Dr Olivia Henke holds a degree in geography and completed her PhD in the Department of International Environmental Policy at the Freie Universität Berlin, focusing on the voluntary carbon offset market in Germany and the impact of voluntary climate protection projects on poverty. She has more than 25 years of professional experience in the field of sustainable development, with a focus on human-environment relationships, including sustainability management and educational work on domestic and development policy. From 2011 to 2020, she worked as managing director of a non-profit carbon offset fund, which she established and subsequently expanded. Since 2020, Dr Olivia Henke has been a board member of the Foundation Development and Climate Alliance and its Executive Director since October 2026.
Clara Aires studied International Relations at UFU in Brazil and moved to Germany in 2016 to complete her master’s degree in management of Non-profit Organisations at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. She has been active in civil society since the start of her studies, including in network and project management. Clara Aires began working at the foundation in January 2021, initially as an assistant for supporter relations and event management, and then as an executive board assistant. Since March 2024, she has headed the Administration & Office department and acts as the Executive Director’s deputy for administrative matters.
Sina Brod studied Sustainability Management and Cultural Studies and combines scientific expertise in the voluntary carbon market with practical experience in development cooperation. For more than seven years, she worked for a non-profit carbon offset fund focused on climate protection projects and climate management, most recently serving as Managing Director. She gained international experience as an organisational development consultant in Cambodia and through her work with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Albania. Since February 2024, she has headed the Foundation’s Research & Advisory division and, since October 2026, has served as Division Director for the Sustainable Impact Pool and deputy to the CEO.
Vera Bünte is a German studies graduate with a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. Following her studies, she spent several years working in various roles within the political sphere and the voluntary sector. From 2017 onwards, she spent around six years in charge of press and public relations at a non-profit carbon offset fund. She has headed the Communications & Public Relations department at the Foundation since September 2022.
Elisabeth Fritsch studied Marketing Communications at the Werbe Akademie in Vienna. After completing her studies and gaining experience through internships in event management, she worked as a project manager at an events agency. However, she then decided to pursue a more sustainable career path, which led her to the Foundation Development and Climate Alliance. She is now responsible for organising the foundation’s events.
Valeska Gelfert studied Communication Studies, Business Administration and Sociology at the Otto Friedrich University in Bamberg. During her studies, she worked as a graphic designer in the advertising industry. After completing her master’s degree, she helped various start-ups develop communication and online marketing strategies. Since February 2021, she has been the Communications Advisor at the Foundation and is responsible for managing the online channels.
Krystelle Lochard studied Political Science and International Law in Germany, France, and Italy. After pursuing a career in the private sector, she spent over 15 years working in development cooperation and humanitarian aid. In senior leadership roles, she managed complex, multi-stakeholder projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, collaborating with private and public sector partners on climate finance and adaptation initiatives. Since May 2024, she has headed the Engagement & Partnerships department at the Foundation.
Silvia Nebl holds a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Freie Universität Berlin, specialising in transformation and development. After starting her career at an educational organisation, she moved into the field of sustainability. As a sustainability consultant in Berlin, Boston and New York, she supported companies with GHG footprint calculations, Science Based Targets for emissions reductions and sustainability strategies in the context of the CSRD. Since August 2026, she has been working as an Advisor Research & Consulting at the Foundation, bringing together her professional interests in development and sustainability.
Simone Petrischak holds a degree in Business Administration and has worked in the field of sustainable development for many years. She spent around five years working for a compensation fund, where she was most recently responsible for finance, organisational matters and donor relations. Prior to this, she worked at the Stiftung Forum für Verantwortung as part of the educational initiative “Mut zur Nachhaltigkeit”. Alongside her work in the field of sustainability, she has also focused extensively on personal development and supported people through processes of change. Since September 2026, she has been heading the Foundation’s Administration & Executive Office on an interim basis, covering parental leave.
After completing her office administration training, Cornelia Stork moved to Berlin, where she helped set up an international fashion trade fair as an executive assistant. After spending time abroad in Dublin and gaining nearly 20 years of professional experience in the fashion industry, her interest in climate protection and sustainability inspired her to pursue a new career path. She joined the foundation in July 2022 as an executive assistant responsible for supporter relations and has worked as an office & CRM manager since January 2025.
Marion Szymaniak studied Business Administration with a specialisation in Tax Law. After spending many years working in various tax offices, she went on to spend over ten years in the finance and controlling department of an international company. Wanting to do more than just support climate protection in her private life, she joined the Foundation in February 2023 as a finance and controlling advisor.
Clara Trebes studied for a master’s degree in international studies/peace and conflict studies at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main and the Technical University of Darmstadt. Her interest in climate protection and sustainable development began during her bachelor’s degree, an interest she is now pursuing professionally. She has worked for the Foundation as a working student since May 2024, supporting the Engagement & Partnerships department as an advisor since July 2026.
The Foundation is made up of the Board, The Board of Trustees and the founding institutions, KfW and BMZ.
Photo credit: Die Hoffotografen GmbH
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