data and IT systems.

Vivek Sachdeva, Global Executive MBA (Class 2013), adds a new position to his career at Ericsson: after almost 4 years as Head of Company Control - Middle East & India, he took over as Vice President - Head of Finance, Middle East & Africa in February.

Until October 2018, Stefan Holzer was Regional Business Director at Medtronic. The Global Executive MBA Alumnus (Class 2006) has since taken over as Vice President International at AliveCor.

Starting in February this year, the Global Executive MBA alumnus (Class 2011) Witold Klajnert is up for new challenges: As Client Solutions Partner at Sabre Corporation he is in charge of new projects in Southlake, Texas.

The Professional MBA Finance alumna, Lenka Cyprichova, is relocating her career to London as part of the Intesa Sanpaolo International Talent Program. Since the start of the year, she is working as a Structured Finance Specialist at Banca IMI. For the past 12 years, Lenka had worked as Senior Corporate Sales Dealer, Head of Sales and Credit Risk Manager at VUB Banka in Bratislava and she completed her MBA in 2018 in Vienna.

Kai Siefert completed his Professional MBA Energy Management in 2015 and worked for OMV for many years. As of December 2018, he started a new position as IT Strategist at Wien Energie GmbH.

The Professional Banking MBA alumnus (2013) spent five challenging years in CEE HNWI Relationship management in Saxo Bank after graduation. In September 2018 Feliks Indenbaum made his important career leap to the position of Group Treasury Manager in JetBrains, one of the leading worldwide software developers.

The Global Executive MBA 2015 Alumna Rita Jakusch moved from HYPO NOE Landesbank für NÖ und Wien AG to HYPO NOE Immobilien in October 2018, where she is now Managing Director.

After a few challenging years as Head of Multinational Companies and Trade Finance Servicing Division at Raiffeisen Bank Aval in Kiev, Andreas Kettlgruber joined Group Corporate Business Strategy & Steering in Vienna in July 2018. Today, the Professional MBA Finance 2014 Alumnus is Head of Cross-Border Business Management at Raiffeisen Bank International AG.

Jolita Venckute graduated from Professional MBA Project and Process Management in 2013 and has been working in the insurance industry for over 12 years. In December 2018, she took over as project manager at Generali Versicherung.

The Global Executive MBA 2017 alumnus Andrej Fulgencio took over the position of Sales Director at Schoeller Bleckmann Edelstahlrohr GmbH in December 2018.

Daniel Wagner completed his Global Executive MBA in 2018 and immediately took the next step in his career: After working as Sales and Marketing Specialist for Erzdiözese Wien, he is now Head of Marketing & Innovation at Linde Verlag Ges.m.b.H. and Head of Marketing at Druckerei Jentzsch.

Belgacem Chriti, Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumnus (2012), joined Helios Towers as Chief Executive Officer of Helios Towers Congo in February 2018. As a specialist in organisational change and business transformation, he puts in place the right adjustments that stemmed a better company positioning, clearly healthier financial results and an improvement of the network availability.

Professional MBA Marketing & Sales 2010 alumnus Rudolf Körber has decided to face new challenges in the new year: since January 2019 he took over as Head of Marketing & Sales at RIKA International.

Since 19 October 2018, Professional MBA Public Auditing ´2009 Alumnus Günter Bauer, who has been teaching "Public Budget Accounting" in the MBA for several years, was awarded the honorary title "Honorar Professor (FH)". The award is given to selected personalities who have made a significant contribution to the FH Kärnten over a longer period of time.

Murat Ayberk has been HR-Director of MANZ'sche Verlags- und Universitätsbuchhandlung GmbH until September 2018. The Global Executive MBA Alumnus `2006 has now started his own business as management consultant under the name of nG People Management Consulting. He focuses on Organisational Development & Change Management, Business-, Career- and Team Coaching, Executive & Professional Search.

Since 2016 the Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation ‘2014 alumnus Radim Chval has been working for maihiro GmbH as a Senior Consultant in the area of SAP CRM. This summer he was appointed to the management team as Principal Consultant / Team Leader.

This July, the Warsaw Executive MBA alumnus Robert Lugowski took over, in addition to his many positions as Founder & Managing Partner Cobin Angels, the duties as a Board Member of EBAN – The European Business Angel Network. After a successful career in global tech corporations, including Hewlett-Packard, Xerox and Atos, Robert moved to build his own business in the venture capital industry.

Things are happening in the International Advisory Board (IAB) of the WU Executive Academy! The Global Executive MBA `2006 Alumnus Dietmar Eder-Dianitsch assumes the role of President after almost 12 years as a member of IAB.

Mae Hansen completed her Global Executive MBA in 2013 and has been a member of the International Advisory Board (IAB) of the WU Executive Academy since then. Starting in November 2018, she is now heading the Advisory Board as Vice President - together with Dietmar Eder-Dianitsch, who was elected President.

After a year with Cetracore Energy, Anton Ananiev was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer. The Global Executive MBA ‘2017 alumnus was previously responsible for bank relations as Director - Corporate Finance.

Cezary Baran (Professional MBA Finance ‘2017) took up his new position as Vice President of the Board at Sklepy Komfort S.A. this September. Previously, he was CFO at Emperia Holding S.A. for more than five years.

Entrepreneur Harald Trautsch started his next chapter as CEO this April with the company goSmart Mobility GmbH. He is still Co-Founder and CEO of Dolphin Technologies GmbH, Blue Monkey GmbH, CrossFit Viertel Zwei, and everbill Inc. Harald successfully completed our Global Executive MBA in 2012.

Already during his Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation studies, Gerald Steiner took over the position of Head of the Department Managed Services of APA-IT Informations Technologie GmbH this year.

With his experience as a Business Developer, our Professional MBA Finance ‘2011 alumnus Stefan Greunz faced two new challenges this year. He took over the position as Advisor and Consultant for the companies DOMONDA and MOVEEFFECT.

The Global Executive MBA alumnus (Class ‘2011) Davorin Lempl made his career leap to Managing Director of Gorenje Vertriebs GmbH this summer. This international move brought him from Moscow, where he was the Finance Director of OOO Gorenje BT, to Munich.

Only a few months after her graduation, the Professional MBA Finance ‘2017 alumna Natalia Zlodyreva took over the position as Finance Director at SEPHORA Scandinavia (LVMH group) at the beginning of the year. Previously, she worked for LVMH Perfumes &Cosmetics (Russia & CIS) for more than four years as Head of Finance Control.

Our Executive MBA Bucharest ‘2008 graduate Laura Ionescu has been meeting the challenges as Marketing Manager at CTE Trailers in Bucharest since September.

Bogdan Matei graduated from our Professional MBA Marketing & Sales in 2013. This August he moved on to become the Head of Sales South-East Europe at VE Global.

Gabriela Marin joined Cris Tim this summer as its Human Resources Director next to her other positions as Managing Director (Masima Consulting Center SRL), Senior HR Consultant (ENVISO), and Franchise Owner (EPSN Workforce Group). She graduated in 2013 from our Executive MBA Bucharest.