Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
The Bertelsmann Stiftung has appointed manager Saori Dubourg and diplomat Arancha González Laya to its Board of Trustees effective 1 July.
Dubourg was previously a member of the Board of Executive Directors at BASF SE. González Laya is dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at the French university Sciences Po and has served as Spain’s minister of foreign affairs.
The new appointments, says the think tank, “further rejuvenate the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Board of Trustees and strengthen its focus on the socially relevant topics of sustainability, internationality and diversity.”
A statement read, “Dubourg and González Laya bring a wealth of experience from the fields of business, politics and diplomacy to the Board of Trustees.”
Dubourg expressed her pleasure at being appointed and emphasized her commitment to sustainability, adding, “I am pleased to be able to share the knowledge I have gained in the areas of business and sustainability, thereby strengthening the Board of Trustees at the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Economic strength, sustainability and innovation are crucial for our future.”
González Laya says she will be contributing her knowledge of EU-related issues and her diplomatic experience, stating “I am honored to join the Board of Trustees at the Bertelsmann Stiftung and would like to use my expertise in international relations and European perspectives to raise awareness of these crucial topics. I firmly believe we can make an important contribution to overcoming today’s challenges.”
Professor Dr. Ing. Werner J. Bauer, chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Board of Trustees, welcomed the two new trustees, highlighting their international renown and their broad perspective on the challenges of our time:
Werner said, “The appointment of Saori Dubourg and Arancha González Laya is a further step in giving the Board of Trustees a future-oriented focus. Thanks to their input, they will be able to advance the foundation’s work and make a significant contribution to tacking the challenges currently confronting society.”
Liz Mohn, philanthropist and honorary member of the Board of Trustees, emphasized the skills and experience of the new trustees, saying “Their entrepreneurial mindset, their commitment to society and their global view of the challenges we now face are what make them exceptional. Saori Dubourg and Arancha González Laya will be without a doubt a valuable asset for the work done by the Bertelsmann Stiftung.”
The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Board of Trustees is an advisory and controlling body consisting of individuals who have demonstrated ongoing interest in the work of the foundation. It works closely and constructively with the Executive Board in order to guide the foundation’s development and oversee its management.
