Taking
responsibility
Our management combines entrepreneurial experience with a social conscience.
Hope needs people who lead the way. Who take responsibility and make courageous decisions. Who think long-term. Our governing bodies bring together expertise from business, finance and social commitment. On this page, we introduce the key management positions within the Hoffnungsträger Group. You can find the management teams of the individual divisions and subsidiaries on their respective pages.
Our Founder
Tobias Merckle
Tobias Merckle, founder of Seehaus e.V. and the Hoffnungsträger Group, was deeply moved as a young man by his many encounters with suffering in this world. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, he learnt early on about the responsibility that comes with wealth. With great wealth comes great responsibility. In his life, he has been overwhelmed by the power of Christian hope. This gave rise to a clear stance: don’t just talk, take action. Act counter-cyclically. Think entrepreneurially for the long term and just go for it. Where others despair, we step in.
Our CEO
Marcus Witzke
Marcus Witzke has been responsible for the Hoffnungsträger Foundation and its subsidiaries as the CEO since its launch in 2013. With passion, entrepreneurial thinking and a clear vision, he drives the strategic development of the entire group. Marcus Witzke is a qualified economist. Previously, he held leadership roles in major social welfare organisations and in the business sector. With great energy and a passion for growth, he is the driving force behind our entrepreneurial and social endeavours.
“Bringing about societal change and implementing social responsibility in an entrepreneurial way are not a contradiction, but a fresh source of motivation every day.” — Marcus Witzke
Vice President Finance & IT
Oliver Konanz
Oliver Konanz brings over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, venture capital and private equity. Acting as an authorised signatory, he leads Finance, Legal, and IT, reinforcing the foundation for Hoffnungsträger’s continued growth and impact.
“Creating sustainable value and driving global change: that is the vision our team at Hoffnungsträger lives by and helps shape.” — Oliver Konanz
Vice President Human Resources
Marina Lehmann
A growing foundation means responsibility for the people who make it work. Marina Lehmann and her team establish professional processes and foster a healthy working environment to support staff in their day-to-day work, championing them and making their daily lives easier.
“Challenging and encouraging people: that’s why I love HR and why I’m at Hoffnungsträger.” — Marina Lehmann
Vice President Marketing
Désirée Wiedemann
Désirée Wiedemann and her team make Hoffnungsträger’s message and diverse commitment visible across all borders. Her driving force: to touch people with stories and pass on the power of hope. With the strong Hoffnungsträger brand, change is shaped and made visible.
“Hope connects us and grows when we share it.” — Désirée Wiedemann
Our
Board of trustees
Nine experienced figures from the worlds of business, finance and social commitment make up the Board of Trustees of the Hoffnungsträger Foundation. They support and advise the Executive Board in its work. With their combined expertise, they ensure that our decisions are strategically sound, financially sound and impact-driven. These many perspectives come together to form a hopeful picture.
The Chair is Tobias Merckle, founder of the Hoffnungsträger Foundation. His vision set everything in motion: an organisation that systematically builds hope and enables social change.
Members of the Board of Trustees
Tobias Merckle (Chair)
Dr. Katharina Caspary
Daniel Caspary
Daniel Hoster
Jürgen Kugler
Ursula Merckle
Michaela Stitz
Holger Tumat
Christoph Waffenschmidt
