Our Theory of Change
Our Approach
Our Framework
In 2015, during his tenure as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, BKMC Co-chair Ban Ki-moon led the adoption of two major commitments which promote human dignity for all while protecting the planet. Together, they establish the framework of the BKMC and build a roadmap for humanity toward a better future. They call to eradicate extreme poverty with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
The Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.
The Paris Climate Agreement adopted at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference by 195 countries is a legally binding global climate change agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, tackle the climate crisis, strengthen resilience, and enhance abilities to adapt to climate change before the end of the century.
Board members
Our board members are guided by our vision and mission to foster global citizen leaders who care for people, planet and prosperity
Ahmad Alhendawi
Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
Ahmad Alhendawi
HRH Prince Abdullah bin Khaled Al Saud
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Germany
His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Khaled Al Saud
During his mission in Vienna, HRH served as a permanent representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to international organizations, and as a Governor of the Kingdom at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
HRH was also a member of the Board of Directors of the King Abdullah International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, as well as a current board member of the Saudi Equestrian Authority and the Saudi Jockey Club.
Márcia Balisciano
Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Head of ESG and Corporate Responsibility at RELX
Márcia Balisciano
Daniele D. Bodini
President of the Alexander Bodini Foundation
Daniele D. Bodini
Irina Bokova
Former Director-General
of UNESCO
Irina Bokova
Sofia Borges
Senior Vice-President
of UN Foundation
Sofia Borges
Dimitri de Vreeze
Co-CEO, COO & Member of the Managing Board of Royal DSM
Dimitri de Vreeze
Monika Froehler
CEO of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
Monika Froehler
Ed Futa
Former General-Secretary
of Rotary International
Ed Futa
Kate Landon
Executive Director
Ban Ki-moon Foundation in New York, US
Kate Landon
Kate is a philanthropic and nonprofit leader with nearly twenty years of experience in a variety of grantmaking, donor engagement, and organizational development roles that advance gender, racial and economic equity both in the U.S. and abroad. She formerly served as Vice President of Programs and Institutional Advancement at The New York Women’s Foundation where she oversaw a variety of local and national grantmaking and fundraising initiatives totaling $10 million annually on issues such as women’s economic security, LGBTQI rights, criminal justice reform, gender-based violence and civic engagement. Previously, she also held the role of Executive Director of The New Haven/Leon Sister City Project, a bi-national organization advancing educational equity, women’s leadership, and environmental health in rural Nicaragua. She is passionate about promoting philanthropic and cross-sector collaboration to build sustainable infrastructure in support of equity and justice for women, LGNTQI communities and youth. Her academic background includes a Master of Public Administration from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from Rutgers College.
Kevin Hin
Secretary General of the Junior Chamber International
Kevin Hin
Kim Won-soo
Former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
Kim Won-soo
Andrea Pfanzelter
Senior Adviser to
aable.com
Andrea Pfanzelter
Jeffrey Sachs
SDG Advocate under UNSG &
President of SDSN
Jeffrey Sachs
Ambassador Ham Sangwook
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN in Vienna, (ex officio)
Ambassador Ham Sangwook
Mr. Ham has extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy, non-proliferation, and disarmament, and as a diplomat has represented the Republic of Korea at numerous international meetings and conferences.
Michael Sheldrick
Co-Founder, Chief Policy, Impact & Governmental Affairs Officer at Global Citizens
Michael Sheldrick
Ambassador Talal Sulaiman Alfassam
Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN in Vienna, (ex officio)
Ambassador Talal Sulaiman Alfassam
Jean Todt
UNSG’s Special Envoy
for Road Safety
Jean Todt
Jean Todt is a French motor sport executive. After a career as a rally co-driver he worked in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2006 to 2008. From 2009 to 2021 he was the President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). On 29 April 2015, Todt was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as his Special Envoy for Road Safety.
Our team
We are a team of changemakers, striving to make a difference by empowering young changemakers and advocating for inclusive governmental policies for a better world, leaving no one behind
Monika Froehler
Chief Executive Officer – She/Her
Monika Froehler
Katre Olmez
Chief Operating Officer – She/Her
Katre Olmez
Katre Olmez is an advocate for sustainable development, human rights, women’s empowerment, and climate action. Working in the start-up environment, international non-profit, and NGO scene she has always been passionate about social entrepreneurship and enterprises as a source of socio-economic development. Combining her academic background in International Affairs with her experience in storytelling, leadership development, and business management, she successfully led the Ban Ki-moon Centre’s communications portfolio for the past 4 years. Dedicated to leveraging her organizational knowledge and diverse skillset for sustainable global movements, she currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the BKMC.
