Ole holds Master’s degrees in Environmental Science (Lund University) and European Studies (Freie Universität, Humboldt Universität, and Technische Universität Berlin). After his studies, he won a fellowship for the Postgraduate Programme in International Affairs of the Robert Bosch Foundation, the German National Academic Foundation, and the German Foreign Office.

Ole has worked at the German Parliament in Berlin, the United Nations Environment Programme in Paris, and the European Parliament in Brussels. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights in Berlin and a Trustee of Grassroots Foundation.

Juanita is the Head of Research at Right Livelihood, based in the Stockholm office, where she leads the annual Laureate selection process. In this role, she guides the research team and coordinates investigative research on nominees for the Award worldwide.

Juanita is a researcher and practitioner with extensive experience in sustainable development, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding. She holds a PhD in Peace and Development Research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and a Master’s in Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame, United States, where she was a J. William Fulbright Scholar.

Before joining Right Livelihood, Juanita worked as a Research Associate for the Peace Accords Matrix at theKroc Institute for International Peace Studies. She also worked with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), where she monitored humanitarian projects across South America and advised international partners on programmatic priorities. She contributed to the National Centre of Historical Memory in Colombia, conducting research on paramilitary groups and supporting victims’ right to truth in the context of the armed conflict and interned at the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations in New York.

Jenny plays an essential role in steering Right Livelihood’s operations as Deputy Director.

Jenny works in close partnership with the Executive Director to implement the organisational strategy and leads Right Livelihood’s organisational development. She is also responsible for leading and evolving Right Livelihood’s programme and communications work.

Jenny’s previous experience has focussed on international development cooperation, social change, democracy and human rights. From 2017 to 2021, she served as Managing Director of SKL International (SKLI), a non-profit company owned by The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) that develops and implements international development projects to strengthen democracy and good governance at the local level. 

Prior to this position, she was the Secretary General of the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights, which promotes human rights in Sweden and internationally. 

Jenny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stockholm University and has also studied Economics at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, and Human Rights and Eastern European studies at a Master’s level at Uppsala University.

As Executive Coordinator, Steffi works closely with the Executive Director. She focuses on the ED and the Foundation’s forward planning, efficiency and coordination of internal and external matters.

Steffi has worked with many different parts of the organisation starting with a traineeship in 2011. With a background in the social sciences, she holds a Master’s degree in Eastern European Studies and has experience as a trainer for non-formal education.

Mariana Vargas Climent is the Right Livelihood Research Manager based in Geneva. Her work consists of overseeing the nomination process, which involves the handling of incoming nominations for the Award, conducting desk research on the nominees and occasionally travelling to visit their projects and work in the field.

Mariana holds a Master of Laws in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Before joining the Foundation, she worked with the OHCHR Special Procedures Branch, specifically with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Chan supports our Research efforts as a Research Officer in our Geneva office.

She holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratisation from the Global Campus of Human Rights, and wrote several theses on the EU Rule of Law crisis.

Ekaterina serves as the Donor Relations Manager at Right Livelihood’s Stockholm office, leading the organisation’s fundraising strategy, overseeing the fundraising team, and managing donor relationships.

Before joining Right Livelihood, Ekaterina worked with the executive branch of technology companies with global reach. She holds a degree in Translational and Development Policy Studies from the University of Heidelberg.

Caroline is based in our Stockholm office and is responsible for coordinating cross-cutting work processes, such as financial control and human resources, and manages internal systems in the offices.

Caroline has a background in project management and fundraising operations. She has previously worked for a British educational non-profit organisation and Oxfam GB.

James is based in Stockholm and is responsible for coordinating work processes and maintaining and developing internal systems for our offices.

James’ background is in project management and business development in the non-profit sector, having worked for organisations supporting homeless people and those with substance use issues.

Leandra supports donor relations efforts and is based in our Stockholm office. 

She holds a Master’s degree in International Development & Management from Lund University, and has previous experience within feminist peacebuilding and Swedish civil society.

Ellynn is an Administrative Officer based in the Geneva Office. Her role is to provide support to the team to ensure the smooth running of the office. She assists with cross-cutting work processes such as finance routines and event logistics.

 Ellynn holds a Master’s degree in European Studies. She later served as a trainee at the Alliance française in Tunis and the European Parliament in Brussels. Prior to joining our team, she also worked as a teacher in a primary school.

Emoke is Right Livelihood’s Head of Communications based in our Geneva office. Besides leading the work of the Communications sub-team, she works on media liaison, especially with English-language and international press. She also produces content to highlight the work of Right Livelihood Laureates.

Previously, she worked as a correspondent for the German Press Agency (dpa) covering the United Nations in New York and the European Union and NATO in Brussels. She has also reported from Johannesburg and Washington, DC. She holds degrees in Journalism and Human Rights.

Amy Au oversees the Foundation’s digital communications, strategising for and managing campaigns and content production on platforms including social media, website and newsletters. She is also responsible for video and graphic production at the Foundation.

Before joining the Foundation, she was a journalist, and later became the Digital Communications Manager at the Danish sustainability think tank Sustainia in Copenhagen.

Amy holds an MSc in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford and furthered her studies in Sustainable Development at Uppsala University.

