Viola Hartmann studied Biology at Bonn University and received her diploma in 1999. At the same time she acquired a qualification in Event Management and Public Relations. After her studies she worked for different institutions in the field of Scientific Education, Event Management and Public Relations in Germany and France. 2007 she founded an agency to work free-lance in the same field.

She joined the IZA event management team in Summer 2008. As of June 2022 she additionally has taken over responsibilities as Senior Logistics Coordinator within the joint G²LM|LIC initiative of IZA and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.