PANDA TECH & Software 2026
Presented by CARIAD
24th April 2026 in Berlin
About The Lab
PANDA Tech & Software is a network event and leadership lab for women who are already experienced leaders or who aspire to take on leadership roles. Around 70 women from the tech, software, and automotive sectors will be attending.
PANDA is aimed at women who enjoy taking on challenges, growing through them, and supporting one another along the way. The program offers participants the opportunity to explore and develop their leadership skills through a variety of formats. The personal value is multifaceted: networking, direct exchange with experienced role models and exciting companies, as well as access to the PANDA network of more than 4,600 female leaders across all industries.
24TH APRIL 2026
09:00 - ca. 16:30 Uhr
BERLIN
CARIAD SE Automotive Software Campus
George-Stephenson Straße 19
10557 Berlin
APPLY NOW!
Deadline
12th of March 2026
Who can
apply?
The PANDA Tech & Software Lab is designed for women in tech-driven industries — especially software, mobility, data, and digital environments — who are already in leadership roles or preparing to take on greater responsibility.
We welcome women with at least three years of professional experience in technology-related roles who are actively shaping or contributing to technology-driven transformation within their organizations.
As software, data, and AI redefine the future of mobility and digital ecosystems, we are looking for women who combine technical understanding with strategic thinking and the ambition to create real impact.
Whether you work in machine learning, data engineering, software development, embedded systems, Android Automotive, requirements & testing, GenAI-enabled development processes, product ownership, project management, or technology excellence — this Lab brings together women who operate at the core of modern, software-defined organizations.
We welcome participants from engineering, data & AI, product, portfolio, and technical program leadership roles who:
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contribute to building, scaling, or governing complex software systems
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shape digital products, platforms, or AI-enabled solutions
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drive technical excellence and innovation
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bridge business, technology, and organizational transformation
You do not need to fit into a single technical category. What matters is that technology plays a central role in your work — and that you take responsibility for direction, quality, delivery, or value creation in your environment.
The Lab is not only about technical expertise, but about meaningful peer exchange, leadership growth, and empowering women who shape the future of software-defined mobility and digital technology.
If software, AI, data, and digital mobility inspire you: apply now and become part of a community that combines expertise, ambition, and empowerment.
Online-Application
Please complete our online application form and upload your CV. You can easily access the form by clicking the “Apply now” button.
recommendation
Were you introduced to PANDA or recommended to apply by a PANDA member, a speaker, or a cooperation partner? That’s great! You can name this person as a referrer in the application form, but this is not mandatory.
Invitation
In an ideal world: Invitation to the PANDA Tech & Software Lab presented by CARIAD on April 24, 2026.
Due to limited capacity, we cannot invite all applicants. With exactly 70 spots available, we review all application steps carefully and thoughtfully put together a strong and diverse group of PANDA participants.
Agenda Live Event
24th April 2026
Event language: English
Subject to change at short notice.
09:00 Uhr
Walk-In & little breakfast
09:30 Uhr
Welcome by CARIAD & PANDA
09:40 Uhr
Keynote
Leading with Clarity: Why Authenticity Is Your Strongest Advantage (Tina Zschau, Head of Test & Integration, CARIAD)
Tina Zschau shares her journey in tech, reflecting on self-doubt, external expectations, and why authenticity is a powerful career driver. Through personal insights, she encourages people to choose their own path and explores modern leadership that enables individuals to thrive by focusing on their strengths.
10:00 Uhr
Get to know PANDA
10:15 Uhr
Leadership Experiment & Feedback Session
12:30 Uhr
Networking Lunch
13:30 Uhr
Inspiration Sessions
#1 When AI Takes the Wheel – Transforming Software Product Development in Automotive (Rosemary Joshy, Lead Artificial Intelligence, CARIAD)
AI is reshaping how we design, build, and deliver software. From faster engineering workflows to automated development, AI is becoming integral to the software lifecycle. Our vision is to embed AI across every layer of development, operations, and decision-making. This session shares our journey and lessons learned, and invites exchange.
15:00 Uhr
Company Pitches
15:15 Uhr
Networking & Meet the Companies
16:15 Uhr
Wrap-Up & Outlook
16:30 Uhr
End
Partner Companies
COOPERATION Partner
ABOUT Cariad
Automotive Software for Volkswagen
CARIAD is the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group. Developing software platforms and digital customer features for iconic brands such as Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche, CARIAD supports the Volkswagen Group on its path to becoming a leading automotive technology group. Around 5,000 CARIAD employees (“CARIDIANS”) are working in software hubs across Germany, the United States, China, Estonia, and India to help reimagine mobility for everyone.
