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Our team
Our team is diverse and has a wide range of professional qualifications, language skills, and cultural backgrounds. Get to know the team here.
July 25, 2024
Management
Chief Executive Officer
Esra Kücük
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
Katharina E. Thomas
As COO, Katharina promotes strategy processes and oversees the Foundation's grants program. She heads the finance and administration departments.
katharina.thomas@allianzfoundation.org
Assistant to the CEO
Iris Gärtner
Iris Gärtner 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.
Arts & Culture
Head of Arts & Culture
Nino Klingler
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 and heads the Culture & Arts unit.
Project Lead
Hannah Brennhäußer
Hannah Brennhäußer is responsible for the areas of literature and music at the foundation and is in charge of the associated partner projects. She works at the interface between art and civil society.
Project Lead
İpek Çınar
İpek Çınar is part of the arts & culture team, focusing on fine and participatory arts as well as visual ethics. She is currently advancing the Foundation's activities in the field of migration and displacement, drawing from her profound experience in anti-discrimination and social justice.
European Civil Society
Project Lead
Joanna Itzek
Joanna Itzek is responsible for the European Public Sphere field of action at the Allianz Foundation. She is responsible for projects and initiatives that strengthen public discourse. Additionally, she oversees projects in the field of European civil society.
Project Lead
Katrin Winkler
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.
Program Lead
Alban Genty
Alban Genty heads the Fellowship Program of the Allianz Foundation and develops formats that give Risktakers space to advance their ideas. He is also responsible for projects in the field of European civil society, particularly on issues relating to the rule of law and the preservation of open spaces in civil society.
Climate & Environment
Head of Climate & Environment
Gesa Schöneberg
Gesa Schöneberg heads the Climate & Environment unit within the Allianz Foundation. As a project lead, she supports the development and implementation of corresponding partner projects, initiatives and campaigns.
Project Lead
Björn Ecklundt
Björn Ecklundt continues to develop the foundations activities within the field of Climate & Environment. He is primarily responsible for partner projects that strengthen natural climate protection and biodiversity.
Research
Head of Research
Dr. Simon Morris-Lange
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
Program Lead
Florinda Brands
Florinda Brands heads the Allianz Foundation's micro-grant program, the Movers of Tomorrow Award. The program aims to sustainably strengthen the engagement of young people. In her role within the Allianz Foundation research team, she also develops new participatory formats for knowledge transfer and works on the foundation’s impact orientation.
Communications
Head of Communications
Prokop Bowtromiuk
Prokop Bowtromiuk is in charge of the Allianz Foundation’s communications on all channels, whether online or offline, internally or externally.
prokop.bowtromiuk@allianzfoundation.org
Digital Media Manager
Shaniqua Packruhn
Shaniqua Packruhn is responsible for the Allianz Foundation’s online presence, managing the website and social media channels.
Administration & Finance
Finance and Controlling Manager
Silke Zakarneh
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
Finance Assistant
Patrizia D'Imperio
Patrizia D'Imperio supports the Administration and Finance team, particularly through the financial management of the 'Vereint für Demokratie Fonds,' established by the Allianz Foundation in collaboration with Project Together.
Associated Programs
European Climate Hub
The European Climate Hub (ECH) is a matching fund initiative of the Allianz Foundation and the Climate Imperative Foundation.
Senior Fellow of ECH Initiative
Dr. Anna Müller-Debus
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 Lead
Alexander Reitzenstein
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
Program Assistant
Johanna Kriegel
Johanna Kriegel is part of Allianz Foundation’s European Climate Hub, a joint initiative of the Allianz Foundation and the Climate Imperative Foundation. She supports the Hub’s projects and campaigns that promote ambitious European climate policy.