Conny Steenblock
Freie Universität Berlin
International Summer and Winter University
(FUBiS)
As a PhD candidate, researcher and lecturer at Freie Universität Berlin, Conny Steenblock is passionate about the intersection of Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovation and Female Leadership. Her current research focuses on the dynamics, changes and initiatives within entrepreneurial ecosystems directed to leverage the potential of women in (tech) leadership positions. She is part of the doctoral program of Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft. Steenblock completed her studies at the Freie Universität Berlin and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), and also spent a semester abroad in Singapore. Prior to her academic career, she gained professional experience in the leadership academy of Deutsche Bahn AG and in horse-assisted coaching.
Current FUBiS courses:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Berlin and Europe (FUBiS Term III 2025)
Career
2018 – 2020 Freie Universität Berlin, University of St. Gallen (HSG)
Master’s Degree in Management & Marketing (M.Sc.), Topic of final thesis: “Why women-only? The impact of meso-level initiatives on female founders' capital accumulation in entrepreneurial ecosystems”
2014 – 2018 Freie Universität Berlin
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (B.Sc.), Topic of final thesis: “Leadership and Identity – The Influence of horse-assisted Coachings on the Identity of Leadership Abilities”
Practical Experience
2020 – 2021 Deutsche Bahn AG, DB Academy
Product Manager Leadership Qualifications and agile Transformation
since 2018 System organization at Eiche GmbH
Junior Coach, horse-assisted Coaching for leadership- und Team development
2017 – 2019 Strategic Support provision of services UG
Working Student in Business Development, Market Research, Project Management
2017 Precious Communications Pte. Ltd. (Singapour)
International internship Business Development & Public Relations in IT, E-Commerce, Sports industries
Summer semester 2022
Entrepreneurship Education (WoMenventures)
Research Interests
- Gender Diversity in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
- Women in Digital Innovation
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Entrepreneurial Passion
- Identity Work
- Entrepreneurship Education & Leadership Development
Journal Contributions
Sundermeier, J., & Steenblock, C. (2022). Thomas befördert Thomas befördert Thomas –Geschlechterbezogene Stereotype und ihre Implikationen für die Besetzung von CTO-Positionen. HMD Praxis der Wirtschaftsinformatik, 59, 896–911. DOI: 10.1365/s40702-022-00866-9
Conference Contributions
Steenblock, C., & Sundermeier, J. (2022). Gender Stereotypes in Digital Innovation: Chances and Challenges for Entrepreneurship Education. Diana International Research Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Steenblock, C., & Sundermeier, J. (2022). Useful or superfluous? Entrepreneurial leaders’ perspectives on gender bias interventions. Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business (RENT) Conference, Napels, Italy.