German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 Featuring: Robert Isele has always been driven by a passion for innovation, having held various technical and leadership roles within the automotive industry across his more than 25-year career. He has been CEO of INOVA Semiconductors GmbH (INOVA) – a fabless semiconductor company based in Munich – since 2023, bringing extensive expertise, empowering his team, promoting transparency, and encouraging creativity. In light of his recognition within the German CEO Excellence Awards 2026, we speak to Robert to learn more about his success. Automotive Technology CEO of the Year 2026: Robert Isele & Leading Automotive Connectivity Technology Developer 2026
AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. EU Business News is delighted to announce the launch of the German CEO Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the visionary leaders steering Germany’s economy forward through innovation, resilience, and strategic excellence. From founders driving fast-growing start-ups to executives guiding major corporations through transformation, this awards programme recognises the individuals whose leadership defines success in one of Europe’s most influential markets. Championing Leadership in a Changing Economy Germany’s economy continues to evolve through digital transformation, sustainability, and global competitiveness. In 2026, CEOs play a pivotal role in steering growth, adapting to shifting markets, and leading innovation across key sectors such as manufacturing, finance, energy, and technology. The German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 celebrate these exceptional individuals – those driving business success while setting new standards of leadership, responsibility, and longterm vision. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.eubusinessnews.com German CEO Excellence Awards 2026
4. INOVA Semiconductors Gmbh: Automotive Technology CEO of the Year 2026: Robert Isele & Leading Automotive Connectivity Technology Developer 2026 6. Krifft and Zipsner GmbH: Best Turnkey Automation Solutions CEO 2026 (Europe): René Eberz 8. PINK GmbH Thermosysteme: Most Innovative Vacuum Systems Manufacturing CEO 2026: Andrea Pink Contents 10. Stadtwerke Soltau GmbH & Co. KG: Most Innovative Oil & Energy CEO 2026: Daniel Töpfer & Best Oil & Energy Company 2026 - Western Europe 11. Artpreneure.de: Best Art Entrepreneurship Business Leader 2026: Franziska Sevik & Best Art & Entrepreneurship Resource 2026 13. Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V: Visionary CEO in Public Affairs 2026: Isabell Halletz & Leading Care Provider Employer Support Organisation 2026
German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 Aug22676 Automotive Technology CEO of the Year 2026: Robert Isele & Leading Automotive Connectivity Technology Developer 2026 INOVA Semiconductors GmbH, founded in 1999, is a developer of high-speed serial data communication for the automotive sector, including APIX® (Automotive Pixel Link), the third generation of which has become the de facto standard for SerDes (serializer/ deserializer technology) solutions in the industry. INOVA is also renowned for its smart LED (ISELED®) and network connection technology for smart LEDs and sensors (ILAS®) – a comprehensive, industry-leading ecosystem for connecting lights and sensors, supported by more than 60 companies within ISELED Alliance. Under the name APXpress® (Automotive Pixel Express), the company has created a novel high-speed data backbone for zonal architectures and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This technology supports more than 500 independent data channels at speeds of up to 32 Gbps with very little delay. INOVA now boasts more than 250 million APIX links in the field and has delivered more than 500 million ISELEDs to date. Robert gives us a deeper insight into these technologies: “A vehicle equipped with partial autonomous driving capabilities may incorporate dozens of sensors dedicated to ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) and safety functions – and hundreds, in case sensors for the powertrain, chassis, comfort systems, and infotainment are included. Consequently, the need for higher data rates, lower latency, and real-time communication becomes critical – particularly for safetyrelevant functions such as ADAS and automated driving. “However, this growing complexity introduces new challenges. More interconnections and interfaces can increase cybersecurity risks, with the infotainment system often cited as a primary attack vector (BSI, 2025). In parallel, today’s wiring harness is one of the heaviest components in a vehicle, contributing not only to higher power consumption but also to increased CO₂ emissions. “Together, these trends are driving the demand for a new, more suitable, and tailored communication architecture that is high-performance, scalable, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving requirements of next-generation vehicles. The aim of all our Robert Isele has always been driven by a passion for innovation, having held various technical and leadership roles within the automotive industry across his more than 25-year career. He has been CEO of INOVA Semiconductors GmbH (INOVA) – a fabless semiconductor company based in Munich – since 2023, bringing extensive expertise, empowering his team, promoting transparency, and encouraging creativity. In light of his recognition within the German CEO Excellence Awards 2026, we speak to Robert to learn more about his success. solutions is to enable simple plug-and-play solutions for lighting and communication in the car without