In this interview with Katie Rose, Schneider Electric’s Kathrin Aehling shares her enthusiasm for KNX, her research on female inclusion in the industry and strategies that can help to increase diversity within it.
KNXtoday: Tell us about your journey to your current management role in Schneider Electric and your dedication to promoting women in tech and management positions.
KA: Having started out as a psychologist and HR professional, moving to a business role was one of the greatest challenges and opportunities of my career.
After several years as Head of Channel Management, where I coordinated the activities of Schneider Electric, Merten, Ritto, ABN, Elso and others in three-tier sales, I became Vice President of Channel Management and eCommerce for the German and Austrian regions in April 2023. Working with my team, I was responsible for co-ordinating the go-to-market strategy (i.e. step-by-step plan designed to bring a new product to market) and all related activities, as well as the coordination of activities around our different target groups (personas). I joined the DACH (Germany (D), Austria (A), and Switzerland (CH)) management team, and became responsible for Marketing in DACH in April 2024.
As I was fortunate to meet great people who encouraged and supported me, I am keen to pass on my experiences as a woman working in the technology sector. I am convinced that the future of our industry depends to a large extent on our ability to inspire young women to pursue a career in technical professions. There is so much untapped potential.
KNXtoday: How, why and when did you get involved with KNX?
KA: When I moved from HR to the business department the biggest challenge, as a non-technician, was to get to know all of our products: from switches and sockets to smart homes, BMS solutions and industrial automation.
As THE smart home solution on the German market, the KNX technology and our KNX portfolio immediately captivated me. Making homes intelligent, automated and efficient with just a few resources inspires me, especially in the current energy crisis. As buildings account for around 40% of energy consumption, open and future-proof solutions, such as KNX, offer enormous savings potential.
KNX enables the networking and communication of various devices and systems (such as lighting, heating, blinds, etc.), giving users a detailed insight into their energy consumption. Alongside transparency, this also forms the basis for more efficient energy usage (e.g. via automation) whilst reducing energy costs.
KNXtoday: Tell us about your role in Women in KNX
KA: Having been introduced to inspiring founder Katja Schuster by colleagues from an education centre for electricians, I immediately and enthusiastically joined Women in KNX. I have been promoting the initiative within Schneider Electric and the wider German market and had the pleasure of joining the launch event at Light + Building 2024.
KNXtoday: Can you share some of your research on the current status quo and how increased gender diversity in the workplace can benefit the industry?
KA: Research showsthat greater diversity in teams and companies enhances productivity, decision-making and innovation. I have found that working in a diverse environment positively impacts the workplace culture, including how people interact. But, of course, this is far from being a reality everywhere – being the only woman in the room is still very common, especially in our industry.
KNXtoday: What are the reasons women drop out of industry roles and what strategies for change can be implemented at cultural, educational and workplace levels?
KA: When I talk to young women in our industry, I find they need more role models, especially in management, and don’t want to be the only woman in a company. Many still experience gender discrimination and encounter the glass ceiling as they grow their career, due to the challenges of balancing work and home life. As a result, many women drop out of university courses and industry roles.
In Germany, I think the issue starts very early: whilst growing up young girls are still confronted with traditional gender attributions, role models and job profiles which impact their self-perception. Research shows that they do better at school, but boys are continually portrayed as being better at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. We need to work on this as a society.
Companies can do their part by offering work shadowing, participating in girls days, offering internships, adapting their job descriptions, creating an inclusive culture and working environment and setting better frameworks for balancing family and career.
We all need to reflect on everyday stereotypes and start being more inclusive, so that young women believe they can work in the tech industry.
KNXtoday: Over 15 years, Schneider Electric has achieved above-average levels of female recruitment and management. What strategies did you employ and what challenges did you face?
KA: Firstly, diversity at Schneider is not driven by HR and DI (Diversity & Inclusion) departments, but by the top of the company, as both our former CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire and current CEO Peter Herweck consider this topic to be very important and lead by example.
Secondly, we implemented comprehensive programs such as our DI Charter and Flexibility at Work Programme to create an environment that attracts people who want to balance family and career. This programme is not solely aimed at women but also includes male colleagues wishing to take parental leave or work part-time.
Lastly, we set clear quotas and targets for female recruitment and management. I know quotas are controversial, but they can help increase the number of women in the industry who then become role models. Once you take significant steps forward, the culture starts to change and hopefully one day these strategies will become redundant.
KNXtoday: As a qualified psychologist, you emphasise that change begins with each of us. What encouragement can you give our readers to begin that work?
KA: It would be a big step forward if we all started with ourselves and our families, friends and teams. We can share opportunities and encourage young women to pursue technical careers.
It is also important to raise awareness of gender discrimination – if you notice inappropriate comments or behaviour, address them by intervening directly or providing support behind the scenes.
I would also like to encourage men to take parental leave, as this sends a strong signal for equality and demonstrates that childcare is not just a woman’s issue. By taking small daily steps, we can all contribute to a fairer and more equal society.
KNXtoday: You have a young daughter and are a mentor for younger women – what positive changes do you witness amongst the younger generation and what are your hopes for the future for Women in KNX and the industry?
KA: The younger generation, more than mine, is very aware and sensitive to the issue of inclusion. Whereas in earlier generations, women felt they had to fit in and adapt to a male-dominated culture, today’s young women challenge us to change the culture. That might be labelled ‘demanding,’ but I think that is the right way to go: women should not have to adapt, we have to change the system.
I hope that external trends, such as the current skills shortage, will reinforce the need for companies to change their culture and working conditions to become more attractive to female employees. This would be a win-win for all of us: companies, women and also male colleagues. In my experience, the expectations of the young men are also changing: they no longer want to be the sole breadwinner, but to play an active part in the daily life and care of their children.
Equality and inclusion are not ‘a woman’s battle’, as is often claimed. During my career, I met great male managers who believed in me and gave me opportunities, supporting me to be both a mother and a professional.
So let’s strive for a more diverse industry together – we will all benefit from it!
Kathrin Aehling is Vice President of Channel Management & Marketing DACH for Schneider Electric, a pioneering company in the development of technologies for automation and energy distribution, particularly digitalisation, energy efficiency and sustainability.
Linked In: Kathrin Aehling.
Youtube: Kathrin’s talk (in German) on Women in Tech at Light + Building 2024.
