Vonovia Appoints Katja Wunschel as Chief Development Officer and Extends CHRO Contract

The Supervisory Board of Vonovia SE has unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the company's new Chief Development Officer, effective June 1, 2026, following a two-month induction period beginning April 1, 2026. Wunschel will succeed Daniel Riedl, who will leave the Executive Board by mutual agreement on May 31, 2026. This strategic appointment comes as Vonovia seeks to advance its development business, particularly in modular construction, which has been a key growth component since 2018. Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Supervisory Board, emphasized that Wunschel brings extensive experience in project management and implementing large investment projects from her background in renewable energy, making her well-suited to lead Vonovia's new housing development initiatives.

Wunschel currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH, where she has been responsible for developing, building, and operating onshore wind and solar farms since 2022. Prior to this role, she was Chief Operating Officer at RWE Renewables GmbH from 2019. With over two decades of experience in the energy sector, including positions at E.ON and Bayer Group, Wunschel noted similarities between renewable energy projects and modular construction in terms of managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining standardization. She expressed enthusiasm for applying her project development expertise to Vonovia's housing initiatives, viewing it as an exciting transition to a new industry phase.

Concurrently, the Supervisory Board has renewed the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule, extending her tenure until September 30, 2029. Werhahn, who has overseen Human Resources, Vonovia Technical Service, IT, and Central Services since October 2023, has been credited with advancing the company's employer brand and corporate culture while establishing strong entrepreneurial foundations across her divisions. Streit highlighted the strategic importance of human resources during demographic changes and increasing skilled worker shortages, noting that Werhahn's leadership has been instrumental in addressing these challenges.

Werhahn emphasized the connection between corporate culture and business growth, revealing that Vonovia has attracted approximately 2,800 new employees this year, primarily in maintenance roles. She attributed the company's success in balancing business objectives with community responsibilities to Vonovia's workforce. These executive decisions reflect Vonovia's broader strategic focus on development and human capital as outlined in its 2028 growth strategy, which emphasizes value-add segments, innovative technologies like serial modernization and modular new construction, and scalable market offerings. The appointments signal Vonovia's commitment to strengthening leadership in key operational areas while navigating industry-wide challenges in housing development and workforce management.