Located in Argentina, Nayla supports the Foundation and Laureates through communications and press work in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world. In close contact with Laureates based in her region, she is also involved in the Foundation’s protection and education projects.

Nayla holds a degree in Social Communication Sciences from Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) and continues her studies in Social Anthropology at Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), where she focuses on social protests, politics and women’s empowerment.

Mikaela is a Communications Officer based in our Stockholm office. Her responsibilities include overseeing Right Livelihood’s design work, the production of graphics and printed materials, maintaining the digital media archive and supporting the Digital Communications Manager with tasks related to the website and social media.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and has previous international experience in global development in Argentina and Australia.

Temis is a Communications Officer based in Right Livelihood’s Stockholm office. Her responsibilities include media liaison with international press, highlighting the work of Laureates through articles, essays and video production, as well as supporting the Digital Communications Manager on website and social media content.

Before joining Right Livelihood, Temis spent nearly 15 years as a video news producer with Reuters, covering Latin America and North America (with a focus on Washington DC institutions including the White House, State Department, Pentagon and Congress) as well as Brussels (EU and NATO), the Benelux, Spain, Portugal and the Nordics. She has also produced live coverage of EU summits for the Council of the European Union and led social media for the Stockholm Environment Institute, a global non-profit focused on climate and sustainability.

Sydney is a Communications Officer based in our Stockholm office. Her responsibilities include media liaison with English-language and international press, as well as highlighting the work of Right Livelihood Laureates through articles and essays.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Marketing and Communications.

In tandem with Nina Tesenfitz, Julia Naumann operates as the main touchpoint for the Foundation towards German-language media and cooperation partners. Julia is based in Berlin.

Julia is the Managing Director of better nau GmbH. She offers a broad range of services in the field of communications, including strategic communication consulting. She used to work as a journalist for AFP and taz and was a spokesperson for Amnesty International.

In tandem with Julia Naumann, Nina Tesenfitz operates as the main touchpoint for the Foundation towards German-language media and cooperation partners. Nina is based in Berlin.

Nina is an independent Communications Consultant and has been advising several non-profit organisations in the past years. Before starting Tesenfitz Kommunikation, she worked as Spokesperson for “Anne Will,” Deputy Head of Communications at Amnesty International Germany, and on the editorial team of Der Spiegel.

Based in Geneva, Alessandra is responsible for maintaining regular communication with Laureates, developing and disseminating information about their work at the international level, and expanding their networks by identifying and reinforcing new partnerships and international opportunities.

With an academic background in law, Alessandra has worked for 20 years with humanitarian response specifically within the context of complex emergencies related to several African countries.

Camilla works as Protection and Advocacy Manager at Right Livelihood’s Geneva office. She leads the advocacy programme to increase the protection of Laureates working in repressive environments, as well as our strategic engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms.

Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked at the European Parliament’s Secretariat of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and at the Brussels-based European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights.

Stina Thanner works as a Programme Manager at Right Livelihood’s Stockholm Office. Her focus is on the development of the Foundation’s support work with Laureates and maintaining contacts with Swedish civil society. Moreover, Stina coordinates both digital and physical events with Laureates around the Award Presentation.

Stina has a background in International Relations and Global Studies with a focus on Security and Democracy. She has previously worked with co-planning projects for non-profit organisations including Save the Children/Gothenburg.

Jon works as the Education Manager at Right Livelihood’s Stockholm office. His focus in on the development of the Foundation’s educational work, encouraging behavioural change, fostering activism and focussing on Laureate’s own methods. He also coordinates the cooperations with global university networks such as the Right Livelihood College and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

Jon has a background in peace and sustainability with previous experience working at campaigns organisations, a network of International Baccalaureate colleges and with university partnership building. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development and Peace Studies, University of Bradford and a Master’s in Sustainable Development, Uppsala University.

Samah is an Education Officer based in our Stockholm office. Her responsibilities include developing, implementing and evaluating learning resources for activists and university students on systems change based on the examples of the Right Livelihood Laureates. She also co-organises meetings within the global Right Livelihood College network and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Tourism Management, and in 2018 she completed the course of Leadership, Organizing and Action via Harvard Kennedy School. She has previous international experience in educating, training and coaching Community Organizing to leaders and activists that aim to create positive change in their communities through campaigns and movements.

Maike Hansen works as a Junior Programme Officer at Right Livelihood’s Stockholm Office where she supports the continuous work to connect with Laureates and to inform about their work. She assists the planning, coordination and outreach around our projects and supports the foundation’s cooperation with Swedish Civil Society and politicians.

Maike has a background in Peace and Conflict Studies with a focus on Gender and Development. Prior to joining Right Livelihood, Maike supported emergency operations at the Humanitarian Directorate of Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and coordinated European-wide projects for Amnesty International with a focus on youth engagement in human rights advocacy.

During the autumn of 2025, Flynn joins the Education team to help further develop internally produced educational materials and strategies to sharpen the impact of the Education Team,.

Flynn has a background in Agriculture and Rural Development studies at SLU in Uppsala, and has for many years been active in the youth environmental movement, as well as engaging in causes for more just and sustainable food systems. He has experience from community projects and organising, as well as working in different societal sectors around issues of sustainable and rural development.