The Supervisory Board of Vonovia SE has unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the company's new Chief Development Officer, effective June 1, 2026, while also renewing the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule until September 30, 2029. These leadership decisions come at a critical time for Europe's largest private residential real estate company as it navigates demographic changes, skilled worker shortages, and ambitious growth targets in the housing sector.
Wunschel will join Vonovia on April 1, 2026, and succeed Daniel Riedl, who will leave the Executive Board by mutual agreement on May 31, 2026, following a two-month transition period. Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Supervisory Board, emphasized the strategic importance of this appointment, stating that development has been a key component of Vonovia's growth since 2018. "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 said.
The appointment of Wunschel represents a significant cross-industry talent acquisition, bringing expertise from renewable energy to residential development. Wunschel has served as Chief Executive Officer at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH since 2022, where she oversaw the development, construction, and operation of onshore wind and solar farms. She previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer at RWE Renewables GmbH and various leadership roles at E.ON, where she focused on renewable energy projects across Europe.
Wunschel identified parallels between the energy and housing sectors that make her transition strategically relevant. "What both industries have in common is the need to deliver multiple projects at the same time while maintaining a high level of standardization," she explained. This approach aligns with Vonovia's emphasis on modular construction and serial modernization as part of its 2028 growth strategy, which aims to strengthen development segments and promote innovative technologies.
Simultaneously, the early contract renewal for CHRO Ruth Werhahn underscores the company's recognition of human resources as a strategic priority during challenging labor market conditions. Werhahn, who has led Human Resources, Vonovia Technical Service, IT, and Central Services since October 2023, has made significant progress in developing the company's employer brand and corporate culture. "Especially during times of demographic change and an increasing shortage of skilled workers, HR plays a crucial strategic role," Streit noted.
Werhahn highlighted the company's recent hiring success, stating, "This year alone, we have attracted around 2,800 new employees, primarily in maintenance, and we are continuing to grow." With approximately 12,500 employees managing 533,000 residential units across Germany, Sweden, and Austria, workforce stability and development are essential for maintaining service quality and meeting housing needs. "Housing is a basic need for everyone," Werhahn emphasized. "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 carry substantial implications for Vonovia's operational direction and industry positioning. The appointment of an executive with extensive renewable energy experience signals a potential acceleration of sustainable development practices, particularly in energy-efficient housing and modern heating infrastructure. Meanwhile, securing HR leadership stability addresses critical challenges in talent acquisition and retention that affect the entire real estate sector.
For tenants and investors, these moves suggest continued focus on Vonovia's core priorities: expanding housing supply through efficient development methods and maintaining service excellence through workforce investment. As the company pursues its 2028 growth strategy, which includes strengthening Value-add, Development, and Recurring Sales segments, leadership continuity and fresh expertise will be crucial for navigating market complexities and delivering on commitments to stakeholders.
