You can be the change

Sometimes you have to slow down in order to speed up

Whatever I do at this company, I put my all into it

It’s who I am. Full throttle, but not like a race car, more like a speedy, adaptable amphibious vehicle. This is how I approached my first-ever task at Freudenberg; to establish an engineering team in North America from the ground up. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Luckily, our German headquarters kept me above water with excellent support and training.

I survived and thrived, but there have been some real challenges since I started here in 2016. Mostly its green lights, but watch out for those yellows and reds, I say to myself. Still, if you have a fair idea of the end destination, then there is no need to be afraid of taking your foot off the gas now and then to get a better perspective of what is ahead. And my driver for all tasks and challenges is customer centricity: I really live it, and it helps me ultimately to lead to business growth.

And this is what I want to do - have an impact

A career at Freudenberg is not really a linear journey anyway, there are always interesting side excursions. One of my best little off-road career trips was Freudenberg’s global leadership & strategy summit, which I attended in 2024. There, in my current role as Director of Global Value Engineering at Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, I interacted with executives from all over the world in an informal setting; learning how future visions are crafted within Freudenberg, what the megatrends are and how the company plans to meet future internal and external demands. Inspiring!

I have also been fortunate enough to be involved with Leadership Training, Freudenberg’s Mentoring Program. What have they given me? Tools to move forward. But through all the learning and doing, all the milestones and experiences, what really wows me is how Freudenberg touches lives in so many ways and provides a myriad of solutions. For example, filters for cars. 

And that is what I want to do – have an impact. And my way of doing it is to follow my mantra: Leave the process and systems in a better state than when you inherited them. And I am always working on doing that. Full throttle!

Great results start with strong beginnings 

Making my mark in the corporate world 

There are a lot of extremely smart people here and never a shortage of ideas. I am currently a Materials Informatics Scientist in the Future Technologies department at Freudenberg Technology Innovation. For someone whose background is purely scientific, it has been phenomenal to have the opportunity to learn more about how different parts of business operate. And discover how science connects with business and its financial impact.

This is my first full time job outside of academia, and it has been a big learning curve getting used to the corporate world. I’ve had the opportunity to give presentations to people with non-technical backgrounds on very complex topics, which has sharpened my communication skills. I’ve also had the chance to be in meetings with top management, which has allowed me to become even more confident in public speaking than I already was. Plus, I have sat on panels to witness how important decisions are made.  

Opportunities to travel and collaborate 

One of the most exciting aspects of my role has been collaborating with different Business Groups on material development projects. These opportunities have taken me across the U.S. and Europe, allowing me to experience diverse working cultures and expand my professional network.

Of course, this has come with challenges - adapting to cultural differences and aligning expectations across global teams required flexibility and strong communication. But overcoming these hurdles has been incredibly rewarding and strengthened my ability to work in an international environment.

As for the future? Honestly, I take things as they go. I like to think of myself as an explorer. I see many paths ahead and prefer to keep an open mind rather than limit myself to one direction. For now, I’m focused on learning, growing and making an impact - like a high-performance car that’s built for precision and speed, ready for the right opportunities. 

Research and Develop: The key to business longevity

Recognized for inspiring innovation and creative solutions 

As a R&D and Quality Manager, my job is to make sure solutions work. By addressing issues related to production flexibility, operational efficiency, R&D, and quality control, I’ve contributed to driving improvements and fostering a culture of continuous enhancement within the organization. Being recognized for my contributions has been motivating and affirming.

Freudenberg fosters a culture of innovation and invests heavily in research and development. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and develop new solutions, which makes the work intellectually stimulating and rewarding.

One of the best things I have been involved with is when I led a cross-functional team that had the task of standardizing test methods across global laboratories. At that time, Freudenberg operated several laboratories across different divisional sites in Italy, France, the USA, and other countries. Each site had developed its own test methods, leading to some inconsistencies in data and results. This variability was affecting our ability to ensure uniform quality standards across products and regions. 

Standardizing these test methods was crucial for improving internal collaboration, reliability and efficiency. Drawing on best practices and input from experts across the company, we developed a set of standardized test methods that are robust, reproducible and adaptable to different regional regulations and needs.

So, what's next?

In the near term, I aim to deepen my expertise in my current role by taking on more complex projects and challenges. Over the next few years, I envision progressing to a position where I can have a broader impact on the company. In the long run, I aspire to reach a senior leadership position where I can influence the strategic direction of Freudenberg.

Rising to the top by digging deep

One of the best things I have learned here is a soft skill: perseverance. 

Freudenberg holds so many opportunities, once in, it is not necessary to ever leave again. I am evidence. I was given an opportunity to work in engineering but my profile is anything but an engineering one. My educational background is Psychology and I have a PhD in that field. 

I would say that I worked my way up by digging myself deep down into the company. I connected with colleagues globally across Freudenberg and EagleBurgmann, which is part of Freudenberg Flow Technologies, and have gotten to know and collaborated with many different functions all over the world. All this time, I have been gaining deep operative knowledge in product management, and also now have a comprehensive overview of the structure and ways of the company, which my HR role helped me greatly with, as it did with enhancing my entrepreneurial thinking. I have been able, in fact, to be the driver of my own career.

Things don’t always work out immediately. They might look and feel right and necessary but, at that moment, they do not work. But sometimes an organization just needs time, especially when many stakeholders are involved. So, don’t give up, keep doing what is right and eventually things work out.

It is really very simple to move ahead here. 

