Every endeavour needs a dedicated team. Get to know the people behind the Allianz Foundation.
Chief Executive Officer
Esra Kücük is Chief Executive Officer of the Allianz Foundation. Her work focuses on future-oriented issues in a changing society and is committed to issues such as cultural participation and social justice in times of transformation. Before the Allianz Foundation was established, she was CEO of the Allianz Umweltstiftung and Managing Director of the Allianz Kulturstiftung. Interested in a detailed CV and information on Esra Kücüks mandates? Have a look.
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Katharina promotes strategy processes and oversees the Foundation's grants program. She heads the finance and administration departments.
katharina.thomas@allianzfoundation.org
Project Manager Knowledge Transfer
Florinda Brands works on research and knowledge-sharing activities at Allianz Foundation. Together with the AF study team, she develops new participatory formats for knowledge transfer and works on the placement of the foundation's own research findings.
Student Trainee
As a student trainee, Ruby Eshun assists the team with content and research in the Planet area, at the intersection between environmental and cultural topics.
ruby.eshun@allianzfoundation.org
Project Manager
Together with Feray Halil, Alban Genty develops formats for the Allianz Foundation Fellows Program, and is responsible for the Risktakers Fellowship. He also works with funding projects in the field of European civil society dealing among others with issues of rule of law, independent journalism, and tech.
alban.genty@allianzfoundation.org
Program Manager
Feray Halil heads the Allianz Foundation Fellows Program and, together with Alban Genty, develops formats that give risktakers space to promote their ideas. She works at the intersection between art, climate action, and social justice and is responsible for projects in the areas of performing arts, as well as displacement and migration.
feray.halil@allianzfoundation.org
Program Manager
Nino Klingler works with the Allianz Foundation Hubs to build a future-oriented and diverse European solidarity network across the fields of art, civil engagement, and climate activism. He is also responsible for funding projects in the fields of fine arts and visual media.
nino.klingler@allianzfoundation.org
Project Manager
As a project manager for discourse and fine arts, Edona Kryeziu shapes the focus of the Foundation’s discourse formats and oversees funding projects in the field of fine arts. She also provides support for the Allianz Foundation Hub’s network.
edona.kryeziu@allianzfoundation.org
Head of Research
Dr. Simon Morris-Lange develops and leads the research and knowledge-sharing activities at Allianz Foundation. He oversees the Allianz Foundation Study series which investigates how young Europeans envision a future society and what they are willing to do – including the risks they are willing to take – to shape this future.
simon.morris-lange@allianzfoundation.org
Director, European Climate Hub
Dr. Anna Müller-Debus heads the European Climate Hub, a joint initiative of the Allianz Foundation and the Climate Imperative Foundation. She promotes projects and initiatives in the context of the European Green Deal that show the way to a climate-neutral future.
anna.mueller-debus@allianzfoundation.org
Program Manager, European Climate Hub
Alexander Reitzenstein manages the European Climate Hub, a joint initiative by Allianz Foundation and Climate Imperative Foundation. He facilitates the design and implementation of projects, initiatives, and campaigns which strengthen ambitious European climate policy.
alexander.reitzenstein@allianzfoundation.org
Project Manager
Peter Wilde is responsible for the Allianz Foundation Climate Award and primarily works at the intersection between biodiversity and climate action.
peter.wilde@allianzfoundation.org
Project Manager
Katrin Winkler develops and organizes the Allianz Foundation Summit, the Foundation's biennial international gathering and networking event. She also works with funding projects in the area of European civil society, especially where it intersects with the cultural field.
Head of communications
Stefan Denig is responsible for the Allianz Foundation’s communications on all channels, whether online or offline, internally or externally.
stefan.denig@allianzfoundation.org
Communications manager
Prokop Bowtromiuk is in charge of the Allianz Foundation’s press work, online presence, and social media channels. He is also responsible for PR for the Allianz Foundation Fellowships as well as making sure that events and calls for proposals reach the public.
prokop.bowtromiuk@allianzfoundation.org
Assistant to the CEO
Heidrun Paape is the point of contact between Allianz Foundation employees and the Board of Directors. As assistant to the Board, she is the contact person for inquiries addressed to the Board and coordinates all of the Board’s appointments.
heidrun.paape@allianzfoundation.org
Administrative Assistant
As part of the administration team, Dennis Vogel is responsible for the preparatory bookkeeping and assists the Foundation with office organization and all administrative processes.
dennis.vogel@allianzfoundation.org
Finance and Controlling Manager
Silke Zakarneh supports the Foundation team in the areas of finance, controlling and grant management. She is the first point of contact for accounting and bookkeeping as well as for financial reporting on projects that are funded by the Foundation.
silke.zakarneh@allianzfoundation.org