Katja Pahnke leaves Eindhoven Engine to join Prodrive

Katja Pahnke is stepping down from her role as managing director of Eindhoven Engine on 1 November. Per this date, she’ll join the board of Prodrive Technologies as chief development officer and lead the company’s Innovation Services activities. In addition to R&D, this includes talent, leadership and organizational development.

Two years ago, Pahnke left the High Tech Systems Center of Eindhoven University of Technology to put all her effort into Eindhoven Engine, the Natlab-inspired initiative of Fontys, TNO and TUE to accelerate research. “We’re grateful to Katja for her important contribution in the results achieved so far and in embedding Eindhoven Engine within the ecosystem,” write Maarten Steinbuch and Bert Pauli, Eindhoven Engine’s scientific director and chair of the supervisory board, respectively. “She’s been a major factor in building up the organization, inspiring our team and engaging all shareholders.”

Pahnke has already served as a member of the Prodrive non-executive board for five years. “I’ve been working with Katja since 2018 when she started that position and I know she has very strong people skills, easily connects stakeholders and is passionate about our mission,” states Prodrive CEO Pieter Janssen.