News

5/22/2009

Board Profile: Ise Bosch

Ise Bosch, a widely-known philanthropic figure in Germany and beyond, joins the Berghof Board of Trustees as its newest member. She is the cousin of Johannes Zundel, foundation CEO, and his two brothers, Georg and Maxim, who are also shareholders of the Foundation.

Ms. Bosch brings considerable philanthropic experience to the board. She incorporated her giving in a private fund, Dreilinden Gesellschaft für gemeinnütziges Privatkapital in Hamburg, Germany. Established in 2006, the fund uses grants as well as social investments to further its mission, focusing on gender criteria in Socially Responsible Investments (SRIs).

Ise also co-founded Pecunia e.V., the German network of women with inherited wealth in 1999 and filia.die Frauenstiftung (German Women’s Fund) in 1998. And she initiated the International Fund for Sexual Minorities at Astraea Lesbian Justice Foundation in New York in 1996. Now working in donor education, her guide book on giving, Besser Spenden! Ein Leitfaden für nachhaltiges Engagement (C.H.Beck Verlag, 2007), is the first on the German market.

Ms. Bosch’s interest in the joining the Berghof board is based on the interface, overlaps and co-emergence of human rights and peace issues. She explains, “As a funder and organiser specialised in women’s and sexual minorities’ human rights issues, I’ve been aware of peace and reconciliation work, but not focused on it. Conflict studies seems stronger on theory and has sometimes struggled with its practical relevance. Human rights have tremendous practical wisdom, but at times could use more solid theory. I’m intrigued by the transfer potentials between these two fields.”

“Ise’s appointment to the board serves to strengthen ties between the two families, as well as deepens the commitment of top Foundation leadership to its roots as a family foundation,” says Johannes Zundel. “Her long-term interest in human rights complements and enriches the Foundation’s overall philanthropic objectives. We are delighted to welcome Ise to the organisation.”

Top