software, with low energy consumption. With these solutions, we support vehicle architectures for various OEMs and work very closely with the classic Tier 1 world.” Today, the automotive industry is shaped by major trends including digital cockpits, autonomous driving, over-the-air software updates, interior design, and sustainability. Robert sees first-hand how these trends bring ever-evolving, complex requirements for in-vehicle data communication. As such, INOVA does work closely with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and Tier 1 suppliers to co-develop the technologies that make these new functionalities possible. Essential within this process is building long-term relationships that are based on trust, openness, and an aligned vision for innovation. “We never think in short development cycles,” says Robert. “Every solution we design must be robust, flexible, and future‑proof so that it continues to add value across multiple vehicle generations. This long‑term mindset ensures that our projects run seamlessly from concept to implementation – and that our clients see us as reliable partners, not just technology providers.” For almost three decades, Robert’s career has been driven by innovation, especially where technology influences how drivers and passengers experience a vehicle. At the beginning of his career in the 1990s, he was developing in-car display systems at a time when navigation and user interfaces were still in their early days. He strongly believed that high-quality displays could only be realised through fully digital interfaces, thus he opted to move away from the analogue video interfaces that were standard then. This led to the initial development of high-speed digital links that were reliable, affordable, and robust enough for automotive use – going on to inspire the creation of today’s APIX technology. From there, displays evolved from single central units into complex systems like head-up displays and digital clusters. Robert developed this approach to all driver information and rear-seat systems, laying Company name: INOVA Semiconductors Gmbh Contact name: Robert Isele Email: [email protected] Website: www.inova-semiconductors.de INOVA Semiconductors Gmbh
- the foundations for the first centralised vehicle architectures as early as 2008. From 2010, vehicle interiors had taken on new significance, not just functionally, but as a key part of the vehicle’s brand identity and emotional design. Traditional materials such as wood and chrome were a thing of the past, replaced by modern surfaces where lighting became central to design and user experience. Robert was head of interior light, paying attention to how light was no longer incorporated as just a static decorative feature but a vibrant communication tool. It was this insight that led to the development of smart LED technologies, as Robert explains, “To make this work, we had to solve several technical challenges – achieving consistent colour across temperature extremes, enabling fast, reliable networking, and ensuring plug-and-play simplicity. These efforts culminated in 2015 with the introduction of ISELED – the first automotive smart LED – and later ILAS, which together enabled a completely new generation of interior lighting experiences. “These experiences – from digital displays to connected lighting – shaped my approach as CEO: combining deeper technical understanding with a strong sense of how innovation can define a company’s identity and create long-term value for customers.” When it comes to his role of CEO and how he approaches leading his team, Robert does so in a way that prioritises open communication, trust, and collaboration. He believes that innovation can only thrive when people feel empowered to share their ideas, use their own initiative, and also learn from their mistakes. He maintains an open-door policy and short decision paths, viewing this as essential toward success by keeping the team agile and ensuring every voice is heard. “A strong company culture doesn’t come from rules or slogans; it comes from consistent behaviour,” he states. “As leaders, we must live our values every day and demonstrate through our actions what we expect from others. For me, that means promoting transparency, encouraging creativity, and maintaining a constructive error culture where feedback and learning are part of our daily work. “Continuous communication – across all levels – ensures that everyone in the organisation understands not only our goals but also the “why” behind them. That shared understanding is what aligns us and drives the company forward.” So, what are the organisation’s goals? Robert tells us that over the past two years, the focus has been on strengthening the organisation and preparing for the next phase of growth, both in terms of technology development and scalability. This year, the business is entering a decisive phase: its product offering is becoming available in significantly higher volumes, and it expects to experience substantial growth across its key markets. At the same time, it is expanding its existing product lines and investing heavily in the next generation of technologies to define the coming decade. “These efforts will ensure that we not only keep pace with market demands but continue to set new standards in automotive data communication and smart system integration,” says Robert. “This momentum also requires the continued expansion of our organisation – attracting new talent, strengthening our structures, and fostering innovation at every level.” He concludes, “The goal is clear: to build sustainable, long-term growth powered by technology leadership and strong partnerships.”
