We believe that a training institution is only as good as its trainers. The PDC is proud to present some of the best and most experienced international trainers available. Our trainers are successful practitioners in their fields who have nevertheless kept a close relationship with the academic community through their teaching engagement at Webster University Vienna. In summary, all trainers provide excellent academic credentials, deep industry knowledge, innovative teaching techniques, the newest teaching resources and a hands-on approach.

Please review the following short profiles of a sample of our trainers whose expertise is the essence of our quality educational services.

Note: Trainers marked (*) are bi-lingual who can also offer their seminars in German.

Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande is the dean of Webster University's School of Business and Technology. As the chief academic officer of the 13,000-student business school, Dean Akande leads a faculty of 1500 spanning 106 campuses in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Dean Akande serves on the boards of civic and private organizations. He regularly consults with some of the leading Fortune 500 companies (e.g. Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Bank of America) in the areas of strategy and market positioning and acts as coach and trainer to top US executives. Dean Akande is an electrifying speaker who exudes passion and excitement in his delivery. He brings to every presentation and conversation a wealth of experience that spans over two decades as a professor, leader and consultant.

Dr. Mehdi M. Ali holds degrees from University of Baghdad, Iraq, the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge where he completed his Doctorate in Economics.  Mehdi has 33 years experience with international financial institutions and UN organizations and has held various senior positions in the World Bank. He was the Regional UN Representative for the Middle East and North Africa in Cairo covering 19 countries. For 4 years he was Director of the Asia Region with the OPEC Fund for International Development and was a former advisor to the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on macro-economic matters. He authored and co-authored over 60 articles, reports, papers on economics, finance and rule of laws published by the World Bank, OPEC FUND and others. Mehdi teaches Trade and International Finance at Webster University Vienna and the Doing Business Abroad Section for the PDC.

Mag. Donald Baillie* Mag. Donald Baillie is a New Zealand citizen. In the past, Donald has worked at the Creditanstalt bank as a Treasury Organization specialist and later moved to Market Risk Management. Later years saw him as a Principal at Ernst &Young Management Consulting in the area of wholesale banking. He also co-headed the founding, operations and subsequent sale of a subsidiary company developing and implementing a risk management software suite. Recently, he gained the FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification from GARP and is a “certified Basel-II” consultant.  Donald has recently been published as co-author of a book on Business Management. At Webster University, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Investments.

Joy Chan, MS possesses a M.Com Finance Merit from Sydney, Australia; a B.A. from Singapore and a CFA from the USA. She currently works as a Financial Controller in KPMG Central & Eastern Europe Regional office based in Budapest. Joy has had extensive experience lecturing courses on Corporate Finance, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Restructuring and Valuation in universities in Australia, UK, Malaysia, Hungary and Austria. She is also an in-house-trainer on Corporate Restructuring and Valuation courses at prominent Austrian banks.  Prior to lecturing, Joy worked as an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Singapore. She covered the Emerging Markets Directorate and traveled frequently to the emerging markets to spearhead various economic and financial initiatives that assist Singaporean companies in their globalization efforts.

Elisabeth Cassels - Brown, MA* is U.S. American by birth. She has lived in Vienna since 1988. An Adjunct Professor of Cross-Cultural Management at Webster University Vienna and freelance trainer throughout Europe, her passion is supporting organizations, teams, and people in developing the skills they need to get the full benefit from their differences, whether cultural or personal. She earned her B.A. (with Honors) in East Asian Studies and her M.A. in International Business. She is a licensed user of the HR development instruments TIP (The International Profiler), MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) Steps I and II, and the CPQ (Cultural Perspectives Questionnaire). Elisabeth trains the communication and management/leadership skills needed in intercultural settings.

Jennifer Ebner-Daigle, MO, MA* is a Canadian citizen living and working in Vienna. Jennifer is a counseling psychologist and adjunct professor of Psychology at Webster University in Vienna. She is currently working on projects involving burnout and procrastination and has contributed to a recent International conference on burnout. Jennifer offers trainings on the topics of time and stress management.

