VAUDE CEO Antje von Dewitz to Receive Golden Flower of Rheydt Award in 2026
The jury selecting the 2026 recipient of the Golden Flower of Rheydtâcomprising representatives from the city of Mönchengladbach, NEW AG, Stadtsparkasse Mönchengladbach, SMS group, and Marketing Gesellschaft Mönchengladbachâhas chosen Antje von Dewitz as the 30th laureate of this prestigious award, first established in 1967.
"As CEO of VAUDE GmbH, Dr. Antje von Dewitz has played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a pioneer of sustainable business practices in the outdoor and textile industries," the jury stated in its rationale. "Over a decade ago, she adopted principles that much of the business world still considers difficult to reconcile: transparency across global supply chains and a steadfast commitment to ethical and environmental responsibility as the foundation for corporate success and long-term viability."
The awardâa golden stylized dahliaâwill be presented to Antje von Dewitz on July 2 during a ceremonial event at the inaugural BLOOM Future Forum for Environment, Sustainability, Transformation, and Innovation, held on the SMS Campus in Mönchengladbach.
Born in 1972, Dr. Antje von Dewitz serves as CEO of VAUDE, the sustainable outdoor brand based in Tettnang. After studying languages, economics, and cultural studies at the University of Passau, she joined VAUDE, first as a product manager and later as head of communications. From 2002 to 2005, she earned her doctorate while working at the Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at the University of Hohenheim. In 2005, she became VAUDE's marketing director.
In 2009, Antje von Dewitz took over the company's leadership from her father, Albrecht von Dewitz, who had already laid the groundwork for its ecological and social commitments. Under her guidance, VAUDE has evolved into a thoroughly sustainable enterprise. She consistently advocates for ethical and environmental responsibility in supply chainsânot only within her own company but also at national and international levels. A firm believer that businesses must take responsibility for people and the planet, she supports the Economy for the Common Good (ECG), a model that measures corporate success not just by financial profit but by contributions to societal well-being. As an ambassador for the ECG, she champions a fundamental shift in economic thinking.
Her leadership demonstrates that sustainability and economic success can go hand in hand.
In her 2020 book, Courage Suits Us Well! (Mut steht uns gut!), Antje von Dewitz explores how businesses can take greater responsibility for society and the environment, and how collective action can drive meaningful change.
For her outstanding contributions to business, society, and the environment, she has received numerous accolades.
