CONTACT

Virchow Foundation

SECRETARIAT & TEAM

The Foundation Secretariat serves as the central point of contact. It manages the operations of the Virchow Foundation and the Virchow Prize. It also supports the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Council. The Global Health Policy Lab, established under the umbrella of the Virchow Foundation, is fostering innovation and knowledge for policymakers to accelerate the translation of science-informed recommendations into concrete laws, policies and interventions.

Victoria Grandsoult

Managing Director

Victoria comes from a varied background within the fields of public health and human rights. Recently, she was a consultant supporting the development and execution of political engagement strategies for global health and industry clients. Prior to this, she managed the non-profit organisation, UNITE, which engages parliamentarians on infectious disease elimination and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Victoria previously held multiple positions at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she oversaw physician relations and business development, including supporting the implementation of LA’s first paediatric health plan.

Victoria holds a master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratisation from the Global Campus of Human Rights and a degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas.

Academic and Professional Activities

    • 2021: Account Manager | Sovereign Strategy
    • 2020: Executive Director | UNITE Global Parliamentarians Network
    • 2019-2020: Advocacy and Community Engagement Director | UNITE Global Parliamentarians Network
    • 2017-2019: European Master in Human Rights & Democratisation | Global Campus of Human Rights
    • 2016-2017: Senior Physician Liaison | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
    • 2014-2016: Outreach Specialist | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
    • 2011-2013: Research Assistant | Phoenix Children’s Hospital
    • 2007-2011: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | University of Kansas

Dr Branwen Hennig

Executive Director | Global Health Policy Lab
Virchow Foundation & Charité Center for Global Health

As global health specialist, Branwen’s expertise covers the spectrum from research & development through to translation into policy & practice. She assumed directorship of the GPHL in spring 2024 and serves on the Board of Directors of MalariaNoMore UK. In previous roles Branwen consulted for TDR at the World Health Organization on implementation research in low-resource settings and was Interim Head of International Operations at Wellcome in London, UK, overseeing their Africa & Asia Programmes. Branwen’s experience builds on leading her own research in infectious disease epidemiology at the MRC Unit The Gambia / London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and beyond.

Dr. Annette Welling

Programme Director

Annette studied languages, economics and cultural area studies at the University of Passau after completing her hotel management apprenticeship at the Grandhotel “Vier Jahreszeiten” in Hamburg. She then worked in various non-profit organisations, gathered many years of experience on the interface between culture, science and business. She has worked and published on the topics of sponsorship, civil society engagement, cultural funding, non-profit management and corporate citizenship. Since 2014, Annette is self-employed and advising several non-profit organisations in the fields of science and culture on their strategic, content-related and operational issues, including office management.

Academic and Professional Activities

  • Since 2014: Self-employed, advising various non-profit organisations in the field of science and culture
  • 2015: Phd on Funding- and Friendship-Circles at the University of Music and Theatre, Hamburg. Since then, lecturer at the Institute for Culture and Media Management at the University of Music and Theatre in Hamburg
  • 2003 – 2014: Head of Internal and External Communication at the Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft im BDI e.V. (Cultural Association of German Business within the Federation of German Industries), Berlin
  • 2000-2003: Consultant in the Cultural Sponsorship Working Group, an initiative of German companies within the BDI e.V., Berlin

Further activities:

  • Since 2021: Member of the Board of Trustees | Berlin Science Year 2021
  • Since 2019: Member of the Examination Board for the Distance Learning Programme in Culture and Media Management | University of Music Theatre Hamburg
  • Since 2015: Mentor at primary school “Koppenplatz Berlin” for Syrian refugee children

 Mutine Jeanneret

International Coordinator
& PA to the Executive Board

Mutine holds a Master’s Degree in Human Security from the Anthropology Department, Aarhus University, Denmark (2023) and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the Global Studies Institute (GSI) , University of Geneva, Switzerland (2020).

Professional Experience

DIPLOMACY, COOPERATION, HUMAN RIGHTS

  • Feb-Dec 2024: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland Academic internship at the Embassy of Switzerland to Madagascar, the Seychelles and Comoros, Antananarivo, Madagascar | Representative for INGO and National NGO cooperation, diplomatic missions focal point, research and report drafting and consolidation, focal points for grant and project management and follow-up
  • 2020: Conselho Indiginesta Missionário (CIMI), Geneva, Switzerland | Assistant to CIMI and Brazilian NGOs’ coalition at 5th Human Rights Council session

FIELDWORK

  • Sep-Dec 2022: Foundation for Justice and Dev. Initiatives | Intern and academic field research, Project Placement in Transitional Justice, Gulu, Uganda
  • Aug-Sep 2022: Friends of Batwa International | Intern and academic field research, Project Placement in Conservation Refugees, Bwindi, Kabale, Uganda

Dr. Harald Hasselmann

Chair | Friends of the Virchow Foundation

After completing his doctorate studies in economics Dr. Harald Hasselmann gained experience at various international pharmaceutical companies. He was head of Finance & Controlling for Europe at Bayer Pharma, managing director at Schering’s Hungarian subsidiary and director of the Berlin-based biotech company metaGen. He has held various positions in large and medium-sized healthcare companies and has an excellent track record in sales, controlling and implementing restructuring measures. With effect from October 1, 2015, Dr. Harald Hasselmann became Managing Director for Sales and Finances at Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG. In January 2017 he was recruited as a member of the Executive Board of Eckert & Ziegler AG. In June 2023, Dr. Hasselmann was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board.

Harald Hasselmann carries out a number of voluntary activities. He is a member of the board of directors of the Rotary Club Berlin Foundation, chairman of the health forum of the VBKI and a member of the health committee of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Harald Hasselmann is married and lives in Berlin with his wife and four children.

Academic and Professional Activities

  • Since 2017: Executive Director I Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG GmbH
  • Since 2015: Managing Director I Eckert & Ziegler AG
  • 2012 – 2015: Chief Executive Director I Franziskus Hospital
  • 2007 – 2012: Head of Business Planning / Administration for Europe / Canada I Bayer Pharma AG
  • 2004 – 2006: Chief Executive Director I Schering Kft
  • 2001 – 2003: Chief Financial Director I metaGen Pharmaceuticals
  • 1995 – 2000: Manager Finance and Head of Price Policy for Europe I Schering AG
  • 1990 – 1993: Degree of Business Administration I Technical University of Berlin and University Lüneburg
  • 1993 – 1994: PhD of Business Administration (Dr. rer oec) I Technical University Berlin