Our Team
We are Active Philanthropy: advisors, climate specialists, analysts, communicators, project managers and operations experts – united by our shared ambition to leverage our skills and experience to building a more just and resilient future.
Anneke Kirsch
Anneke oversees our bespoke Climate + Philanthropy Learning Journey trainings, making sure everything runs smoothly – from IT set-up to facilitation. She brings a creative yet practical approach to ensure participants get the most out of the experience.
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.
Project Manager Learning Journey
Charlotte Hornung (on maternity leave)
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.
Lead Communications
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
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 nearly 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.
Lead Grants and Climate Projects
Joanna Sparber (on maternity leave)
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 (on maternity leave)
Johannes provides strategic insights on climate change and philanthropy, equipping Active Philanthropy with the knowledge to drive impactful action. He leads the development of innovative tools resources, such as the Climate Mitigation Tool, and advises clients on creating effective climate funding strategies. As part of his advisory work, Johannes is actively involved in Arising Quo, an initiative rethinking grant-making practices for transformative wealth redistribution.
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.
Lead Knowledge and Advisory
Karolin Strunz
Karolin is responsible for seamless operations, from finance and legal affairs to HR and IT. She also oversees our tax consultancy service provider, leads the annual financial audit, and ensures our compliance with non-profit law. In her dual role as Expeditions Manager, Karolin is the organisational backbone behind our transformative journeys and takes care of 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 and Expeditions Manager
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 for climate impact, with a particular interest in finance as a lever for systemic change.
Previous roles:
- ESG Consultant at KPMG
- Previously held various roles in consulting firms, a social startup, and different corporates
Education:
- MSc 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 lived in London, San Francisco, Madrid and Paris before settling in Berlin. She loves meeting new people and is particularly passionate about the intersection between climate and finance.
Analyst Expeditions and Advisory
Louis Wilß
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 Knowledge and Advisory
Marlo Josefine Jüttner
Marlo supports our communication efforts by creating content for social media platforms and our website, assisting in website development, and helping to design new communication strategies. She also conducts research and data analysis, preparing these findings for various target groups.
Previous roles:
- Co-Founder & CEO, Sam N’ Sára OG (sustainable Start-Up, Innsbruck)
Education:
- M.A. in Political Science, Freie Universität Berlin (current)
- B.A. in Political Science, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck
Personal endeavours:
Marlo has been actively involved in climate justice movements and engages in projects promoting a solidarity-driven society without exclusion and with equal rights for all.
Communications (Working student)
Stefanie Rocker
Stefanie is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of our operational processes and works closely with the management to develop and implement effective strategies that drive our mission forward. With a strong background in organisational transformation, Stefanie brings both leadership and strategic expertise to the team.
Previous roles:
- VP People & Culture at Berlin Brands Group (Berlin) (2020 – 2023)
- Management consultant at Boston Consulting Group (Berlin & San Francisco), specialising in transformation and turnaround (2013 – 2020)
Education:
- M.Sc. in Finance & Investment, Rotterdam School of Management
- B.A. in Communication & Political Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich
Personal endeavours:
Stefanie has called both Mexico and the USA home, speaks fluent Spanish, and has a nag for breaking complex challenges into solvable bits and pieces.
Chief Operating Officer
Susann Kruse
As 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.
Operations Manager