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09/03/26

Women in mobility – Insights from the MOIA Team

Four women sit in a group discussion in a modern office setting; one speaks while holding a MOIA-branded object, as the others listen during a panel on women in mobility.

Mobility moves us every day. It connects places, creates opportunities, and shapes how we live, work, and interact with one another. 

Behind strategies, technologies, and services are people actively shaping this future. Innovation, sustainability, and the expansion of high-performing infrastructure will be among the key challenges in the mobility sector in the years ahead. 

To shape this transformation in a sustainable way, diversity is essential. It influences how mobility solutions are developed and implemented. Diverse teams broaden perspectives on challenges and foster creative and innovative approaches that are crucial in a dynamic industry.

Women Shaping the Future of Mobility – Insights from the MOIA Team

Why Diversity Strengthens Innovation 

Different experiences lead to better questions and often to more sustainable decisions. Diversity influences how challenges are defined, priorities are set, and solutions are developed. 

At MOIA, this is an ongoing process. Diversity and equality are topics that continue to guide our work. Today, employees from many different nationalities work at MOIA, and around one third of them are women*. The number of women in leadership roles is also steadily growing. 

To foster an inclusive work environment, we focus on initiatives such as: 

  • gender-neutral job postings and structured recruiting processes 

  • flexible working models such as hybrid work 

  • workshops on topics like unconscious bias 

  • internal networks and exchange formats 

  • cross-industry initiatives and events that promote visibility 

Because innovation and change do not come from technology alone. They come from people, where different perspectives come together and solutions are developed collaboratively. 

In a previous interview with Ines Kawgan-Kagan, we already explored how mobility needs can differ across user groups. This makes it even more important to incorporate these perspectives when developing new mobility solutions. 

Today, we introduce four colleagues from different areas at MOIA. They share what drives them, the challenges they encounter, and how they help shape the mobility of tomorrow.

In Conversation with Julia Wissel

Career paths of women in the mobility industry are an important source of inspiration for the next generation of leaders. With her expertise in ridepooling and autonomous mobility, Julia Wissel, Director of Product Mobility Intelligence, plays a key role in shaping innovative solutions.

Julia Wissel - Director of Product Mobility Intelligence

Portrait of Julia Wissel, Director of Product Mobility Intelligence, in front of a neutral background, next to a text box displaying her name and title.

What can the mobility industry do to become more diverse and inclusive in the long term? 

Mobility affects all of us. That is exactly why we should not feel discouraged if the industry is still somewhat male-dominated in certain areas. Women represent at least half of the people moving through cities every day. If you have ideas or see opportunities for improvement, that perspective matters. Your voice has value and deserves to be heard. And perhaps it is also partly our responsibility to give other women in mobility a voice and bring their topics to the table. 

What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue a career in the mobility industry? 

You should not feel intimidated by the term “tech” if you do not come from a traditional technical background. Often, it is about recognizing problems, analyzing them in a structured way, and working together to develop solutions. No one has to do everything alone. That is why teams bring together experts from different fields. 

Networking has also helped me a lot. Find people who are passionate about the topic, regardless of gender. Exchange ideas, support each other, and stay connected. New opportunities often arise from these networks because people think of you when relevant topics come up. 

One last point: it helps to understand the language of those who have traditionally made many of the decisions. If you can bridge different perspectives, it opens doors. You enter new conversations, new spaces, and gradually build a strong network. 

In Conversation with Patricia Fernandez

Patricia Fernandez is a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager who supports teams in finding the right people to join them. 

Patricia Fernandez - Senior Talent Acquisition Manager

Portrait of Patricia Fernandez, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, in front of a neutral background, next to a text panel displaying her name and role.

What personally led you to the mobility industry? 

I moved to Hamburg in 2019 just as MOIA launched its service. Having spent most of my life in the U.S., I grew up very car-dependent. Experiencing how accessible and integrated public mobility feels in Europe was eye-opening. 

