Catalyzing Science and
Social Innovation to create Health for All and Hunger for None!
Who We Are
Bayer Foundation, as Bayer’s corporate foundation, generates impact by supporting breakthroughs in science and social innovations that advance societal progress worldwide.
- The Foundation’s mission is to support scientists and social innovators in making the world better and fairer, following its vision of catalyzing advances in science and social innovation for a world with health for all and hunger for none.
- Fundamental research and cutting-edge advances in science are the foundation for societal progress, enabling long-lasting change and improving lives.
- Ensuring that scientific and innovative breakthroughs meet the needs of a global population and gain broad social acceptance is crucial for meaningful progress.
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.
What We Do
Bayer Foundation supports aspiring scientists, social entrepreneurs and impact organizations who work towards breakthrough innovations at the intersection of health, food security and environment.
How We Do It
Bayer Foundation promotes equitable access to science and resources to make sure that innovative minds can drive solutions that bring true scientific and social progress. A special focus is placed on fostering women empowerment, offering targeted awards and accelerator programs to entrepreneurs and scientists.
Our Team
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:
Simone Jonek
Foundation Office & Programs
Rawan Alkurdi
Foundation Office & Program Support
Dr. Peng Zhong
Director Social Innovation
Stefan Wilhelm
Associate Director Social Innovation
Jana op den Winkel
Program Manager Social Innovation and Communications Manager
Dr. Tatjana Gust
Associate Director of Science Programs
Julie Lüttgen (In maternity leave)
Program Manager Science & Education
Dr. Anke Stroyer
Program Manager Science & Education
Hedda Weber
Science & Education Working Student
Drishti Mohley
Foundation Office Intern
Tiffany Siew
Communications Working Student
Fee Erken
Communications Apprentice
Charles Osei Mensah
Social Innovation Intern
Timothy Berger
Social Innovation 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
