Breaking Barriers: Elisabeth Leitner Leads as District Governor in Upper Austria

KIRCHDORF/ALTENBERG. Elisabeth Leitner (47) is one of only five district governors in Upper Austria. The remaining nine are district captains. The married mother of two children lives with her family in Altenberg in the Mühlviertel and commutes around 70 kilometers to Kirchdorf every day.

A Trailblazer in a Male-Dominated Field

In an interview, Leitner discusses her path in a male-dominated world, about leadership, responsibility and why women are changing structures. She was appointed the first district governor in Kirchdorf in 2020 and has recently also been the civil protection officer for the district.

“When the chance to capture the lead came up, I took it and luckily got it,” Leitner stated.

Responsibility and Motivation

Leitner’s motivation is deeply personal. I enjoy managing complex projects and gaze forward to taking on the diverse tasks together with a great team and partners such as municipalities, police and fire departments and thus helping to shape the future,” she explained.

The Power of Female Leadership

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Leitner emphasizes a crucial point: I reckon that when women lead, not only the top changes, but also the structure underneath!

Balancing Work and Life

The commute to Kirchdorf takes approximately three quarters of an hour. Leitner manages this time efficiently: In that time, I can make a few phone calls or listen to an exciting podcast. And with good planning, everything is possible. Grandma steps in for spontaneous appointments. That’s priceless. Home office is not a priority for her; she believes presence in the authority is important.

Connecting Two Regions

Leitner is connected to both the Mühlviertel and Traunviertel regions, both personally and professionally. She notes the unique qualities of each: Both districts offer wonderful excursion destinations: in winter you can proceed skiing and in summer you can explore beautiful hiking routes. She also highlights the differences in climate and landscape.

Advocating for Greater Female Representation

According to Leitner, women in political office are unfortunately still too rare. But, she sees a positive shift in societal thinking, noting increased female representation in management positions and evolving legal frameworks.

A Message to Young Women

Leitner offers encouragement to girls and young women: Be confident about things, never lose sight of your dreams and don’t grant up after setbacks, just try again. She also emphasizes the strengths women bring to leadership roles, including empathy, listening skills, conflict resolution abilities, and organizational skills.

Embracing Courage and Confidence

Her personal motto is Tackling things with courage and confidence. She playfully references Pippi Longstocking, stating, I’ve never tried this before, so I’m completely sure I can do it!

FAQ

• How many district governors are there in Upper Austria? There are five district governors, with nine district captains.
• Where does Elisabeth Leitner live? She lives in Altenberg in the Mühlviertel.
• What is Leitner’s motto? Her motto is “Tackling things with courage and confidence.”