In this interview with Katie Rose, Katja Schuster shares how Women in KNX is sparking connections across the industry.
KNXtoday: Congratulations on the second anniversary of Women in KNX, launched at Light+Building 2024. Tell us why you founded the initiative.
KS: Women in technical professions are surrounded by many fantastic male colleagues, but rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to interact with other women. Although that’s not necessarily a bad thing, women occasionally encounter different situations to their male colleagues, and sharing these with other women would be a great support. That’s why I had the idea of Women in KNX, so that we could connect, exchange ideas, share experiences and learn how to handle these different situations.
KNXtoday: What are the aims of Women in KNX?
KS: Women in KNX is a community for female professionals working in KNX-related roles, including electrical trades, building automation, information technology, planning, support, development, and sales and marketing.
Our aims include:
• Organising innovative events.
• Building a robust and sustainable network where women can exchange ideas and experiences, and advance professionally.
• Reducing prejudices and barriers.
• Raising awareness of industry roles for women, such as systems integrator.
• Providing a platform to strengthen the visibility and representation of women in the industry.
• Mentoring and sparking interest in the next generation of women.
KNXtoday: Where has Women in KNX forged connections over the last two years?
KS: The first meeting of KNX women was on October 6, 2023, at the ZVEH headquarters in Frankfurt am Main. Women in KNX was then launched at Light + Building in March 2024. Next, we formed an active collaboration with the Training and Technology Centre for Electrical and Information Technology in Lauterbach (BZL).
In October 2024, the belektro trade fair for electrical, digital, and building technology, hosted a networking event for women at Messe Berlin, featuring a diverse panel of female industry professionals comprising a second-year apprentice, an experienced systems integrator, and a manager. This was followed by the establishment of a partnership with FEHR (Professional Association for Electrical and Information Technology Hesse/Rhineland-Palatinate).
At the ISH (International Sanitary and Heating) fair in Frankfurt, March 2025, Women in KNX connected with female professionals in the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning industry and the UFH (Unternehmerfrauen im Handwerk / Women Entrepreneurs in the Trades) network.
Then in October 2025, we were invited by Gira to join the Women in Crafts network.
KNXtoday: What do you see as recent positive developments for women in the industry and where are there still challenges?
KS: We want to build on the achievements so far of women in the trades, hoping that this will become commonplace in the future. Gender shouldn’t matter – both women and men can do a great job, but our biggest challenge is changing culture and mindset, to ensure that this reality is fully accepted.
KNXtoday: Looking to the future, how do you hope Women in KNX can support younger women entering the industry?
KS: We have started collaborating with training centres to provide young female trainees with industry role-models and contacts. We want to help overcome inhibitions and scepticism in schools and demonstrate that girls can become anything they desire.
KNXtoday: What are your plans for Light+Building 2026 and how can people get involved?
KS: On the Sunday, the first day of the trade fair, we will be supporting the Electrical Heroines Network in collaboration with the Central Association of German Electrical and Information Technology Trades (ZVEH).
On Tuesday, we will appear with Gira and the Strong Women, Strong Crafts Network.
On Wednesday, we will be hosting a guided tour for female system integrators and electrical installers of BUSSysteme magazine. To register please email me at kontakt@women-in-knx.de with the subject line: Guided Tour.
Daily, we are inviting female system integrators to present on the KNX Association stage and are keen to interview women from all over the world. If you are interested in sharing your insights onstage, please email me at kontakt@women-in-knx.de with the subject line: Interview KNX.
KNXtoday: Who would you like to thank or celebrate?
KS: First and foremost, Annika Egloff-Schoenen from BUSSysteme magazine, who shares my passion for Women in KNX. And, of course, KNXtoday magazine for giving Women in KNX a platform in this monthly column!
Finally, the amazing men behind the scenes who support us, including KNX Association CEO, Heinz Lux, Product Manager at Lingg & Janke, Klaus Ott; and founder of Koyne System Elektronik and the Chair of KNX Professionals Deutschland e.V. Marco Koyne, to name just a few.
I am looking forward to meeting many women and girls at Light+Building 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, and to a great 2026 for Women in KNX.
Katja Schuster is the Founder of Women in KNX and a systems integrator, certified building automation specialist (IBM), and board member of KNX Professionals e.V. Germany.