Kevin Daly, MBA* has been doing professional development and specialized English language training in United States and Europe since 1994. His extensive experience ranges from doing team-building, conflict resolution and adventure based therapy with adjudicated youth in New York to presentation, negotiation, leadership and communication coaching with all levels of management from Austria through southeastern Europe to Romania. Born in San Diego, California, he has called Vienna his home since 1996 where he obtained his Masters in Business Administration from Webster University.  He is a recent addition to Webster University’s Professional Development Center team of trainers.

Jutta Devenish,  MA* is a bilingual professional bringing 16 years demonstrated success in Marketing & Communications, with 5 years at the Director Level. She is a published author bringing experience in TV, radio, print, online media. Jutta is a lecturer at academic institutions such as Webster University, a business trainer at ARS, a communications coach and a marketing communications consultant. She is experienced in business, academic and international relations (NPO) environments.  Jutta has worked with the likes of World Vision, Flextronics, Dynegy, The Diplomatic Academy of London, Glaxo Smith Kline, AT&S, Brainwaves, Topos, UV&P und FH Wien. She has developed crisis communication strategies on issues such as misappropriation of funds, child kidnapping, law-suits, layoffs, suspected death through use of pharmaceuticals and others. She led the 1998 Bangladesh Flood DEC Public Relations Campaign on behalf of 11 UK Aid Agencies. She has reported from war zones in Ingushetia (Russia) and Montenegro and Kosovo.

Mag. Harald Firlinger MBA is currently serving on the board of Mensch in Bewegung – a strategic partner of Webster University’s Professional Development Center.  He has many years experience in training, consulting and top-level management.  His specific areas of expertise are: Systemic Organizational Development (Strategy Development, Cultural Analysis and Design, Business Process Optimization, Design and Implementation of Performance Management Systems, Change Management, Project Management, Interims Management), Leadership Development, Personal Development and Active Team Building.  Besides Coaching and Training, Mr. Firlinger also serves as university lecturer for Process-Oriented Growth-Management at the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Institut für Unternehmensführung) and as an Adjunct Professor for Webster University in the areas of Organizational Change and Leadership, Human Resource Management and Strategic Management.  He collaborates frequently with the Professional Development Center on Executive Trainings and Seminars.

Dr. Michael Freund* is an Austrian journalist. His academic background includes degrees from the University of Heidelberg in Germany and Columbia University in the United States. His current time is split between his position as editor for the Viennese newspaper, Der Standard, and his role as Media Communications Department Head at Webster University Vienna. His areas of expertise are: Journalism and Media Communications.

Mag. Stefan Geyerhofer* is a Co Founder of the Institute for Systemic Therapy (IST) in Vienna. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Health Psychologist and Psychotherapist and has conducted workshops on Systemic Brief Therapy and Family Therapy throughout Europe, the USA and Japan. Since 1993 he is a member of the Psychology Faculty at Webster University Vienna and has been a Visiting Scholar at University of California, Berkeley and a Visiting Professor at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Stefan trains Team Building and Leadership. Recently, he organized an international conference on Burnout.

Paul Gillingwater, MBA was born in New Zealand but lives in Vienna. He has twenty years experience in the computer industry. Paul’s consultative approach and technical expertise enables him to understand business needs and relate them to technical solutions. He is the founder and CEO of a software development firm specializing on security issues. Paul trains Computer Skills at the PDC.

