Who we are

The world we leave to the next generations depends in no small part on the direction in which global finance flows. This is where environmental and human rights organization Urgewald’s success lies.

To mark Urgewald’s 25th anniversary in 2017, we laid the groundwork for this Foundation to strengthen the organization's crucial work in the medium and long term.

In 2019, the time had come: Thanks to our pioneer founding donors, the Urgewald Foundation was established with almost 300,000 Euros in starting capital.

Get to know us!

Andrea Soth

Finance Director and Head of Fundraising

andrea@urgewald.org

+49 (0)2583/30492-10

These are the people behind the Urgewald Foundation

Foundation Board

The Foundation Board is the legal representative of the Urgewald Foundation and manages its assets. Due to the close links between the Foundation and Urgewald e.V., the latter’s directors and the chairwoman of the association are "natural members" of the Foundation's board in accordance with legal statutes.

Andrea Soth

Andrea Soth is a founding member of Urgewald and was an honorary board member for several years before joining the team full-time in 2000. Here she was responsible for campaign communication and professionalized fundraising. She was instrumental in establishing the Urgewald Foundation.

As Finance Director of Urgewald e.V., she is a natural member of the Urgewald Foundation’s board. Andrea is also a founding donor and the first point of contact for all Foundation matters.

andrea@urgewald.org
+49 (0)2583/30492-10

Hedwig Tarner

Hedwig Tarner has been a member of the board of Urgewald e.V. since 1994. The trained geographer has accompanied, supported and promoted Urgewald's development from a small association with two half-time positions to a professional and internationally recognized organization.

As Chairwoman of the Board of Urgewald e.V., she is a natural member of the Urgewald Foundation’s board, on top of being a founding donor herself. Her stated goal: Pave the way for the Urgewald Foundation’s success!

Heffa Schücking

Urgewald founder and visionary Heffa Schücking turned her student commitment to protecting the rainforests in 1992 into her profession. Her many successful campaigns prove that a small organization can achieve great things if it applies pressure in the right places. Heffa studied biology and is the recipient of the internationally renowned Goldman Environmental Prize.

As Director of Urgewald e.V., she is a natural member of the Urgewald Foundation's Board.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee advises the Foundation's Board of Directors on ethical investments. The contact person for the Investment Committee is Agnes Dieckmann.

Agnes Dieckmann

An ecotrophologist by training, Agnes Dieckmann has had countless conversations about Urgewald with the public since 1997. She educates consumers about the dark side of the financial industry and shows them how to find the alternatives. You can meet her at trade fairs all over Germany and hear her speak at various political events.

At the Urgewald Foundation, Agnes is responsible for developing the investment criteria. She is happy to share her expertise on sustainable investment with other foundations.

agnes@urgewald.org
+49 (0)2583/30492-11

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees was set up by the Foundation’s founders in accordance with the statutes. It supports, advises and monitors the Board of Directors in implementing the founders' wishes and helps to raise funds. The current members of the Board of Trustees are Albert Schumacher, Bruce Rich and Melani Lauven.

Become part of the Urgewald Foundation!

Become a donor now

Founders' Meeting

Once a year, donors and employees from the Urgewald team come together.

At the 2024 Founders' Meeting in Kassel, we were delighted to welcome our new founding donors. This time, some of them even got to bring personal guests along.

By popular demand, we moved the meeting in October to the "center of Germany" in Kassel. Ten female and four male donors came together for an inspiring and constructive exchange.

In several short presentations, Urgewald employees highlighted the projects the Foundation supports and elaborated on what makes our work so successful : In-depth research, good networking, dialog with decision-makers and persistent campaigning.

This wonderful day came to an end with dinner and exciting discussions about Urgewald and life in general. Such personal encounters give us strength and courage to carry on, even in difficult times!

Founders' Meeting in Brussels, 2025