About the Bertelsmann FoundationBertelsmann FoundationBF_8afb0a24-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4eThe Bertelsmann Foundation, established in 2008, is the North American arm of the Germany-based Bertelsmann Stiftung.Bertelsmann StiftungOur work reflects the principles of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, one of Europe's largest foundations. The Stiftung was founded in 1977 by Reinhard Mohn, who, as head of Bertelsmann AG, turned the publishing house into a leading international media group. The Stiftung's activities are guided by the principle that ownership of capital brings an obligation to contribute to society. Since its inception, the Stiftung has invested more than US$ 1 billion in more than 700 projects. The Stiftung has approximately 300 employees and is headquartered in the northern German town of Gütersloh. It has opened other branches in Brussels and Barcelona. The Washington, DC-based Foundation is part of this network.Reinhard MohnReinhard Mohn endowed the Stiftung with a majority shareholding in Bertelsmann AG, now Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. Most funding for the Foundation's projects comes from that gift.Aart De GeusThe Bertelsmann Foundation and the Bertelsmann Stiftung are led by President and CEO Aart De Geus. His leadership ensures that the organizations have common goals and work in tandem.Andrew S. CohenDirector, Communications and OutreachSamuel GeorgeProject ManagerFaith G. GrayDirector, AdministrationAnnette HeuserExecutive DirectorAnneliese HumpertProject Manager, International RelationsAlison NordinAdministrative AssistantAnthony T. SilberfeldDirector, Transatlantic RelationsJoshua StantonProject Manager, Transatlantic RelationsKara SuttonProject Manager, Legislative RelationsBertelsmann Foundation Board of DirectorsCharles DallaraCharles Dallara is chairman of the Americas and a member of the board of Partners Group. Based in Washington, DC, he has 37 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Partners Group, Dr Dallara served as managing director and CEO of the Institute of International Finance from 1993 to 2013....Aart De GeusBertelsmann Foundation President and CEO Aart De Geus studied law at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. After his graduation, he completed a course in labor law at the University of Nijmegen. Starting in 1980, Mr De Geus worked for the Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond (CNV), a trade-union...Vishakha N. Desai Dr. Vishakha N. Desai is special advisor for global affairs to the president of Columbia University and professor of professional practice at the School of International and Public Affairs. She also serves as senior advisor for global programs to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.Annette HeuserAnnette Heuser is executive director and founder of the Washington, DC office of the Bertelsmann Foundation, a private, non-partisan operational foundation that promotes and strengthens trans-Atlantic cooperation. She previously helped establish the Foundation’s Brussels office and served as its...Fred KempeFred Kempe has held the position of president and chief executive officer of the Atlantic Council since December 2006. Under his leadership, the Atlantic Council has achieved significant growth while considerably expanding its staff, work and influence in areas that include international...Liz MohnFollowing the death of her husband, Reinhard Mohn, Liz Mohn represents the fifth generation of the Bertelsmann and Mohn founding families. She is the vice-chair of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Board and heads the Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition, which she initiated. In addition, she...Gunter Thielen Gunter Thielen has been chairman of the board of the Walter Bluechert Foundation since 2012. Dr. Thielen worked for Bertelsmann from 1980 to 2012, transforming the company’s former printing and manufacturing division into Arvato AG, a cutting-edge media and communications service provider...Wilhelm-Friedrich UhrWilhelm-Friedrich Uhr has been with the Guetersloh, Germany-based Bertelsmann Stiftung since 2003. He joined as senior vice president for human resources and organization, and became in 2013 senior vice president for corporate operations. Prior to joining the Stiftung, Mr Uhr was...Bertelsmann Foundation PartnersThe Bertelsmann Foundation forges links with partners that share our interest in meeting the most pressing challenges facing our societies. We aim to solidify our presence in North America by expanding our international network of stakeholders and experts. The Bertelsmann Foundation therefore welcomes the opportunity to work with other foundations and think tanks on programs of mutual interest. We wish to develop projects that have meaningful impacts on the future of our societies. The organizations with which we have cooperated include:Americas Society and Council of the AmericasAsia SocietyAspen InstituteAtlantic Council of the United StatesCenter for Strategic and International StudiesCouncil on FoundationsFreedom HouseNew America FoundationRockefeller FoundationTransatlantic Policy Network_8afb0c4a-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4eTo promote the freedom of individuals and societies_8afb0d30-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4eSocial ChangeWe are a driver of social change.FreedomWe