German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 Founded in 1993 by Klaus Zipsner, the internationally active, owner-managed company Krifft & Zipsner has spent more than 30 years designing and implementing projects for the printing and packaging industry, standing for high quality and system availability at every turn. Distinguished by a process of vertical integration that sees it embody high levels of flexibility, the team handle everything from manufacturing and assembly to testing their systems, ensuring both a seamless process and efficiency across the board. Certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, as well as boasting UL certification, the company has more than 175 people working for it, whose roles cover everything from consulting and design to assembling individual customer projects. Such a big scope across its team means that Krifft & Zipsner can cover all the bases for their clients, developing logistics systems for everything from printing machines and die-cutters to laminating, foiling, and crosscutting machines, even when these machines are operated non-stop. With more than 2,500 machines and conveyor systems delivered over the course of its more than 30-year history in this space, Krifft & Zipsner is one of Germany’s premier providers of automation solutions. Alongside national printing and packaging companies, the company also delivers its equipment and logistics systems to clients throughout Europe and the rest of the world. But this is not all, and as mentioned in the beginning, this team also offer turnkey automation systems for pallet transport, another of their key differentiators. Discussing this service in more detail, René commented: “Regardless of your product, we ensure that your pallets are moved through your factory or operation efficiently, in a controlled and traceable manner.” By automating pallet transport, the team can Best Turnkey Automation Solutions CEO 2026 (Europe): René Eberz In the field of mechanical engineering, Krifft & Zipsner GmbH is a market leader and somewhat of a ‘hidden champion’, thanks to its production of pile tuners and transport and conveying systems, as well as its servicing and maintaining of equipment. Beyond its pile turners and logistics systems there lies a focus on turnkey automation solutions for pallet transport. With CEO René Eberz being recognised for this in particular, we caught up with him for more on both these services and his career. ensure a smooth material flow, and with each pallet being tracked and controlled seamlessly, keeping track of everything has never been more simple. What’s more, these solutions come from a single source and are tailored to the needs of the client, adding real value. “With automation solutions from Krifft & Zipsner, you can optimise your pallet logistics, reduce costs, and increase your competitiveness.” Behind all of these services is the family ethos of this business, which defines how it acts. By facing the challenges inherent in today’s business and political world as a team, great things can be achieved. Touching on this, René remarked: “Success always consists of several components. And some of the most important components are the people around you – the family that has your back and is able to ground you.” For René, the team here are family, and without them to lead, his position as CEO would be empty. The man at the helm of Krifft & Zipsner GmbH, René got his start in this space completing a humble apprenticeship as a toolmaker, before continuing his education and honing his skills over the years. Today, René is, amongst other things, a master precision mechanic, a technical business economist, and a REFA technician. As well as developing his skills, René has grown professionally in other ways as well, taking on new challenges and responsibilities in roles across various mechanical engineering companies. All these experiences add up to make René a discerning and capable CEO – a man known for being down to earth in his dealings and yet a visionary when it comes to the future of Krifft & Zipsner. It is thanks to him that the company is today in a very good position, something which was not always the case. René explained: “When I joined the company, the situation was very overwhelming. The pandemic was still fresh in people’s minds, and the company had grown steadily but not made a profit for eight years.” Having to overcome everything from balancesheet indebtedness to issues across supply chains, the company needed somebody willing and capable in the driver’s seat if it was to turn its fortunes around. So, leveraging both the good name of the company and a team with whom he knew he could achieve great things, René set about transforming the company from the inside out. Today, almost four years into the role, René has seen Krifft & Zipsner be firmly in the black for three of these, representing a full transformation. Exploring this further, René told us: “The company was put back on a stable financial footing and I succeeded in shaping and motivating our team of employees in such a way that this was successful. The goal remains to create a versatile company, and we are currently expanding our portfolio.” He continued: “Ultimately, we want to evolve into a company that is capable of change. We want to push ahead with the standardisation of our products in order to be able to handle day-to-day business better and create a space for progress.” With René Eberz overseeing the future expansion and evolution of Krifft & Zipsner GmbH, the company is in great hands to continue to position itself as a cross-border leader and a partner of choice for turnkey automation solutions in pallet logistics and beyond. Recognised as the Best Turnkey Automation Solutions CEO 2026 (Europe) on the back of all of the above, it is our pleasure to celebrate René in this programme. More on the great work he is doing at the company can be found by visiting the web address below.
