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.

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.

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.

Caroline is interim Operations Manager while our Head of Internal Operation is on parental leave. 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.

As Junior Admin Officer, Charlie is based in our Stockholm office and works in internal operations and fundraising activities, supporting the Executive Coordinator and Operations Manager.

She studied Linguistics and has previously worked at as coordinator in youth exchange programmes and with the Red Cross in Nicaragua.

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.

Ekaterina serves as the Fundraising 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.

Adam McBeth is Right Livelihood's Head of Research, based in our Geneva office. His 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.

Adam has been with the Foundation since the beginning of 2017. Before joining the Foundation, Adam completed his Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Kent, in Canterbury, United Kingdom.

Mariana Vargas Climent is the Right Livelihood Research Officer 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.

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 an 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.

Fédora Bernard is Right Livelihood’s Advocacy Officer based in Geneva. She contributes to mapping international advocacy opportunities and works towards implementing advocacy strategies with UN Human Rights Mechanisms, to support Laureates working in repressive environments.

Before joining the foundation, Fédora worked for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, UN Women and the Right Livelihood Laureate International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).

Kajsa coordinates and supervises the work processes for our Support and Education work. She has worked at the Foundation since 2008 and has deep knowledge about the Laureates and the history of the Award. Kajsa manages most contacts with Swedish authorities and works closely with the Foundation’s networks within the Swedish Parliament, with its Advisory Council and Swedish civil society. From 2022, she is also the Executive Producer of the Right Livelihood Award Presentation in Stockholm.

Kajsa majored in Cultural Anthropology but also studied Geography, Global Studies and Tropical Environmental Studies. She has previously worked at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, the Nordic Africa Institute and a variety of other organisations during the past 35 years with a focus on peace, justice and sustainability issues.

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.

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.

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.

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, strategizing 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.

Outside of her current role, she is the Communications Lead at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth).

Prior to joining the Foundation, she was the Digital Communications Manager at the Danish sustainability think tank Sustainia in Copenhagen, and a journalist in Hong Kong.

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.

Johannes contributes to the development of the foundation's PR work, both strategically and operationally. He develops relationships with media, politicians, civil society and other partners in Scandinavia, with a particular focus on Sweden. Johannes also identifies and develops engaging content for the Foundation's digital channels.

Before joining the Foundation, Johannes was the Executive Director of Doctors of the World Sweden. He has a background in PR and as an activist promoting human rights in Israel and Palestine.

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.

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.

Marina is Right Livelihood's Eastern European Communications Consultant based in her native Moldova. She produces content to highlight the work of Right Livelihood Laureates from Eastern Europe and raises awareness about their work in the media. She is especially passionate about exploring ways in which general audiences can join the efforts of the Laureates. 

Outside of her current role, she is a documentary filmmaker, journalist and human rights practitioner. 

Prior to joining Right Livelihood, she was a consultant at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, where, among others, she supported the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and the UN Forum on Minority Issues. She holds degrees in Journalism, Human Rights and Documentary Filmmaking.