Women in Tech Events 2026

Trainer: Fenna zur Horst

• Focus: Making an effective impression in technology-driven teams.
• Content: Recognizing and managing status dynamics (High Talk/Low Talk), commanding the space in video conferences, techniques for dealing with interruptions (stopping “mansplaining”).
• Result: Increased visibility and standing in meetings and during presentations.

Trainer: Fenna zur Horst

• Focus: Confidently negotiating salary, projects, and resources.
• Content: The psychology of negotiation in an IT context; precisely defining one’s own market value; handling objections and “killer phrases.”
• Outcome: Participants leave the workshop with a personalized “argumentation guide” for their next performance review.

Moderator: Anna Göbel | Women in Tech by heise | Community Manager

Speaker: Fenna zur Horst | Business Coach & Trainer

Change rarely begins with a big step. It begins with the decision to take the first one.

New technologies, new roles, new expectations—change has long been part of everyday life in the tech world. Yet it’s often not a lack of skills that holds us back, but uncertainty, habit, or the fear of making the wrong decision.

In this community meeting, we’ll explore why change is so difficult for many people, how we can be more courageous in dealing with uncertainty, and how small decisions lead to real growth. We’ll include interactive exercises and concrete ideas to help you take the next step.

Because courage doesn’t mean not being afraid. Courage means moving forward anyway.

Moderator: Anna Göbel | Women in Tech by heise | Community Manager

Speaker: Fenna zur Horst | Business Coach & Trainer

The most important skill for the future isn’t being able to do everything. It’s knowing what really matters.

AI, the cloud, and automation are rapidly changing the demands of the tech industry. But which skills will truly make a difference in the future? And which skills will remain valuable even as technologies continue to evolve?

In this community meeting, we’ll take a look together at the skills that will gain importance in the coming years—technical, strategic, and personal. The goal isn’t to chase every trend, but to consciously shape your own path of development.

Because the future isn’t shaped by knowledge alone—but by the ability to learn the right things.

Moderator: Fenna zur Horst | Business Coach & Trainer

We’ll kick off the afternoon with you all and a welcome drink in the Green Lounge. Afterward, Fenna will open the event with some general remarks about the Women in Tech Initiative and our partnership with KfW, and she’ll provide a brief overview of the day’s schedule.

Sophie Oertel | IT Team Leader, KfW

Marta Lambert Vinos | Head of Transaction Management, KfW

Johanna Heise | Head of Brand & Culture, heise group

Anna Göbel | Community Manager, heise group

True equality of opportunity comes from commitment, taking a clear stand, and strong solidarity. In this panel discussion, four female leaders from two companies will share how an idea gave rise to impactful “Women in Tech” initiatives. 

Learn why strategic empowerment is bringing about lasting change in the tech industry, which concrete success stories are already setting a precedent within companies, and how members benefit directly from the strength of this network. We’ll take an honest and in-depth look at opportunities, career-enhancing benefits, and the hurdles on the path to a truly diverse culture. 

Be inspired by practical insights for the future!

Sabine Buch | President of the European Institute for Neurodiversity

Sabine Buch speaks candidly about her unconventional path into IT, the challenges she faces as a woman in a technology-driven industry, and the setbacks that have shaped her. She explains why careers rarely follow a straight path, how courage is becoming one of the most important skills for the future, and why curiosity, authenticity, and belief in one’s own strengths are often more crucial than a perfect résumé.

Use the break to network and test your knowledge in a relaxed setting with our mini-quiz. The prize will be raffled off at the get-together!

Fenna zur Horst | Business Coach & Trainer

Navigating Successfully and Gaining Visibility in Tech Organizations: This workshop shows you how to strategically highlight your professional expertise and leverage informal power structures to your advantage.

What you’ll take away:

• Clarity: An analysis of your own professional landscape.
• Network: Sustainable peer consulting for strong collegial connections.
• Practical benefits: A personalized, immediately actionable strategy for your day-to-day work.

Marta Lambert Vinos | Head of Transaction Management, KfW

How can work in the IT field be structured to bring together growth, potential, and personal balance? You’ll find out in this presentation! The focus is on what matters most at KfW: camaraderie, collaboration as equals, and a team spirit that makes new ideas possible.

We’ll also take a look at how KfW IT is evolving: toward a more supportive learning environment, clear career development paths, and an ongoing cultural transformation. We’ll focus on empowering women in IT—including personal success stories that demonstrate the tangible impact of support, collaboration, and mentorship.

Finally, there will be time for discussion: If we’ve piqued your curiosity, we encourage you to reach out to us afterward to learn more about KfW as an employer.

We’ll wrap up the day together at the get-together that follows. Use the time to ask questions, have good conversations, enjoy culinary treats, and have a cool drink. And with a little luck, you might even win a prize from the quiz drawing!