Have you ever met someone who brings business sense, compassion, and innovation together so naturally? That’s exactly what Alexandra Heraeus does. She is not just another business leader. She is a woman with a clear purpose — to make education in Germany stronger, fairer, and more inspiring.
Today, Alexandra serves as the Chairwoman of the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, a foundation that has supported teachers and school leaders for more than sixty years. But what makes her story so special is how she mixes the past and future. She honors her family’s long tradition of social responsibility while bringing new ideas, technology, and courage to the world of education.
Alexandra believes that true progress starts with people — with teachers, principals, and the students they guide. Her work isn’t about sitting in meetings or making rules from afar. It’s about connecting with educators, understanding their daily challenges, and helping them find better ways to lead and inspire.
A Strong Start: Learning and Curiosity
From the very beginning, Alexandra Heraeus showed a deep love for learning and a desire to make things better. She studied Management at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, one of Germany’s top business schools. There, she learned how strong leadership and smart planning can turn big ideas into real change.
Later, she continued her studies at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, earning a Master of Law and Business. This gave her a unique mix of legal and business skills — perfect for a person who wanted to lead with both structure and creativity. Alexandra also became a Certified Business Mediator at IHK München, showing her dedication to solving conflicts peacefully and finding common ground.
If you think about it, this combination says a lot about who she is. She’s not just focused on profit or success. She cares about balance, fairness, and cooperation — values that guide everything she does.
A Career that Connects Business and Purpose
Alexandra Heraeus didn’t jump straight into leading a foundation. Her journey started in the business world. She worked at Henkel, one of Germany’s largest companies, as an Analyst in Mergers & Acquisitions. There, she learned the tough side of corporate work — numbers, deals, and business structures.
But Alexandra wanted more than spreadsheets and reports. She wanted her work to mean something. That’s why she soon moved toward social entrepreneurship, joining FASE GmbH, an organization that helps social enterprises find investors and grow. This shift showed her strong desire to use business tools for good causes.
Around the same time, she co-founded ALERA Capital GmbH, a boutique investment firm in Munich. ALERA focuses on helping young companies build long-term, sustainable success. Alexandra became one of its key partners, combining her business background with her vision for a better, fairer economy.
If you ask her why she took this path, she would probably say it’s about creating value that lasts — not just making money, but building something that helps others grow too.
Joining the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung: A New Chapter
In 2021, Alexandra joined the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung’s executive management team. Two years later, she became the Chairwoman of the Board, following in the footsteps of her mother, Dr. h.c. Beate Heraeus, who led the foundation for decades.
This wasn’t just a professional move — it was a meaningful transition. Alexandra carried forward a family legacy that started with her great-grandmother, Bertha Heraeus, a strong woman known for her vision and social spirit. Under Alexandra’s leadership, the foundation entered a new era — one focused on courage, innovation, and deep connection with the education community.
She once said that what she values most about the foundation is the freedom to develop things. Unlike many organizations that just give grants, the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung creates its own programs and seminars. It works directly with teachers and principals, helping them solve real problems in modern schools.
Alexandra believes that education should not be about repeating the past — it should be about preparing for the future. She encourages educators to experiment, to be brave, and to build schools that truly reflect today’s changing world.
Building a Community for Change
When you listen to Alexandra Heraeus speak, one word comes up again and again: community. She talks about how much she values the sense of togetherness that develops between seminar trainers, teachers, and school leaders.
At the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, educators don’t just attend seminars — they help shape them. Their ideas are included, discussed, and turned into action. This makes them feel heard and appreciated, something many teachers don’t experience often enough.
One of the foundation’s biggest successes under Alexandra’s guidance is its seminars for school principals. These programs became so respected that, since 2017, they have been mandatory for anyone applying to become a school principal in Hesse, Germany. That’s an incredible sign of trust and recognition — it shows how important the foundation’s work has become in shaping the country’s education system.
Alexandra sees this not as her personal success, but as proof that when people work together with passion and purpose, great things happen.
Celebrating 60 Years of Impact
In 2024, the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung celebrated its 60th anniversary, and it was a day Alexandra would never forget. The event brought together more than 200 guests — educators, government leaders, and partners.
It was not just a celebration; it was a journey through time. Alexandra’s mother, Beate Heraeus, spoke about the foundation’s early years and its call for social progress. The event featured Education Minister Karin Prien, State Secretary Manuel Lösel, and world-renowned education researcher John Hattie, who reminded everyone about the importance of courage in learning and leading.
Future researcher Roger Spindler joined to discuss how schools must adapt in the coming years. As he said, “It’s not what you know, but what you can do with what you know” — a message that fits perfectly with Alexandra’s philosophy.
Students even performed a short play, acting as the foundation’s original founders, making the event feel warm, creative, and alive. Alexandra shared her gratitude, especially toward her great-grandmother Bertha, whom she called a powerful woman ahead of her time.
The celebration was more than a party — it was a reflection of everything Alexandra stands for: tradition, courage, and progress.
Empathy and Appreciation in Tough Times
Even with all her success, Alexandra Heraeus never forgets the human side of leadership. In one of her posts, she shared how many school principals in Hesse struggle with staff shortages and the growing pressure of daily school life.
She encouraged everyone to start with something simple but powerful — appreciation. “Say thank you instead of criticism,” she wrote. It’s a small act, but it can make a big difference.
Alexandra knows that leadership in education isn’t easy. It demands energy, creativity, and care. That’s why she often praises the teachers and school leaders she works with — reminding others that these are the people keeping schools running and shaping the next generation.
Leading with Courage and Kindness
When you look at Alexandra Heraeus, you see a leader who believes in courage and kindness. She often says that leading a school, a team, or even a foundation takes both strength and heart. For her, leadership is not about power — it’s about helping others find their own.
