A rapidly changing, AI-driven world requires effective leaders and problem solvers.

The German Leadership Award provides impetus for the GLA European Leadership Center

The outstanding leadership experience of the GLA award winners forms the basis for the GLA European Leadership Center's understanding of leadership. Especially in light of the rapidly growing relevance of artificial intelligence.

The leadership of the GLA award winners since 2014 represents core principles of modern and effective leadership designed to maximize both individual and collective success in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. It exemplifies a holistic approach that takes into account both the human dimension and operational excellence.

Program at the Bildungscampus Heilbronn

Presentation of the German Leadership Award (GLA) at the Bildungscampus Heilbronn
Establishment of a "GLA European Leadership Center" at the educational campus in Heilbronn
Development of a leadership competence pool.
Conception and implementation of courses for students.
Development of training events.
Establishment of think tanks and working groups.
Implementation of mentoring programs
Interdisciplinary working meetings of managers and social leaders from all over the world

GERMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD (GLA)

We are in the transition from the digital era to the AI era, with leadership increasingly characterized by the integration of AI technologies.

Leaders need to be agile and flexible to integrate the rapid development of AI and have a deep understanding of these technologies to make data-driven decisions.
Strong ethical accountability and fostering collaboration between humans and machines are crucial.
In addition, continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies is essential to foster innovation and creativity.
These approaches mark a shift from the traditional German corporate culture, which relied heavily on stability and hierarchy, to a more dynamic, technologically savvy and human-centered leadership.

After a decade, the winners of the German Leadership Award (GLA) have become the mainstay of the unique leadership award. Every year, the jury nominates exemplary leaders who introduce and implement leadership in their working environment in an innovative and successful way and who bring the topic to the public in a particularly value-adding way.

The German Leadership Award was founded in 2014 at the renowned Palais Biron business conference center in Baden-Baden-Baden. It was awarded until 2023 in conjunction with an alumni convention of the CDI, an MBA program for young engineers and scientists in France, Germany and Italy.

With the 2024 awards, the GLA moved to the Bildungscampus Heilbronn in order to broaden its support structure as part of a leadership competence center in times of AI.

Award ceremony 2025

Bildungscampus Heilbronn, auditorium

Award ceremony 2024

Bildungscampus Heilbronn, auditorium

German Leadership Award winner

Ayla Busch
Lars Wagner (Jury)

2022

Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke

2020

Dr. Hans J. Langer

2019

Dr.-Ing. E. h. Manfred Wittenstein

2018

Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger

2017

Peter Bauer

2016

Dr. phil. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller

2015

Erich Harsch

2014

Think Tank Responsible Leadership in Times of AI

The GLA Think Tank is the think tank and project workshop of the European Leadership Center (ELC) to make leadership topics with social relevance tangible, applicable and effective.

The think tank, made up of international leadership experts, has taken on one of the key issues of our time:

"Will leadership, ethics and governance ultimately decide whether artificial intelligence serves or harms society?"

The European Leadership Center, together with AIvolve Leadership Dynamics in Switzerland, a global innovator and leading provider of leadership development, is looking for true leadership evolution in the AI age - across industries, regions and cultures. With international reach, depth of research and culturally inclusive design.

Executive Summary: Responsible Leadership in Times ofAI

In cooperation with AIvolve Leadership Dynamics, the Responsible Leadership in Times of AI was created, a one-week, hybrid development program for managers who want to act with responsibility and vision in the age of artificial intelligence.

The program is aimed at:

Experienced decision-makers,
Young managers with the will to shape the future,
and anyone who wants to rethink leadership.

The contents at a glance

Deep Dive into AI
Governance & the EU AI Act
Strategic Decision Making in Complexity
Ethical Leadership in Action
From Insight to Impact: Leadership Integration & Action Planning

Supplemented by self-study units on:

Visionary Leadership
Data as an asset
Judgment & Integrity
Real-World Impact

Structure & Methodology

5 live sessions (60-90 minutes daily)
Daily self-study modules (45-60 minutes)
Reflective practical exercises, group exchanges and digital tools

The lab is based on the proprietary AIvolve method "Assess - Apply - AIvolve" and integrates the latest scientific and technological findings on AI and leadership.

Summer School 2024 - Leadership in the Digital Age
Project workshop AI Action Summit 2025

AI Action Summer Heilbronn - 28 - 29.11.2024
AI Action Summer Paris - 24 - 25.01.2025
AI Action Summer Paris - 10 - 11.02.2025

Contact and contact person

GLA European Leadership Center gGmbH
Bildungscampus 7 · 74076 Heilbronn
Tel: +49 7131 264180
info@european-leadership-center.com

Prof. Hans-Peter Mengele
Managing Director
GLA European Leadership Center gGmbH
mengele@european-leadership-center.com

Knut Stannowski
Managing Director
Collège des Ingénieurs Germany, Munich
stannowski@european-leadership-center.com

Maria-Paz Millán Millán
Executive Director
GLA European Leadership Center gGmbH
millan@european-leadership-center.com

Tina Lieber
Innovation and Research Leadership Executive
GLA European Leadership Center gGmbH
lieber@european-leadership-center.com