Catalyzing Science and
Social Innovation to create Health for All and Hunger for None!
Our Purpose
Bayer Foundation’s vision is to catalyze advances in Science and Social Innovation for a world with Health for all, Hunger for none.
There is no meaningful progress without science and social innovation. Fundamental research and cutting-edge advances in science are the basis for progress. Social innovators bring concrete and long-lasting change to people and communities.
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.
Our Programs
Bayer Foundation offers two program portfolios: The science program targets scientists, students, pupils and science organisations. The social innovation program addresses social enterprises, non-profits and other relevant stakeholders in the social impact ecosystem.
Foundation Leadership Monika Lessl
Dr. Monika Lessl (View CV)
Executive Director Bayer Foundation, SVP, Bayer AG
Sarena Lin
Executive Director Bayer Foundation, Board of Management, Bayer AG
Foundation team:
Simone Jonek
Foundation Office & Programs
Dr. Peng Zhong
Director Social Innovation
Jana op den Winkel
Program Manager Social Innovation and Communications Manager
Julie Lüttgen
Program Manager Science & Education
Stefan Wilhelm
Associate Director Social Innovation
Fatten Livadiotti
Communication Intern
Luisa Luehdorff
Social Innovation Intern
Foundation Strategic Advisors:
Dr. Michael Metzlaff
Dr. Michael Metzlaff is the Foundation’s Strategic Advisor for topics related to Science. Until December 2019 he was Bayer’s Vice President of Science Relations.
Michael says: “To progress sciences, it always needs enthusiastic young scientists who dare to knock down walls and open new horizons.”
Dr. Michael Schwall
Dr. Michael Schwall is the Foundation's Strategic Advisor for topics connected to Social Innovation. Until 2021 he worked as a Strategist for Bayer’s Crop Science business.
Michael says: “Bayer Foundation is forging partnerships with leading social innovators, who have joined us in our goal to achieve systemic change. Together, we are building an ecosystem that provides health for all, hunger for none. That’s what makes my day!”
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. 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.
Wolfgang says: “The recognition of outstanding scientists is more important than ever, because only their scientific insights enable desired groundbreaking innovations.“
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.
Robert says: “Science is critical to illuminating the path to solving the world’s social and environmental challenges.“
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.
Christian says: "Science provides us with a treasure trove of opportunities to tackle society’s most pressing medical needs. Harnessing them is our greatest challenge."
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).
André says: “Fostering positive societal change through social innovation is one of the greatest opportunities of our time.“
Dr. Michael Preuss (View CV)
Michael Preuss is Head of Communications at Bayer AG.
Michael says: “Doing well by doing good has a long tradition at Bayer. The work of the Bayer Foundation makes an important contribution toward our vision of “Health for all, Hunger for none.“
Matthias Berninger (View CV)
Matthias Berninger is Head of Sustainability and Public and Governmental Affairs at Bayer AG.
Matthias says: “Social innovation is essential to allow the world’s soon eight billion people to thrive within planetary boundaries.”
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)
Prof. Edith Heard is the Director General at The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).
Prof. Regine Kahmann (View CV)
Prof. Regine Kahmann is the Acting Head of the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg.
Prof. Lothar Willmitzer (View CV)
Prof. Lothar Willmitzer is the Director of the Molecular Plant Physiology department at the Max Planck Institute.
Prof. Dirk Trauner (View CV)
Prof. Dirk Trauner is the Janice Cutler Chair in Chemistry at New York University.
Accordion header
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Foundation Leadership Monika Lessl
Dr. Monika Lessl (View CV)
Executive Director Bayer Foundation, SVP, Bayer AG
Sarena Lin
Executive Director Bayer Foundation, Board of Management, Bayer AG
Foundation team:
Simone Jonek
Foundation Office & Programs
Dr. Peng Zhong
Director Social Innovation
Jana op den Winkel
Program Manager Social Innovation and Communications Manager
Julie Lüttgen
Program Manager Science & Education
Stefan Wilhelm
Associate Director Social Innovation
Fatten Livadiotti
Communication Intern
Luisa Luehdorff
Social Innovation Intern
Foundation Strategic Advisors:
Dr. Michael Metzlaff
Dr. Michael Metzlaff is the Foundation’s Strategic Advisor for topics related to Science. Until December 2019 he was Bayer’s Vice President of Science Relations.
Michael says: “To progress sciences, it always needs enthusiastic young scientists who dare to knock down walls and open new horizons.”
Dr. Michael Schwall
Dr. Michael Schwall is the Foundation's Strategic Advisor for topics connected to Social Innovation. Until 2021 he worked as a Strategist for Bayer’s Crop Science business.
Michael says: “Bayer Foundation is forging partnerships with leading social innovators, who have joined us in our goal to achieve systemic change. Together, we are building an ecosystem that provides health for all, hunger for none. That’s what makes my day!”
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.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
