EBS: You were recently named one of the WiWi talents of the year 2026. Congratulations! What does this honor mean to you personally, and how has studying at EBS influenced your academic and professional career? 

Elisabeth Kuhn: The award means a lot to me because, for me, it reflects not only my academic achievement but also my personal development. Above all, my studies at EBS taught me to think strategically about economic relationships, i.e., not only to act operationally but also to understand decisions in the larger market and competitive environment. It was particularly valuable for me to apply what I had learned directly at the family winery. Topics such as brand positioning, customer segmentation, and sales strategies were not just theory for me; they were also daily practice. EBS gave me the strategic foundation that I was able to implement directly in my business.  

EBS: Which projects and initiatives, as well as professors and mentors, had a particular impact on you and inspired you during your studies at EBS? 

Elisabeth Kuhn: Project-based courses with practical relevance, in which we had to analyze real business problems in a structured way, had a particularly formative influence on me. The combination of analytical work and clear presentation of results helped me a lot, especially in marketing and sales, where good ideas only have an impact if they are communicated in an easy-to-understand way. I was also influenced by professors who repeatedly emphasized the importance of not only making decisions from a company's internal perspective, but also consistently thinking from the perspective of customers and the market.  

EBS: How have you benefited from the networking opportunities and connections you made at EBS, and which skills and knowledge you acquired at EBS are most valuable for your future career? 

Elisabeth Kuhn: The network at EBS was particularly valuable to me because it gave me insights into very different industries and career paths. Conversations with alumni and company representatives helped me understand how different markets work and how vital positioning and differentiation are. The three most important skills I can take with me are: analytical structure, strong communication skills, and a willingness to take responsibility.  

EBS: How do you envision your career path after graduation, and what are your long-term professional and personal goals? 

Elisabeth Kuhn: In the short term, I would like to continue working at the intersection of marketing, sales, and strategy, where market understanding is translated into concrete sales. I am particularly interested in building brands and positioning them not just through campaigns, but through a consistent overall image comprising product, story, and customer experience. In the long term, I see myself in an entrepreneurial role with strategic responsibility, ideally in an environment where brand, sales, and customer relations are key success factors. Working in the family winery has shown me how exciting it is when economic decisions have a directly noticeable effect.