Dr. Arno Haslberger* is currently Senior Research Professor at Webster University Vienna. Arno’s teaching focuses on the development of leadership and people’s management skills and on all areas of human resource management. His research is centered on cross-cultural adaptation and the management of expatriates.  Arno worked for GKN’s Aerospace Systems division in the UK where he was responsible for organizational development and training. His previous industrial experience includes HR generalist and specialist positions with international responsibilities at General Motors and for Archer Daniels Midland in the US and Germany.  Besides his managerial work, he has taught university courses on various human resources management topics, organizational behavior, and labor economics at Loyola University Chicago, USA, at Thames Valley University, UK, at Fachhochschule Wiesbaden, Germany, at Schiller University, Spain and at PEF Private University, Austria. Arno holds a doctorate in sociology and masters-level degree in business administration from Johannes Kepler Universität, Linz, and a master of science in industrial relations from Loyola University, Chicago.

Mag. Hendrik Homan, MBA* is a native Dutchman, based in Vienna. He holds a Master´s degree in Economics from University of Vienna and a MBA from INSEAD in France. Currently, he teaches Marketing at Webster University and the University of Vienna. Hendrik has held a number of senior management positions in international companies over the last 20 years such as Managing Director of Readymix Lieferbeton, General Manager of Xerox Austria, Managing Director of AKG Acoustics. He brought the American franchise system Mail Boxes Etc. to Austria and managed the Master franchise organization. At the PDC he teaches workshops on Strategies and Marketing.

Virginia Grögl, MA is a Canadian with work experience in Canada, Great Britain and Austria.  She has gained her international experience as Marketing Director for one of the largest tour operators in the U.K. specialising in Marketing and Marketing Communications, managing internal and external relationships, customer care metrics.  Virginia is a Business lecturer, Business English Coach and executive trainer.  She is also a member of Webster University’s Professional Development Center.

Betsy Hahn, MBA, MA is a licensed business and organizational consultant with over 14 years experience in marketing, communications and training. Betsy also holds a certificate from the Österreichisches Controller-Institute and has served on the Advisory Board of the Women's Career Network for 8 years. Besides leading her own consultancy ThinkBank with expertise in marketing and human resources, she also collaborates with Webster University’s Professional Development Center (PDC) as a trainer and consultant.  She is a native English speaker, also fluent in German, who has lived in 6 different countries.

Dr. Karin Kneissl* studied law and Arabic Studies in Vienna, Jerusalem and Washington.  Karin worked in the diplomatic service for Austria between 1989 and 1998, before becoming a free-lance journalist and university instructor.  Today she teaches International Relations at Webster University, the National Defense Academy in Vienna and is a guest lecturer at the Université St. Joseph in Beirut. Her topics of analysis and presentation are: geopolitics of energy, the Middle East and diplomacy. She has authored several books incl. „Der Energiepoker“ (Munich 2008) & “Die Gewaltspirale” (Salzburg 2007), „Von der Erfindung der Diplomatie“ (Wien, 2009).

Ulrich Königswieser, MBA is a long serving trainer and consultant with an emphasis in group dynamics and systemic consulting.  He has extensive experience in Management Consulting having worked for a leading consultancy in the areas of Retail, Manufacturing, Banking and Non-Profit Sectors as well as in Health Care.  Before starting his own training provider “Königswieser&Network, Vienna” Ulrich worked for several renowned Austrian-based Training Companies.  Since 2004 he is a regular lecturer at the Vienna University and at Webster University.  Ulrich is an affiliated partner of the Professional Development Center.  His training areas include: Change management, development of corporate cultures, leadership development, communication, team development, conflict management, strategy development, organization development, optimization of business processes; Management training in the fields of leadership, conflict management, and communication.

Dr. Christopher Kummer* is an Adjunct Professor at Webster University and Director of the Institute of Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances. He graduated in Business Administration with an emphasis in Strategy & Organization from the University St. Gallen, Switzerland, and received a Doctorate from Technical University Berlin, Germany. Besides his academic career, he has business experience as the co-founder and CEO of a startup company and as a freelancing consultant. Chris’ expertise in Mergers & Acquisition has received significant international media attention.

Charles LaFond, MBA* is an American based in Vienna and has over twenty years of professional experience in English management training for companies in Austria. At the PDC, he trains Presentational Skills.

Marion Mansberger, BS, MBA* has lived in 6 different countries in the last 20 years and has been freelancing as a trainer and lecturer for 7 years. Her concentration lies in the service industry, including quality management, innovation, intercultural training, and soft skills such as presentation techniques, telephone skills, and time management. Her references include training projects in international companies, as well as in small and mid-sized businesses. Marion joined Webster University as an adjunct professor and the PDA as a trainer in spring 2009.

Dardis McNamee is an accomplished American playwright and lyricist living and working in Vienna. Dardis lectures at the Webster University of Vienna in professional and creative writing and journalism. She is the founder and Chief Editor of the Vienna Review, the only English language monthly magazine based in Vienna.

Christian Newman, MSE* is an American living in Vienna.  Besides being Department Head of Business and Management and professor at Webster University Vienna, he currently heads the PDC. Before coming to Webster Vienna, he has worked in the United States and Austria in various consulting jobs for companies such as Ernst & Young Management Consulting and Ericsson. He trains a wide range of topics, including: Leadership, Management Consulting Tools, Cross Cultural Management and Change Management.  Chris is a licensed trainer for “Leadership Through People Skills (LTPS)”®, a celebrated Leadership and Communications methodology developed by US based Psychological Associates. Due to current economic circumstances, he also developed the new section “Leading through difficult times”.

Dr. Thomas Oberlechner* lives in Vienna and is an organizational and clinical psychologist. He has extensive experience with training groups in business where he focuses on individual development and team building in organizational settings. Thomas is the Department Head of the Psychology Department and teacher at Webster University. He is a published author (most recently The Psychology of the Foreign Exchange Market) and has worked closely with Harvard University on several research topics.

Dr. Julia Pitters is a German based in Vienna. After studying psychology and sociology at the universities of Würzburg and Hamburg (Germany) and absolving a training in problem and conflict resolution, she completed her PhD in the field of economic psychology at the University of Vienna. Since 2008, she holds a teaching and research position at Webster University. She also gives seminars at the University of Vienna, the Danube University of Krems and private companies. As a counselor and project manager, she has been working for Consent market and social research and has now become associate partner of the independent consulting company Pitters℗ Trendexpert. Combining scientific and practical expertise, she offers seminars in the field of economic psychology, such as decision making, persuasion or advertising.

Antonija Pacek, M.PHIL., BA is the Green Field Cooperation Partner and Representative for the Center for Creative Leadership in Austria.  She actively trains in the areas of: cross-cultural management and leadership, emotional intelligence applied to business, leading and motivating people, performance management, psychology of managing change, effective communication, and personal development.  Antonija is a faculty member of the psychology department at Webster University and a lecturer at the International Course for Hotel Management.

Nenad Pacek, MA is founder and president of Global Success Advisors GmbH, an economic and business consultancy working with regional and global directors of major multinational companies, helping them outperform competition in international markets. He is the acclaimed author of "Emerging Markets: Lessons for Business Success  and Outlooks for Different Markets"  which  is currently in its second edition. Prior to founding Global Success Advisors, Nenad was Vice President of the Economist Group's corporate advisory and economic intelligence division where he worked for almost 20 years on advisory projects with over 300 multinational firms. He was also managing business expansion to all emerging markets. Nenad is a sought-after public speaker and performs between 50-60 speeches every year to global and regional boards on international economics and international business topics. He lectures at corporate universities and has been teaching International Business at Webster since 1997. Nenad is on the global Board of Governors of the Center for Creative Leadership, USA. He was selected among the 40 most prominent  economic/ business thought leaders by Random House Publishing to contribute to the latest book "The Future of Money" (2010 publishing date).

Theodore Snydal, MA is a working professional in advertising and language instruction. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Applied Art and German Studies  and  an  MA  in Education from the City University of New York. He has gained advertising experience while working with several Vienna agencies and is now a freelance creative, specializing  in  logo design and ‘old school' illustration.