7. Best Turnkey Automation Solutions CEO 2026 (Europe): René Eberz “Our comprehensive service ensures that your system retains its performance for years to come and that you can concentrate fully on your core business. Trust in Krifft & Zipsner – for logistics that moves.” Contact: René Eberz Company: Krifft and Zipsner GmbH Web Address: https://www.krifft-zipsner.de/
Jul22546 German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 ased in Wertheim-Bestenheid, PINK Thermosysteme has made a name for designing and manufacturing customised vacuum soldering systems, sintering systems, drying systems, and low-pressure plasma systems. With more than four decades of operational experience and a thriving team of approximately 200 employees, the company stands out for providing its customers with innovative technical solutions and flawless products. Entrepreneurial husband-and-wife duo Friedrich and Elfriede Pink established PINK Thermosysteme in 1979, then known as MVG Metallbau und Vertriebs GmbH, and went on to form PINK Thermosysteme in1993. The pair first began with only ten employees and, through hard work and tireless dedication, successfully built two thriving family businesses dedicated to leading the field. After completing her studies as a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, Andrea Pink joined her parents in 1999. Working across both of their companies, she gained extensive experience in various fields of application, including controlling, marketing, and sales management. During this time, however, Andrea’s main focus lied in establishing an international sales system and building up a network of representatives. In 2005, Andrea became the Managing Director of PINK Vakuumtechnik. She continued to climb the ranks across both positions, developing a unique dual perspective that has proven invaluable throughout the course of her career. Andrea was appointed Managing Director of PINK Thermosysteme in 2009, a further testament to the lessons she had learned over the decade. As both companies continued to grow dynamically, Andrea shifted her focus to oversee the management and further development of PINK Thermosysteme. At the same time, she stepped down from her role as Managing Director of PINK Vakuumtechnik in 2014 and joined its Supervisory Board as Deputy Chairwoman. Her professional career saw another pivotal shift in 2022, when PINK Holding GmbH was established and she became its President and CEO. Andrea’s leadership style is one grounded in the legacy of her heritage. The PINK name has become well-established under the family’s leadership, consistently pursuing a value-oriented approach that has significantly shaped its business activities over the years. In an endeavour to maintain a focus on this approach, teams across all departments worked in close collaboration in 2024 to develop the PINK core values and purpose. Proudly displayed throughout the company, these additions ensure that all team members work in complete cohesion. Most Innovative Vacuum Systems Manufacturing CEO 2026: Andrea Pink For more than 40 years, PINK Thermosysteme has supplied equipment to well-known technology companies across the global high-power industry. At the helm of this longstanding business stands secondgeneration leader Andrea Pink, an experienced CEO dedicated to continuing her parent’s legacy whilst ensuring that PINK Thermosysteme remains at the very forefront of industry advancement. As Andrea is recognised for her success in the German CEO Excellence Awards 2026, we sat down with the CEO to learn more about her journey. “The focus is on technical precision, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility towards employees, customers, and our location in Wertheim,” Andrea told us. “Our decisions are made with a long-term perspective and are not guided by short-term market movements but by sustainability, stability, and technical progress.” An integral part of the PINK approach is quality. Under Andrea’s expert guidance, the company maintains a stringent quality management process that ensures its operations are satisfactory to customers, employees, suppliers, and owners alike. The quality management system is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and regularly recertified according to the specified cycles. It is practiced throughout the company, serving all employees as a binding guideline for quality-conscious, customer-oriented, and responsible action. Equally important to Andrea and her team is environmental stewardship. The company focuses on the development of environmentally friendly products, particularly on reducing the energy consumption of the plants and systems it produces. Throughout its production processes, PINK Thermosysteme ensures that scrap and residual materials are reduced to a minimum. This is continued across PINK Thermosysteme’s production and administration sites; all waste and residual materials are meticulously separated by type and disposed of or recycled appropriately. The company’s purchasing department is instructed to purchase environmentally friendly office and consumables, whilst recycling is utilised across the packaging of its products. What’s more, the construction of PINK Thermosysteme’s new production halls was carried out according to the latest guidelines on environmental responsibility. As a result, the team achieved significant savings on resources and energy, particularly within the realms of heating, lighting, ventilation, and production. These new halls are compliant with the most relevant findings regarding noise and vibration reduction and offer exceptional hygiene standards to all employees. Since taking on the position to continue her family legacy, Andrea has steered her teams with a reverence for innovation, quality, and sustainability. Under her watchful eye, the PINK name has propelled itself forward to take a position at the forefront of the high-power industry. For her hard work and dedication, we at EU Business News are delighted to announce that Andrea Pink has been recognised as the Most Innovative Vacuum Systems Manufacturing CEO 2026. B Contact: Andrea Pink Company: PINK GmbH Thermosysteme Web Address: www.pink.de
9.
