Professional Role and Leadership
Jenny Podewils is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Leapsome, a company established in November 2016 that delivers a comprehensive performance management and employee engagement platform. In her dual leadership role alongside Kajetan von Armansperg, Jenny is instrumental in guiding Leapsome’s strategic growth, product vision, and operational execution. Under her stewardship, Leapsome has secured a $60 million Series A funding round, reflecting significant market validation and investor confidence.
Company Overview and Market Position
Leapsome operates globally from offices in Berlin and New York, focusing on enabling organizations to establish agile performance cultures through tools designed for feedback, employee engagement, continuous learning, and development. The platform supports modern workforce needs such as personalized growth opportunities and data-driven decision-making in people management.
The company’s growth trajectory has included substantial team expansion across multiple departments and geographies. Leapsome’s client base spans media, technology companies, and other fast-paced industries where retention and employee development are critical challenges. The recent funding and continued hiring indicate an aggressive scaling phase and strong market demand for Leapsome’s solutions.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Jenny Podewils was awarded the Female Founder of the Year 2023 by the German Startup Association, underscoring her leadership impact and entrepreneurial success within the European tech ecosystem.
- Under her leadership, Leapsome has been recognized for innovating how companies approach performance management and employee development, emphasizing feedback culture and individualized learning.
- Jenny has participated in numerous high-profile interviews and podcasts, such as the Startup Insider Podcast, Startup Stereo Podcast, and the Personalization Outbreak Podcast, positioning her as a thought leader in the employee development and HR technology sectors.
Professional Background and Expertise
Jenny’s educational background includes a Master of Science from the University of Oxford (2010–2011) and studies at the University of St. Gallen, providing a strong foundation in business strategy and international management. Her career trajectory shows a consistent focus on digital transformation projects and building scalable tech ventures, especially those that focus on workforce engagement and leadership development.
Her expertise includes:
- Business strategy and startup scaling
- Agile organizational development
- Employee engagement and performance management innovation
- Building company culture aligned with core values
Public Commentary and Thought Leadership
Jenny actively communicates her insights on topics such as:
- The importance of shaping company culture through clear values and behavioral interview processes.
- Challenges and strategies for employee retention through managerial empowerment.
- Moving beyond traditional career paths towards personalized employee development.
- Digital transformation in workforce processes to future-proof organizations.
Her approach is consistently framed around data-driven outcomes, recognizing the high costs of turnover and disengagement, and advocating for integrated technological solutions to address these issues.
Strategic Importance for Engagement
Jenny Podewils’ combined roles as co-founder and co-CEO position her as a key decision-maker for strategic partnerships and product developments at Leapsome. Her recent accolades and public visibility indicate heightened external interest and ongoing company momentum. The secured Series A funding and global hiring initiatives signal potential openness to solutions that enhance product innovation, scale workforce capabilities, and deepen customer engagement.
Highlighted Data Points:
- Role: Co-Founder & Co-CEO
- Company: Leapsome (founded 2016)
- Funding: $60 million Series A
- Awards: Female Founder of the Year 2023 (German Startup Association)
- Education: MSc, University of Oxford; University of St. Gallen
- Focus Areas: Employee engagement, feedback culture, agile performance management
- Locations: Berlin (HQ), New York office
- Recent Activities: Public podcasts, interviews, and thought leadership on HR tech and digital transformation
This profile encapsulates Jenny Podewils as a visionary leader driving innovation within the employee experience space, actively scaling Leapsome while maintaining a strong commitment to culture and technology-enabled workforce transformation.
