Team

Volker is the Founding Director of the CoE. Previously, he was Head of Training at Germany’s Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) and looks back at more than 20 years of work experience in international cooperation.

Marie is the Head of Director’s Office, supporting the Director in managing the strategic and operational business of the CoE, including with a view to personnel and resource management, organisational development and stakeholder relationships.

Tess is the Head of Administration at the CoE. She has around 25 years’ experience in engineering consultancy in the coordination, management and implementation of International Financial Institution (IFI) and donor-financed infrastructure development projects.

Kathrin is an Administration Assistant at the CoE. She is experienced in accounting, working with a managing board and a board of trustees, and is also experienced in company crisis management.

Leila is the Administration Assistant at CoE. In the last five years before Leila joined the CoE, she was working in refugee shelters in Berlin.

Tigran is the secretary at the CoE. His academic background is in International Relations and Political Science and he has lived and worked in Russia, Ukraine and Armenia.

Laurie is Head of Sector for IPPM and part of the CoE senior management team. Previously, she was Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Berlin.

Niamh is the Junior Policy Officer for Public Relations at the CoE. She holds a Master's in International Relations from the Central European University and previously worked in the humanitarian and development sectors, focusing on children's rights.

Bianca is Junior Policy Officer for Civilian Crisis Management at the CoE. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict, Security and Development from King’s College London and has over five years of experience in the field of international cooperation and (research) consultancy.

Ariane is the Policy Officer for Knowledge Management. Previously, she was Junior Policy Officer for Knowledge Management at the CoE and before that Ariane was in charge of knowledge management processes at GESCOD, a French NGO working on international cooperation projects.

Joshua is a Junior Policy Officer for Knowledge Management at the CoE. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School and previously worked in migration law in the United States.

Yannick is a Junior Policy Officer for Knowledge Management at the CoE with a focus developing the Knowledge Hub. Previously, he has worked for MSF and has over 10 years of experience working for civil society organisations. He holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution from King’s College London.

Kaisa is a Political Assistant at the CoE. Previously, she worked on civilian crisis management both at the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) Finland and the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations. Kaisa holds Bachelor’s degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies and Business Administration, and a Master’s in Communication for Development.

Jannis is a Political Assistant at the CoE. Prior to this, he worked with non-profit organisations on environmental affairs, the climate-security nexus, and development cooperation within both the European and international context.

Corina is Head of Sector for PCFM and part of the CoE senior management team. Previously, she was a member of the Political section of the Embassy of Romania in Berlin.

Marianne has worked for 30 years with humanitarian agencies such as the UN, international NGOs and with the Dutch government. Gender and human rights have been an important focus throughout her work.

Tomas’ professional career spans over 30 years of service in the Lithuanian Public Prosecutor‘s Service. Additionally, Tomas has worked in several EU CSDP missions.

Hildegard is a Senior Advisor at the CoE and worked most recently in the EU CSDP Mission in Ukraine.

Dietrich has worked for over 30 years in the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour and Social affairs including various assignments to embassies and international organisations.

Antti is a Senior Advisor from Sweden, seconded by the Swedish Police Authority. He has extensive experience in Learning and Development, both nationally and within the EU.

Ida Eriksson is a Senior Advisor on Climate, Environment and Security. She has extensive experience in environmental and climate policy making and implementation, with a degree from the University of Gothenburg.

Aaro Suonio is a Senior Advisor from Finland. Prior to joining the CoE Team he held positions as Head of Administration of CMC Finland and as Chief Specialist at the Ministry for the Interior’s International Affairs Unit, working on Civilian Crisis Management.