German CEO Excellence Awards 2026 Most Innovative Oil & Energy CEO 2026: Daniel Töpfer & Best Oil & Energy Company 2026 - Western Europe Stadtwerke Soltau – led by the visionary CEO, Daniel Töpfer – is a municipal energy utility company operating in Soltau and the surrounding region. The company’s wide range of services spans electric and gas, water, wastewater, heating, telecommunications, and the operation of the Soltau thermal baths. This is in addition to managing several subsidiary companies, including Energie für morgen GmbH & Co. KG and Heidekreis E-mobil GmbH & Co. KG, among project companies focused on renewable energy. We speak to Daniel to learn more about Stadtwerke Soltau and his successful career to date. Daniel Töpfer’s career began in public administration, first studying Public Management and soon taking on the role of professional advisor to a Lord Mayor of Böblingen, next to Stuttgart. By the age of 25, he had successfully run for office as a full-time mayor of a municipality with around 10,000 inhabitants – and he was the youngest mayor in the state of Baden-Württemberg at the time. Taking on such responsibility and actively initiating and guiding transformation processes from such an early age formed a solid foundation for his upcoming career in leadership. Having spent eight years in elected municipal office, he decided to transition into the energy sector in 2023, bringing with him an external and holistic perspective. Daniel leverages this experience at Stadtwerke Soltau to question existing processes, streamline structures wherever possible, and develop new areas of business. He leads with a blend of professional expertise, a modern understanding of leadership, and the confidence needed to make bold decisions. Daniel has even been lecturing bachelor’s and master’s students in what it takes to be an effective leader for more than a decade. Daniel is certainly skilled in working with people, and when it comes to approaching new clients and projects at Stadtwerke Soltau, he tells us, “Strong networks are important for understanding interdependencies, identifying opportunities, and building sustainable partnerships. Stadtwerke Soltau strongly focuses on the early analysis of individual client needs, close coordination with all stakeholders, and offering integrated solutions from a single source. “The approach of Stadtwerke Soltau is personal and partnershipbased, characterised by a hands-on mentality and a strong focus on pragmatism rather than anonymity, excuses, or delays. The key to successful projects from start to finish is a clear project structure and transparent communication.” When leading his team, Daniel takes a modern, open, and appreciative approach. He believes in flat hierarchies, short decision-making paths, and stamping out micromanagement. The principle of “support and challenge” sits at the core of his leadership style, which strengthens personal responsibility and fosters employee development. He prioritises clear communication of values and goals, while maintaining a constructive error culture to ensure ongoing learning and development throughout the organisation. Since joining Stadtwerke Soltau, Daniel has taken various challenges in his stride, the first being a lack of a strong brand identity and shared understanding of corporate communication. Thus, established a dedicated corporate communications unit and relaunched its corporate identity. This comes alongside the highly volatile energy markets, in response to which Daniel introduced a structured risk management system, saying, “Adapting to continuously changing legal and regulatory frameworks requires a wellinformed and highly competent workforce, particularly in areas with direct customer interaction.” He goes on to tell us that another major challenge included the updating of deep-rooted outdated organisational structures. “It was and it still is hard work to shift the mindset from “We’ve always done it this way” to “We are willing to take bold new paths”,” Daniel explains. “In some cases, this involved addressing either a lack of willingness or a lack of capability for change. Stadtwerke Soltau’s approach has been to build understanding and actively enable employees to participate in and contribute to the transformation.” Daniel is truly a forward-thinking and innovative leader, and he has exciting ambitions ahead for Stadtwerke Soltau. The aim is to remain the leading regional energy provider in the region, while continuing to position the company as a trusted partner for municipalities, businesses, and private customers in the energy and heat transition. Key priorities toward making this a reality will include building a highperforming and driven team, fostering knowledge transfer, and actively supporting the development of young talent. In terms of Daniel Töpfer’s own personal goals, he is committed to continuously developing his leadership skills and further expanding his professional networks. This year, Stadtwerke Soltau looks to be even more innovative, resilient, and future-oriented with a strong regional footprint – and we look forward to seeing it all unfold! Company name: Stadtwerke Soltau GmbH & Co. KG Contact name: Daniel Töpfer Website: sw-soltau.de AIM-Jan26147 Stadtwerke Soltau GmbH & Co. KG
