Professor Dr. Stephanie Heinecke Appointed as the New Managing Director of Zeppelin University

Friedrichshafen. The Board of Trustees of the ZU Foundation, the governing body of Zeppelin University (ZU), has appointed Professor Dr. Stephanie Heinecke as the new Managing Director of ZU. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer of the Carl Remigius Education Group and where she was a Member of the Executive Board of one of Germany’s largest private education groups. Stephanie Heinecke will assume the position of sole Managing Director of ZU from Thomas Brandt, effective August 1, 2026.

"For many years, Zeppelin University has stood for academic excellence and innovative educational approaches that empower students to take responsibility for the future. I am very much looking forward to working with President Professor Dr. Anja Achtziger and the entire team to shape the university’s next steps in its development, further expand its unique positioning, and lay the groundwork for its long-term success. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for the trusting discussions we’ve had over the past few weeks," says Heinecke, looking ahead to her new role and her move to Lake Constance.

Stephanie Heinecke, born in Munich in 1983, studied communication sciences at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and earned a master’s degree. After graduation, she worked at Altman Solon, a leading international strategy consulting firm specializing in telecommunications, media, and technology. While working as a consultant, she wrote her dissertation at LMU on a part-time basis. She then continued her academic career by accepting a position at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences. Since 2017, she has served as a Professor for Communication Studies and Dean of Studies for Psychology, Digital Transformation, and Sports Management. She gained experience in university administration as Vice President for On-Campus Studies and Quality Development and as Interim President. In 2024, she joined the Executive Board of the Carl Remigius Fresenius Education Group as Chief Operating Officer. Her responsibilities included the financial and operational management of the universities and vocational schools, as well as program development and the forward-looking structuring of teaching and learning offerings.

"We, as the Board of Trustees of the ZU Foundation, see Stephanie Heinecke as the ideal candidate for the position of Managing Director of Zeppelin University. Throughout the entire selection process, she impressed us both personally and professionally. Ms. Heinecke possesses extensive and long-standing expertise in the management of private colleges and universities and is very familiar with their specific challenges in a rapidly changing world," explains Dr. Andreas Kamm, Chairman of the Board of the ZU Foundation. ZU President Professor Dr. Anja Achtziger is also looking forward to the collaboration: "Stephanie Heinecke brings a great deal that is important for our university: many years of business and operational acumen, as well as broad management experience."

With Professor Dr. Stephanie Heinecke taking office, the term of Thomas Brandt—who had served as Interim Managing Director for more than a year—comes to an end. "It was a great honor and pleasure for me to work alongside such wonderful colleagues to preserve Zeppelin University as a special place for study and scholarship, but also to launch new, forward-looking ideas for the university," emphasizes Brandt.

"On behalf of the ZU Foundation, we thank Thomas Brandt for his extraordinary dedication, recognize his special commitment during a time of transition for the university, and wish him all the best as he enters retirement," says Dr. Andreas Kamm.