Who we are
We are independent, innovative, multi-disciplinary, non-party political. We fuse bold ideas with civic engagement to accelerate Europe’s response to global challenges.
The Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation is a bold investment in Europe’s future. We connect thinkers, leaders and citizens across borders to deliver innovative, pan-European solutions.
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Our leadership
Our Governing Board
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Chairman of Atlantys Investors (in partnership with Apollo Management) and former Chief of Staff of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
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Co-Founder and Secretary General of Friends of Europe, Co-Founder and Co-Secretary General of the Africa-Europe Foundation
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President of the Board of Trustees of Friends of Europe and President of Europe Jacques Delors, former Vice-President of the European Commission, former Chairman of Société Générale
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President of the Governing Board of Friends of Europe, former Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and former deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD
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Dean of PSIA (Ecole des Affaires internationales), Sciences Po, former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Chairman of Umicore, Mediahuis and DSM-Firmenich, and former President of the King Baudouin Foundation
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Former President of Croatia
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CEO of GBL, Former Chairman of Invest Europe, former Chairman of KKR
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Special Advisor to the CEO of Syensqo and Temasek, Chair of World Business Council for Sustainable Development
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Coordinator of the Jacques Delors Think Tanks, former Chief of Staff to Jacques Delors, former WTO Director-General, former CEO of Crédit Lyonnais, former European Commissioner for Trade
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President of Institut Jacques Delors, former Prime Minister of Italy and Author of the Letta report on the future of the Single Market
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President of Hertie School Berlin
Team
Ulrike Sapiro
Managing Director
As Managing Director of the Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation, Ulrike is responsible for developing an integrated approach across the work of the Jacques Delors Institutes and Friends of Europe. She supports the implementation and operationalisation of the Foundation’s strategy, strengthening advocacy, citizen engagement, and collective impact across multiple European capitals. Ulrike comes from the private sector, most recently serving as Chief Sustainability Officer at Henkel AG, where she led a team of 50, reporting to the Executive Management Team and shaping strategy, business integration, data systems and reporting. Her previous roles include international positions at The Coca-Cola Company and RWE Thames Water across various European locations. She also brings extensive experience in European and global policy, having engaged on topics such as public-private partnerships, climate and energy transition, circular economy, and human rights. Ulrike is a German national and is based in Brussels.
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Our entities
The Foundation unites
Fostering debate, partnerships and citizen engagement to connect, debate and change.
Advancing European integration and citizen engagement since 1996.