Meet Selina Wendl

At Apaleo, we believe that great companies are built by people with unique stories and perspectives. Our team inspires us every day, and we want to share some of these personal journeys with you.

Today, we are proud to introduce Selina Wendl, Senior Business Development Lead at Apaleo. Her story shows how serendipity, courage, and openness to new experiences can shape an unusual career path, from a side job in hospitality, to working in renowned luxury hotels around the world, and finally combining her hospitality experience with software expertise at Apaleo.

How did you get into hospitality?

It really happened through serendipity. I never planned to work in a hotel, my original plan was to study in London. In my final year of school, I worked as a temporary assistant at the Charles Hotel just to earn some money. That’s where I first met Carolin Eckmüller, who today is Head of Culture & People at Apaleo. I then moved to London, but quickly realised this wasn’t the right path for me.

Back in Germany, I finally took Carolin’s suggestion to pursue an apprenticeship in hospitality. Unsure about my career path, I decided to take the chance and soon found myself thriving in this world. I was still able to pursue my plan to travel and see the world, and I really enjoyed it. The work was flexible and varied. Looking back, it was the perfect starting point.

What happened after your apprenticeship?

After completing my apprenticeship, I first moved to Hamburg. Then an opportunity came up to work as a “Lady in Red” in Dubai during the pre-opening of the Emerald The Palm Hotel.

It was an incredibly intense period. Even though I moved from Germany to Dubai within 24 hours, I felt immediately at home. Moving so far away on such short notice really shaped who I am. I had to settle in quickly, build a new life, and find my way in a completely new environment, especially in a city like Dubai. I really enjoyed the fast, loud lifestyle with lots of new friendships and parties, and at the same time, I learned so much about myself and the hospitality industry.

Originally, I had planned to stay in Dubai for two to three years and then move to either the USA or Australia, but things turned out very differently than I had expected.

How did you transition from hospitality to the tech world?

Everything changed suddenly in 2020 because of COVID-19. In Dubai, all employees were sent on unpaid leave, and I found myself with almost nothing to do. I decided to return to Germany and looked around at which industries were booming, software solutions.

That’s how I ended up at Personio in sales. Initially, it was more about my personality than technical knowledge. For example, I didn’t even know what an API was. But I was confident I could learn all the technical skills I needed.

How did you end up at Apaleo?

Carolin reappeared in my life. We met at Personio, where she was on the client side and I presented the HR software to her. Shortly after, she suggested meeting for a coffee at Apaleo. After a few conversations with my current team members and the founders of Apaleo, an offer suddenly appeared in my inbox. Even though I hadn’t planned to change jobs, I knew this was a “match made in heaven.” I was brave and followed the advice I had recently been given by simply saying yes to everything. My gut feeling was right, and since then I’ve been able to combine my hospitality experience with my tech expertise.

How does your combination of hospitality and tech help you today?

My experience in hospitality is incredibly valuable in customer interactions. I understand the pain points hotels have with property management systems and know what matters most. At the same time, I have developed a deep understanding of software and SaaS solutions over the years. Combining both gives me the confidence and authenticity that customers can feel, and allows me to explain our product clearly, whether the person in front of me is tech-savvy or not.

What have you learned on your career journey so far?

I’ve learned to be brave, try new things, and stay open to opportunities. Personality, experience with people, and the ability to adapt quickly are often more important than pure technical knowledge. Difficult situations, like the sudden end of my stay in Dubai, also showed me that you can grow from challenges.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I get bored quickly, so I always need something to do. Alongside work, I studied International Management and am currently training to become a pilates instructor. Being active is how I find my balance. I’ve tried yoga, boxing, and cycling, but pilates is what truly benefits me and helps me clear my head.