Last chance: €4,000 Early Bird discount  on all MBA applications with deadline April 30, 2026
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Female Leadership Lounge

Would you like to have the unique opportunity as female MBS student to continuously exchange ideas with two very successful female C-level executives and benefit from their vast experiences? Would you like to learn what opportunities you have to develop yourself further - both professionally and personally - whilst remaining true to yourself and be authentic?

Then the Female Leadership Lounge initiative is the right initiative for you!

One year. Strong women. Strong impulses.

The Female Leadership Lounge is a regular exchange with female C-level role models from international companies such as Microsoft, Ernst&Young, Siemens or Allianz.
Get the opportunity to exchange ideas exclusively for one year in order to develop personally and professionally.

What to expect?

In four informal and exceptional sessions over twelve months - each 1.5 hours long and at different locations - at the companies in Munich and at MBS - you will benefit from:

Personal Development

Get valuable first-hand advice and exclusive career insights for personal and professional (further) development.

Leadership Insights

Gain insight regarding gender-based business issues, leadership and workplace challenges.

Role Model Experiences

Think about your personal development opportunities inspired by experiences and stories of the role models.

Regular Exchange

Experience authentic regular exchange in an informal and confidential atmosphere.

Networking

Experience the power of networking.

Dr. Christine Menges
The MBS Female Leadership Lounge is a great opportunity for MBS female students to develop personally and professionally. Our C-level mentors are wonderful role models in many different areas and always authentic female leaders in the DACH region and beyond!"
Dr. Christine Menges Cancellor of Munich Business School
Save the date!

The next round will start in December 2026. The duration of the program is one year. The new application process will start in October 2026.

Who is Hiltrud Werner?

Hiltrud Dorothea Werner is a executive and supervisory board member, including at Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, EVERLLENCE SE and Hensoldt AG. A graduate in mathematical methods and models from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, she held leadership roles in internal audit before joining Volkswagen AG in 2016. In 2017, she was appointed to the Group Board of Management, where she served as Board Member for Integrity and Legal Affairs until 2022, leading key negotiations with U.S. authorities. With extensive international experience, including several years in the UK, she is committed to diversity and actively supports women’s careers. She also shares her expertise as a guest lecturer and author of two books.

Who can attend?

The Munich Business School Female Leadership Lounge is designed for

  • female MBS bachelor's students from the 3rd year onwards,
  • female MBS master's students,
  • female MBS MBA students,
  • female MBS DBA students

who are looking to develop their personal leadership identity.

Especially recommended for students who want to learn about gender dynamics, exchange more about female leadership and grow professionally and personally.

Only a limited number of spaces are available!

How to apply?

Submit your one-pager motivation letter, answering the following questions:

  • What does successful leadership mean to you? In your opinion, which female personality incorporates outstanding women in leadership aspects and why?
  • What difference will you make in the world?
  • Why are you the right student for the lounge sessions?

Hand in this letter plus your current resume to Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft.

The new application process will start in October 2026.

A look back at our previous mentors

Each edition of the Female Leadership Lounge brings inspiring encounters with outstanding female leaders from the C-level sector. The mentors share their experiences, perspectives and career paths - making each Lounge unique through their individual backgrounds and personalities.

Get to know some of our previous mentors who have left lasting impressions with their expertise and authenticity.

Mirjam Mohr

Mirjam Mohr has been a member of the Management Board of Interhyp AG, the leading broker of residential mortgages in Germany, since 2010. 

In this role, she is responsible for the two sales areas of private customer business and partner business. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector, she is one of the She is also involved in various initiatives and media outlets that promote smart wealth accumulation and greater financial independence for women.

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Anna Kopp

Anna Kopp has been Director IT at Microsoft Germany since 2015, Branch Manager of the large headquarters in Munich.

She is Co-Chair of the Women@Microsoft ERG Board and member of the Advisory Board of Munich Business School. Furthermore Anna Kopp is a Bavarian delegate to the IHK Digitization Committee and a member of the Munich Circle Board. In 2020, she was voted one of the most inspiring women in Germany and has won several technology and industry awards as well as diversity and inclusion awards. In 2019, she was listed among the top 50 technology influencers in Munich.

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Bettina Dietsche

Bettina Dietsche is Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) of the Allianz Group.

From July 2018 to November 2022, Bettina Dietsche has been instrumental in driving cultural change, people development and the implementation of new technologies on a global scale. Prior to that, she was Head of Group Operations at Allianz SE (January 2017 to June 2018). She drives her agenda along three driving forces: people, culture and platform – to attract and develop new talent, to promote and live a culture that is aligned with the Allianz purpose and strategy, and to achieve IT excellence with our systems.

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Irene Bader

Irene Bader is a member of the Executive Board at DMG MORI, a leading global manufacturer of high-precision machine tools.

She is responsible for Global Corporate Communication and is Chief Marketing Officer. She joined the company in 2005 and has held various management positions. Under her leadership, the global marketing structure has been established and consolidated across the group. Based in Munich and Tokyo, she is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of global product communication as well as global external and internal communication. She is also Managing Director of DMG MORI Europe Holding. In this role, she sets the strategic direction of the company, manages operations in Europe and identifies market potential in the manufacturing industry. As Managing Director of DMG MORI Sports Marketing SAS, she is also immersed in the world of offshore sailing and is responsible for the technology group's global sports marketing activities. Irene Bader, born in Austria,  has represented the main shareholder DMG MORI COMPANY LIMITED on the Supervisory Board of the subsidiary DMG MORI AG since 2016. Born in Austria, she holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and is currently studying for a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

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Rita Niedermayr

Rita Niedermayr has been active for more than 25 years in various leadership roles as founder, managing director, member of the supervisory board and as project manager.

Since 2015, Rita has been a Partner at EY for People Consulting with core competencies in Learning, Change and Leadership. As Managing Director of the Controller Institute, in her role as a board member of the International Group of Controlling or as a member of the Advisory Board of Munich Business School, Rita has a strong professional commitment to finance-related topics and community. She is part of the EY Womens Network "Women.Fast Forward" and initiator "Next-Spin-Leadership" program.

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Dilek Bocuk

Dilek Bocuk is Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Siemens Mobility and is driving forward the company's digital transformation.

With an international career, she focuses not only on technical, but also on human and organizational change. Diversity and intercultural collaboration characterize her experience in countries like India and Mexico. Before Siemens, she worked for a German life science company and was recognized as one of the top 100 CIOs in Mexico. She is committed to "women in the digital world of work" and is a role model for the #SheTransformsIT initiative.

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Would you like to learn more?
Professor for International Business
Academic Director Bachelor International Business
Prof. Dr.  Patricia Kraft +49(0)89 547678-0 patricia.kraft@munich-business-school.de
How can we help you? Next steps Become part of the initiative