Our alumna Dr. Katrin Krömer (class of 1997) reflects on an impressive career. After studying Business Administration at the WiSo Faculty and engaging with the PIM & CEMS Club Cologne as well as the Organisationsforum Wirtschaftskongress (OFW), she completed a Master’s in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. She then worked as a consultant at McKinsey until 2009, focusing on the public sector and infrastructure, before taking on senior roles at the Federal Employment Agency and Deutsche Bahn. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Board of the Federal Employment Agency, responsible for the Resources division.
In the alumni interview, Dr. Krömer spoke about her "toolkit" for leadership tasks, which she has developed through various professional experiences. At McKinsey, she learned to analyse complex problems in a structured way, a skill she still relies on today. She gained her first leadership experience at the Federal Employment Agency, where she was responsible for controlling, finance, and personnel as the commercial managing director. At Deutsche Bahn, she expanded her repertoire by managing company-wide issues such as personnel development and labour market design. Speaking on the topic of skills shortages, Dr. Krömer emphasises the urgency of comprehensive transformation: “Demographic change presents us with enormous challenges. Recruitment alone will not close this gap.” The Federal Employment Agency is therefore investing in process optimisation, digitalisation, and automation. At the same time, it places great importance on the training and development of its employees. “Personal growth is essential to remain an attractive employer,” says Dr. Krömer.
Dr. Krömer sees great opportunities for new entrants in the fields of digitalisation and the transition to a sustainable economy. “The world will continue to change rapidly – those who get involved can achieve a lot,” she encourages. She also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex tasks. “When I think back to my time studying in Cologne, I recall many wonderful memories at WiSo, the PIM & CEMS Club Cologne, and the lively Südstadt,” reminisces Dr. Krömer. This inspiring interview shows how diverse experiences and continuous development can contribute to a successful career.