Our team

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.

As COO, Katharina promotes strategy processes and oversees the Foundation's grants program. She heads the finance and administration departments.

katharina.thomas@allianzfoundation.org

Aminata Bouaré is the first trainee to join the Allianz Foundation as part of the European Traineeship Program „Talents for Tomorrow: Diversifying Foundations for Europe“ created in collaboration with the European Cultural Foundation (ECF). Together with Katrin Winkler and the ECF's Trainee Dana Adawi, she is currently developing the traineeship further. Additionally, she works closely with the various teams of the foundation. 

aminata.bouare@allianzfoundation.org

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.

florinda.brands@allianzfoundation.org

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.

hannah.brennhaeusser@allianzfoundation.org

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.

ipek.cinar@allianzfoundation.org

Together with Gesa Schöneberg, Björn Ecklundt continues to develop the foundations activities within the field of climate and sustainability transformation. He is primarily responsible for partner projects that strengthen natural climate protection and biodiversity.

bjoern.ecklundt@allianzfoundation.org
 

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

Joanna Itzek heads and develops the Allianz Foundation’s profile in the fields of journalism and media. She is responsible for projects and initiatives that strengthen public discourse. Joanna also oversees European civil society partner projects.

joanna.itzek@allianzfoundation.org

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

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

Gesa Schöneberg heads the Climate and Sustainable Transformation unit within the Allianz Foundation. As a project manager, she supports the development and implementation of corresponding partner projects, initiatives and campaigns.

gesa.schoeneberg@allianzfoundation.org

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.

katrin.winkler@allianzfoundation.org

Together with Feray Halil, Alban Genty develops formats for the Allianz Foundation Fellows Program and is also 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

johanna.kriegel@allianzfoundation.org