“As a working mom, I can only be as good as my team. My availability is limited, and emergencies always come up. Child sick and an important conference coming up? That’s when I know I can send my team,” says Ulrike Schiermeister.

Since 2013, she has been Senior Vice President of Communications & Political Affairs at E.ON Germany. The war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis put the entire company — and naturally, Ulrike’s team — under immense pressure. Daily situation briefings, public uncertainty, constant media inquiries – Ulrike was, and still is, one of the key voices in the German energy market, especially in times of crisis. That period reinforced her belief that electricity supply — and therefore her job — carries great societal importance. Originally from Baden-Württemberg, she’s grateful that she could draw on 15 years of experience within the company during that time. But she also knows she’s capable of making sound decisions quickly and that her communications team is exceptionally well-positioned.

A team she’s spent many years building herself. They can count on one another, and she can delegate tasks at any time. The team and the manager are aligned: a lot is expected here — but performance is always recognized. The team is her focus, her anchor. After her pregnancy, she briefly considered a job-sharing model. But her heart said no. She recalls the moment of clarity:
“I don’t want that! I built this team […], and I want to take full responsibility again, even though I’m a mom now!”

It’s a matter close to her heart. That’s why she encourages working mothers not to compromise: not to overthink the return to work.
“Trust in what you’ve already achieved — and in what you’ll be able to accomplish again after your return.”

Ulrike Schiermeister is available as a mentor. You can learn more about her in the book “Women of the Year.”

A post by herCAREER,
posted on LinkedIn on 26.03.2025

 

Frauen des Jahres 2024/2025 (available only in German language)
Link to the book