Jul22493 11. Jul22493 Franziska Sevik is the founder of Artpreneure.de – a platform and academy for professional artists, creatives, and cultural organisations – and the owner of Favori Media – an ecosystem of agency services, platforms, and formats aiming to boost the profile, economic sustainability, and independence of art and creative projects. Franziska’s passion for art came early on, thanks to her grandmothers, who showed her that “art can be an elixir of life”. As such, she approaches creatives with deep respect, care, and sincerity. We speak to Franziska to gain deeper insight into her work. Through Artpreneure.de, Franziska has built a growing resource that helps artists and cultural professionals develop positioning, visibility, pricing, and sustainable structures for their work. “I want to retire the romanticised myth of the “starving artist”,” Franziska begins. “Struggle is not a prerequisite for depth. In fact, true creative courage requires stability. Security doesn’t weaken art, it strengthens it, because it gives artists the room to take real risks, create honestly, and think long-term.” Franziska established Artpreneure.de for those she has deliberately dubbed “artpreneurs”: “creatives who don’t see art and entrepreneurship as a contradiction, but as a natural connection”. These people are visual artists, musicians, performing artists, writers, galleries, and educational and cultural institutions, united by a shared ambition to not only move people through their creations, but to be recognised and taken seriously professionally – and to make a proper living out of their art. Favori Media is an umbrella for Franziska’s work – and it is important to note that it is not “just an agency”. It is the “implementation engine behind the vision”: the technical and intentional infrastructure of Artpreneure.de, allowing its concepts to become a real digital reality in the form of websites, systems, content structures, visibility funnels, and scalable processes. While Artpreneure. de serves as the educational and strategic resource platform, Favori Media provides the implementation and digital infrastructure behind the vision. Franziska’s path to founding Artpreneure.de and leading Favori Media wasn’t linear, as she reveals, “It has been an honest, sometimes uncomfortable evolution – rooted in my identity as an artist and shaped by the realworld demands of entrepreneurship. “Before stepping into strategic leadership, I spent more than 20 years on international stages as a state-certified performing artist, choreographer, and director. That world taught me discipline, stamina, and what it means to bring a vision to life under pressure – while staying emotionally connected to an audience. It also taught me something equally important: talent alone doesn’t guarantee stability, and not every performance is met with recognition.” Her leadership stands out in the way she combines artistic insight, strategic clarity, and practical infrastructure for creatives. “Art is not a decorative luxury. It is part of the emotional infrastructure of a society. When artists fall silent because survival becomes too heavy, we don’t just lose individual careers, we lose cultural dialogue, perspective, and meaning.” At the centre of it all, Franziska tells us that being a CEO is not just a title to her, but a dedication to building a network that supports creatives. She leads with compassion, clarity, and high standards, saying, “My goal is to build an organisation that feels like a wellrehearsed ensemble: everyone knows their role, trusts the process, and contributes their strengths – so, together, we create results that last beyond a single campaign, launch, or project.” With all of this in mind, we’re keen to find out what’s next for Artpreneure.de. Franziska says, “My vision is to make Artpreneurship a widely recognised standard: a modern understanding of the artist as someone who combines creative depth with strategic autonomy, without losing integrity.” This year, this will involve international expansion of the academy for artists worldwide to access frameworks for positioning, visibility, pricing, and sustainable income; a new generation of marketing and infrastructure solutions, developed through Favori Media, for a high-performance digital strategy that amplifies human uniqueness; and a stronger connection between education, community, and implementation, so artists don’t just learn what to do, but they can actually put it into action. Franziska concludes, “By the end of 2026, I want Artpreneure.de to be known for one clear outcome: making creative careers more stable, more independent, and more respected – economically and culturally. That means more artists with predictable income structures; more creators with clear positioning and owned platforms; and a stronger culture where entrepreneurship is seen as a protector of artistic freedom, not a threat to it.” Company name: Artpreneure.de Contact name: Franziska Sevik Website: https://artpreneure.de/ Best Art Entrepreneurship Business Leader 2026: Franziska Sevik & Best Art & Entrepreneurship Resource 2026 Jan26071 Artpreneure.de
