Vonovia Appoints New CDO, Renews CHRO Contract in Strategic Leadership Move

In a significant leadership announcement, Vonovia SE, Europe's leading private residential real estate company, has made two key executive decisions. The Supervisory Board unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the new Chief Development Officer (CDO), effective June 1, 2026, following an induction period starting April 1, 2026. She succeeds Daniel Riedl, who will depart by mutual agreement on May 31, 2026. Simultaneously, the board renewed the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule, extending her tenure until September 30, 2029. These moves signal strategic continuity and growth ambitions for the Bochum-based firm, which manages 533,000 residential units across Germany, Sweden, and Austria and employs approximately 12,500 people.

Katja Wunschel brings over two decades of experience from the energy sector, most recently as CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH, where she oversaw the development, construction, and operation of onshore wind and solar farms. Her background in project management and implementing large investment projects is expected to bolster Vonovia's development business, a key growth component since 2018. Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Supervisory Board, emphasized Wunschel's expertise in planning and implementing construction projects, which will be crucial for advancing new housing initiatives, particularly modular construction. Wunschel herself noted the parallels between renewable energy and housing development, highlighting the need for standardization and simultaneous project delivery as exciting foundations for her new role. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com, providing further details on this corporate update.

Ruth Werhahn, who has led Human Resources, Vonovia Technical Service, IT, and Central Services since October 2023, received early contract renewal in recognition of her achievements. Streit praised Werhahn for strengthening the employer brand, corporate culture, and placing her divisions on a solid entrepreneurial foundation, especially amid demographic changes and skilled worker shortages. Werhahn expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her, noting that a modern corporate culture is essential for growth, as evidenced by the recruitment of around 2,800 new employees this year, primarily in maintenance. This news underscores Vonovia's commitment to its 2028 growth strategy, which focuses on value-add, development, and recurring sales segments, along with innovations in serial modernization, modular new construction, and modern heating infrastructure. As a DAX-listed company since 2013 and a constituent of various ESG indices, Vonovia's leadership changes reflect its dedication to sustainability and community responsibility in the housing sector.