Frank Mattern to become Chair of the Supervisory Board starting 1 January 2025. Prof. Dr Helge Braun to lead the Board of Trustees.
Leadership transitions are underway at the Hertie School. At their regular meeting on 18 November, the Supervisory Board and the Board of Trustees elected their new chairs as part of a planned succession process. Frank Mattern, Deputy Chair of the Hertie Foundation's Executive Board, independent consultant, Supervisory Board member, and Director Emeritus at McKinsey & Company, will assume the role of Chair of the Supervisory Board on 1 January 2025, succeeding Bernd Knobloch. Knobloch, a former member of Commerzbank AG’s Executive Board, has led the Supervisory Board since 1 April 2017. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr Helge Braun, a medical doctor and former Chief of Staff to the German Chancellor, will take over as Chair of the Board of Trustees, succeeding Mattern in this role.
Supervisory Board Leadership: Frank Mattern to succeed Bernd Knobloch
“We deeply appreciate Mr Knobloch’s exceptional dedication to our university,” said Hertie School President Cornelia Woll and Managing Director Axel Baisch. “Under his leadership, we decided to relocate to the historic Robert Koch Forum in 2026 and advanced the university’s growth trajectory.”
After more than 16 years of service on the Board of Trustees, Mattern will now join the Supervisory Board. “The entire university leadership looks forward to collaborating closely with Mr Mattern,” said Woll and Baisch, “and thanks him for his outstanding contributions as a member and Chair of the Board of Trustees.”
Mattern expressed his excitement about the new role: “I am eager to support the Hertie School’s impressive development in this new capacity. The Hertie School sets the benchmark in Germany for research and teaching at the intersection of academia and public policy. Through its innovative concepts and international projects, the university consistently demonstrates its vital role as a thought leader and driving force in politics, research and civil society.”
Board of Trustees Leadership: Helge Braun to succeed Frank Mattern
Prof. Dr Helge Braun, a medical doctor, former Federal Minister for Special Tasks, and Head of the German Chancellery, as well as the newly appointed President of the Universität zu Lübeck, will lead the Hertie School’s Board of Trustees from 1 January 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Prof. Dr Braun as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees,” said President Cornelia Woll. “His extensive experience in both politics and academia will bring immense value to the Hertie School.”
Braun shared his enthusiasm about the new position: “The Hertie School is a global leader in public policy education – an international success story made in Germany. I am excited to contribute to the continued growth and success of this outstanding university.”
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