Lifelong Leadership – the Executive-Impact-Program at TUM
| Language: | German |
| Location: | Munich |
| Duration: | 9 months |
| Start: | 16 November 2026 |
| Cost: | On request |
Many accomplished leaders reach a moment of transition. Traditional career ambitions begin to fade, while the desire to contribute, to remain relevant, and to make a meaningful difference in society becomes more prominent. Yet there is often no clear framework to intentionally transform experience, networks, and leadership capacity into a new form of societal engagement.
Lifelong Leadership was created specifically for this moment. Offered by the Technical University of Munich, the program provides a structured and practice-oriented pathway to consciously design what comes next. It brings together personal reflection, academic rigor, and the development of a viable social impact initiative.
Working within the ecosystem of the Technical University of Munich and the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning, participants engage with societal challenges through academic perspectives, interdisciplinary dialogue, and a strong partner network. In collaboration with Wertebündnis Bayern and the EuroTeQ Collider, impact projects are developed, refined, and tested with a clear focus on real-world applicability and implementation.
Lifelong Leadership is an Executive Impact format for individuals who are not looking to slow down in this next phase—but to channel their experience into purposeful action and lasting impact.
Lifelong Leadership was created specifically for this moment. Offered by the Technical University of Munich, the program provides a structured and practice-oriented pathway to consciously design what comes next. It brings together personal reflection, academic rigor, and the development of a viable social impact initiative.
Working within the ecosystem of the Technical University of Munich and the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning, participants engage with societal challenges through academic perspectives, interdisciplinary dialogue, and a strong partner network. In collaboration with Wertebündnis Bayern and the EuroTeQ Collider, impact projects are developed, refined, and tested with a clear focus on real-world applicability and implementation.
Lifelong Leadership is an Executive Impact format for individuals who are not looking to slow down in this next phase—but to channel their experience into purposeful action and lasting impact.
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Benefits
01
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When Leadership Evolves, Not Ends
You consciously shape your next chapter with societal relevance. Lifelong Leadership is designed for leaders who do not see their experience as something to conclude, but as a foundation for a new and meaningful contribution to society.
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Legacy in Action
You develop a viable social impact project—focused, well‑grounded, and designed to move forward. The three‑phase program guides you from reflection to strategic prioritization and ultimately to impact‑driven implementation.
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Excellence Within TUM’s Ecosystem
Being embedded in the Technical University of Munich gives you access to academic rigor, scientific expertise, and interdisciplinary perspectives—providing a solid foundation for informed decisions and sustainable impact.
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Impact Through a Strong Network
Through collaboration with Wertebündnis Bayern and the EuroTeQ Collider, you engage with real societal challenges and advance your project in close exchange with experienced partners and relevant stakeholders.
Program Overview
You can find all the important information about the certificate program here. Below you can find out the objectives of the program, the exact details of the process, what you will learn and which lecturers will teach you the content.
Learning Objectives
Here you will find information on the aims of this course and its content.Learning Objectives Across Program Phases
Phase 1 – Reflection and Reorientation
Participants systematically reflect on their professional experience and derive a values-based perspective for their future. They articulate a clear personal role within their “third chapter” and are able to contextualize complex societal challenges using systems thinking. They apply academic perspectives to their own questions in a targeted way.
Phase 2 – Strategic Prioritization
Participants translate open questions into concrete social impact approaches, analyze them in a structured way, and assess them in terms of impact, feasibility, and personal fit. They make well-reasoned decisions in uncertain or complex contexts and prioritize viable project ideas.
Phase 3 – Sustainable Impact
Participants translate their ideas into actionable projects, communicate them clearly to relevant stakeholders, and actively engage key partners. They position their initiatives strategically and develop them for long-term impact.
Overall Learning Objectives
Participants independently develop a robust social impact project and integrate their professional experience with academic approaches. They leverage academic resources and networks strategically to refine, implement, and scale their initiatives beyond the program.
Details
Here you will find information on dates, requirements and other general conditions for the certificate program.Program:
Lifelong Leadership – the Executive-Impact-Program at TUM
Target group:
The target group consists of highly experienced leaders, typically with over 25 years in senior executive roles (e.g., CEO, board member, or head of department). Many of them have already concluded their operational careers or are in a deliberate transition phase toward a new, purpose-driven “third chapter.”
Academic Responsibility:
Prof. Dr. Claudia Peus
Format & Timing:
On-site in three phases
Study location:
Garching/Munich
Language:
German
Dates:
Phase 1: Kick-off 16 – 18 November 2026, more dates tbd.
