Bernhard Lorentz

Dr. Bernhard Lorentz is a visiting scholar at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and a honorary professor at Freie Universität Berlin. He also serves as a Special Advisor for Foundations and Civil Society at the German Federal Foreign Office. Dr. Lorentz was President and CEO of Stiftung Mercator from 2008 until February 2014, where he continues to serve as a strategic advisor. Prior to this, he was Head of Corporate Responsibility and Foundations at Vodafone Germany and Executive Director of the Hertie School of Governance. Dr. Lorentz holds a PhD from Humboldt University Berlin and a MA both from University of Sussex and from Humboldt University. He has been working in and with foundations since 2001 when he joined the ZEIT-Stiftung after having served in several corporate positions. Bernhard Lorentz teaches foundation management and strategy as a guest lecturer at Freie Universität Berlin and in 2011 was made a honorary professor. Bernhard Lorentz publishes on economic history, strategic philanthropy and third sector management as well as in the areas of climate change, migration and research and education policy. He has published in high ranking academic journals and regularly writes op-eds in major Newspapers and sector specific journals. Bernhard Lorentz serves on numerous boards both academic and philanthropic. He is founder and board member of a number of social entrepreneurial enterprises.