Viola Pawelczyk
Candidate for Mayor of Bottrop
Experience
Candidate for Mayor of Bottrop
Initiative "Bottrop Bewegt"
- Selected from over 150 applicants to join the initiative accompanied by WDR and ZDF teams
- Finalist in the Bottrop mayoral election 2025
- Participated in public debates and media coverage
Interim Vice President Development - Quality & Training
HR Group (now REVO)
- Responsible for development of 9,000 employees across 300 hotels worldwide, reporting directly to the CEO
- Co-responsible for revenue of over €1 billion
- Led a six-member team overseeing budget, forecasting and group leadership
- Advised COO Jonathan Mills
- Supported M&A processes: acquisition of 60 hotels in Europe and 10 Steigenberger hotels
- Established a new profit center for training and quality management
- Managed 15 franchise brands in areas of talent development, ESG, CSR, compliance and quality standards
- Drove digital transformation: introduced the "Luca App" at over 70 hotel sites
- Oversaw retail expansion: rollout of 60 KukIme shops in Europe
- Built the internal HR Group Academy including leadership and talent programs
- Implemented KPIs, employee surveys, team structures, LMS systems and AI-driven training solutions
- Delivered AI training via Pitchmonster
Interim Global Head of Collection International Training Retail Operations & People Development
Swatch AG
- Developed and implemented a global training strategy for retail and leadership
- Introduced a digital learning platform for worldwide talent development
- Strategically led an international team of 28+ members across training, coordination and L&D
Founder & Consultant
Viola Pawelczyk Consulting & Mandate (Leading.Akademie)
- Delivered workshops, coaching and executive sparring in personal and organizational development
- Designed assessment centers, female talent programs, leadership development and onboarding initiatives
- Expanded business into global markets (Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore)
- Provided strategic L&D and OD consulting for global corporations in industry, pharma, automotive, defense, municipalities and mid-sized businesses
- Specialized in scaling and digitalizing global HR processes
- Served as keynote speaker at the German Tax Advisors' Day
- Hosted the "Wirtschaft Talkt" podcast (IHK Kassel)
- Partnered with Haufe, Klaiton and CoachHub for coaching services
- Collaborated with associations and networks including Trauma Zentrum Kassel and Offen für Vielfalt
Senior Management Consultant
Müller + Partner
- Led leadership development, change management and process optimization projects
- Designed L&D concepts and delivered executive coaching, speaking and sparring sessions
- Served as keynote speaker for MT Melsungen, Tax Day Celle and the Ministry of Economic Affairs Baden-Württemberg
Consultant
IFH Worldwide
- Developed and rolled out international quality standards
- Conducted mystery shopping, quality assurance, personnel development and training projects
- Managed PS-EE brand initiatives
Front Office Management & Hotel Specialist
Schlosshotel Kronberg; Steigenberger Airport Hotel; InterCityHotel Düsseldorf
- Trained as a hotel specialist at Schlosshotel Kronberg
- Held reservation and front office management roles at Steigenberger Airport Hotel and InterCityHotel Düsseldorf
Summary
Viola Pawelczyk is a visionary, entrepreneurial leader with over 12 years of international leadership experience as a C- and B-level manager – most recently with global responsibility for up to 9,000 employees.
She has expertise in strategic corporate management, change management, M&A integration, talent management, and developing scalable business models. Her actions are driven by operational excellence, a clear set of values, and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Her career began in the hotel industry and led her to change and quality management projects in international corporations (including Kempinski, HeidelbergCement, defense, automotive, and Sixt). As a consultant and in leadership roles at HR Group (building a profit center for training & quality management, integrating 70 hotels through M&A) and at Swatch (global training strategy for retail & leadership), she further expanded her expertise in organizational development, talent development, and talent promotion.
As the founder of Leading.Akademie (currently being wound down), Viola established over 20 partner locations in the DACH region. She developed PE concepts, training and leadership programs, modular continuing education courses, and customized organizational development and change processes for corporations, social enterprises, mid-sized businesses, and NGOs – always focusing on empowerment and sustainable results.
She is socially active as a board member of the Junior Chamber International (including Head of Education & Business in Frankfurt), moderates educational initiatives and panel discussions (e.g., “1 Tag Azubi”), and was a finalist in the Bottrop mayoral election 2025.
She is a moderator, podcaster (“Wirtschaft Talkt”), and speaker on topics like leadership, new work, and female empowerment – and participates in initiatives like “Offen für Vielfalt” and cooperates with the Trauma Zentrum Kassel.
Viola Pawelczyk is an internationally connected strategist with a strong sense for innovation, excellence, and sustainable transformation. She excels in clear communication, empathetic leadership, and the ability to inspire and develop both people and organizations – always focusing on impact, growth, and future readiness.
Skills
- International Leader, Strategic Corporate Development & Scaling
- Change Management & Transformation, Organizational And People Development
- Development Of L&d Concepts, Talent Management Strategies & Academy Offerings
- Trainings, Workshops & Leadership Programs
- Digital Transformation & Process Optimization (Sap, Lms, Ai)
- M&a Integration & Post-merger Management, Building Profit Centers
- Network, Foundation, Association & Board Work (E.g., Junior Chamber, Chambers Of Commerce)
- Agile Methods (Scrum, Systemic Coaching)
- Communication, Podcasting, Moderation & Speaking
Languages
Education
Schlosshotel Kronberg
Apprenticeship as hotel specialist · Hotel specialist · Kronberg, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Agile Master Coach
INeKO Institute, University of Cologne
Systemic Coach & Change Manager
INeKO Institute, University of Cologne
Trainer & Train-the-Trainer Certificate
IFH Worldwide
Profile
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