Meet Anna-Lena Reindl

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’re proud to introduce Anna-Lena Reindl, our Chairwoman of the Board. Her story shows how courage and reflection can shape an extraordinary path. From the early mornings in her family’s bakery to championing greater representation in business, she has never been afraid to ask what truly matters. We’re proud to have her vision and heart helping to guide Apaleo into the future.

How did growing up in your family business shape your passion for leadership?

Our bakery had been in the family since 1894. From an early age, I was surrounded by entrepreneurship and the sense of responsibility that comes with it. As a teenager, I started working there myself and quickly realised how much I enjoyed the fast pace and the people side of the business.

After studying Business Administration with a focus on Food, Beverage and Culinary Management, I joined our company full-time. My father and I managed 21 stores and around 300 employees together. It was a rewarding but demanding time. Running a bakery is almost a 24/7 job, and I loved the sense of ownership.

When did you start rethinking your path?

Over time, I began to reflect on what I wanted for my life in the long term. I knew I wanted to have a family, and I could not see how to combine the intensity of the bakery business with being the kind of mother I aspired to be. In 2018, we decided to sell the company.

Suddenly, the 80-hour workweeks were gone. It felt like I was standing still for the first time in years, and I had the space to ask myself what really inspired me.

How did your curiosity about people influence your career path?

I have always been interested in people, in how they think, feel, and make decisions. That curiosity led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Psychology. At the same time, my father shifted his focus to real estate and startup investing, and I started exploring those worlds alongside him.

How did life change when you became a mother?

Near the end of my Master’s program, I became pregnant with our first son, Leo, who is now five. Shortly after Leo’s birth, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and everything shifted again. I had the flexibility and experience to step in and take over parts of his business. He passed away in 2021, and since then, I have continued to manage some of the real estate and his investments.

What role has investing played in your journey?

I discovered that working with startups brought me energy and purpose. But I also noticed that the investment scene was overwhelmingly male-dominated. When I joined the Female Investors Network, it felt like a turning point. I finally had a space to learn, exchange ideas, and invest alongside other women. I also became involved with FidAR, an organization working to increase female representation in leadership and decision-making roles. That mission is very close to my heart.

How have your values shaped the way you approach work and life?

The real estate business never inspired me the way other work did. I had an honest conversation with my husband, Philipp, about it, and he offered to take over. He left his engineering job to do so, and today we operate as true equals.

We now have two sons, and we fully share parenting responsibilities. One of the greatest gifts of this setup is the freedom to travel together. We have worked remotely from Canada for eight weeks and spent four weeks in Iceland. For us, there is not a hard separation between work and life. It is all integrated.

What beliefs guide you as a leader and a person?

Losing my father so young - he was only 59 - taught me that life is fragile and finite. If you have big dreams, do not wait. Start now. And if you have children, treasure the early years. You cannot get that time back.

I also believe deeply in the power of positive thinking. During my studies, I came across a Japanese proverb: Happiness comes to those who smile. That idea stayed with me and influenced my thesis on humor, optimism, and life satisfaction.

Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also opportunities to grow. Whether in business or parenting, I try to focus on strengths and create an environment where people feel supported and valued.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Today, I make time for things that feel meaningful. I lead a weekly parent-child gymnastics group in our town of 10,000 people, which is often the only offering for kids under three. It is wonderful to watch them develop socially and physically, and for parents to connect and support each other.

I am also part of our local cooperative bank’s representative assembly because civic engagement matters to me.