Barbara Frei-Spreiter in

Barbara Frei-Spreiter

Critic · DISC type C
Executive Vice President Industrial Automation | Member of the Executive Committee at Schneider Electric
📍 Horgen, Zurich, Switzerland

Barbara Frei-Spreiter is the Executive Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, shaping the industrys future through digitalisation and software-defined automation. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zürich and an MBA from IMD. People describe her as a results-oriented, world-class top manager with strong determination.

Outside of her executive role, Barbara has a long-standing passion for energy management and sustainability, which began in the late 1990s. She serves on the board of directors for several companies, including Swisscom. The German Wikipedia page mentions she is married with a son and a daughter.

After nearly nine years at Schneider Electric, she has announced she will be stepping down in early 2026.

Read the full overview →
Experience
16 Years
Current Role
Executive Vice President Industrial Automation | Member of the Executive Committee
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Horgen, Zurich, Switzerland
Personality Overview

How Barbara shows up

Negotiator
Objective Thinker
Precise

They like to take decisions independently and do not seek others' support often. They prefer to analyze logically and value objective facts over emotions. It is very likely that they will negotiate pricing or other important terms.

Priorities

Topics Barbara cares about

Industrial Automation
As EVP of Industrial Automation, she leads the global shift towards open, software-defined automation to create more flexible, efficient, and intelligent industrial solutions.
Digital Transformation
Believes that getting employees involved, from management to the assembly line, is the most decisive factor for a successful digital transformation in industry.
+5 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

5-2021
Executive Vice President Industrial Automation | Member of the Executive Committee
Schneider Electric
1-2019 - 4-2021
Executive Vice President Europe Operations | Member of the Executive Committee
Schneider Electric
7-2017 - 2-2019
Zone President DACH
Schneider Electric
12-2016 - 6-2017
Zone President Germany
Schneider Electric
4-2012 - 4-2023
Member of the Board of Directors at Swisscom
Swisscom
In the press

Media appearances

Schneider Electric Innovation Summit - A chat with Barbara Frei. Featured in YouTube
See now
Dr Barbara Frei‑Spreiter – Executive Vice President, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric (Switzerland). Featured in WAM Saudi
+2 more appearances Login to view media
Education
2005 - 2007
Master's degree
IMD
1994 - 1997
PhD
ETH Zürich
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

C

Calculativeness (C)

Calculativeness (C) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to be cautious, systematic and analytical. Those scoring high tend to emphasise quality and accuracy.

Other Schneider Electric Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals.

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Barbara. Free, 10 seconds.