{"id":118356,"date":"2025-12-09T07:18:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/premium-speakers.com\/?p=118356"},"modified":"2025-12-09T07:18:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:18:37","slug":"marianne-heiss-when-leadership-change-and-responsibility-become-a-mindset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/premium-speakers.com\/en\/magazin\/marianne-heiss-when-leadership-change-and-responsibility-become-a-mindset\/","title":{"rendered":"Marianne Heiss \u2013 When leadership, change, and responsibility become a mindset"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cThe future is a leadership task.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not just an empty slogan, but Marianne Heiss’s<\/strong> attitude to life. At a time when companies and organizations are facing exponential change, she embodies leadership with vision, strength, and empathy. Her path\u2014from her first steps in finance to the top of large companies and the highest supervisory boards\u2014shows that change does not happen by chance, but through attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marianne Heiss \u2013 From numbers expert to pioneer of change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Marianne Heiss began her career with a degree in business administration in Wiener Neustadt, specializing in accounting, auditing, and management. She took on positions of responsibility at a young age: at just 21, she was office manager at a hotel chain, and at 24 she headed up finance and accounting at the Sellbytel Group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Heiss wanted to do more than just manage numbers. She aspired to shape processes, advance companies, and change structures \u2014 with vision and conviction. She moved to BBDO Group<\/strong>, where she took on financial management responsibilities in 1999. Step by step, she worked her way up until she took over the position of CFO Germany in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, she was appointed CEO of BBDO Group Germany<\/strong>\u2014becoming the first woman to head the German branch of one of the largest international communications networks. Under her leadership, the group achieved record results, raised customer satisfaction and innovation to new levels, and strengthened diversity and sustainability as strategic pillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Values that make an impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sets Heiss apart from many others is her clear stance on what good leadership means. For her, numbers are only part of the picture \u2014 integrity, fairness, diversity, and a sense of responsibility are just as important. In interviews, she repeatedly says: \u201cEquality must be a matter of course.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lives by this conviction \u2014 as a manager, as a role model, and as a decision-maker: Under her leadership, the proportion of women in top management at BBDO grew significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also brings this spirit to her supervisory board roles<\/strong> at large corporations such as Audi AG, Porsche SE<\/strong>, and other companies: It’s not just about returns, but about sustainable corporate governance, ESG (environmental, social, governance) commitments, and long-term value creation with responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crises as opportunities \u2013 change as an attitude<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marianne Heiss has proven more than once that she can manage more than just good times. She has guided companies through crises, accompanied restructuring processes, and provided guidance even in turbulent times. She has always remained solution-oriented. In one of her most recent interviews, she summed it up as follows: \u201cCooperation is the key to growth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For her, transformation means not only process optimization, but also cultural change, openness, and the courage to change. It is precisely this authentic combination that makes her a sought-after speaker, consultant, and supervisory board member\u2014among those who want more than just returns: sustainable impact, long-term stability, and human leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supervisory board member, author, catalyst: the new chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2018, Marianne Heiss has been one of the most influential supervisory board members in Europe. She sits on the boards of large industrial groups, contributing not only financial expertise but also strategic vision and value orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, she remains active as an author. Her books \u2014 including \u201cYES SHE CAN \u2014 The Future of Management is Female<\/a><\/strong><\/em>\u201d \u2014 are an expression of her commitment to diversity, equality, and modern leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latest step: Since 2024, she has been running the VOICES podcast<\/strong>, in which she talks to leading figures from business, politics, art, and culture about topics of the future. This allows her to stay close to the changes of our time and help shape the discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Marianne Heiss belongs on every stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n