SILICON ALPS Cluster

I have extensive experience as a Managing Director, most recently at the build! Startup Center in Klagenfurt. Before that, I served as the Managing Director of Ortner Reinraumtechnik GmbH and spent a decade in a managerial role for a cluster, specifically the Human.technology Styria GmbH. With my background in telematics and a doctorate in electrical engineering, I bring both academic knowledge and practical experience from the business and industrial sectors. Out of 40 applicants, I was chosen as the ideal candidate for the roles at the SILICON ALPS Cluster. My main focus is on initiating cooperative projects and fostering a culture of collaboration in the region. I firmly believe that networks and clusters are pivotal for innovations, economic success, and regional and corporate competitiveness. I’m eager to dive into industry-relevant project developments in the cluster and am particularly excited about collaborating with a strong, cross-state team.

During my studies of business administration with a specialisation in Project Management, I worked as a working student at a semiconductor company in the funding department, where I was part of the Project Office for a major EU-funded project.

After completing my bachelor degree, I continued working in the Project Office, focusing on key areas such as project controlling, implementing a project management tool, and financial management. In December 2024, I joined the SILICON ALPS Cluster team as an Executive Assistant, responsible for controlling, accounting and applying my experience and skills to support the SILICON ALPS Cluster team.

After my studies as a Health Care Engineer – focusing on medical technologies and health informatics – at the University of Applied Sciences Graz, I made my first professional experiences at GS1 in Vienna. In the field of logistics, I have been involved in numerous projects with hospitals, medical technology and pharma companies. After my return to Graz, I was able to shape the field of medical technologies at the Human.technology Cluster as a business developer, pushing important topics such as sensor technologies, microelectronics or production technologies in the life science context on the national and international levels. With the foundation of nubid, I have been able to support numerous companies and start-ups in the field of medical technologies and digitization in expanding their business.

As Business Development and Innovation Manager I can perfectly use my experience and network from science and business to generate added value for our partners at the SILICON ALPS Cluster. Especially in the context of sensor technologies and microelectronics, I will push the topics of start-up ecosystem and project development as well as internationalization.

“one plus one is more than two”

After finishing my master in business administration at the Karl-Franzens-University at Graz I started my professional career at an international operating automotive supplier where I gained a lot of experience in leading international project teams and working in an industrial area. As a Project & Business Development Manager I had the chance to evolve several projects in the renewable energy sector as well as in the engineering industry before I started my career as a Business Consultant for foreign direct investments.

As a Project Manager for Technology & Innovation within the SILICON ALPS Cluster I use my network and my professional know-how about the business locations to develop projects, represent the eco system on an international level and connecting people for success.

With my master’s studies in sustainable management & Industrial Ecology, I was always interested in companies combining ecological and economic development.

After working as a business developer for foreign subsidiaries of Carinthia’s largest energy supplier, my journey went towards self-employment. While co-founding a start-up, dealing with business development and sales, I obtained a trade license for management consulting to be able to provide companies with holistic support.

Since April 2022 I am part of the SILICON ALPS team as a Business Development and Innovation Manager, taking care of the Area of Excellence Power Electronics, start-up topics and the sustainability funding program Peak Performer in Carinthia.

“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity. And I think there is no bridge that cannot be build.”

My professional background lies in business administration with a focus on business development, project management, and finance. I have lived and studied in India, the USA, and the Philippines before moving to, working and settling in Austria. My previous experience ranges from working in international banking firms to project management in the metal industry, and business development/business innovation in the automotive, software and tech sectors.  This has given me a well-rounded, global perspective on what makes businesses and concerns tick, and has allowed me to build a diverse network within Austria as well as internationally.  

I believe that new technologies are the doors to a better life for us all, and innovation is the key that will help us to keep unlocking this door. My goal at the SILICON ALPS Cluster is to leverage my experience, my network, and my keen interest in revolutionary technologies/technological innovation to drive new projects, enable new cooperations, add value, expand horizons and elevate the electronic-based systems industry in the South of Austria. 

My professional experience has provided valuable insights into two dynamic industries: e-Commerce and Automotive. This journey has allowed me to hone my skills in project management and process improvement. Supported by my Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, I have developed a deep understanding of interconnected issues in logistics and information technology, all underscored by the need for innovation and process transformation to meet the challenges of today’s economy.

As a member of the Silicon Alps Cluster I am working to enable styrian businesses to achieve sustainable and digitally-driven transformations through the funding program Peak!Performer.

During my internship at the SILICON ALPS Cluster in 2019, I had the opportunity to gain experience in the cluster for the first time.

With an academic background in international management and entrepreneurship and several professional excursions into different industries and the start-up world, my journey led me back to the cluster. In my previous position as a project manager for marketing and project concept development, I was able to gain valuable knowledge.

This experience, combined with the insights from my internship and a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem, helps me to join the SILICON ALPS team as Project Manager for Innovation and Technology.

After my studies of Public Management at the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences I managed the EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) area of GE Healthcare in Upper Austria. When I returned to Carinthia I then switched to the fields of Marketing & Communications at Volksbank Kärnten and HIRSCH Armbänder.

Competitiveness, value creation, visibility, attractiveness and employment – these superior goals to which SILICON ALPS is committed are so simple and at the same time complex. Therefore they fully appeal to me to use my commitment and my strengths for a better future. Since February 2023 I am responsible for Marketing & Communications within the Cluster.

After finishing my education in Tourism and Management I moved to the US to earn my Bachelor in Business Administration majoring in Marketing. Coming back to Austria I studied Media and Communications while working in the city marketing sector. In the following years I successfully co-founded and grew a full-service pharmaceutical marketing agency in Vienna, managing key accounts and overseeing campaign planning and media strategy before settling in Carinthia. For the next eight years I established and led the marketing department of a real estate and construction company before I got highly involved in strategic management, focusing on agile project development and the implementation of new processes, accompanied by digitalization. With 20 years’ experience in Marketing and the knowledge of two industries – pharmaceutical and construction, I am now responsible for the event management and employer branding at the SILICON ALPS Cluster.

During my bachelor’s programme „Journalism & PR“ I learned the main aspects of marketing and public relations, which helped me a lot to focus on communicating towards a target audience. This lead me to my previous job in marketing, where I was mainly responsible for external communication channels.

Since September 2023 I am in my master’s programme „Content Strategy“. The study programme is all about optimizing digital content.

In December 2023, I joined the SILICON ALPS Cluster team as a Content Manager to support the marketing team with communication on the Website and on LinkedIn.