Catalyzing Science and
Social Innovation to create Health for All and Hunger for None!
Our Vision
Bayer Foundation’s vision is to catalyze advances in Science and Social Innovation for a world with Health for all, Hunger for none. There is no meaningful progress without science and social innovation. Fundamental research and cutting-edge advances in science are the basis for progress. Social innovators bring concrete and long-lasting change to people and communities.
It is Bayer Foundation’s mission to identify and support people who can shape a better and fairer tomorrow and enable them to unlock their full potential.
Our Programs
Bayer Foundation offers two program portfolios: The science program targets scientists, students, pupils and science organisations. The social innovation program addresses social enterprises, non-profits and other relevant stakeholders in the social impact ecosystem.
Foundation Leadership
Dr. Monika Lessl (View CV)
Executive Director Bayer Foundation, SVP, Bayer AG
Rodrigo Santos
Executive Director Bayer Foundation - Social Innovation Program, Board of Management Bayer AG and President of Crop Science Division
Stefan Oelrich
Executive Director Bayer Foundation - Science Program, Board of Management Bayer AG and President of Pharmaceuticals
Foundation team:
Dr. Tatjana Gust
Associate Director of Science Programs
Simone Jonek
Foundation Office & Programs
Rawan Alkurdi
Foundation Office & Program Support
Dr. Peng Zhong
Director Social Innovation
Jana op den Winkel
Program Manager Social Innovation and Communications Manager
Julie Lüttgen
Program Manager Science & Education
Dr. Tanja Feilner
Program Manager Science & Education
Stefan Wilhelm
Associate Director Social Innovation
Kristina Huengsberg
Program Manager Social Innovation
Tiffany Siew
Communications Intern
Charles Osei Mensah
Social Innovation Intern
Hedda Weber
Science Intern
Foundation Strategic Advisors:
Dr. Michael Metzlaff
Strategic Advisor Science
Dr. Michael Schwall
Strategic Advisor Social Innovation
Foundation Governance:
Our Science Impact programs are run by the Bayer Science and Education Foundation.
Our Social Innovation programs are run by the Bayer Cares Foundation.
Both Foundations are governed by the respective Board of Trustees, which is tasked to support with regards to strategic, content and funding decisions. Both Foundations are steered by an Executive Board of which Dr. Monika Lessl is a member.
Board of Trustees for Science Impact
Our Board of Trustees for Science Impact support the Foundation's Executive Directors with regards to strategic, content and funding decisions.
Prof. Edith Heard (View CV)
Prof. Dr. Edith Heard is the Chairwoman of the Bayer Foundation Board of Trustees for the Science Program and Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke (View CV)
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke is Senator of the Helmholtz Association for the research area of Health. Until end of 2021 he was member of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG. He was a member of Bayer’s Board of Management, with responsibility for Technology, Innovation and Sustainability at Bayer until 2014.
Dr. Robert Reiter (View CV)
Dr. Robert Reiter is Head of Research & Development (R&D), Crop Science. He also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Dr. Christian Rommel (View CV)
Dr. Christian Rommel is Global Head of Research & Development (R&D), Pharmaceuticals. He also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Stefan Oelrich
Stefan is Executive Director Bayer Foundation - Science Program and Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG as well as President of Pharmaceuticals.
Board of Trustees for Social Innovation
Our Board of Trustees for Social Innovation support the Foundation's Executive Directors with regards to strategic, content and funding decisions.
Prof. Dr. André Habisch
Prof. Dr. André Habisch is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bayer Cares Foundation. He also teaches Business Ethics and Corporate Citizenship at Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) and is the Associate Research Director of the Academy of Business in Society (ABIS).
Dr. Michael Preuss (View CV)
Michael Preuss is Head of Communications at Bayer AG.
Matthias Berninger (View CV)
Matthias Berninger is Head of Sustainability and Public and Governmental Affairs at Bayer AG.
Rodrigo Santos
Rodrigo is Executive Director Bayer Foundation' s Social Innovation Program and Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG as well as President of Crop Science Division.
Members of the Foundation’s Science Council
Members of the Science Council select the winners of the Foundation's science awards. They also provide advice to shape the Foundation's programs, ensuring they reflect advancements in the life sciences.
Prof. Edith Heard (View CV)
Director General at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg
Prof. Regine Kahmann (View CV)
Emeritus Acting Head at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg
Prof. Lothar Willmitzer (View CV)
Former Director at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam
Prof. Dirk Trauner (View CV)
Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
