Vanessa studied Business Administration at the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel, Paris and San Diego and received her Master's degree in European Children's Rights and Childhood Studies at FU Berlin. She worked for KPMG, Deloitte WEDIT and as Managing Director for a venture capital fund. Passionate about education equality, she changed to teaching at a secondary school in a disadvantaged setting with the Teach First Programme. She found her passion for the Award when she witnessed its impact on her students. Vanessa has worked as a voluntary Award Leader and Coordinator for many schools before taking over as Chair of the Board and National Director in 2020.

Arvid Radsey-Nickel holds an M.A. in International Development from the University of Vienna and a B.A. in Business Administration from HWR Berlin. Before, during and after his Master's degree, he worked in humanitarian aid (e.g. in Haiti) and has extensive knowledge of the NGO world. Arvid is primarily responsible for partner schools in Berlin and Brandenburg, but also supports the team in many other areas.

Eugen Balzer studied biology and political science at Philipps University in Marburg with the aim of becoming a teacher. In addition to his work as a secondary school teacher and boarding school educator, his interests and qualifications lie in the areas of experiential education, outdoor education and non-formal education. He has been the Award Coordinator at Schloss Salem School since 2014. Eugen is primarily responsible for new partner schools in Baden-Württemberg and the training of Award Leaders and Gold level Expedition Assessors. Photo credit: Ilja Mess

Christine Guarino studied mathematics at King's College, Pennsylvania, and holds an MA in mathematics from St. Louis University, Missouri. As an Award Coordinator and Award Leader at two international schools, she discovered her passion for the Award. After a decade as a teacher, Christine is taking over our program coordination and supporting international schools nationwide as well as schools in Bavaria.

Xenia Stubbe studied media and linguistics in Hamburg and Berlin and obtained her MA, specialising in ‘Cognitive Media Linguistics’. Through her work with social enterprises and her personal commitment, development policy and sustainable education have increasingly become her focus. At Duke, Xenia aims to provide young people with new experiences and create spaces for personal development and self-esteem. As Regional Co-ordinator, Xenia is responsible for establishing the Uckermark region and coordinates the Duke programme in northern Brandenburg.

Lilo Bauer studied Fine Art at the Academy of Visual Arts in Leipzig. Her artistic work has taken her to Spain, the USA and Israel; she was...