We are using cookies for a better user experience.
Jan Michel - Biography
Jan Michel was born in 1974 and studied physics at RWTH Aachen University, earning his doctorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology. He received his doctorate in physics with multiple honors in 2003.
At the age of 14 in 1988, Michel started his first business in the software industry with a focus on tax consulting and auditing. The products were distributed by Stuttgart-based TAYLORIX AG, whose management he advised for many years. From 1996 to 2004, Michel supported law firms and auditing companies with IT projects on a freelance basis.
At the same time, Michel held various positions at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology from 1999 to 2004. He was responsible as a senior project manager for industrial projects with a focus on automotive and plant engineering. At the same time, Michel was active as a research fellow in international research communities.
Michel was a strategy and management consultant at McKinsey & Company Inc. from 2004 until the end of 2011. As associate principal, he had two main areas of focus: large transformation programs (cross-industry) and cross-functional projects within the automotive industry.
During a sabbatical from 2011 to 2012, he worked as an interim manager and continued expansion of a technology company specializing in LED-based general lighting combined with innovative wireless technology.
Jan Michel moved to Volkswagen AG in 2012. He held the position of Executive Director Sales International for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand through 2018. In this role, he developed all markets outside Europe, including China, Brazil, South Africa, Australia and Turkey.
He joined AUDI AG in 2018. He first headed the “Marketing & Sales” module within the Audi Transformation Plan. Michel next assumed responsibility for corporate strategy as Chief Strategy Officer.
Jan Michel has held the position of Chief Transition Architect (CTA) for Technical Development at AUDI AG since June 2020.