Open Society Foundations Name Sandra Breka as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
NEW YORK / BERLIN—The Open Society Foundations announced today that Sandra Breka, former chief executive officer of the Robert Bosch Foundation, will assume the role of vice president and chief operating officer on October 1, 2022.
In her role, she will provide strategic leadership to ensure alignment between Open Society’s global mission, goals, and structures. She will oversee the Foundations’ finance, grants management, information technology, real estate and facilities, and global security functions. Breka will lead the implementation of the organizational transformation portfolio.
“Sandra is a seasoned senior executive who has been deeply engaged in international affairs for a quarter century, with extensive experience in both the programmatic and operational aspects of philanthropy,” said Open Society President Mark Malloch-Brown. “She is a superb leader and strategist who understands our mission—and the importance of strong structures to support it. I’m delighted that she is joining us in this critical role.”
Breka previously served as chief executive officer of the Robert Bosch Foundation, one of the largest European foundations active on health, education, and global issues. As CEO from 2017 to 2022, Breka spearheaded the most comprehensive strategic and structural realignment of the foundation in its 60-year history.
Prior to her time at the Robert Bosch Foundation, Breka was the director of programs for Southeast Europe and Security Issues at the Aspen Institute Berlin and worked with the American Council on Germany in New York.
She is a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of the European Endowment for Democracy and serves on the board of trustees of the International Crisis Group as well as the Board of the Berghof Foundation. She is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
“I am honored to join Open Society at a time when its work and that of its partners is needed more than ever,” said Breka. “The challenges societies face require bold and inclusive approaches—inclusive of geographies, of opinions, and of actors from all sectors. Enabling innovation and securing the independence of philanthropy are central if we want to meet these challenges. Open Society is uniquely poised to take risks, to identify and support solutions to local, regional, and global issues. I greatly look forward to contributing to the implementation of its mission.”