Portrait of Margret Suckale

“From my apartment in Ludwigshafen, I have a direct view of Mannheim Palace—what more could I ask for?” says Margret Suckale. And she would know: the 68-year-old executive has lived in several major cities, including Hamburg, Berlin, and London. But the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region has a special place in her heart. “This region has a lot of charm—the people are very friendly and helpful.” It’s no surprise, then, that she frequently returns to her apartment in the Palatinate from her primary residence at Lake Tegernsee whenever work brings her to the area.

Over the past six years, Suckale has come to know the Schloss from many different perspectives. She joined the University Supervisory Board in 2018 and, in October 2019, became its chair—the first woman to hold this position in the university’s history. Her five-year term ended as planned in September of last year. Looking back, how does she feel about it? “I learned a lot during this time and gained enormous respect for the work of everyone at the university,” Suckale reflects. “Every person I met there gave me the impression that they approach their work with great passion.”

Her time on the supervisory board was marked primarily by elections. “It started right away in 2018 with the election of former President Thomas Puhl. Then, in 2022 and 2024, we faced additional key personnel decisions. We’re very pleased to have found an outstanding leadership team in Executive Vice President Katrin Schoppa-Bauer and the new President, Thomas Fetzer,” Suckale explains. In addition to participating in these elections, the University Supervisory Board was responsible for forming search committees and interviewing candidates. Suckale’s term also included work on the university’s structural and development plan, as well as navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We never really knew what the next day would bring. But in my opinion, the university handled that period exceptionally well.”

A passion for sustainability

Suckale’s connection to the university goes back further. A trained lawyer, she studied in Hamburg, Vallendar, the United States, and Switzerland. In 2009, she joined BASF, the Ludwigshafen-based chemical company, and in 2011 became the first woman on its executive board, overseeing BASF’s European integrated production sites, engineering and maintenance, sustainability, occupational safety, and human resources. “That’s how I first got in touch with the university,” she explains. During this time, she gave several guest lectures at the Schloss, speaking about the challenges facing the chemical industry in Germany and, more specifically, the Ludwigshafen site—particularly in terms of energy and sustainability. She continues to attend events hosted by Mannheim Professor Stefan Reichelstein on sustainability topics. “So much has changed in this area over the past few years,” she adds.

“It has become somewhat of a tradition for former BASF board members to chair the University Supervisory Board, so I was thrilled to continue that tradition,” she says. “The university has an excellent reputation—when you’re invited to take on this honorary position, you don’t have to think twice.” Beyond her work on the supervisory board, Suckale has also been in close contact with the University of Mannheim Foundation, supporting it for years not only through financial contributions but also by providing guidance and making valuable connections.

An unexpected career path

Though she no longer holds an operational role, Suckale stays busy. Since 2017, she has served on the supervisory boards of several major companies, including Heidelberg Materials, Deutsche Telekom, and Infineon Technologies. What drives her? “The opportunity to meet fascinating people,” she says. “And I enjoy applying the knowledge I’ve gained over 40 years of professional experience.”

Suckale certainly has no shortage of experience. “After completing my second state examination, I actually had a job lined up as a judge,” she says, reflecting on the start of her career. But then, “just for fun,” she applied to several German companies—and received multiple job offers. “So in 1985, I started my career as a legal counsel at an oil company. I liked it so much that I stayed in the industry for twelve years.”

A life enriched by culture

This role took her to Vienna, London, and Copenhagen. In 1997, she moved to Berlin, where she became head of the legal department and later a board member at Deutsche Bahn. But then came an “irresistible offer” from the world’s largest chemical company. Looking back, does she regret not becoming a judge? “I would have found it interesting to work in a district court or in a commercial chamber,” she admits. “But I’m also glad my path ultimately led me to BASF. It was an incredible learning experience, and I still benefit from it in my work on supervisory boards today. Plus, it introduced me to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.”

This region has become an important part of her life, especially its cultural offerings. “My husband and I love going to concerts and the theater,” she says. “Culture is something that enriches my life tremendously. Sometimes, after a long day at work, I’d go to a concert in the evening just to clear my head for the next day.”

Outside of her professional commitments, Suckale spends her free time doing sports, meeting friends, and engaging in volunteer work. She is involved with the Elias Hospice in Ludwigshafen, serves on the advisory boards of the Worms Nibelungen Festival and the Hanns Martin Schleyer Foundation in Berlin, and has been a long-time supporter of the Ludwigshafen Festival of German Film, where she serves on the board of the Friends’ Association. “I also care deeply about increasing diversity in leadership positions. That’s why I mentor young women,” she adds. And who could be better suited for that than her?

Text: Linda Schädler and Jessica Scholich / April 2025