Conversations that matter
Podcast April 2025 – Severin Broucek
Severin Broucek has been the CEO of Teach For Austria since July 2021. Teach For Austria is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting educational fairness and equal opportunities within the Austrian education system. Before joining Teach For Austria, Broucek held various international management positions at Deutsche Bank, most recently as Head of Corporate Bank Coverage for Central and Eastern Europe. He studied Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Vienna and holds degrees from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and Ashridge Business School, where he earned his MBA. During his school and university years, Broucek was actively involved in church youth work and was a passionate basketball player and children's coach. He lives in Vienna with his wife and their two sons.
The Podcast will cover:
• In your view, what are the biggest obstacles in the Austrian education system that prevent equal opportunities?
• How can teachers be specifically empowered to have a greater impact on educational equity?
• What concrete changes do you think should be made in the Austrian school system to better meet the needs of socially disadvantaged students?
• Which innovative approaches from other countries could be implemented in Austria to promote educational equity?
• How can we ensure all students, regardless of background, receive a high-quality education?
Severin Broucek has been the CEO of Teach For Austria since July 2021. Teach For Austria is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting educational fairness and equal opportunities within the Austrian education system. Before joining Teach For Austria, Broucek held various international management positions at Deutsche Bank, most recently as Head of Corporate Bank Coverage for Central and Eastern Europe. He studied Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Vienna and holds degrees from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and Ashridge Business School, where he earned his MBA. During his school and university years, Broucek was actively involved in church youth work and was a passionate basketball player and children's coach. He lives in Vienna with his wife and their two sons.
The Podcast will cover:
• In your view, what are the biggest obstacles in the Austrian education system that prevent equal opportunities?
• How can teachers be specifically empowered to have a greater impact on educational equity?
• What concrete changes do you think should be made in the Austrian school system to better meet the needs of socially disadvantaged students?
• Which innovative approaches from other countries could be implemented in Austria to promote educational equity?
• How can we ensure all students, regardless of background, receive a high-quality education?
Podcast April 2025 – Dr. Kurt Scholz
Dr. Kurt Scholz served as the Director of Education for the City of Vienna (Bildungsdirektor) from 1991 to 2001, shaping education policy and administration in Austria’s largest school district. Prior to this role, he was a teacher and school principal, later joining the Vienna School Board, where he became known for his commitment to educational reform and equal opportunities. After leaving the public education sector, Scholz held leading positions in various institutions, including the Austrian Railway Board and the Austrian Red Cross, and served as Chair of the University Council at the University of Vienna. He studied German Philology and History at the University of Vienna, earning his doctorate in 1974. Scholz has published widely on education policy and contemporary history. He lives in Vienna and remains active in public discourse on education, culture, and civic engagement.
Dr. Kurt Scholz served as the Director of Education for the City of Vienna (Bildungsdirektor) from 1991 to 2001, shaping education policy and administration in Austria’s largest school district. Prior to this role, he was a teacher and school principal, later joining the Vienna School Board, where he became known for his commitment to educational reform and equal opportunities. After leaving the public education sector, Scholz held leading positions in various institutions, including the Austrian Railway Board and the Austrian Red Cross, and served as Chair of the University Council at the University of Vienna. He studied German Philology and History at the University of Vienna, earning his doctorate in 1974. Scholz has published widely on education policy and contemporary history. He lives in Vienna and remains active in public discourse on education, culture, and civic engagement.
Podcast May 2025 – Dr. Rudolf Scholten
Dr. Rudolf Scholten served as Director of Education for the City of Vienna from 1992 to 2001, at that time still known as the Vienna School Board (Stadtschulrat). In this role, he was responsible for operational education management, school supervision, and the legal and personnel administration of the Vienna school system. Prior to this position, he worked as a school principal and in the educational administration, where he developed a strong commitment to education reform and equal access to schooling. Dr. Scholten studied at the University of Vienna (field of study not explicitly stated in available sources) and played a key role in modernizing the supervisory structures of Vienna’s education system. Following his tenure, he remained active as a commentator and contributor in the public debate on education policy. He lives in Vienna.
Dr. Rudolf Scholten served as Director of Education for the City of Vienna from 1992 to 2001, at that time still known as the Vienna School Board (Stadtschulrat). In this role, he was responsible for operational education management, school supervision, and the legal and personnel administration of the Vienna school system. Prior to this position, he worked as a school principal and in the educational administration, where he developed a strong commitment to education reform and equal access to schooling. Dr. Scholten studied at the University of Vienna (field of study not explicitly stated in available sources) and played a key role in modernizing the supervisory structures of Vienna’s education system. Following his tenure, he remained active as a commentator and contributor in the public debate on education policy. He lives in Vienna.
