Dr. Erich Vad - Biography
Dr. Erich Vad – Retired Brigadier General, Security Strategist & Leadership Expert
Dr. Erich Vad is one of Germany’s most renowned experts on international security policy and strategic leadership. As a long-standing military policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, head of a group in the Federal Chancellery, and secretary of the Federal Security Council, he has shaped key security policy decisions in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Today, Erich Vad works as a management consultant, publicist, and sought-after keynote speaker. With his unique combination of military expertise, political experience, and economic perspective, he offers insights into issues of leadership, crisis management, and global security.
Erich Vad lecture topics
- Current geopolitical developments and potential threats to international security policy
- Current military conflicts
- Terrorism and “new wars”
- Leadership and strategy in the military, politics, and business
- Self-management, action, and negotiation in difficult situations
- Leadership in times of upheaval and crisis
Erich Vad looks back on a remarkable career: as a retired brigadier general and strategist, he worked at the intersection of defense, international diplomacy, and security issues. His deep expertise in military leadership and political decision-making makes him a valued advisor to companies that benefit from his analytical thinking, global perspective, and independence.
In addition, Vad is active as a university lecturer and has taught at renowned institutions such as the National Defense University, Johns Hopkins University (Washington, D.C., and Bologna), and the universities of Munich, Salzburg, and Glasgow. His publications and lectures cover a wide range of topics, from current security crises to military history and strategy to leadership and corporate management.
In addition to his Western strategic training, Erich Vad has a keen interest in European and Far Eastern strategic models. As a 3rd dan in traditional Japanese karate, he combines the principles of discipline, mindfulness, and strategy with the requirements of modern leadership.
Erich Vad is considered an independent thought leader – outside the mainstream – and is a sought-after speaker, author, and commentator on security and geopolitical issues both in Germany and internationally.