Team

We are experts in the fields of digital technologies, network and community development, and new media. Each member of the Konnektiv team brings extensive experience and individual expertise in the implementation of projects in the area of development.

Geraldine de Bastion

Co-Founder & CEO

Geraldine is a bilingual (en/de) political scientist with an intercultural background and experience working with activists, governments, startups and NGOs across the world. Her work focuses on digital transformation and international cooperation, innovation, and human rights. Geraldine co-founded Konnektiv in 2013, advising various organisations on digital transformation…

René Schodder (Herlitz)

Co-Founder & CEO

René has been advising on activities at the intersection between technology, education, and development cooperation in various countries and contexts since 2004. He studied computer science with a focus on ICT in education and society as well as geography with a focus on development studies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Universidad de La Habana. Before…

Melanie Stilz

Co-Founder

Mel works as a consultant and researcher in the field of computer science, education, and development cooperation as well as in evaluation of media projects. Before co-founding Konnektiv, Mel worked for the Centre for International and Intercultural Communication (ZIIK) at TU Berlin, primarily managing technology and education related projects in Afghanistan. Other previous cooperations include…

Christoph Herbst

Head of IT

Christoph has worked as a programmer with Konnektiv since 2014, consulting on and managing several online community platforms. Previously he worked as a lecturer and tutor at the Centre for International and Intercultural Communication (ZiiK) in the area of software engineering. Within this framework, he worked several times in Afghanistan at the University…

Zoe Stroebel-Haft

Chief Operations Officer

Zoe oversees the day-to-day operations at Konnektiv, managing all internal projects, strategic development strategies, and finances. She researches new potential national and international projects and partners in the field of international development cooperation, prepares proposals, and assists on and leads newly acquired projects. She also coordinates with our network of freelancers, overseeing…

Petra Hagemann

Project Manager & Developer, Digital Communities

Petra is a social and a computer scientist and has been working in international cooperation for over 10 years. At Konnektiv she works as a project manager for digital communities and develops software for community platforms and e-learning courses. She combines knowledge of international political frameworks and the opportunities digital transformation…

Kersti Ruth Wissenbach

Research Lead

Kersti is a political sociologists working at the intersection of communication, technologies and civic rights. She frequently collaborated with Konnektiv since 2016 and joined the team in 2020 leading acquisition and consulting work. She is a participatory communication expert, working with a variety of co-creative methods…

Kudzai M. Mubaiwa

Digital Tools & Economic Development Expert

Kudzai has been working with Konnektiv since 2020, focusing primarily on preparing and conducting digital tools workshops and providing technical and facilitation support for various eLearning trainings. She is the cofounder of iZone Hub, a Zimbabwean hub that serves makers, innovators, creatives and small business owners and managing consultant…

Josefine Kipke

Programming & Research

Josi joined the Konnektiv team in the summer of 2020 working in the area of programming, research and project management. Previously, Josi worked as an assistant at the Institute for Multimedia and Interactive Systems at the University of Lübeck, where she was participating in the DFG research transfer project…

Fayrouz Eldebani

Project Coordinator & Technical Support

Fayrouz joined the team in April 2021, working as a project coordinator for the project “Technical Support for Online Trainings”. She assists in the coordination and administration of the project and also provides technical and facilitation support…

Minne Nimz

Student Assistant, Communications

Minne joined the team in June 2021 and is supporting Konnektiv in the area of graphic design and communications. Currently studying print and media technology at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, she is passionate about…

Erik Dubs

Student Assistant, Communications

As the newest member of Konnektiv, Erik is working in the field of communication and public relations, focusing on social media and content for the website. He currently studies Culture, Technology and Philosophy (BA) at the Technical University of Berlin. Before Konnektiv, Erik gained experience working in international youth policy…