We are very happy to welcome Stefan Gumbrich as the new Managing Director of HeiGIT, starting in November. Stefan succeeds Gesa Schönberger, who has led HeiGIT with great commitment and foresight over the past six years.
When Gesa assumed the role of Managing Director, HeiGIT had just been established as an affiliated institute of Heidelberg University with base funding provided by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. Her leadership during these formative years was instrumental in laying a stable foundation for the institute and structuring its day-to-day business.
From the outset, it had been planned that Gesa would support HeiGIT’s development during its setup phase while continuing her work as Managing Director of the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS). Now that HeiGIT stands on solid footing, with a clear administrative structure and well-defined management processes, she is returning to her main role at HITS.
“We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Gesa for her strategic guidance and invaluable support during these early and decisive years,” says Alexander Zipf, Scientific Director of HeiGIT.
“It has been a great pleasure to work with Alexander in establishing and developing the institute. I would like to especially thank the Klaus Tschira Foundation for the trust they have placed in me over the past six years. Together, we have been able to build an outstanding team who, with their enthusiasm and ideas, are carrying out an increasing number of projects for the benefit of the
environment and society. HeiGIT is in an excellent position, and I am therefore handing it over to Stefan and Alexander with a smile,“ says Gesa Schönberger, Managing Director of HITS.
At the same time, we are excited to welcome a familiar face to this role. Stefan will focus on overseeing HeiGIT’s activities, ensuring that projects run smoothly, processes remain efficient, and teams have the structures they need to concentrate on innovative work. His experience and deep familiarity with HeiGIT’s inner workings make him particularly well suited to guide the institute through this transition from a phase of growth to one of consolidation.
Stefan joined HeiGIT as Research and Innovation Manager shortly after the institute was established. Holding a PhD in Informatics, he has been closely involved in connecting research and practical applications, fostering collaboration across teams, and contributing to the institute’s strategic development. His work has focused on guiding projects, and coordinating between teams. As part of HeiGIT’s management team, he has been helping to shape institute’s strategy and long-term vision. With a clear understanding of both scientific and organizational perspectives, he has played a key role in building the structures and opportunities that nurture innovation and support the acquisition of new projects.
Prior to this role, Stefan spent over 20 years working as a business and IT consultant at IBM, with focus on the automotive industry. He specialized in technology strategy and management consulting. As a Senior Managing Consultant, he was leading international projects across Europe, the US, and Asia and was responsible for business development in areas such as e-mobility and telematics.
“Stepping into this new role is both an honor and a joy. Together with Alexander and the motivated HeiGIT team, I look forward to deepening our commitment to advancing open geoinformation for social good. We will continue bridging research and practice, supporting humanitarian response, climate resilience, and sustainable mobility, all underpinned by big data, innovation, and collaboration,” says new Managing Director Stefan Gumbrich.
Klaus Tschira Stiftung
The German foundation Klaus Tschira Stiftung supports natural sciences, mathematics and computer science and the appreciation of these subjects. It was founded in 1995 by physicist and SAP co-founder Klaus Tschira (1940–2015) by private means. Its three priorities are: education, research and science communication. This commitment begins in kindergarten and continues in schools, universities and research institutions throughout Germany. The foundation advocates the dialogue between science and society. Further information (in German) can be found at: www.klaus-tschira-stiftung.de
