New Leadership Structure Consolidates Expertise for the Strategic Development of Zeppelin University

Friedrichshafen. With the appointment of Professor Dr. Stephanie Heinecke as incoming Managing Director and Andrea Pletz as Director of Marketing and Communication, the strategic leadership of Zeppelin University (ZU) has been restructured in key areas. Together with President Professor Dr. Anja Achtziger—who has been part of ZU since 2010 and has been responsible for the university’s academic and strategic development as president since 2026—the leadership team is taking charge of the university’s continued development and its positioning at the intersection of academia, business, culture, and politics.

The new leadership structure combines three complementary areas of expertise: academic excellence, professional university management, and strategic communication. Together, the President, the Managing Director, and the Director of Marketing and Communication are pursuing the goal of further sharpening ZU’s unique identity and expanding its visibility as an independent, interdisciplinary university. This new constellation stands equally for continuity and further development: building on the work and achievements of colleagues across the Executive Board, management, faculties, administration and leadership teams throughout the university.

As a social and economic psychologist and long-standing member of the ZU community, Anja Achtziger represents the academic profile and scholarly development. Stephanie Heinecke contributes extensive expertise in university leadership and management. Andrea Pletz will further develop ZU's brand and communications strategy - internally and externally - strengthening visibility, dialogue and orientation.

“Zeppelin University thrives on bringing together different perspectives and creating something new from them. It is precisely this interplay that also shapes our leadership structure. For me, academic quality, strategic development, and clear communication are inextricably linked if we want to further sharpen the university’s unique positioning,” says Anja Achtziger. Stephanie Heinecke adds: “Zeppelin University has an exceptional profile and a strong community. Together, we want to consistently build on its strengths and position the university for the future - academically, organizationally, and strategically.”

For Andrea Pletz, communication is a central component of a university’s strategic development: “A strong university needs not only excellent research and teaching, but also a clear profile and consistent communication. Our goal is to highlight what makes Zeppelin University unique, provide guidance, further strengthen the dialogue with our various stakeholders, and continue to expand the university’s visibility in society.”

The new constellation explicitly sees itself as a combination of continuity and further development. It builds on the work of many colleagues in the Executive Board, the administration, the faculties, and the administrative offices, while at the same time providing new impetus for the university’s future development.

With its interdisciplinary focus and unique identity at the intersection of academia, business, culture, and politics, ZU sees itself as well-positioned to further expand its role as an independent university. The combination of academic excellence, professional university management, and strategic communication creates an important foundation for this. For ZU, this new constellation sends a strong signal: for quality, collaboration and a university committed to further strengthening its distinctive role at the intersection of business, culture and politics with clarity and purpose.

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Combining  professional university management, academic excellence, and strategic communication: Professor Dr. Stephanie Heinecke, Professor Dr. Anja Achtziger, and Andrea Pletz (from left).