Pow(h)er Academy – Women Lead the Future
- 20.10.2025
- Research
Prof. (FH) Dr. Kristina Kampfer, Project Manager of the Empow(h)er Academy and Deputy Program Director of Leadership & Business Management.
How is artificial intelligence changing the way we lead? And how can women confidently shape their role in this new world of work? These are the questions addressed by the Pow(h)er Academy, a research project at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol that strengthens female leadership skills and promotes the responsible use of generative AI in leadership training.
The initiative combines two sub-projects into one innovative overall concept: HER Lead imparts practical leadership skills and promotes self-efficacy, strong communication skills, and strategic thinking. At the same time, HER GenAI opens up access to the possibilities of generative AI, from intelligent knowledge management to creative decision support. This creates a learning space in which leadership and future technologies are not considered separately, but together.
Cross-border cooperation
Cross-border cooperation within the Euregio Inntal is particularly noteworthy: Together with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, partners from Tyrol and Bavaria are developing new forms of leadership training that combine regional innovative strength with an international perspective.
For the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, the Pow(h)er Academy is more than just a research project. It is an expression of science in practice, where management and AI research go hand in hand. With scientific depth and social relevance, the result is a program that empowers women, redefines leadership, and shows how responsible AI can help shape the future of work.
From left to right: Marie Fitsche (B.Sc. Computer Science), Prof. Dr. Julia Dittrich, Vice President for Digital Strategies at LMU Munich, Prof. (FH) Dr. Kristina Kampfer, Professor of Marketing at FH Kufstein Tirol and Head of the MBA General Management program, as well as Larissa Kus (B.A. Business) and Godfrey Ross (MA International Management; not pictured) form the project team of the Pow(h)er Academy.
5 questions for Prof. (FH) Dr. Kristina Kampfer, Project Manager
What was the impetus for the creation of the Pow(h)er Academy – and why is now the right time to combine female leadership skills with artificial intelligence?
We live in a time when technology is redefining not only processes but also values. AI challenges us to rethink leadership: more human, more reflective, more courageous. Women bring precisely these qualities to the table: empathy, vision, and a sense of responsibility. The Pow(h)er Academy was founded to highlight these strengths and combine them with digital skills.
HER Lead and HER GenAI form the two pillars of the project. How do these topics interact in concrete terms, and what makes this combination so effective?
We didn't want AI training alongside leadership training, but rather a program that combines both. Participants experience how technology expands their communication, decision-making, and creativity. HER Lead strengthens inner clarity and impact, while HER GenAI opens their eyes to the opportunities of the future. Together, this creates leadership that inspires rather than controls.
The Pow(h)er Academy is a Euregio project between Tyrol and Bavaria. What opportunities does this cross-border collaboration open up – both for participants and for research?
Crossing borders is in our DNA – both physically and mentally. Tyrol and Bavaria represent two economic regions that complement each other: innovative, dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, open to new ideas. Together, we are creating a learning space where women can learn from each other, network, and strengthen the regional economy in the long term.
What experiences or eye-opening moments have you had so far in your work with participants – especially when it comes to using generative AI as a management tool?
Many initially experience respect and skepticism toward AI. But as soon as they see how the technology enriches their work with the right impulses, their attitude shifts: skepticism turns into curiosity and uncertainty turns into confidence. That is precisely what empowerment is: recognizing that technology does not replace, but rather enhances, when used skillfully.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the long-term impact of the Pow(h)er Academy – on women, the region, and the understanding of leadership in an increasingly digital world?
We want to empower women to act as multipliers for sustainable leadership: networked, technologically competent, and self-confident. This will have a lasting impact on women, businesses, and the region.
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