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Source: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/topics/management-technology/news/news/international-womens-day-there-is-no-perfect-time Parent: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/topics/management-technology/news
- March 2026
International Women's Day: "There Is No Perfect Time"
Katrin Cheverach completed her Executive MBA at TU Wien while pregnant and working full-time. In this interview, she talks about leadership, motherhood, and why waiting for ideal circumstances is the biggest obstacle to growth.
Some career stories unfold in neat, linear chapters. Katrin Cheverach's does not. She moved to Austria, pivoted into Data and Technology, enrolled in the Executive MBA at TU Wien Academy for Continuing Education, and continued through pregnancy, full-day study blocks, and a demanding job. Not because circumstances were ideal, but because she decided not to wait for them to be.
On International Women's Day, we spoke with Katrin about the intersection of ambition, motherhood, and lifelong learning - and why the qualities that define strong leadership are often the same ones practiced at home every day.
From Project Management to the MBA: A Conscious Decision
You started with Project Management, then went straight into the MBA. What made you decide to go all in, even when life was already full?
I believe life does not become full and meaningful by coincidence — it becomes so by conscious choice.
Continuing my education was never an impulsive decision. The idea had been growing in my mind for some time, especially as I watched my husband complete his Master's degree. It reminded me that growth is a continuous process, not a one-time achievement.
The Project Management course was a turning point. The people I met there, along with the outstanding course structure and guidance from Dr. Dagmar Silvius-Zuchi, gave me the final push to continue.
For me, studying is not just about qualifications — it is about intellectual expansion. I am naturally driven by curiosity, and learning fuels that mindset. The more you learn, the more you realize how much is possible. That realization is incredibly motivating.
Pregnancy and Continuing Education: Not Opposing Forces
You were pregnant during your studies. Was there a moment when you thought about pausing, and what made you keep going?
Honestly, pausing never felt like an option.
During my MBA interview, I was asked where I see myself in five years. My answer was: "Where change is happening." That belief guided me throughout my studies and continues to guide me today.
Pregnancy and studies were not opposing forces — they were part of the same life phase. Both required adaptability, discipline, and long-term thinking. These are the same qualities that shape professional success.
In both work and personal life, change is inevitable. What truly defines us is how we respond to it. I chose to embrace that phase as a period of growth rather than limitation, and that mindset made all the difference.
Leadership and Motherhood: The Same Core Competencies
A lot of people assume you have to choose between career growth and motherhood. What would you say to someone who believes that?
I often like to describe what strong leaders do: they motivate the team, manage responsibilities, keep deadlines in check, coordinate processes, think ahead, encourage development, and continuously reflect on improvement.
Now, think about a mother — and read that description again.
These are not conflicting roles. In many ways, they require the same core competencies.
Rather than limiting career growth, motherhood has strengthened my leadership abilities. It has made me more efficient, more structured, and more purpose-driven — both professionally and personally.
Especially in fast-changing fields like technology and innovation, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and long-term thinking are invaluable leadership assets. Motherhood has sharpened exactly those skills.
My children are not a limitation — they are my greatest source of motivation. They inspire me to grow, to reach new horizons, and to demonstrate through my actions that perseverance and continuous learning open doors that once seemed out of reach.
I do not see career and motherhood as two competing paths. I see them as one integrated journey that continuously shapes me into a stronger professional and a more conscious leader.
The Weight of It All & What Made the Difference
Can you describe one moment - maybe during a late-night study session or a work deadline - where you felt the weight of it all? And how did you get through it?
There was one particularly intense period early in my pregnancy — two consecutive weeks of full-day sessions at TU Wien combined with a very active phase at work. It was physically demanding, and I was not feeling my best. I remember coming home after long days at the university completely drained, knowing that responsibilities were still waiting.
It was one of those moments when the full weight of everything becomes very real.
And yet, I moved through it — stronger than I expected.
What made the difference was support on every level. My husband's support was fundamental and cannot be underestimated. At work, I am fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues who helped me redistribute tasks when needed, and an inspiring team leader who has encouraged my development from the very beginning. At TU Wien, there was also a reassuring sense that solutions could always be found when necessary.
In challenging moments, I focus on clarity of purpose. I remind myself why I chose this path. I visualize the end result — the completed degree, the growth, and the quiet pride that comes from persevering.
To me, resilience is not about ignoring difficulty. It is about moving forward with intention, even when circumstances are demanding.
The Most Valuable Lesson: Listening
What's one thing the MBA taught you that's made you better, not just at work, but as a mother?
One of the most valuable lessons was the importance of listening.
The MBA reinforced that people are the most important asset in any system, whether in an organization or a family. Every individual is different, and that diversity is not a challenge but a strength.
At work, this means leading through understanding rather than assumptions. At home, it means raising children with empathy, structure, and awareness.
Another key insight is that collaboration always outperforms control. People do not perform well simply because they are told what to do; they perform well when they feel heard, valued, and supported. This principle applies equally to professional teams and family life.
"I Need You To…" - Four Words That Change Everything
What do you wish more women knew about combining study, work, and motherhood that no one talks about?
First: asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
During our final leadership course with Sabine Köszegi, we practised saying one simple but transformative sentence: "I need you to…"
It sounds small, yet it changes everything. Delegation is not a loss of control — it is intelligent resource management. Support systems are not optional when combining study, work, and motherhood; they are essential.
Second: dream big — but execute step by step.
Ambitious goals are achieved through structure, discipline, and consistency. Progress rarely happens in dramatic leaps. It happens in deliberate, repeated action — especially on days when energy is limited.
And finally: there is no perfect time.
There will always be responsibilities, unexpected challenges, or reasons to postpone growth. The key is not waiting for ideal circumstances — it is deciding to begin, to adapt along the way, and to continue despite imperfection.
About the Executive MBA at TU Wien Academy
Katrin Cheverach is completing the Executive MBA at TU Wien Academy for Continuing Education — a part-time program designed for professionals who want to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership, innovation management, and entrepreneurial thinking. The program integrates the three dimensions of Technology, Business & People.
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