Caroline von Kretschmann
Dr. Caroline von Kretschmann is the Managing Partner of the 5-star superior hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg, which has been family-owned for more than 160 years and is now led by her in the fourth generation.
Since 2013, she has shaped this heritage hotel with a clear vision and mission as well as a distinctive corporate and leadership culture.
Her professional career began with a banking apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt. She went on to study Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), where she also earned her doctorate. Afterwards, she spent more than 15 years working as a strategy and organisational consultant, including ten years running her own consultancy, which she sold prior to joining the family business. Together with Melanie Frowein, she also founded DUE CONSULTANTS in 2010, a complementary consultancy specialising in systemic consulting, coaching and succession in family businesses.
Caroline von Kretschmann is recognised as a leading voice on values-based leadership, servant leadership and sustainable, future-oriented business in the German-speaking world. She combines systemic and strategic thinking with hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
Caroline von Kretschmann Lecture topics
- Empathic and values-based leadership in times of digital transformation
- Mindful leadership as the key to customer satisfaction
- Appreciation as a driving force for change – why it makes the difference in a digital world
- Hospitality as a future skill – the underestimated success factor across all industries
- Brand is Attitude – Why an Empathetic Corporate and Leadership Culture is the Foundation of Holistic Brand Management
- Resilience – the superpower in turbulent times
- Courage matters – a call to action from a family business
- Succession in family businesses – the art of transition, or how to grow together in the tension between emotion and business
Her areas of focus also include change management and transformation, brand and brand management, employer branding, new work, resilience, cultural change and hospitality as a future competence.
Caroline von Kretschmann demonstrates how companies can build lasting commitment – both internally and externally – through attitude and an empathetic corporate and leadership culture.
Alongside her entrepreneurial activities, she is actively engaged in a variety of roles: she serves as Vice President of the association DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER, is Honorary Senator of Heidelberg University and sits on numerous boards and juries. In 2022 she was named Hôtelière of the Year, received the Business Medal of the State of Baden-Württemberg as well as the Brillat Savarin Plaque, was honoured in 2024 as Woman of the Year by Beyond Gender Agenda and is listed among the Top 100 Women in the German SME sector.
As a sought-after speaker, panellist and author of numerous articles and book contributions, she inspires entrepreneurs, executives and decision-makers far beyond the hotel industry.
Her guiding principle: leadership with soul, clarity and humanity as a success factor for the future world of work.
Wolfram Sauer's opinion on Dr. Caroline von Kretschmann
Dr Caroline von Kretschmann combines fourth-generation entrepreneurial experience with strategic thinking and a clear sense of purpose. She speaks about leadership with soul, clarity and humanity – and shows why family businesses in particular can set benchmarks in cultural change, resilience and sustainable, future-ready business. An inspiring voice who unites tradition and transformation – insightful, practical and highly relevant for decision-makers far beyond the hospitality sector.
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