In her daily work at the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, Alexandra focuses on giving teachers and principals the tools they need to succeed. She reminds people that education is not just about rules and results — it’s about human connection. When teachers feel supported and valued, they pass that feeling on to their students.
Alexandra’s calm and thoughtful style makes her easy to trust. She listens before she speaks. She believes that even small acts of appreciation — a kind word, a simple “thank you” — can create big change in schools. This message feels especially important in 2025, when many educators are tired and under pressure.
Her View on the Future of Schools
Alexandra Heraeus doesn’t just look at what schools are today — she looks at what they can become. She believes schools must be places where curiosity grows and creativity thrives. In her view, the best schools are the ones that prepare children not just for tests, but for life.
That’s why she supports projects like innovationhub.schule, which helps schools across Germany share ideas and work together. In these spaces, teachers can test new ways of learning, from digital tools to teamwork-based lessons.
Alexandra often says that “schools must keep learning too.” Just as students grow, schools should evolve. They need to adapt to the world around them — to technology, to new kinds of jobs, and to the social challenges young people face. For her, innovation isn’t about doing everything differently. It’s about improving what already works and being brave enough to change what doesn’t.
A Voice for Teachers and Principals
One of the strongest parts of Alexandra’s work is her focus on teachers and school leaders. She sees them as the real heroes of education. Through the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, she has created programs that give principals the confidence and skills to lead in tough times.
For example, during a recent event called “Verbindungsstark,” Alexandra spent two full days with school leaders from across Hesse. She listened to their stories — the challenges, the stress, and the love they have for their schools. Many shared how difficult it is to keep schools running when there are not enough teachers.
Alexandra didn’t offer quick fixes. Instead, she reminded everyone that change starts with respect. She encouraged people to see the hard work teachers do every day and to recognize their effort. Her message was simple but powerful: when we appreciate others, we build stronger communities.
She often praises her team members and trainers by name — people like Julia Reis, Sven von der Heyde, and Inken Blum — showing that leadership is about giving credit, not taking it.
Balancing Business and Humanity
Before taking charge of the foundation, Alexandra Heraeus worked in the world of business and investment. Her experience in companies like Henkel, FASE GmbH, and ALERA Capital GmbH gave her a deep understanding of how systems and finances work. But she never let money become the main goal.
Instead, she learned how to use business ideas — like strategy and planning — to help social causes. At ALERA Capital, she helped grow businesses that cared about people and the planet. That same mindset now guides her work in education.
Alexandra often says that the best ideas happen when business and social values meet. Her leadership shows that you can be smart, successful, and kind at the same time. You don’t have to choose between them.
This balance between logic and empathy makes her leadership style both effective and human — something many modern leaders try to achieve but few master as gracefully as she does.
Family Legacy and Inspiration
The name Heraeus is well-known in Germany, but Alexandra has given it a fresh and modern meaning. She carries forward the values of her family — responsibility, learning, and care for others — while adding her own energy and ideas.
Her mother, Dr. h.c. Beate Heraeus, led the foundation before her. Together, they managed the transition between generations with honesty and respect. In interviews, Alexandra has said that she sees her mother as both a mentor and a role model.
But the family legacy goes even deeper. Alexandra often mentions her great-grandmother, Bertha Heraeus, a woman she calls a “powerhouse.” Bertha was known for her compassion and her ability to think beyond herself — qualities Alexandra clearly shares.
By honoring the women before her, Alexandra shows that leadership can be both strong and gentle. She keeps the family’s spirit alive while guiding it toward a modern future — one where education and empathy go hand in hand.
Celebrating Change, Not Just Tradition
In 2024, during the 60th anniversary of the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, Alexandra said something that perfectly describes her mission: “We didn’t want to look back. We wanted to spread a feeling of new beginnings.”
That mindset defines everything she does. She doesn’t see tradition as something to protect behind glass. She sees it as a foundation for growth — something that can support new ideas, new partnerships, and new dreams.
At the celebration, she thanked not just the famous guests or leaders but also the foundation’s team — the people who work quietly every day to make things happen. Her warmth and gratitude inspired everyone in the room. It showed that real leadership is about sharing the light, not standing in it.
Beyond Work: A Deep Sense of Responsibility
Alexandra Heraeus also serves on the board of Children for a Better World e.V., a non-profit that fights child poverty and helps young people reach their potential. Her work there reflects her belief that social change starts with opportunity.
She uses her position and voice to remind others that success has to be shared. A good society, she believes, is one where everyone has a fair chance to learn, grow, and contribute.
Alexandra doesn’t separate her professional and personal values — they are the same. Whether she’s in a board meeting, at a school event, or writing on LinkedIn, her message stays constant: lead with purpose, act with empathy, and always keep learning.
Why Alexandra Heraeus Matters Today
In 2025, when the world is changing so fast, people are looking for leaders who are steady, thoughtful, and real. Alexandra Heraeus is one of those leaders. She brings together business experience, educational passion, and a deep sense of humanity.
Through her work at the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, she has helped shape a new generation of educators — people who are not afraid to think differently, to care deeply, and to lead with confidence.
Her story is a reminder that progress doesn’t happen through rules or systems alone. It happens when someone believes that people matter most. And that belief, more than anything, is what makes Alexandra Heraeus such an inspiring figure in today’s world of education and leadership.
Final Thoughts
As she continues her journey, Alexandra Heraeus stands as a bridge between tradition and transformation. She carries her family’s legacy forward, but she does it in her own way — with openness, creativity, and kindness.
Her life shows that leadership isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about making a difference. And in every school she supports, every teacher she inspires, and every young person who benefits from her vision, her impact continues to grow.
The story of Alexandra Heraeus reminds us that when passion meets purpose, change is not just possible — it’s unstoppable.
