FHWien der WKW Presented Alumni Awards

Vienna, November 22, 2023 – FHWien der WKW opens up the best career opportunities in business for its graduates. This year, for the 15^th time, nine graduates were brought before the curtain and honored with an Alumni Award as examples of the diverse career paths made possible by studying at the university of applied sciences specializing in management and communication.

The award winners were officially presented at the award ceremony on November 20, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna. In front of 150 guests, including other top alumni of FHWien der WKW as well as representatives of the university and business, the Alumni Awards were presented to the winners in a festive atmosphere. The trophies were designed by artist Sonja Riemer, who is also an alumna. The evening was hosted by TV presenter Andreas Schmid.

Award for professionals and managers 

The award in the category “Professional Achievements” was presented to specialists and executives who have achieved national or international success in their industry or field of activity.

The award winners:

• Luigi Barbaro: The graduate of the Master’s degree in Leadership in Tourism is Managing Director of Barbaro Gastronomie and founder of the Fratelli Barbaro brand.
• Tanja Grubner: She graduated from FHWien der WKW with a degree in Marketing & Sales. Today, Grubner is Global Marketing Director at Essity.
• Ingrid Heschl: The graduate of the Bachelor’s degree program in Human Resources Management is HR Lead and a member of the management team at Microsoft Austria.

Award for particularly innovative alumni 

In the category “Shaping the Future”, graduates were honored for finding forward-looking answers to pressing questions of our time with their way of thinking and their actions.

The award winners:

• Kristina Maria Brandstetter: She completed the International MBA in Management & Communications at FHWien der WKW and is now Head of Communications & Transformation at AustriaTech.
• Paul Bruckberger: The graduate of the Executive Management Master’s program is the founder and CEO of Linxfour – Transforming Equipment Finance.
• Claudia Falkinger: She completed a Master’s degree in Communication Management. Falkinger is the founder and managing director of the mobility platform “Punkt vor Strich” and the innovation consultancy “NOW & NEXT”.

Honoring exceptionally committed alumni 

The category “Exceptional Commitment to FHWien der WKW” honored alumni who are particularly committed to teaching or research at FHWien der WKW and thus contribute to the continuous development of the university of applied sciences.

The award winners:

• Josef Baumüller: A graduate in Finance, Accounting & Taxation, he is an expert in ESG reporting, an investor and an author.
• Michael Klinger: He graduated from FHWien der WKW with a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Management and is now a real estate trustee and managing director of KLINGER Immobilien GmbH.
• Yvonne Widler: The alumna of the Master’s program in Journalism & New Media is a journalist, non-fiction author and head of department at KURIER.

Studies as the foundation for careers

“The fact that many of our graduates are so successful in their careers makes us very proud. For many, their studies laid the foundation for careers in Austria and abroad. With the Alumni Award, which we have been presenting to successful graduates for 15 years now, we are putting some of our more than 14,300 alumni in the spotlight,” says Michael Heritsch, CEO of FHWien der WKW.

Photos:

The joy was great: Nine graduates were awarded a trophy by artist Sonja Riemer.
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Copyright: Alexander Müller

The guests at the Alumni Awards gala enjoyed the special ambience of the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
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Copyright: Alexander Müller 

FHWien der WKW – University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication 

FHWien der WKW is Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management and communication. Its Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs offer over 2,800 students a practical academic education. Around 900 people complete a continuing education program at the university. Two thirds of the teaching staff come directly from industry. The close cooperation with local companies in teaching and research prepares students optimally for their careers. Since its foundation in 1994, FHWien der WKW has already produced around 14,400 graduates.

Contact:

Bernhard Witzeling
Head of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Alumni & Career Services, Press Officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 476 77-5733
presse@fh-wien.ac.at
www.fh-wien.ac.at