In this interview with Katie Rose, Magda Chodkowska, the first woman to lead a KNX national group, reflects on her experience as Chair of KNX Poland, and CEO of TEMA.
KNXtoday: In 2018, at age 25, you became the CEO of your family business TEMA. What was your experience as a young woman working in a male-dominated environment?
MC: It happened suddenly: when my parents moved abroad, I immediately became responsible for running the company. I was 25, with no technical background, in an industry where most people had decades of experience and, frankly, where women are still rare.
At first, it caused a great deal of surprise – some people came to the office asking for ‘Mrs Magda’, assuming I’d direct them to the ‘real’ boss. That quickly changed once they saw that I was serious, curious, and willing to learn everything from scratch.
I never tried to prove that I knew more than others; instead, I focused on listening, asking questions, and building trust. Over time, I feel like that approach earned me respect. Today, I see diversity – of gender, age, or background – as something that enriches our company.
KNXtoday: TEMA was founded by your grandfather in 1990, and became the Gira representative in Poland in 1992 – tell us the story of how that collaboration came about.
MC: TEMA was founded by my grandfather as a small family business, which my father continued enthusiastically. In 1992, it established a partnership with Gira, one of the most respected German manufacturers of electrical installation systems.
The relationship began organically. My grandfather admired Gira’s precision, design, and engineering quality, and Gira was looking for a reliable partner in Poland who understood not only sales but also service, training, and customer relationships.
What’s beautiful is that our current contact person at Gira, Mr. Guido Schmitz, has known my grandparents and my parents for many years – he met them before I was born. That kind of long-term trust is rare, and it’s something I’m proud to continue.
KNXtoday: Since 1998 TEMA has been located in premises equipped with the Gira KNX system. How has the company’s relationship with KNX developed over the years?
MC: Becoming one of the first buildings in Poland to be equipped with a KNX (EIB at that time) system affirmed our belief in the future of open standards and intelligent control.
Over the years, we have grown with KNX. Initially, very few people in Poland had heard of it, but now it’s recognised as a reliable backbone for smart building technology.
Our company’s long-term vision and philosophy fits perfectly with KNX – it’s open, interoperable, and constantly evolving. Now, as chair of KNX Poland, I see how vital education and communication are for continued growth.
KNXtoday: What inspired you to pioneer the first Future Architecture Forum and what outcomes did the event have?
MC: The idea came from a simple observation that technology and architecture still live in separate worlds even though they absolutely depend on each other. I wanted to create a space where these two disciplines could meet and talk, so the idea of the Future Architecture Forum emerged to act as a bridge between them.
I was lucky that Gira supported the idea from the beginning. Working together with a wonderful team, we managed to convince partners, speakers and participants. The response was amazing: much higher attendance than anticipated and a lot of positive feedback, confirming that I had identified a gap in the market and a real hunger for this kind of dialogue.
KNXtoday: As chair of KNX National Group Poland, which was founded in 2008, what does your role involve and what is your view of the development of KNX in Poland?
MC: My role is to build connections between the technical community, architects, investors and end users. I see myself more as a translator than a technician.
KNX is a fantastic technology, but for years it was discussed mostly within the technical sector. My goal is to make the conversation accessible, and show that automation isn’t only for engineers, but for everyone who creates or lives in a building.
The awareness of KNX in Poland is growing fast, but so is the competition from proprietary systems, which are often easier to market, but less sustainable long-term. Our challenge is to educate and demonstrate the value of open, future-proof standards.
KNXtoday: Are you a member of Women in KNX?
MC: I’m not officially a member at the moment, although I admire the initiative. In some way I represent the same idea – that diversity makes the industry stronger. As the first woman to lead a KNX national group globally, I’m at the centre of that conversation every day and hope that my example encourages more women to enter the field, whether via Women in KNX or other pathways.
KNXtoday: What unique qualities do you feel women bring to leadership roles, and how could these be better supported in the industry?
MC: I think it’s less about gender and more about personality; but many women bring a natural empathy, listening skills, a collaborative mindset and humane perspective, which is hugely valuable in highly technical industries.
What would help? More visibility and trust: giving women space to speak at industry events, lead projects and be seen not as exceptions, but as equals. I’d like to see increased mentorship, not just for women, but for anyone new to this environment.
KNXtoday: As a mother, how do you find work-life balance, and what do you feel needs to change in the workplace to support parents?
MC: Balance is a constant process, not a fixed state. There are days when I feel like I’m managing everything, and others when it’s pure chaos. Working with my husband helps, as we share both responsibilities and understanding. Parenthood teaches you time management, perspective, and flexibility like nothing else. I think workplaces should move away from the idea of ‘perfect balance’ and focus instead on trust and flexibility – trusting people to deliver results in ways that fit their life, not despite it.
KNXtoday: What projects would you like to highlight, and what future developments are you excited about?
MC: Definitely the Future Architecture Forum, which we’ll continue to develop, as it emphasised the value of connecting technology and architecture. Another fascinating area is the evolution of KNX and how it intersects with one of the key topics of our time: sustainability. Energy management, comfort, and design will become increasingly connected in years to come. At the same time, I’m looking forward to the development of AI integration, which will open up innovative possibilities for intelligent, responsive buildings.
I’m also excited about the new generation of people joining our industry – people who think differently, who question old patterns. That’s where the future lies.
KNXtoday: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
MC: Only that change is never comfortable, but it’s necessary. Taking over the family business at 25 wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge has taught me something valuable about people, leadership, and myself.
KNXtoday: How can people connect with you?
MC: I always enjoy connecting with people who are passionate about design, technology and meaningful collaboration.
I’m most active on Instagram, both on my personal profile @magda_chodkowska and at @gira_w_polsce where we share our current projects, events and collaborations.
You can also follow KNX National Group Poland on LinkedIn or @knx_national_pl on Instagram to stay up to date with all KNX-related activities and initiatives in Poland.
Magda Chodkowska is chair of KNX Poland and CEO of TEMA 2, the exclusive representative of Gira in Poland since 1992, supporting architects, interior designers, and system integrators with premium smart home solutions and KNX-based technologies that connect design with intelligent functionality.
