My Story

And on it goes! 2024 marks the beginning of a new journey. As a solo consultant with a strong network, I remain dedicated to systemic consulting while allowing myself more space to open new fields — for innovation, new consulting formats, and anything exciting that may emerge. With all my experience, energy, and curiosity, I want to support and accompany you and your organization.
It all began when, as a law student, I discovered the topics of organizational development and group dynamics. This was in the 1980s and the fascination never left me. I was fortunate to be part of the pioneering years of systemic consulting.
My path first took me into in-house consulting roles in both a bank and a US tech firm. Then came entrepreneurship: first as a partner at the Beratergruppe Neuwaldegg, where my colleagues and I further developed the systemic consulting approach — in large and small, German-speaking and international projects. After 17 years, I continued by founding the systemic consulting boutique Heitger Consulting. Our motto, “Pioneers in thinking, masters of the craft, and artists at heart,” shaped our work then — and still guides me today. Ten years later, I took on the experiment of bringing systemic consulting and classic management consulting closer together: Heitger Consulting became a subsidiary of KPMG Austria. I am now leaving behind this wide range of organizational experiences, but with BarbaraHeitger.com I continue as systemic consultant — faithful to my long-standing network, my areas of expertise, and my passion for innovation.
My work has always centered on the fields of CHANGE, LEADERSHIP, CONSULTING CONSULTANTS, and COACHING. Sharing my knowledge has always mattered to me, not only through training programs, but also through lectures and publications. Whether as founding member of the Austrian Coaching Council, teaching consultant in the ÖGGO, or member of the editorial board of the Journal for Organizational Development.
“Because I’m fascinated by what occurs at the micro level and reveals itself at the macro level, I want to apply the systemic perspective to the civil society sector as well.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​For several years, I served on the boards of Greenpeace Central & Eastern Europe and Respekt.net, and I currently sit on the board of younus.
And I do know how not to work: you’ll find me swimming, singing (soul), playing violin in a quartet, cooking with friends, or simply looking up into the sky.