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Aug22136 13. Feb26061 Visionary CEO in Public Affairs 2026: Isabell Halletz & Leading Care Provider Employer Support Organisation 2026 Germany’s long-term care sector faces numerous challenges, from workforce shortages to rising expenses for families accessing this kind of care. In the face of these struggles, Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V. (AGVP) is dedicated to sharing them with the country’s politicians, relevant authorities, and the public, as well as delivering solutions to ease pressure. Isabell Halletz has been the CEO of the organisation for ten years now, and on the back of both her and its joint recognition in this programme, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Isabell to learn more about this work. and online care to the relevant ministries, with the latter even being made into law. All these initiatives have been put in place as a way of easing the demand for services in the long-term care sector, something AGVP has been passionate about since before Isabell joined the team. For example, the organisation’s former CEO oversaw the implementation of the first recruitment and employment project for nurses from a thirdparty country back in 2013. Isabell took over the project when she joined, even initiating and co-founding the National Association of Foreign Nurses in Germany five years later. Ultimately, this barely scratches the surface when it comes to explaining the impact Isabell has had on both AGVP and this sector more widely, but since she is not the type of leader to rest on her laurels, Isabell is more interested in what is next than what has come before. Thus, she told us that AGVP’s plans for future include refining and expanding its services, supporting more companies through memberships, fleshing out its partner network, and doing more on social media to help raise awareness. Finally, commenting on her own career, Isabell signed off by saying: “I’m a foresighted person, a maker, and I have a passion to initiate changes for the better. The long-term care market is one with a lot of potential but a lot of challenges, so there is plenty of opportunity for me to make an impact.” Having already ushered in an industry-wide transformation and with no signs of slowing down in her work, it is our pleasure to recognise Isabell in this way, as well as shining a light on Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V. Contact: Isabell Halletz Company: Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V. Web Address: arbeitgeberverband-pflege.de Isabell’s journey in this space began when she was studying business administration at the University of Applied Science in Brandenburg, with one her focus areas being business administration and service management in healthcare. Having always been interested in Germany’s healthcare system, Isabell, with help from her thenprofessor, got into lobbying. Her first professional job came in 2009, when she served as an advisor for privately owned medical centres and care homes in Berlin and Brandenburg. Taking the experience negotiating compensation rates, care agreements, and legislation she learned during this role, Isabell went on to serve as a development advisor for the Social Health Protection Association (SHPA) in Cambodia, even attracting a French healthcare company to financially support SHPA’s efforts. Once her two-year contract expired, Isabell sought a leading role in Germany’s healthcare market, and, in being headhunted to be AGVP’s CEO in 2016, achieved exactly that. Over the last decade, Isabell’s role has involved handling sensitive situations, like negotiation, on a political level, as well as strengthening stakeholder communication and promoting cross-border collaboration. All of this is carried out in the line with AGVP’s vision, mission, and annual development plan, and be it through one-on-one stakeholder meetings or her memberships to provincial and federal bodies, Isabell always strives to uncover the challenges companies face and offer support. However, this is not all, as AGVP also offers its members the opportunity for it to take over their communication during a crisis or a critical incident, as well as providing regular exchanges to member CEOs on relevant topics and delivering a variety of templates for members to use to ease day-to-day operations. As for how she approaches this multifaceted work, Isabell stressed the importance of a participative leadership style at AGVP. She explained: “I’m very interested in the opinion and thoughts of my employees as well as our members. Only together can we give the long-term care sector in Germany a sustainable future”, which is the overarching goal of the organisation. To drive participation, Isabell ensures her team have regular catch-ups and communication channels, as well as that they work together. This ethos has led to countless successes across projects designed to drive the longterm healthcare market in Germany, including in one instance when Isabell supported the development and implementation of sustainable advanced care training for nursing assistants in rural areas and another where she promoted the blend of traditional Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V.
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