Dr. Karen Hadem Joins Jens Sorgenfrei in the Leadership of Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung
After more than two decades at the helm of the Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), Michael Opitz is handing over the management of the foundation as part of a long-term succession plan. In the future, Jens Sorgenfrei and Dr. Karen Hadem will jointly lead the foundation as Managing Directors.
Michael Opitz played a decisive role in building and shaping HRNS even in the years before the foundation was formally established in 2005.
HRNS empowers people to develop sustainable prospects for their future. Building on existing natural, social, and economic resources, the foundation strengthens smallholder farming families and communities, opens new pathways for young people, and is committed to protecting nature and the environment as the shared basis of life. It implements and supports activities in seven countries across the Global South as well as in Germany.
What began as individual projects aimed at improving coffee production and processing has evolved over the years into a comprehensive global program for the development of rural communities. Coffee has always played a central role in this work - as a key economic foundation for the smallholder families with whom the foundation collaborates. At the same time, programs to protect nature and biodiversity were developed as an integral part of HRNS’s mission. Together with local partners, the foundation advances and safeguards these efforts in ecologically significant regions over the long term. In Northern Germany, HRNS creates new educational and future opportunities for young people and strengthens their ability to assume social responsibility. From a long-term perspective, supporting young people and protecting nature and the environment are logical additional focus areas that complement and complete HRNS’s holistic programmatic approach.
“It has been a great privilege to build Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung together with a visionary founder, an exceptional team, and strong partners around the world,” says Michael Opitz. “It has always been a collective achievement - driven by the commitment of our staff, our local partners, and the active support of the Board of Trustees.”
Jens Sorgenfrei, who has served on the foundation's management team for many years, will continue in his role and ensure continuity. Dr. Karen Hadem complements the leadership team with extensive experience in international development cooperation and the global philanthropy sector. Together with the Board of Trustees, they are laying the foundation for continued development, fresh momentum, and the long-term future of the organization.
“Michael Opitz has built and shaped Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung with great clarity, integrity, and impact. This provides an excellent foundation,” says Dr. Karen Hadem. “I am very much looking forward to working together with Jens Sorgenfrei, our international team, and our partners to further develop the foundation’s work and sustainably strengthen its impact for groups of young people and smallholder farming families.”
Founder Michael R. Neumann pays tribute to the outgoing Managing Director:
“Michael Opitz has built Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung from the very beginning with extraordinary dedication and has played a decisive role in shaping its programs. For this, he has my sincere gratitude.”
“At the same time, I am very much looking forward to working with Dr. Karen Hadem and Jens Sorgenfrei. They represent continuity while also embodying the future of the foundation at a time when partnership-based and impact-oriented approaches are more important than ever,” says Michael R. Neumann.
With an endowment of approximately €150 million, the foundation provides a sustainable basis for its long-term work. Since 2015, supporting young people in both the Global South and Northern Germany has also been an important component of the foundation’s activities.
