An interview with Sabine Hahn, a member of the Executive Board, to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
When we give people opportunities, we create greater diversity.
When we give people space, we gain new perspectives.
When we promote equality, we build a sustainable future.
When we act in solidarity, we all benefit.
What was your career path at ZÜBLIN, or more specifically within the Central Engineering department?
I joined the ‘Komplettbau’ branch. This unit has carried out large-scale turnkey projects across Germany, such as high-rise blocks, office buildings and residential properties. The first few years were a comfortable settling-in period for me. Then, one after another, massive changes came thick and fast: a new commercial IT system, the merger of branches and, finally, STRABAG’s takeover. In short: the entire organisational structure was turned upside down.
Amid these upheavals, I realised that change is good for you – it’s a positive thing. I’ve found that I find change easy and enjoy it – even when the processes are demanding. After 26 years in operational management, it was time for new responsibilities in 2022: the Central Engineering department needed to be brought into line with the operational units’ working practices from a commercial perspective. So I stepped out of my comfort zone and got to work: for three years I served as Commercial Director, and since 2025 I have been Head of the Central Division and a member of the Executive Board of Ed. Züblin AG.
What support have you received along the way?
First, it was my turn to show what I had to offer and that I was worth investing in. Alongside specialist knowledge, discipline, reliability, a willingness to adapt, loyalty and intrinsic motivation were key qualities.
Looking back, it was crucial that I had managers who challenged and supported me, and who placed their trust in me. In return, I delivered and trusted these managers to have a plan for my personal development. I’ve always found special tasks outside the routine exciting, and I was then entrusted with them more and more frequently.
What measures does ZÜBLIN have in place to promote women’s potential?
Our EDI strategy has been firmly established within the Group since 2023. EDI stands for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our strategy focuses on three dimensions of diversity: gender diversity, generational diversity and ethnic diversity.
Starting this year, we are offering training courses on the topic of “Balanced Leadership”, particularly at ZÜBLIN and within Central Technology. The courses are aimed at high-potential female employees with disciplinary or technical leadership responsibilities. The content will cover diversity as a key to success, leadership styles, confident presentation, dealing with resistance, work-life strategies and networking.
In addition, a mentoring programme has been in place for several years, which I personally support by offering my mentees advice and practical assistance.
What was it like for you to be the first woman on the board at ZÜBLIN?
My transition to the Executive Board was made easier by the fact that I know the Group well and most of the other board members were previously my colleagues. What is new are the key areas of focus, which are now much more heavily influenced by strategic considerations. In the process, I have come to know the Group from a completely different perspective.
What challenges do you personally see for women in the construction industry?
At the launch event for “Balanced Leadership”, our female colleagues reflected on this issue themselves.
The outcome: We want to…
- Reduce unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion decisions, as well as barriers to applying for jobs.
- Actively identify women for leadership roles and create equal opportunities for advancement.
- Make leadership an attractive option for committed individuals, regardless of their time constraints or schedule.
- Diversify the understanding of leadership and create a climate in which women feel confident to be visible and ambitious, and are not faced with particular challenges because of their gender.
- Establish accountability and sustainability through key performance indicators and transparency
- Develop women into further or higher-level leadership positions.
- Strengthening individuals’ confidence in their own leadership abilities and encouraging them to take on leadership responsibilities. Assigning leadership tasks to both women and men, taking into account their individual leadership strengths.
This means that everyone involved is called upon to play their part: we as an employer, as well as our employees.
What advice would you give to female professionals?
Be honest with yourselves when asking whether you’re on the right track. Persevere in the face of resistance, in the true spirit of Steve Jobs: “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader, sell ice cream!”
And – most importantly – never lose your enthusiasm for building, because when, after countless years of securing contracts, planning and construction, you stand in front of your ‘own’ finished building, that is the greatest reward and the greatest motivation there is in our industry.
How do you view the progress of women in leadership roles within the construction industry? And where do you think things are heading in the future?
At the first divisional managers’ conference in spring 2007, there were three of us women, alongside around 180 male colleagues. At the 2025 divisional managers’ conference, the proportion of women stood at ten per cent. This trend shows that we are on the right track. More and more women are also choosing to study civil engineering; in the 2022/2023 winter term, the figure stood at 30 per cent. The transformation of a traditionally male-dominated industry is proceeding slowly but steadily.
Our group is significantly more progressive: In the management of the corporate, central and group staff departments, we currently account for five out of 54 positions, with three of us working as a ‘mixed doubles’ pair. At this point, warm regards to Niels Dürr: you are the best doubles partner one could imagine.