Alexandra Heraeus: Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Education Foundations in Germany

Alexandra Heraeus is one of the most influential figures in Germany’s contemporary education and foundation landscape. As Chairwoman of the Board of the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, she represents a new generation of leadership that blends strategic management, social responsibility, and long-term impact. With a background in finance, social entrepreneurship, and organisational development, Alexandra Heraeus has positioned herself as a key voice in shaping how education foundations respond to modern challenges.

Her professional journey is marked by continuity and transformation: continuity in carrying forward a strong family legacy in education, and transformation in modernising governance, leadership development, and institutional effectiveness.

Early Life and Education

Alexandra Heraeus Age and Background

Alexandra Heraeus was born in 1989, placing her among a younger generation of foundation leaders in Germany. Her upbringing was closely connected to civic engagement, education, and public responsibility, values deeply embedded in the Heraeus family tradition.

Growing up in an environment shaped by philanthropy and leadership, she developed an early understanding of how institutions can influence society positively, particularly in the field of education.

Academic Foundation at Leading Institutions

Alexandra pursued a strong academic path that combines management, law, and mediation:

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management

• Bachelor of Science (BSc)

• Studied from 2008 to 2011

• Focus on management, economics, and analytical thinking

Bucerius Law School

• Master of Law and Business (MLB)

• Completed between 2011 and 2012

• Provided interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of law, governance, and business strategy

Professional Mediation Training

• IHK München

• Qualification in Business Mediation (2019–2020)

• Strengthened her skills in conflict resolution, negotiation, and organisational leadership

This educational combination prepared her for complex leadership roles in both the private and non-profit sectors.

Professional Career

Early Career in Corporate and Social Finance

Alexandra began her professional career in high-level corporate environments:

Henkel Adhesives

• Analyst, M&A and Integration (2013–2015)

• Gained hands-on experience in mergers, acquisitions, and post-integration processes

This role sharpened her analytical skills and exposed her to international corporate structures and strategic decision-making.

Commitment to Social Entrepreneurship

She later transitioned into social finance:

FASE GmbH – Finanzierungsagentur für Social Entrepreneurship

• Transaction Manager (2016–2019)

• Worked on innovative financing models for social enterprises

• Bridged the gap between impact-driven organisations and capital markets

This phase of her career reflects her long-standing interest in combining economic sustainability with social value.

Alexandra Heraeus and ALERA Capital

Partner and Co-Founder Role

Since 2015, Alexandra has served as Partner and Co-Founder of ALERA Capital GmbH. In this role, she has been involved in strategic investment decisions, governance, and long-term value creation.

Her work at ALERA Capital demonstrates her ability to operate confidently in private-sector finance while maintaining a clear ethical and strategic compass.

Supervisory Board Membership

In addition to her entrepreneurial activities, Alexandra Heraeus is also:

• Supervisory Board Member at Futury Venture Beteiligungen Deutschland-Hessen GmbH

This role highlights her involvement in innovation ecosystems, venture development, and institutional oversight.

Leadership at Heraeus Bildungsstiftung

Managing Director to Chairwoman

Alexandra Heraeus formally joined the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung in 2020 as Managing Director, where she focused on:

• Human resources development

• Organisational structures

• Internal transformation processes

On 1 April 2023, she assumed the role of Chairwoman of the Board, succeeding her mother after a carefully planned, multi-year succession process.

Strategic Vision and Leadership Philosophy

Under Alexandra Heraeus’ leadership, the foundation emphasises:

• Leadership development in schools

• Personality and values-based education

• Organisational and strategic capacity-building

She has championed:

• Digitisation of foundation processes

• Agile working methods

• Systematic impact measurement

Her approach reflects a modern understanding that foundations must be managed with the same professionalism and accountability as successful enterprises.

Alexandra Heraeus Mother: Beate Heraeus

A Legacy of Educational Leadership

Alexandra Heraeus is the daughter of Beate Heraeus, a prominent figure in German philanthropy. Beate Heraeus served the foundation for 36 years, including 15 years as Chairwoman, before handing over leadership in 2023.

Beate Heraeus is widely recognised for:

• Transforming the foundation into a strategically operating institution

• Strengthening cooperation with state education ministries

• Advocating professional governance in the foundation sector

The mother-daughter transition stands as a rare and successful example of female-led generational succession in German foundations.

Alexandra Heraeus Husband

Alexandra Heraeus is married to Raoul Heraeus, who is Managing Partner at ALERA Capital GmbH. Their relationship represents a partnership that is both personal and professional, grounded in shared values around leadership, responsibility, and long-term impact.

Alexandra Heraeus Children

Alexandra Heraeus is the mother of two children. While she maintains a high public profile professionally, she keeps her family life deliberately private, reflecting a balanced approach between leadership responsibilities and personal wellbeing.

She lives with her family in Hamburg, a city known for its strong educational and civic culture.

Governance, Succession, and Impact

A Model for Generational Transition

The leadership transition at the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung is often cited as a best-practice example. Key elements included:

• Early succession planning

• Role clarity between outgoing and incoming leadership

• External mediation and coaching

• Clear separation of family and governance roles

Alexandra Heraeus’ leadership illustrates how continuity and innovation can coexist within family-linked institutions.

Why Alexandra Heraeus Matters Today

Alexandra Heraeus represents a new profile of foundation leadership:

• Professionally trained

• Strategically minded

• Socially committed

• Globally aware

Her career spans corporate finance, social entrepreneurship, venture governance, and non-profit leadership, making her uniquely positioned to address the complex demands facing education systems today.

Quick Info

Conclusion

Alexandra Heraeus stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. Born in 1989, educated at leading institutions, and shaped by experience across finance and philanthropy, she has emerged as a powerful leader in Germany’s education foundation sector. As Chairwoman of the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, wife of Raoul Heraeus, daughter of Beate Heraeus, and mother of two, she embodies a modern, multidimensional leadership model.

Her work demonstrates that effective foundations require clarity of purpose, professional management, and the courage to embrace change. In doing so, Alexandra Heraeus is not only preserving a legacy but actively shaping the future of education leadership in Germany.

FAQs

1. Who is Alexandra Heraeus?

Alexandra Heraeus is a German foundation leader and business professional. She is the Chairwoman of the Board of the Heraeus Bildungsstiftung, a major non-profit organisation focused on leadership, strategy, and organisational development in schools across Germany.

2. How old is Alexandra Heraeus?

Alexandra Heraeus was born in 1989. As of 2026, she is 36 years old.

3. Is Alexandra Heraeus married?

Yes, Alexandra Heraeus is married. Her marital status has been publicly confirmed through verified media coverage and official event documentation.

4. Who is Alexandra Heraeus’ husband?

Alexandra Heraeus is married to Raoul Heraeus, who is a Managing Partner at ALERA Capital GmbH. He is a finance and investment professional based in Germany.

5. Does Alexandra Heraeus have children?

Yes, Alexandra Heraeus is the mother of two children. She lives with her family in Hamburg, Germany, while keeping her children’s lives private and out of the public spotlight.

NewsDip.co.uk