It completely changed the way I thought about transportation and what cities can look like when people have real alternatives to cars. When I later heard through my network about an opportunity to join MOIA’s Talent Acquisition team, it immediately resonated with me. It felt like a chance to contribute to something I personally believe in. 

What excites you most about your role at MOIA today? 

What excites me most about my role today is meeting people who genuinely want to shape the future of mobility. There is something incredibly motivating about speaking with people who are passionate about building autonomous mobility. Being part of the team that brings the talent behind that vision into the company makes my role feel meaningful every single day.

In Conversation with Clara Konoplanski

Clara Konoplanski is Lead Product Manager responsible for the MOIA app and the rider experience. Her focus is on designing and continuously improving the autonomous mobility experience for passengers, from the first route request to the completion of an autonomous ride. In her personal life, she has long been interested in mobility and the question of how transportation can be improved beyond private car ownership.

Clara Konoplanski - Lead Product Manager 

Portrait of Clara Konoplanski, Lead Product Manager, in front of a neutral background, next to a text panel displaying her name and role.

How did you first enter the mobility industry, and what motivates you most in your role at MOIA today? 

Early on, I was fascinated by how many cars are on our roads every day and what that means for cities and quality of life. During my studies, I explored new mobility concepts. Models like car sharing and ridepooling showed me that there are many alternatives and that this was the field I wanted to work in. 

At MOIA, what excites me most is that we are actively shaping mobility and driving forward emerging topics such as autonomous driving. In product management, I can help shape how our product evolves and, in turn, how mobility develops overall. What motivates me most is how many people here are truly passionate about this topic. That enthusiasm has inspired me from day one at MOIA.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in this field? 

It is important to have the courage to apply for roles that spark your interest, even if you do not meet every requirement listed in the job description. Many skills can be learned if you stay open and willing to grow. Personally, connecting with other women in the industry has helped me a lot, both at work and through professional networks. That kind of support can be incredibly motivating and can open new doors. 

What role can autonomous ridepooling play in creating more inclusive mobility? 

In my view, autonomous ridepooling significantly expands mobility options for people with and without access to a private car. For me, it is the perfect complement to public transportation and can improve accessibility, especially in areas that are less well connected. It enables flexible, demand-responsive mobility that better adapts to the needs of different users.

In Conversation with Angela Pasch

Angela Pasch is part of MOIA’s Public Affairs team. In her role, she focuses on political and regulatory issues related to autonomous driving, from technical frameworks to broader industrial policy topics. The team represents MOIA in discussions with political decision-makers and relevant associations. They also work closely with stakeholders at national and international levels and host political delegations from Germany and abroad.

Angela Pasch - Senior Public Affairs Manager 

Portrait of Angela Pasch, Senior Public Affairs Manager, in front of a neutral background, next to a text box displaying her name and title.

What brought you to the mobility industry, and what excites you most about your role at MOIA today? 

For almost 20 years, I have worked at the intersection of business and politics, always with a focus on mobility. To me, the mobility sector is one of the most exciting and multifaceted industries. It affects all of us and touches on key societal questions, from accessibility and participation to infrastructure development and industrial policy decisions. This wide range of topics, combined with the sector’s strong innovative momentum, continues to inspire me in my work today. 

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter the mobility or tech industries? 

We need more women in the mobility and technology sectors because discussions in these industries are still too often about women rather than with them. Anyone who wants to shape mobility in an inclusive and future-oriented way needs diverse perspectives. So my clear message is: get on board, quite literally.

Conclusion 

Mobility affects all of us. That is exactly why it should be shaped by everyone. The voices of our colleagues show that this conversation is not only about careers or role models. It is about building better mobility solutions that reflect the diverse realities of life in our cities. Anyone who wants to shape the future of mobility needs courage, openness, and diverse perspectives. That is exactly what we work on at MOIA every day.

*Women and people who identify as women.