ABOUT SOPHIE SEIWALD-HOJER
I have made the exciting journey from an intern to a global leadership position in an Automotive OEM and I have learned one thing: change only comes from courageous decisions followed by clear words.
‘I never was and I will never be your Classic IT Girl: I push IT organizations to another level - deeply integrated ‘Value Creation Engines’.’
As the former CEO of Mercedes-Benz.io (Mercedes-Benz’ Digital Inhouse Unit) and then Vice President IT at Mercedes-Benz, I led teams of up to 4,000 engineers in globally distributed teams. In doing so, I not only implemented digital transformation ‘by the book’, but in most cases I set completely new standards: from the development of a 100 million euro transformation project to the establishment of a product-oriented software company that still shapes the digital presence of Mercedes-Benz today. I've turned some big wheels - and there's a lot I'm really proud of.
My passion? Connecting technology and people. I believe that a modern IT organization is more than just forwarding business requirements to suppliers.
Here are the areas in which I support companies and managers:
(Re-)Building Modern IT Organizations
Strategy, Storytelling & Communication
(Global) IT Sourcing Strategies
Implementation of In- & Outsourcing Initiatives
(Re-)Building Tech/IT Subsidiaries
Sparring for Large Scale IT Change Projects
Introduction of Objectives & Key Results for Management Teams
Transformation from Project to Product Organizations
Mentoring für Corporate-Exits & Career Development
I firmly believe that you can move 'The System' and that innovation is not (only) created by tools, but above all by a modern corporate culture. My answer to change management is not a fruit basket, but a personal conversation.
‘My answer to change management is not a fruit basket, but a personal conversation’
In addition to my leadership work, I inspire others as a speaker on topics such as “New work without a fruit basket”, “IT is dead, long live IT” or “Why AI is great, but you are greater.”
I published my experiences together with Matthias Patzak (AWS Enterprise Strategist & Ex-CTO AutoScout24) in our book 'All Hands on Tech' - Your how-to guide for building modern software organizations. From September 2025 (Fingers Crossed) I will be teaching a course on this exactly this topic - a subject that is very close to my heart.
Buy our Book All Hands on Tech here
If you are interested in digital transformation, leadership strategies or innovative corporate cultures, I look forward to an exchange - be it in lectures, consulting projects or as a sparring partner.
Please reach out to me via Email: sophie@pgs-seiwald.com
