Katy Roewer: Board member working 80 percent part-time

"I started in Controlling at OTTO when I was 26 and slowly worked my way up. Then, when I became a mother, our entire lives changed - and so did my working life," Katy Roewer tells us over lunch in the "Elbe" canteen on the Otto Campus. "For me, staying home completely was out of the question. I worked too hard for that, gave too much. I wanted my job and time with my loved ones."

Katy Roewer is an impressive woman: tall, light hair and always a smile on her lips. You quickly get the impression: here is a woman sitting in front of you who knows what she wants, who likes to discuss things, but who can also be persuaded. Katy Roewer is Head of Service & HR at OTTO and is responsible for OTTO's finances, service and the entire HR department. She studied classical business administration in Marseille and Bremen.

When did the opportunity arise to become Divisional Director? "My boss Alexander Birken asked me if I would like to drive the major transformation at OTTO as a manager." But before that, she had to clarify one thing with him: She wanted to tackle this challenge with an 80 percent position. "I want to show that such models are also possible in the high, responsible roles, I want to encourage and contribute to this new world of work becoming everyday life," says Katy.

Born in the GDR, at home in Europe

To understand why her career, as well as equality and family life, are so important to Katy, it's enough to take a look at her past: Growing up in the GDR, in a small village near Neubrandenburg, her family was never convinced by the system. Her grandfather felt imprisoned, her father often opened his mouth. On top of that, she had a working mother. "Women had equal rights and equal status in the GDR, and for me as a child that was quite normal. This image of the emancipated, equal woman still shapes me today. It's also the reason why I want to use my role to advocate for women and mothers who want to create a work-life balance," says Katy.

Arrived at OTTO

Over the past ten years, OTTO has transformed itself from a traditional company into a diverse, ambitious tech employer, driving forward topics such as FutureWork. This is also one of Katy's heartfelt issues, along with topics such as diversity, equal rights, women in leadership, and finance: she wants to actively help shape the new world of work. "We put our customers at the center of everything we do, and it's a matter close to our hearts to satisfy them, surprise them, and inspire them for OTTO." What does it take to achieve this? Committed, satisfied employees who pull together. For Katy, one thing is particularly important: "For us, success is not about 'bigger, faster, further', but about doing business sustainably in order to make OTTO attractive for future generations as well. As Germany's largest online store, we have a responsibility that goes beyond simply sending packages. As an employer, but also as a company that cares about social issues."