Daniela is the Executive Board Member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung and one of Germany's leading experts on European and international politics and economics and the development of democracy and the rule of law. Her areas of specialisation include the future of Europe in times of growing geo-economic and geopolitical competition, the future shape of the European and transatlantic security, economic and democratic order and the enlargement and reform of the EU. Daniela Schwarzer can look back on a career spanning more than 20 years at renowned think tanks, foundations and universities. She was Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Executive Director for Europe and Central Asia at the Open Society Foundations, the world's largest foundation advocating the rule of law, democracy and open societies. She has been an honorary professor of political science at Freie Universität Berlin since 2021 and was a visiting professor at Harvard University, where she remains a Senior Fellow.