Roxanne Chao
Administrative Associate
– She/Her
Roxanne Chao
Roxanne Chao is young professional, interested in the field of international relations, human rights, and women empowerment. While grounded in her Chinese American roots, Roxanne has enjoyed an international upbringing, living in six countries including the US, the Netherlands, China, Austria, Canada, and the UK. Roxanne’s academic background is similarly diverse, ranging from areas such as psychology, international development, political science, and human rights law. Roxanne’s professional experiences include working with multicultural organizations and people, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery and the International Anti-Corruption Academy. Roxanne is passionate about mainstreaming women in international law and developmental policies to encourage empowerment at all levels.
Katharina Choe
Communications Lead
– She/Her
Katharina Choe
Kathrin Ebner
Program Lead
– She/Her
Kathrin Ebner
Philipp Harnik
Executive Assistant to Dr. Heinz Fischer & Program Officer – He/Him
Philipp Harnik
Bouchra Ikherrazene
Program Officer
– She/Her
Bouchra Ikherrazene
Bouchra Ikherrazene has a wealth of experience in education, youth work and diversity and inclusion. With a strong academic and professional background in education, she has a deep understanding for effective teaching practices and a passion for empowering young people. She is an expert in promoting cultural diversity and advancing inclusivity in classroom settings. She successfully led a cultural diversity project for educational institutions in Austria and created meaningful initiatives that enhance cultural awareness and understanding. Her experience enables her to contribute valuable insights and strategies to promote inclusive environments that enforce the SDGs.
Maja Markus
Communications Associate
– She/Her
Maja Markus
Maja is a young professional passionate about storytelling and making an impact through communication. A global citizen in spirit and Hungarian at heart, she acquired a multicultural background by embarking on international academic and professional experiences. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and an Erasmus Mundus master’s degree in Journalism, Media, and Globalisation completed in Denmark and the Czech Republic. Through internships at the European Parliament and the European Federation of Journalists, she gained a deep insight into European politics, press freedom, and journalists’ rights. Most recently she worked at the youth employment and labor migration units of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, where she advocated for decent jobs for all. Maja is enthusiastic about connecting with people, deepening her understanding of global issues, and supporting organizations with missions focused on youth, the environment, and social justice.
Beatrice Rocca
Advocacy and Program Officer- Elevating Agricultural Adaptation – She/Her
Beatrice Rocca
Beatrice Rocca is a young professional in international affairs, passionate about diplomacy, security, and climate justice, and eager to develop in the direction of the climate and security intersection.
Italian by birth and European by heart, she developed a strong multicultural attitude while living abroad in Austria, Germany, Russia, and the UK. She has great experience in complex and multi-stakeholder environments: she previously worked for key international organizations such as the UN and the OSCE where she sharpened her analytical eye for political affairs, as she has regularly drafted media briefings for the organization´s staff.
Within the Elevating Agricultural Adaptation program at BKMC, Beatrice brings her solid international policy background and proudly advocates for fair climate policies to be adopted by governments worldwide.
Meera Shah
Program Manager – Country Advocacy – Elevating Agricultural Adaptation – She/Her
Meera Shah
Emma Silvestri
Communications and Administrative Associate – She/Her
Emma Silvestri
Emma Silvestri holds a master’s degree in European and Global Studies and is passionate about international relations and global dynamics. She gained valuable experience through internships at the Austrian Foreign Ministry as well as the the Centre for the Study of Democracy in Bulgaria. Her work at the Austrian Press Agency further sharpened her skills in media and communications. Driven by her enthusiasm for global affairs and a desire to make a positive impact, Emma is committed to fostering a more connected and informed world.
Anna Tykhonenko
Program Officer – Women and Youth
– She/Her
Anna Tykhonenko
Anna Tykhonenko is a young professional, who recently graduated from an Erasmus Mundus program in Global Studies, within which she studied in Wroclaw, Poland, and at the University of Vienna. She wrote her thesis on the experiences of female migrants in the Maasai community and, thus, found her passion and academic focus in migration and feminism. Having a background in International Business, Translation, and Global Studies, she is committed to promoting the causes of gender equality, global justice, and environmental protection, and is keen on contributing her knowledge and professional experience from different fields, including the private sector and governmental agencies, to achieving those aims.
Our network
We work closely with affiliated offices and entities around the globe
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