Freudenberg rewards not only performance but also behavior that is in line with its guiding principles. I draw a lot of inspiration from the many true entrepreneurs here that are also decent humans. I see myself like this, and I am very proud to support the Freudenberg Diversity & Inclusion community, making sure that people from minority groups feel welcome and accepted. 

It is really very simple to move ahead here. Just know what you want and always act the job that you are working towards without being in that formal role yet. Be authentic, think big and work hard. Give yourself some time. Don’t be scared of mistakes, try things out. And very important, make use of the good supportive networks that exist throughout this organization.

Talent Flourishes in the Right Environment

Passion for complex challenges 

At Freudenberg, people and talent development are at the core of everything we do. These values are deeply embedded in our culture through mentorship, coaching and growth-focused programs. In my team, we encourage open dialogue, celebrate milestones and share best practices too. We create an environment where every member can thrive. That collective success is something I feel genuinely proud to share. After all, encouragement and support have played a vital role in helping me build confidence and achieve excellence in my role.

I work in Manufacturing, a dynamic field filled with complex challenges. That is exactly what makes it so rewarding. One of the biggest challenges I overcame at Freudenberg Medical was adapting to rapid changes in customer demand while supporting aggressive production ramp-ups. For example, when a major client accelerated their product launch, we had just one month to double our output.

To manage the challenge, I coordinated closely with cross-functional teams - engineering, lean, quality and procurement to identify bottlenecks and fast-track critical improvements. We restructured shift patterns, optimized our inventory planning, and implemented quick-turn trainings for new operators. Despite the pressure, we met the deadline without compromising on quality or safety, which was a huge win for both the team and the customer. It taught me the importance of agility, communication, and proactive planning in high-stakes environments.

Driving excellence on a global scale 

In my time here, I have made a strategic move from being a fast sports car with incredible momentum to a more reassuring, steady saloon car – just to take a bit more time to understand each new terrain I enter.  

As I look to the future, I aspire to use that approach to evolve into a Global Manufacturing Leader, contributing to and supporting operations across multiple international sites. This ambition aligns with the company's long-term vision and growth trajectory. By developing cross-functional skills and building global business acumen, I can help drive manufacturing excellence on a global scale.  

Shaping the Future Through Learning 

Applying Knowledge to Real-World Challenges 

I've had a great development path at Freudenberg, and thanks to the company’s support, a comprehensive education - from my dual bachelor's degree to my part-time doctorate at the University of Potsdam. I’ve continued to build on that foundation through opportunities like the Freudenberg Leadership Development Program (FLDP), cross-business group mentoring and coaching. What I truly value about Freudenberg is the combination of long-term strategy, lived values and the freedom to shape things. New ideas are not just welcome - they are actively encouraged.

Working across different business groups has given me fresh perspectives and shown me how shared challenges can lead to shared innovation. You could probably describe me as an all-terrain, multi-purpose vehicle. I’ve led a wide range of projects - from strategic initiatives to hands-on operational implementations.  

One highlight was enhancing industrial filtration solutions by integrating sensor-based technologies, enabling near real-time remote condition monitoring. Meanwhile, I have had the chance to work on new digital sales and service offerings in the Digital Lab at EagleBurgmann and Freudenberg Filtration Technologies.

I also foster so-called ‘twin transformation’, meaning combining the best of sustainability and digitalization efforts. Just recently, I worked on the introduction of an ISO-compliant software-based methodology for calculating product carbon footprints for cabin air filters.

Freedom and Creativity

My favorite project? Working in EagleBurgmann's Digital Lab. It was a chance to truly experience what it takes to develop, test and successfully bring digital innovations to market. In a startup-like atmosphere - with plenty of freedom and creativity - my colleagues and I were able to explore and launch exciting new product and service ideas. It was a one-of-a-kind experience in every way - from the physical workspace to the team structure, and the nature of the work itself.  

Personally, I prefer pursuing a management career pathway while empowering teams to develop their full potential. I am particularly attracted to the challenge of providing managerial guidance in a technology-driven environment, actively shaping change, and strategically anchoring innovations. In this regard, direct cooperation with our customers remains particularly important to me. I am deeply immersed in what I do and that is exactly the way I like it!

Developing products that fascinate 

Transforming Everyday Cleaning  

One of the most exciting challenges I face at Freudenberg is identifying products that truly delight our users. I’m constantly asking: Where do household routines still feel frustrating or inefficient? And how can we solve those problems with smart, everyday solutions? The search for those “WOW” moments is what drives me - even though the path to them is often complex and filled with many iterations.  

There have been many of those “WOW” moments - especially when our products are being used with joy, recommended to others, and becoming part of daily life. That is a clear sign to me that our work is making a real impact. I also find the creative energy during development fascinating; when ideas flow, teams collaborate and sometimes the completely unexpected solutions emerge. These dynamic and visible results motivate me again and again. 

Developing Strategic Understanding

Working in an international, diverse environment has sharpened my perspective. I've learned to listen and challenge my own viewpoints. Authenticity is more valuable than trying to please everyone. Working closely with departments like Marketing, Controlling and Artwork has broadened my horizons and strengthened my team spirit. My time in Shanghai was especially inspiring. Living and working in a different culture expanded my worldview and deepened my openness to new ideas.  

I have held roles as Junior Scientist, R&D Manager, Senior R&D Manager and now Director. Over the years, I have continuously developed both my technical expertise and strategic understanding. There’s a strong sense of professionalism at Freudenberg - but also plenty of room for creativity and fun. It’s a place where you can grow, contribute, and enjoy the journey.