Phase 2: Q2 2027
Phase 3: Q3 2027
Graduation:
Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate from the Technical University of Munich.
Lecturers
Get to know our academic leads and lecturers who will deliver the program content and with whom you will be working.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Peus
Vice President of TUM
Director of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning
Academic Responsibility
Dr. Matthias Bosch
Lecturer
Structure
Find out how the program is structured and what content you can expect.Phase 1 – Reflection and Reorientation
- Identity and role reflection
- Social entrepreneurship & circular economy
- Systems leadership & collaborative competencies
- Academic reorientation
Introduction to three future fields:
- AI, digitalization & society
- Agri-food systems
- Urban life, architecture & mobility
Phase 2 – Strategic Prioritization
- Close collaboration with the EuroTeQ Collider
- Refinement, validation, and prioritization of project ideas
- Continuous reflection formats throughout the program
Phase 3 – Sustainable Impact
- Project development and concretization
- Pitch format
- Engagement with implementation partners and funding structures
- Visibility & network integration
Partner
EuroTeQ Engineering University
Wertebündnis Bayern
Wertebündnis Bayern
Application and Selection Process
Our application and selection process is designed to identify individuals who are driven by a strong sense of societal responsibility, demonstrate the ability to reflect, and show a genuine motivation to create meaningful impact. Rather than focusing on traditional performance indicators or linear career paths, we prioritize your potential to take on responsibility and actively shape change in the next phase of your life.
The process consists of two stages: a written application and a personal interview. In both steps, we aim to better understand what drives you, the kind of impact you aspire to create, and how you seek to contribute to a diverse community of changemakers.
The process consists of two stages: a written application and a personal interview. In both steps, we aim to better understand what drives you, the kind of impact you aspire to create, and how you seek to contribute to a diverse community of changemakers.
Application Deadlines
The program begins on November 16, 2026.
We strongly encourage you to submit your application early, as places are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
The selection process is organized in two application rounds:
• Round 1: Application deadline: 16 August 2026
• Round 2: Application deadline: 27 September 2026
Applying early increases your chances of admission and provides greater planning certainty throughout the selection process.
Stage 1: Written Application
In the first stage, you will submit a personal statement of motivation, initial thoughts on a potential impact or project idea, and an overview of your experience.
This is not about presenting a perfect résumé or a fully developed concept. Instead, we are primarily interested in your mindset, motivation, ability to reflect, and willingness to take responsibility.
Scope and Formal Guidelines
Please submit your application in German. For the motivation statement, we recommend a length of approximately 500–800 words (max. 2 pages).
The use of AI tools (e.g., for structuring or language support) is generally permitted. However, it is essential that your personal motivation, perspective, and independent thinking remain clearly identifiable.
Further guidance on preparing your application can be found in our accompanying information document.
This is not about presenting a perfect résumé or a fully developed concept. Instead, we are primarily interested in your mindset, motivation, ability to reflect, and willingness to take responsibility.
Scope and Formal Guidelines
Please submit your application in German. For the motivation statement, we recommend a length of approximately 500–800 words (max. 2 pages).
The use of AI tools (e.g., for structuring or language support) is generally permitted. However, it is essential that your personal motivation, perspective, and independent thinking remain clearly identifiable.
Further guidance on preparing your application can be found in our accompanying information document.
Stage 2: Personal Interview
The interview is an opportunity to explore key aspects of your application in greater depth. We aim to better understand what motivates you, how you approach societal challenges, and how you envision contributing to the cohort.
The interview focuses in particular on:
The interview focuses in particular on:
- Mindset
- Openness
- Motivation
- Cohort fit
We also assess the extent to which you are prepared to engage in your next chapter with commitment, a strong willingness to learn, and a clear intention to create societal impact.
What we look for in the interview
During the interview, we assess candidates across five key dimensions:
What we look for in the interview
During the interview, we assess candidates across five key dimensions:
- Societal Motivation
How clear and credible is your personal drive to take on societal responsibility? - Impact Potential
To what extent do you demonstrate the ability to translate motivation into tangible impact? - Reflection and Learning Ability
How open are you to new perspectives, and how thoughtfully do you reflect on your own actions? - Contribution to the Cohort
What value do you bring to the community and collaborative learning environment? - Long-Term Commitment
How serious and sustained is your intention to build a meaningful and lasting field of impact?
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Your contact
Dr. Lisa WintersbergPhone: +49 152 03429626
