Our team
We are Active Philanthropy: climate specialists, analysts, advisors, communicators, project managers and operations experts – united by our shared ambition to leverage our skills and experience to build a more just and resilient future.
Anneke Kirsch
Anneke oversees our bespoke Climate + Philanthropy Learning Journey trainings and course, ensuring everything runs smoothly from concept to facilitation. She leads our social media communications, contributes to advisory projects, and brings a creative yet practical approach to her role, which sometimes includes designing colourful Miro boards to bring ideas to life.
Previous roles:
- Internships at the German Foreign Ministry and the Mercator Institute for China Studies
- Working student at WeMove Europe and the International Bureau (DLR Projektträger)
Education:
- M.A. in International Relations, University of Potsdam, Free University of Berlin, and Humboldt University
- B.A. in China Studies and Social Sciences, University of Cologne
Personal endeavours:
Anneke has lived and studied in China and Sweden and speaks fluent Chinese. Her work is driven by a commitment to LGBTQI+ equality and climate justice.
Senior Project Manager
Charlotte Hornung
Charlotte leads our communications efforts, overseeing the development and implementation of our communications strategy. She creates engaging content, manages our digital platforms, and amplifies our messages across our channels, through media outreach, and within our global network.
Previous roles:
- Project and communications manager at Energy Watch Group
- Public affairs consultant at DWR eco
Education:
- M.A. of Public Affairs, Sciences Po Paris
- M.A. of Public Policy, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin
- B.A. in European Studies, Maastricht University (including a semester abroad in Seoul)
Personal endeavours:
Charlotte’s journey has taken her through Seoul, Abu Dhabi, and Paris. She serves as a voluntary board member for an NGO empowering girls and women in Mali and has a deep passion for aesthetics and design.
Communications Lead
Dr. Felicitas von Peter
Felicitas founded Active Philanthropy in 2006 as a platform for philanthropists and social investors dedicated to fostering meaningful change. As Managing Partner, she sets the strategic direction of the organisation and leads on transformative initiatives such as advisory services for individual clients and immersive experiences like journeys to Greenland. Her work embodies a proactive commitment to driving impact and advancing sustainability.
Previous roles:
- Director at the Bertelsmann Foundation, overseeing national and international donor education programmes and the set-up of the Foundation’s office in New York (1998 – 2006)
- Co-chair of The Philanthropy Workshop in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation (2004 – 2006)
Education:
- Ph.D. in History, University of Cambridge (UK)
- M.Phil. in International Relations, University of Cambridge (UK)
- Certificat d’Etudes Politiques, Sciences Po (Paris)
- Post-Doc research fellowship, University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE)
Personal endeavours:
Felicitas serves as a board member for several foundations and NGOs and in 2010 was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Founder & Managing Partner
Franziska Reichert
Franziska supports our team across expeditions, alumni engagement, social media and day-to-day operations. She is involved in the logistical planning and implementation of our expeditions, contributes to the creation of various communication materials, supports event organisation, and is involved in research and data preparation.
Previous roles:
• Working student in the advertising department at C.H. Beck publishing house, Munich
• Volunteer placement at Goethe-Institut Córdoba, Argentina
• Student assistant in the “Lernen-Lehren-Helfen” project on asylum at Deutsch-Uni Online, Munich
Education:
• M.A. in Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies, Free University of Berlin and Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires
• B.A. in German as a Foreign Language, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Universitat de Barcelona
Personal endeavours:
Franziska has lived in Argentina and Spain. In her master’s, she researched human rights and remembrance work in Argentina, focusing on global justice and the social dimensions of the climate crisis. She speaks fluent Spanish.
Project Assistant
Gabriele Liautaud
Gabriele leads Active Philanthropy’s grant services, advising philanthropic clients and managing their charitable portfolios. She collaborates closely with funders and the organisations they support to ensure effective grant-making processes and impactful outcomes.
Previous roles:
- Coordinator for creating a nationwide platform focused on children’s issues in Germany at Bertelsmann Foundation
- Project Manager for national and international Donor Education Programmes, Bertelsmann Foundation
- Event Manager, Bertelsmann Foundation
- Project Manager, Arvato Bertelsmann
Education:
- Degree in Business Administration, University of Applied Sciences Worms
- Apprenticeship as a commercial assistant
Personal endeavours:
With over two decades of experience in philanthropy, Gabriele combines strategic expertise with a client-focused approach to advance impactful initiatives. Having completed training in organisational development for non-profit organisations, she is always attuned to the needs of the organisations supported by our clients.
Grants & Climate Projects Lead
Joanna Sparber
As Senior Advisor at Active Philanthropy, Joanna leads the development of a long-term expedition and alumni community strategy and supports on advisory services. She brings over 15 years of expertise in social impact strategy, ecosystem building, and community development.
