The Supervisory Board of Vonovia SE has unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the company's new Chief Development Officer, effective June 1, 2026, with Wunschel joining the company on April 1, 2026, to succeed Daniel Riedl following a transition period. This appointment represents a strategic move for Vonovia as it seeks to advance its development business, which has been a key growth component since 2018, particularly in new housing and modular construction. For HR vendors serving the real estate and construction sectors, this leadership change signals potential shifts in procurement, talent needs, and partnership opportunities as Vonovia accelerates its development initiatives.
Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Vonovia Supervisory Board, emphasized that Wunschel brings extensive experience in project management and implementing large investment projects from her background in renewable energy. "Her extensive knowledge in planning and implementing construction and development projects will be immensely valuable for the further development of new housing and, in particular, modular construction at Vonovia," Streit stated. The company's development focus aligns with its 2028 growth strategy, which emphasizes serial modernization, modular new construction, and modern heating infrastructure. More details about Vonovia's strategic direction can be found at https://www.newmediawire.com.
Wunschel currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH, bringing over two decades of energy sector experience including previous roles as COO at RWE Renewables GmbH and various leadership positions at E.ON. She identified significant parallels between renewable energy and housing development, stating, "What both industries have in common is the need to deliver multiple projects at the same time while maintaining a high level of standardisation. For me, these similarities in project development and implementation are an exciting foundation for entering a new phase in modular construction." This cross-industry expertise suggests Vonovia may adopt project management methodologies and standardization approaches from the energy sector, potentially creating new demands for HR technology and consulting services that support scalable project execution.
In a separate but related decision, the Supervisory Board renewed the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule until September 30, 2029. Werhahn, who has led Human Resources, Technical Service, IT and Central Services since October 2023, has been credited with strengthening Vonovia's employer brand and corporate culture. Streit emphasized the strategic importance of HR during demographic change and skilled worker shortages, noting Werhahn has successfully placed her divisions on a strong entrepreneurial foundation. This contract extension underscores the growing strategic role of HR leadership in addressing industry-wide talent challenges.
Werhahn highlighted Vonovia's workforce growth, stating the company attracted approximately 2,800 new employees this year, primarily in maintenance roles. "A modern and appealing corporate culture is essential for business growth, both now and in the future," Werhahn said. "Housing is a basic need for everyone. And it is above all thanks to the employees of Vonovia that our company is so successful in business while also meeting its responsibilities to the community." These leadership decisions come as Vonovia, Europe's leading private residential real estate company with 533,000 units across Germany, Sweden and Austria, continues to focus on sustainability and quality living for tenants.
For HR vendors, these developments indicate several important trends. The appointment of an executive from outside the traditional real estate sector suggests increasing cross-industry talent movement and the value of transferable skills in project management and standardization. The simultaneous focus on development leadership and HR leadership extension demonstrates Vonovia's balanced approach to both business growth and talent management during a period of skilled worker shortages. As modular construction and standardized development processes gain prominence, HR technology providers may see increased demand for solutions supporting project-based workforces, skills standardization, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on corporate culture and employer branding highlighted by Werhahn's achievements suggests continued investment in employee experience initiatives across the industry.