are committed to promoting the freedom of individuals and societies, and international understanding.International UnderstandingEconomic RenewalThe Bertelsmann Foundation strongly believes that the international financial and fiscal crises offer options for economic renewal, and new sources of growth, and that policymakers and thought leaders can collectively discover opportunities for constructive action on and solutions to our societies' most chronic and intractable problems.GrowthCollective DiscoveryProjects & Programsdevelop, create, and implement projects and programs._8afb0de4-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e1The Bertelsmann Foundation develops, creates, and implements its own projects and programs. We serve as a "Center for European Excellence" and -- more broadly -- as an international window in the US capital, providing a showcase for global best practices and a venue for thought leaders to exchange ideas for confronting society's greatest challenges. Our international work focuses on the trans-Atlantic partnership and the new foreign-policy challenges that that alliance faces. We also place great emphasis on the impact of the financial crisis on US and European economic and social policy... We bring together experts ... to work with us, to learn from one another and to foster creative thinking. We develop practical policy recommendations and offer them to policymakers and stakeholders for political and social improvement. We strive to inspire ideas.Globalized WorldDevelop ideas for the political management of globalization and incorporate those ideas and suggestions into an international debate._8afb0eac-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e1.1Our Shaping a Globalized World project develops ideas for the political management of globalization and incorporates those ideas and suggestions into an international debate. The project probes the political agenda of a globalized world, strategies for action and modes of governance.Global Economic DynamicsDevelop an economic model and create a monitoring tool that will keep track of the values and costs of economic globalization._8afb0f60-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e1.2Decision-MakersOur Global Economic Dynamics project is developing a comprehensive economic model, which it will then use to create a monitoring tool that will keep track of the values and costs of economic globalization. This will help the Bertelsmann Foundation to explain to a broader public the effects of globalization; deliver better information to decision-makers; and identify economic and social strategies that use the strengths and mechanisms of globalization to our collective advantage.Conferences[Conduct] annual conferences to discuss global cooperation on issues crucial to the future of our societies._8afb1014-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e2International Representatives of GovernmentInternational Representatives of BusinessInternational Representatives of LaborInternational Representatives of AcademiaInternational Representatives of the MediaThe Bertelsmann Foundation has established an annual conference that brings together high-level, international representatives of government, business, labor, academia and the media to discuss global cooperation on issues crucial to the future of our societies. The global economic downturn and using it as a catalyst for shared and sustainable future growth remains an overarching topic for the gathering._8afb10dc-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4eCommunication & UnderstandingUnderwrite programs that promote international communication and understanding._8afb119a-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3The Bertelsmann Foundation underwrites programs that promote international communication and understanding. We:BriefingsBring together US and European officials for exclusive briefings on current and mutual foreign-, economic- and social-policy challenges_8afb1262-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.1U.S. OfficialsEuropean OfficialsFellowship ProgramEstablish the first fellowship program for Congressional and European Parliament staffers to advance understanding of legislative priorities and processes on both sides of the Atlantic._8afb13de-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.2Congressional StaffersEuropean Parliament Stafferse-NewslettersLaunch e-newsletters for Capitol Hill staffers on legislative developments and trends in the European Union and for European Parliament staffers on legislative developments and trends in Washington, DC._8afb14a6-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.3Capitol Hill StaffersEuropean UnionEuropean Parliament StaffersU.S. CongressCommon ChallengesBring together rising trans-Atlantic leaders and thinkers to explore the common challenges facing the US-European partnership._8afb1668-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.4Trans-Atlantic LeadersTrans-Atlantic ThinkersU.S.EuropePacific PumasAnalyze the impressive political and economic developments of the "Pacific Pumas", the four members of the Pacific Alliance._8afb174e-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.5Pacific AllianceGlobal DialogueServe as a facilitator for global dialogue._8afb1820-bd66-11e4-a6f8-a4db57876c4e3.52015-02-25http://www.bfna.org/page/who-we-areOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net