Klara Krieg
Solution Engineer & AI Business Solutions & Speakerin
@ Microsoft
„Seit meinem ersten PANDA Event in 2019 bin ich vom PANDA-Vibe gepackt. Kaum ein anderes Netzwerk gibt mir so viel Community, Drive und Inspiration. Bei jeder Begegnung unter uns Pandas, egal ob ich als Mentorin, Mentee oder Speakerin agiere, fühle ich mich empowered. Die Besonderheit an PANDA ist nicht nur der Connect zu großen Firmen, sondern der komplett hierarchieübergreifende Austausch zwischen inspirierenden Persönlichkeiten."
Inga Dransfeld-Haase
Personalvorständin
@TÜV NORD GROUP
„PANDA hat für mich Türen geöffnet. Es ist ein starkes Netzwerk mit praxisnahem Support. Mitmachen lohnt sich, denn es ist eine wertvolle Erfahrung, mit weiteren starken Frauen im geschützten Raum über sich hinauszuwachsen. PANDA hat mir die Bestätigung gegeben, dass ich den richtigen Weg eingeschlagen habe und dafür bin ich bis heute dankbar.”
Nuray Demir
Digital Legal Process Specialist
@ENVIRIA
„Bei PANDA finde ich ein Netzwerk großartiger Frauen auf Augenhöhe – inspirierend, unterstützend, bereichernd. Wir lernen voneinander, öffnen Perspektiven und wachsen gemeinsam – beruflich wie privat.”
Natalia alemán Calcines
International fast-track leadership programme INSPIRE
@ The Leader's Lab & @ Mercedes Benz AG
„PANDA bedeutet für mich Zugehörigkeit zu einer starken Gemeinschaft. Es hat mir Türen zu Chancen geöffnet, inspirierende Gleichgesinnte gebracht und meine Entwicklung beflügelt.”
Anne Fuertjes
PANDA Ambassador Lead & Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie
„PANDA ist für mich Energie. Hier zeigt sich, wie Wandel liebevoll geht: durch Haltung, Verbindung und Frauen, die einander sehen – und gemeinsam mehr möglich machen.”
Dr. Lela Grießbach
Head of Fundraising & Partnerships @Jobs4refugees
Interkulturelle Beraterin und New Work Coach
“Ich habe PANDA vor vielen Jahren beim Women’s Leadership Lab im Consulting kennengelernt. Gerade als Frau mit Zuwanderungsgeschichte fehlten mir weibliche Vorbilder in Führungsrollen. Heute schätze ich den Austausch mit starken Frauen im Netzwerk und danke dem PANDA-Team für seine Arbeit.”
Simona Stoytchkova
Ehemalige Vorständin / Head of Global Markets & Digital im internationalen Banking, Autorin, Gründerin, Beirätin
„PANDA ist für mich der Raum, in dem man mutiger denken, offener teilen und klarer handeln kann. Durch das Netzwerk habe ich nicht nur wertvolle Kontakte geknüpft, sondern auch Türen geöffnet, die ich allein nie gefunden hätte - zu inspirierenden Projekten und neuen Perspektiven. Für mich ist PANDA nicht nur ein Netzwerk, sondern ein Katalysator für Wachstum, Sichtbarkeit und Zusammenhalt unter Frauen, die gemeinsam etwas bewegen wollen.”
ARRIVAL & Hotel Recommendations
Traveling from Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
The office is located within close proximity to Berlin Central Station and can be reached within a few minutes:
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On foot: From Berlin Central Station (exit Europaplatz), George-Stephenson-Strasse can be reached in approximately 10–15 minutes.
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By S-Bahn (urban rail): Take lines S3, S5, S7, or S9 for one stop to “Berlin Bellevue”, followed by a walk of approximately 10 minutes.
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By bus: Several bus lines operate towards Europacity / Invalidenstrasse.
Please note:
We recommend traveling by public transport, as there are no additional parking spaces available on site.
Panda Moments
Our network is built on meaningful connections, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to exchanging experiences, opening doors, and lifting each other up.
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