The Hamburg-based non-profit Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS) has announced a significant leadership change. After more than two decades at the helm, managing director Michael Opitz is stepping down. Karen Hadem will join the organization as a new managing director, serving alongside Jens Sorgenfrei, who continues in his leadership role on the management team.
HRNS is a prominent foundation within the coffee sector, focused on supporting smallholder coffee farming families and their organizations. The foundation, which reports an endowment of approximately €150 million, is also a key partner in industry-wide sustainability efforts. It works closely with International Coffee Partners, a pre-competitive group of European coffee companies, and helps lead the farmer-focused Coffee&Climate initiative.
The transition is part of a long-term succession plan, according to the foundation. Opitz was a key figure in the organization's development even before its formal establishment in 2005. His successor, Karen Hadem, brings a background in international development cooperation and global philanthropy, while Jens Sorgenfrei has been part of the HRNS management team for several years.