Previous roles:
- Founder of Sparber Consulting Ltd (current role)
- Global Director of Impact at The Conduit
- Deputy Head, Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), World Economic Forum
- Head of Foundation Communities for Europe and Eurasia (YGL, Global Shapers Community & Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship)
Education:
- M.A. in Fine and Decorative Arts, University of Manchester
- B.A. in Modern History, University of Nottingham
Personal endeavours:
Based in London, Jo is passionate about building communities and coalitions that can effect positive change for people and planet.
Senior Advisor
Dr. Johannes Lundershausen
Dr. Johannes Lundershausen
Executive Director
Climate Insights & Philanthropic Strategies
Johannes enables philanthropists to navigate the complexity of climate change, guiding them toward impactful funding strategies that balance immediate opportunities with long-term systemic change. He directs the development of publications, tools, and learning formats, leading a multidisciplinary team with extensive expertise in analysis and implementation. In close collaboration with the Expeditions team, he designs bespoke learning experiences tailored to diverse local contexts.
Previous roles:
- Science Officer, Future Earth Germany (supporting the German Research Council on their work on global sustainability research)
Education:
- Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies, University of Tübingen
- M.A. in Human Geography, University College London, UK
- B.A. in International Politics, Surrey University, UK
Personal endeavours:
Johannes has a deep commitment to understanding complex systems and fostering transformative approaches towards a socially and ecologically fair future.
Executive Director
Climate Insights & Philanthropic Strategies
Karolin Strunz
Karolin is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of our operational processes. Working closely with the executive team, she aligns day-to-day operations with our strategic objectives. She also leads and manages finance, HR, and legal affairs. In addition, Karolin serves as the organisational backbone of our expeditions, overseeing logistics, partner coordination, and participant management.
Previous roles:
- EA & Events Manager at an early-stage tech VC
- Office Manager, SumUp during its first two years
- Over five years of experience in administration and marketing at a large corporation
Education:
- Apprenticeship as a business administrator
Personal endeavours:
With more than 20 years of experience in operations, she’s like a Swiss army knife when it comes to the variety and background knowledge of tasks. She is Berlin native, and also the proud companion of Pluto, our office dog.
Operations Lead
Katharina Sophie Hoffmann
Katharina works on the conceptualisation and the execution of our expeditions, on the management of our alumni community and consults on philanthropic advisory projects. Through her work at Active Philanthropy, she applies her degrees in management and innovation to climate impact, with a particular interest in finance as a lever for climate innovation.
Previous roles:
- ESG Consultant at KPMG
- Previously held various roles at akzente sustainability consulting (now part of Accenture), the German Sustainability Awards, and the social startup share
Education:
- M.Sc. Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University College London
- M.Sc. in Management with specialisations in Sustainability Management and Social Impact Management, ESCP Business School
- B.B.A., Hult International Business School
Personal endeavours:
Katharina has worked and studied in London, San Francisco, Madrid and Paris, which enables her to thrive in diverse settings. A member of the German Council on Foreign Relations and the United Nations Association of Germany, she is dedicated to advancing the SDGs worldwide.
Senior Project Manager
Louis Wilß
Louis Wilß
Senior Analyst
Climate Insights & Philanthropic Strategies
Email: wilss@activephilanthropy.org
Louis explores the dynamic intersection of climate and philanthropy, analysing trends, identifying challenges, and addressing emerging issues. He also supports clients on their philanthropic journeys, providing expertise to navigate the complexities of climate funding.
Previous roles:
- Postgraduate Intern at Robert Bosch Stiftung (Strategic Partnerships & Robert Bosch Academy)
- Consultant Intern at the Liaison Office for Fundations & Corporations, GIZ
- Research assistant at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
Education:
- M.Sc. in Geographical Development Studies, Freie Universität Berlin
- B.Sc. in Geographical Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin
Personal endeavours:
During his studies, Louis conducted research in Central Asia, combining his academic insights with practical fieldwork.
Senior Analyst
Climate Insights & Philanthropic Strategies
Susann Kruse
As Senior Operations Manager, Susann oversees finance, legal, HR, and IT functions, while also managing office operations, service providers, travel arrangements, and event logistics. With a focus on continuous improvement, she optimises administrative processes and tools to enhance organisational effectiveness.
Previous roles:
- Over 12 years of experience in the hotel industry, specialising in Revenue Management for a global hotel chain
Education:
- Completed a hotel apprenticeship
Personal endeavours:
Susann is known for her ability to solve any IT challenge and stays up-to-date with the latest technological developments, ensuring seamless support across all operational areas.
Senior Operations Manager