Patron 2026
Alumna Dr Susanne Veldung completed her PhD in Economics at the University of Würzburg. She is now Head of Corporate ESG / Sustainability & Brand Equity at Faber-Castell AG and also patron of the 2026 mentoring cohort.
A message from Dr Susanne Veldung
Dear mentees, dear mentors,
I am delighted to welcome you as patron at the launch of the University of Würzburg’s 2026 Mentoring Programme.
2026 is already shaping up to be a year marked by numerous and diverse opportunities, but also challenges. This raises fundamental questions from the students’ perspective: How can I successfully start my career in the current climate? What will the job market look like after I graduate? How will Germany continue to develop as a business location? What will the world of work of tomorrow look like overall?
Mentoring creates space for questions that often have no place in everyday life. The mentors certainly do not have all the answers ready, but I am convinced that they will do their best to support you in your search for answers. Especially in the age of AI, a personal and individual exchange helps to challenge existing views and open up new perspectives.
Mentoring brings together people who are willing to share experiences, learn from one another and work together on their personal development. Mentoring is therefore a space of opportunity – characterised by openness, trust and respect.
For you as a student, mentoring offers the chance to benefit from the experiences of others, to become more aware of your own strengths, and to face challenges with greater clarity and self-confidence.
At the same time, you too benefit as mentors: interacting with committed students provides fresh inspiration, encourages reflection and strengthens your own personal and professional development.
I myself have already had the opportunity to take on both roles within the mentoring programme and could not be more grateful for this experience.
I wish you too an inspiring and enriching mentoring experience, many new insights and, above all, encounters that will accompany and strengthen you on your future path. Be curious and make the most of the chance to ask your questions!
Thank you very much – and here’s to a successful start!
