We are proud to introduce our advisory board, comprised of leaders in politics, business and academia.
Advisory Board
Amb. (ret.) Prof. Dr. h.c Wolfgang Ischinger
Chair
IWolfgang Ischinger is one of Germany’s most prominent diplomats. He served as State Secretary in the German Foreign Office, as German Ambassador to the United States and later to the United Kingdom. From 2008 to 2022 he chaired the Munich Security Conference, transforming it into the leading global forum for strategic dialogue. He has acted as mediator in major international conflicts, advised governments and institutions on security policy, and continues to shape debates on European and transatlantic relations. His career embodies Germany’s diplomatic reach and its commitment to multilateral security architecture.
Omid Nouripour MP
Omid Nouripour is a leading figure in German politics and a senior member of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen. He has served in the Bundestag since 2006, focusing on foreign affairs, defense, and migration policy. As co-chair of the Green Party since 2022, he has been central in shaping its role within the current governing coalition. With expertise in international relations and a long-standing commitment to human rights and European integration, he plays a key role in connecting German domestic politics with broader geopolitical challenges.
Jill Gallard CMG CVO
Jill Gallard is a senior British diplomat who served as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Germany from 2020 to 2024. A career member of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, she has held posts in Prague, Madrid, and the European External Action Service, and served as Deputy Political Director in London. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively on European and security policy, strengthening UK–EU and UK–Germany relations. Her tenure in Berlin was marked by close engagement on transatlantic cooperation, European security, and the challenges of the post-Brexit era.
Dr. Benedikt Franke
Dr. Benedikt Franke is Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Munich Security Conference. Before assuming this role, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Conference and previously held positions at the European Council on Foreign Relations and the United Nations. He has been instrumental in expanding the MSC’s global reach, developing its networks, and shaping its role as the foremost platform for international security dialogue. His career reflects a focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation and fostering dialogue between policymakers, business leaders, and civil society.
Angie Gifford
Angie Gifford is Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Meta. She has more than three decades of leadership experience in the technology and consumer sectors, including senior roles at Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard before joining Meta in 2019. At Meta, she has been central in shaping the company’s engagement with European institutions, governments, and business communities, focusing on digital innovation, regulation, and responsible technology development. Her career highlights her influence in bridging global tech with European policy and industry.
The Rt. Hon Greg Hands
Greg Hands is a British Conservative politician who has served as Member of Parliament since 2005. He has held a range of ministerial posts, including Minister of State for Trade Policy and Minister for London, and was Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2023 to 2024. With a background in finance and long-standing engagement in international trade and economic policy, he has played a central role in shaping the UK’s trade relationships after Brexit. His career reflects a sustained influence on both domestic economic policy and the UK’s global commercial strategy.
Bobby Vedral
Bobby Vedral is a financier and political analyst with extensive experience at the intersection of global markets and geopolitics. He spent over two decades in senior roles at Goldman Sachs, where he focused on macro strategy and global investment trends. After leaving the firm, he founded Macro Eagle, an independent platform providing strategic analysis on international political and economic developments. He is widely recognized for his expertise in interpreting political risk for financial markets and for contributing to debates on Europe’s economic and geopolitical future.