Who’s Behind 42? — Maren Gräf, Board Member for People & Culture at Škoda Auto
With a background in law, Maren Gräf spent several years working for Volkswagen group throughout the world, before being appointed to Škoda Auto’s board in 2021. Having discovered 42 through Volkswagen group’s involvement with 42 Wolfsburg, she then spearheaded the launch of 42 Prague back in 2022. We sat down with her to discuss her career, what drove her to set up a 42 campus in Czechia and her vision for the future of education.
42 Gyeongsan: Shaping Global Leaders for a Digital Future
42 Gyeongsan, located near Daegu, in the Southern part of South Korea (GyeongSang Buk-Do), was established in 2023 as part of a strategic effort to turn South Korea into a major hub for AI technologies and innovations. Thanks to 42’s pedagogy, the campus aims to not only equip students with technical skills but also foster critical thinking, creativity, and leadership — essential qualities to navigate today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Heonsoo Rhee: “What excites me the most is that, at 42, we are part of a community that thrives on excellence.”
Having worked in Tech for over 40 years, with stints in the Silicon Valley or prestigious companies such as IBM and Cisco System, Heonsoo Rhee now heads 42 Gyeongsan, the second 42 campus to open in South Korea. As the campus enters its second year of existence, he and his team aim to develop talents who are innovative, resilient, and capable of shaping the future, in an era of digital convergence.