Podcast April 2025 – Christian Pöttler
Christian Pöttler is a leading figure in Austrian and Central European media, with a career spanning executive management, digital transformation, and strategic communications. He currently serves as Managing Director of medianet, one of Austria’s most influential business-to-business media platforms, where he has driven the organization’s expansion into integrated print–digital solutions, data-driven marketing services, and sector-specific knowledge formats. Previously, Pöttler held senior roles across the publishing and communications industry, including positions in corporate development and business innovation, establishing himself as a key voice on the future of media ecosystems, brand communication, and cross-industry partnering. He is also active as a consultant and board member in various media and marketing organizations, contributing to strategic initiatives that link industry, academia, and policymakers. Pöttler studied Communication Science and Economics in Vienna and has authored numerous analyses on market trends, digital business models, and the evolving Austrian media landscape. He lives in Vienna and remains engaged in industry dialogue on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
Christian Pöttler is a leading figure in Austrian and Central European media, with a career spanning executive management, digital transformation, and strategic communications. He currently serves as Managing Director of medianet, one of Austria’s most influential business-to-business media platforms, where he has driven the organization’s expansion into integrated print–digital solutions, data-driven marketing services, and sector-specific knowledge formats. Previously, Pöttler held senior roles across the publishing and communications industry, including positions in corporate development and business innovation, establishing himself as a key voice on the future of media ecosystems, brand communication, and cross-industry partnering. He is also active as a consultant and board member in various media and marketing organizations, contributing to strategic initiatives that link industry, academia, and policymakers. Pöttler studied Communication Science and Economics in Vienna and has authored numerous analyses on market trends, digital business models, and the evolving Austrian media landscape. He lives in Vienna and remains engaged in industry dialogue on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
Podcast April 2025 – Uschi Fellner
Uschi Fellner is one of Austria’s most prominent media entrepreneurs and editorial leaders, with a career that has significantly shaped the country’s lifestyle and magazine landscape. She is Co-Founder and Editorial Director of look!, madonna, and the women’s magazine Live & Style, and has played a pioneering role in positioning high-reach print and digital brands that focus on fashion, culture, society, and women’s empowerment. Fellner began her career as a journalist and columnist, quickly rising to senior editorial roles in leading Austrian publishing houses, where she became known for her sharp editorial instinct, strong storytelling, and ability to build commercially successful media platforms. Across her ventures, she has consistently advanced female-centric journalism and created formats that bridge lifestyle content with broader debates on culture, careers, and social change. Beyond publishing, she is active as a speaker, mentor, and advocate for women in media and creative industries. Fellner lives in Vienna and continues to influence Austria’s media discourse through her editorial work, public engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership.
Uschi Fellner is one of Austria’s most prominent media entrepreneurs and editorial leaders, with a career that has significantly shaped the country’s lifestyle and magazine landscape. She is Co-Founder and Editorial Director of look!, madonna, and the women’s magazine Live & Style, and has played a pioneering role in positioning high-reach print and digital brands that focus on fashion, culture, society, and women’s empowerment. Fellner began her career as a journalist and columnist, quickly rising to senior editorial roles in leading Austrian publishing houses, where she became known for her sharp editorial instinct, strong storytelling, and ability to build commercially successful media platforms. Across her ventures, she has consistently advanced female-centric journalism and created formats that bridge lifestyle content with broader debates on culture, careers, and social change. Beyond publishing, she is active as a speaker, mentor, and advocate for women in media and creative industries. Fellner lives in Vienna and continues to influence Austria’s media discourse through her editorial work, public engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership.
Ines Fratzl, MSc BA, is an Austrian author and work psychologist specializing in educational equity and organizational psychology. She earned her bachelor's degree in pedagogy from Karl-Franzens University Graz in 2019, where she focused her thesis on the distribution of educational opportunities in Austria's compulsory school system.
In 2020, she published the book “Bildungsgerechtigkeit im österreichischen Bildungssystem” ("Educational Justice in the Austrian Education System"), which explores the structural inequalities and challenges in Austrian education, especially in terms of access for socially disadvantaged groups.
Currently, Ines Fratzl works as an occupational and organizational psychologist at the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board (AUVA), in the regional office in Graz. In this role, she supports psychological workplace safety and contributes to developing healthier, more equitable working environments.
The Podcast will cover:
• What structural inequalities exist in the Austrian education system, and how do they affect disadvantaged groups?
• What role does social background play in determining educational success in Austria?
• What reforms would you propose to address educational inequality in Austria?
• How can the Austrian education system become more inclusive to ensure equal opportunities for all students?
• What actions can teachers and schools take to fight educational inequality in their daily work?
In 2020, she published the book “Bildungsgerechtigkeit im österreichischen Bildungssystem” ("Educational Justice in the Austrian Education System"), which explores the structural inequalities and challenges in Austrian education, especially in terms of access for socially disadvantaged groups.
Currently, Ines Fratzl works as an occupational and organizational psychologist at the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board (AUVA), in the regional office in Graz. In this role, she supports psychological workplace safety and contributes to developing healthier, more equitable working environments.
The Podcast will cover:
• What structural inequalities exist in the Austrian education system, and how do they affect disadvantaged groups?
• What role does social background play in determining educational success in Austria?
• What reforms would you propose to address educational inequality in Austria?
• How can the Austrian education system become more inclusive to ensure equal opportunities for all students?
• What actions can teachers and schools take to fight educational inequality in their daily work?