Magdalena Balogh
Working with Mobility Genossenschaft since August 2020
Head of Market Development
Hi Magdalena, it’s great to have you here with us, could you please tell us a little about yourself?
My dad showed me and my siblings the world of cars at a very early age; not everyone has a lifting platform at home. At 16, I did my first internship at ÖBB-Postbus AG. At 17, I finally got my long-awaited driver's licence, and at 19, I had my first car and made a lot of trips which cost me quite a bit of money. I learned to appreciate the car.
Although I have always been interested in cars, I ended up in the fashion industry after graduation. About 4 years ago, I finally discovered the mobility world for myself and feel like I've actually arrived here.
What made you decide to start a career in the mobility industry?
I've always been fascinated by the mobility industry. And at some point, I wanted a job with a lot of impact: to enjoy maximum mobile freedom while being on the road without any worries, characterised by the idea of sustainability - I was in the right place at the right time, the job was perfect!
What do you value most in your job today?
A strong team, an ingenious product, and exciting collaborations that result in many win-wins. On top of that, we have a great challenge: the electrification of our fleet is pioneering work that only works if several factors interact. Now, at the latest, the teams are moving closer together and positive leadership is more important than ever.
Which female personality inspires you when it comes to the topic of 'female leadership'?
I find Sheryl Sandberg exciting and admirable. There is nothing that this woman can't master (both privately and professionally).
Which car do you currently drive?
I drive various e-vehicles, my favourite being the VW ID.3 and, depending on the use case, the Skoda Enyaq.
Longest drive in an electric vehicle?
Once across Switzerland.
Who would you like to have by your side for a longer electric car ride?
Katja Diehl (explanation: from Germany), strong personality with thick elephant skin and bite. That's what you need in the male-dominated industry.
Bicycle or e-bike?
Bicycle.
Your message for a sustainable and smart future in mobility:
Transformation takes time, but we need real alternatives now.
We need to better link existing mobility models and make them palatable to the masses... Shared Mobility rocks!
Michael Brecht from MOTION Magazine talked to these amazing women in the past weeks. It is impressive to get an insight into their career paths and to understand what motivates them personally. Women have a key role in helping us make the change needed in industries such as mobility, logistics and energy. Research demonstrates the impact of women in leadership roles goes beyond profits as they focus on diversity, belonging and equity. And Iwecan tell you from our own conviction that we will only succeed in the global transformation in sustainable mobility issues if we listen to the voices of these female doers. Thus we are very happy to provide a stage for female leaders that are making an impact. Read more about the other participating female leaders and Michael’s introduction for our MOTION Magazine Edition III, now available online in German language (only).
Illustrations courtesy of Jörn Kaspuhl for MOTION Magazine.
