The Team

Design Needs Attitude – and People Who Shape It. Our team of strategic thinkers, curatorial experts and strong communicators is committed to shaping a sustainable future for business and society – with design as a driving force for innovation, sustainability and transformation.

Executive Management

We shape the strategic direction of the foundation and ensure sustainable success.

Stefan Anderl

Vice President Awards & IT

Dr. Martin Lockl

Vice President Legal HR Finance

Thomas Reisch

Vice President Communications & Marketing

Julia Voigtländer

Vice President Foundation-Development & Strategy

Lei Wang

Chief Representative China

Awards, Programmes, Events

We realise international awards and promote excellence in design and innovation.

Ivana Dedic

Project and Event Management

Lilian Dedio

Head of Project Management, German Design Award & German Brand Award

Ina Duhme

Project Management Marketing Services

Mert Eyit

Working Student

Svetlana Finina

Project Management German Design Award, German Brand Award & German Innovation Award

Mailin Hoang

Head of Project Management, German Innovation Award

Miriam Höpfner

Project Management HSUD, Eurobike and WDC 2025

Alix Huschka

Project and Event Management

Stella Jazenko

Project Management German Design Award, German Brand Award & German Innovation Award

Anne Koball

Project Management Iconic Awards

Katrin Krupka

Head of Project Management, German Design Graduates

Paula Löwen-Pohle

Head of Project Management Iconic Awards

Aurora Plagens

Project and Event Management

Samina Schilling

Project Management German Design Award, German Brand Award & German Innovation Award

Laura Schwammel

Louisa Wolenik

Project Management Iconic Awards

Christopher Zapp

Working Student

Leonie Zebe

Project Management German Design Graduates

Communication & Marketing

We bring design to life – online, on social, in print and at live events.

Katharina de Silva

Editorial Lead Design Perspectives

Oliver Genzel

Art Direction

Sabrina Günther

Communications German Brand Award

Katharina Hempel

Communications German Design Council Foundation

Hannah Heruday

Working Student

Jannis Kalimantsalis

Performance Marketing

Florian Kleinsteuber

Communications German Design Award

Aranza Sánchez

Working Student

Sofia von Schledorn

Social Media

Lisa Schmelter

Working Student

Khadidja Toure

Working Student

Annika Weber

E-mail Marketing

Networks & Member Services

We connect players from business, culture and politics and foster interdisciplinary exchange.

Ludwig Eder

Working Student

Lilith Jeanneaux

Consulting & Cooperations

Jule Merkel

Key Account Management Foundation

Bernd Müller

Director International Relations & Sustainability

Manuel Romero Reinstein

Key Account Manager Foundation

Research & Knowledge Transfer

We link science, education and practice, making knowledge accessible for design professionals.

Helge Aszmoneit

Manager Design Bibliothek & Wissensvermittlung

Bernd Müller

Director International Relations & Sustainability

Stephan Ott

Director Design Research & Appliance

Organisation & Administration

We build structures and processes that enable quality and efficiency.

Regina Bese

On parental leave

Marina Fischer

Data Management

Laura Heimann

Project Management Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Barbara Kolb

Accountant

Ute Neumann

Accountant

Katharina Ritter

Data Management

Maria Ruiz Trujillo

Accountant

Zinovia Theodorakopoulou

Office Management