With the new “ElektroHeldinnen” (Electrical Heroines) initiative, key players in the German electrical industry are joining forces to strengthen the visibility and role of women in the sector. The initiative, which will officially launch at the Light + Building trade fair on 8 March 2026, aims to create a platform for exchange, networking and long-term engagement.
Although the proportion of women in the electrical industry has been steadily increasing in recent years – partly thanks to a more positive image of the sector – women are still underrepresented in many areas, particularly in the electrical trades and in management positions. The “ElektroHeldinnen” initiative is a new effort to inspire girls and women to join the electrical sector.
We Are ElektroHeldinnen
The initiative is supported by the three major industry associations VEG, ZVEH and ZVEI, as well as the Light + Building trade fair, the industrial companies Busch-Jaeger and Schneider Electric, the electrical wholesaler UNI ELEKTRO, ElektroWirtschaft and “Women in KNX.” Additional supporters from across the electrical industry, wholesale and trade sectors are warmly welcomed, explicitly including male representatives of the industry.
To introduce the initiative and offer a networking opportunity at the world’s leading trade fair, ElektroHeldinnen will host a kick-off event on March 8, International Women’s Day. It will include a panel discussion moderated by Annika Egloff-Schoenen (ElektroWirtschaft), with the participation of: Sabine Busse (Hager), Claudia Polik (Paul Müller Elektrotechnik), Nicole Steuer (Rexel), Adalbert Neumann (ABB) and Stefan Ehinger (ZVEH), who will discuss how the electrical industry can become even more attractive to women.
Spotlight Session: Sharing Experiences and Perspectives
The programme will continue with a “Spotlight Session.” Katja Schuster (“Women in KNX”), Lea Bultmann (participant in the 2025 German Championships in the Electrical Trades), Silke Dietz (UNI ELEKTRO), Christina Geier (Busch-Jaeger), an e-influencer and a trainee will share their personal experiences as women in the electrical industry.
Beyond individual stories, the session will also highlight what makes the electrical industry unique and the opportunities it offers. Both sessions are designed to encourage active participation from the audience. Poetry slammer Niklas Ehrentreich, known from ProSieben, will also take the stage to creatively summarise the key messages in an engaging and entertaining way.
Network Now
While the stage programme marks the official launch of ElektroHeldinnen, the initiative’s true focus is on the people behind it: those who care about strengthening the role of women in the electrical industry and want to actively contribute to a growing network.
International Women’s Day is intended as the starting point for a dynamic, interactive and continuously expanding community. To support this, the ElektroHeldinnen Instagram channel and website are now live.
