Steffi Jones stands as Germany’s most accomplished and widely recognized female soccer player, having reached achievements that only a few athletes have attained.
Steffi Jones sparked controversy with her resignation and outspoken, sharp criticism of the DFB. Her critique was justified but rarely voiced publicly. She highlighted the club’s shortcomings in gender equality and its handling of the issue. In interviews, Steffi Jones stated she would refuse to return to the DFB as long as these conditions persisted.
Steffi Jones is much more than just a soccer player and coach; she serves as a role model. She demonstrates, like few others, that it is possible to forge one’s own path in a male-dominated field.
In her speeches and presentations, Steffi Jones discusses how sports taught her teamwork and self-confidence, and how she imparts these traits to the next generation of athletes. Many qualities from sports directly translate to the business world, so she also addresses her views on leadership, the discipline required for a career, and how to bounce back from setbacks.
Steffi Jones Lecture topics
- Diversity, Integration & Tolerance
- Expert on soccer topics
- Women in leadership positions
- Life story & strokes of fate
- All about competitive sports, personality development through sports
- Respect, fair play, imparting values
Steffi Jones discovered her love for soccer early and realized she could outperform boys. She became a multiple European champion and a world champion once. After retiring from active play, she worked behind the scenes as the national coach of the German women’s national team and as director of women’s and girls’ soccer. Her strong criticism of the DFB led her to distance herself from the organization.
In 2022, Steffi Jones took on a FIFA project focused on her passion for nurturing young talent, marking her return to professional soccer in a new capacity. Her primary role is managing organizational development at the IT service company 5Minds. She resides in North Rhine-Westphalia with her wife and five dogs.
Stephanie Ann “Steffi” Jones – World Champion 2003 and three-time European Champion, ranks among the most successful German soccer players ever.
She ended her playing career in 2007, and on January 1, 2008, Steffi Jones was named President of the Organizing Committee for the Women’s World Cup 2011. “We are pleased to have secured a recognized and successful national player like Steffi Jones as President of the OC 2011,” said then DFB President Dr. Theo Zwanziger.
As OC President, seen as a counterpart to Franz Beckenbauer, who led the OC for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, she is deeply committed to women’s soccer. Given the significant growth of women’s soccer and the tremendous opportunities presented by hosting the 2011 World Cup in Germany, Steffi Jones gladly accepted the challenge and responsibilities of the OC President role.
Following this role, for which she received multiple honors, she was appointed “Director of Women’s and Girls’ Football” at the DFB. “Not only due to her numerous titles and social engagement, the former DFB team defender is a popular and respected figure in German sports. Steffi Jones is a recognized and valued representative nationally and internationally, not only for her expertise but also for her likable and natural demeanor,” stated DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach.
In 2006, Steffi Jones was awarded the Hessian Order of Merit for her many years of voluntary work. Time and again, the daughter of a German mother and an American soldier has advocated for integration and tolerance in Germany.
Steffi Jones’ journey has not always been easy. She grew up without a father in the challenging Frankfurt district of Bonames. During kindergarten and early school years, she was teased because of her skin color. Her older brother Christian became involved in delinquency and drug addiction. In November 2006, the family faced a severe hardship when her younger brother Frank, a U.S. soldier, lost both legs in a bomb attack while deployed in Iraq at age 22.
Steffi Jones made a decisive choice to channel her energy and passion into soccer. For her, the game became the foundation for big dreams—dreams that eventually came true.
Steffi Jones served as the football ambassador for the host city of Gelsenkirchen during the 2024 European Men’s Championship in Germany.
