Bertelsmann Stiftung Appoints Brigitte Mohn as Interim Chairwoman, Welcomes Wilfried Uhr to Executive Board

Bertelsmann Stiftung Appoints Brigitte Mohn as Interim Chairwoman, Welcomes Wilfried Uhr to Executive Board

(IN BRIEF) Bertelsmann Stiftung has announced a restructuring of its Executive Board, with Hannes Ametsreiter stepping down as Chairman and Brigitte Mohn assuming the interim leadership role. Daniela Schwarzer will remain on the Board, and Wilfried Uhr will join as Chief Operating Officer. The changes reflect the foundation’s commitment to maintaining continuity and stability in its socially relevant initiatives.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 7-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ —  The Bertelsmann Stiftung has announced a restructuring of its Executive Board, with Chairman Hannes Ametsreiter stepping down at his own request and by mutual agreement as of July 31, 2025. Ametsreiter, who has been with the foundation, will depart to pursue new opportunities in the private sector. Brigitte Mohn, a long-standing member of the Executive Board and the founding family, will assume the role of interim chairwoman of the Executive Board. Daniela Schwarzer will continue her position as a member of the Executive Board, working alongside Brigitte Mohn.

As part of the planned expansion of the foundation’s governance, Wilfried Uhr, who has been with the Bertelsmann Stiftung in various leadership roles since 2000, most recently as Senior Vice President Corporate Operations, will join the Executive Board as Chief Operating Officer.

Bodo Uebber, Chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Board of Trustees, commented:

“I want to extend my gratitude to Brigitte Mohn for stepping into the leadership role at the Bertelsmann Stiftung. This decision reflects the founding family’s deep commitment to the foundation’s work and ensures the continuity of its impactful initiatives. I am also pleased to welcome Wilfried Uhr to the Executive Board, bringing his wealth of experience and ensuring stability within our organization.”

Brigitte Mohn, Interim Chairwoman of the Executive Board, stated:

“Continuity and stability in the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s socially relevant work are of utmost importance to me and to our entire family, as they were to Reinhard Mohn, our founder. I am honored to take on this responsibility, and together with Daniela Schwarzer and Wilfried Uhr, we will continue our efforts to address the major challenges facing society today.”

Bodo Uebber also thanked Hannes Ametsreiter:

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Hannes Ametsreiter for his significant contributions to the foundation’s success. His vision and expertise in leveraging technological innovations for societal progress have greatly enhanced our work. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

The Bertelsmann Stiftung has been a driving force for social progress since its founding in 1977, providing over €2 billion for nonprofit initiatives. In 2024, the foundation’s project work expenditures reached €77 million. With offices in Gütersloh and Berlin, the foundation employs 334 people and also operates affiliated organizations in Washington and Barcelona.

Media Contact:

Jochen Arntz
Vice President Media Relations
Corporate Communications
+49(5241)81-81129
jochen.arntz@bertelsmann-stiftung.de

SOURCE: Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA