Board of Directors
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Dr. Wolf Schäfer
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Professor Wolf Schäfer is a German American historian with research and teaching experience in Germany and the United States. He is known for his work on science and technology studies, early 19th century socialism, and global history.He is a full professor at Stony Brook University (SBU), the flagship research university of the State University of New York (SUNY). There, he was Dean of International Academic Programs and Chair of the Department of Technology and Society (DTS) in the College of Engineering.
Besides his knowledge of higher education in Europe and the US, his years as dean and chairman familiarized him with the landscapes of higher education in East Asia, especially South Korea, where he was responsible for the DTS sister department at SUNY Korea.
His awards include an endowed Visiting Professorship at the Technical University of Darmstadt, a fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin, and the Dean’s Award of his College for securing over $5 million in externally sponsored research funding.
Outside academia, Dr. Schäfer has served his local community pro bono for a decade as trustee and president of the Board of the Port Jefferson Free Library.
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Dr. Harald Braun
MEMBER OF THE BOARD
Ambassador Harald Braun (ret.) is one of Germany's most experienced experts for global issues and international affairs. He was State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and Vice President of the 71st UN General Assembly.His other diplomatic postings include Beirut, London, Bujumbura, Washington and Paris as well as Dep. Foreign and Security Adviser to the Federal Chancellor of Germany.
He also spent several years in the private sector with IBM Germany and as Global Senior Vice President for Group Policy and External Affairs at Siemens AG.
Harald Braun completed two M.A. degrees in economics and history in Tuebingen and New York and added a doctorate at the State University of New York at Stony Brook before entering the German Foreign Service in 1981. As honorary professor he taught at SUNY Stony Brook and Humboldt University in Berlin.
His previous foundation experience includes the positions as Chairman of EVZ Foundation and as a trustee of Roland Berger Foundation. He is a member of several international bodies and the recipient of numerous international distinctions and awards.
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Dr. Karl Jurka
TREASURER
Professor Dr. Karl Jurka (born 1952 in Vienna) has been working as a strategic political consultant in Berlin and Paris since 1997. He specializes in international politics and culture, gives guest lectures on German and European politics at several universities, and publishes on political lobbying.
From 1980 to 1990, he served as campaign manager for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
He studied law in Vienna, received his doctorate in 1977, and was awarded the title of Professor in 2005. Since 2020, he has been Ambassador of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
