The TransformationCamp 2025 at FHWien der WKW was much more than a traditional conference – it was an experience that encouraged people to leave their comfort zone, shifted perspectives and made real transformation tangible. Around 200 participants from companies, NGOs, science and research accepted the invitation from fifty1 and FHWien der WKW. From April 10-11, 2025, central questions of transformation were discussed in a deliberately open “unconference” format.
How do people and technologies – especially AI – interact in organizations? What skills and competencies are needed to actively shape change? How can leadership succeed today without falling back into old patterns of control? Can companies be places of education for democracy? These were just a few of the questions that were discussed in over 40 sessions, three keynotes and countless personal conversations.
Room for transformation
For the second time, the Human Resources & Organization Study Programs and the transformation specialist fifty1 organized the TransformationCamp at FHWien der WKW from April 10-11, 2025. The aim was to create a platform for exchange, joint experimentation and collective growth. Under the motto “Ego – Ecology – Economy”, it became clear how closely personal ego, entrepreneurial action and ecological responsibility are interwoven. The aim was to create spaces in which change is not only thought about, but also experienced and shaped.
“Change begins on a small scale. Open dialog and courageous encounters create the space in which real transformation can grow – and there is a lot of that at TransformationCamp!” said Mirjam von Hofacker from fifty1 about the event.
Unconference format as an enabler
The flexible and participatory unconference format encouraged exchange at eye level and allowed participants to shape the agenda themselves – an ideal setting for open dialog about new structures, power relations and the needs of different generations. In over 40 sessions, a variety of topics and formats were presented over the two days of the event, reflecting the different interests, experiences, backgrounds and learnings of the participants.
In particular, the session on the needs of GenZ, moderated by Master’s students from the Organizational & Human Resources Development study program, showed how valuable the exchange between young talents, HR professionals and managers is. Here, teaching and practice were able to stimulate each other and develop new solutions together.
In her session “Let’s Talk about Trust”, lecturer Steffi Bärmann gave insights into her current research on the use of AI in HR development. This led to a lively discussion about trust in technological developments and how they are currently changing the world of work at a rapid pace.
“Change is not a project, but an attitude. The TransformationCamp has shown how important it is to break down old thought patterns and allow new perspectives,” says Christine Schweiger, Head of Study Program Human Resources & Organization, summing up the two days.
Inspiring change
Special highlights were the keynote speeches, which set strong accents in terms of content and inspired new ways of thinking.
Krishna Manda, Sustainability Manager at Lenzing AG, highlighted the tension between performance pressure and humanity and emphasized that true sustainability starts with values. Courage for change is a process and a daily decision.
Transformation researchers Antoinette Weibel & Otti Vogt surprised the TransformationCamp participants with brand new research findings. They called for old business models to be questioned and for workplaces to be designed in such a way that people, companies and society benefit to grow together. They posed the central question: What does it mean to be truly “good” and presented a new “European economic model” with the “Moral Management Theory”.
Finally, Teresa Havlicek and Tom Strasser-Neuhofer from fifty1 asked “AI or Die?” and showed how AI not only calls into question tools, but entire structures and management models. The challenge is not “whether” but “how” to adapt.
Highlights from two days of TransformationCamp
- Tune session with Gerald Huber-Weiderbauer from “Bauchklang”: 200 people became a musical orchestra in just a few minutes – a goosebump moment and transformation experience on a small scale that showed how many individual tones and voices can create a great whole.
- Diverse sessions on topics such as “Healthy Ego in Leadership”, “Trust Culture”, “Inclusion Transformation”, “Conflict Coaching”, “Augmented Working”, “Transformation as Normal” and “Organizational Forensics” offered space for honest exchange and new perspectives.
- Practical insights from companies such as ASFINAG, Würth Austria, Boehringer Ingelheim, ÖAMTC, Team23 Steuerberatung and RegionalMedien Austria encouraged participants to take a concrete approach to transformation.
TransformationCamp 2025 showed how space for real change can be created: open, courageous, motivating. In just two days, a connection between science, practice and personal development came to life and the participants were able to get straight into action in their organizations with a backpack full of new impulses, contacts and a good portion of energy.