The people behind GFCNI share a common passion for improving newborn health and empowering families. Our team includes experts and advocates who bring diverse skills and perspectives to our mission.
On this page, meet the individuals who make GFCNI’s work possible. Learn about their roles, expertise, and what inspires them to drive change for preterm and sick babies and their families.
Chairwoman of the Executive Board and Member of the Trustee Board
Silke Mader is the Co-Founder and Chairwoman of the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI),Chairwoman of the Executive Board (“vertretungsberechtigter Vorstand” in German), and a member of the Trustee Board. A dedicated advocate for maternal and newborn health, she has spent over two decades working to improve care for preterm and sick infants and their families worldwide.
Her commitment to neonatal care stems from personal experience. In 1997, her twins were born at just 25 weeks, and due to inadequate care, one of them tragically passed away. Facing a lack of support, public awareness, and accessible information, she became determined to change the system.
She began her advocacy in 1999, first leading a local parent group in Munich, then becoming Chairwoman of the German umbrella organization “The Preterm Born Child e.V.” in 2003. She later left her teaching career – where she specialized in linguistic support for migrant children and remedial education – to co-found EFCNI (European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants), the first pan-European organization dedicated to neonatal health. Under her leadership, EFCNI has now evolved into GFCNI, reflecting a global approach to improving newborn care.
Silke has been instrumental in developing international standards for newborn care and collaborating with organizations such as the World Health Organization. She has worked alongside healthcare professionals and policymakers to drive awareness, influence policy, and create resources for families.
Her work has earned her numerous honors, including:
She has also served as an Honorary Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, since 2014.
As Chairwoman of GFCNI, she continues to advocate for every baby to receive the right care at the right time in the right place.
Nicole Thiele is the Vice Chair of the Executive Board at GFCNI (“vertretungsberechtigter Vorstand” in German). The Executive Board serves as the external legal representative for the foundation.
Nicole joined EFCNI in early 2010. She holds a diploma as European Secretary/ESA and speaks German, English, French, and Spanish. Nicole earned her university degree in Economics, Management, and Business Administration and graduated as a certified Specialist in Public Affairs from Quadriga University. She further enhanced her expertise by completing the European Patient’s Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI) Patient Training Course on Medicines Research and Development, becoming a EUPATI Fellow in 2018. Her years in Paris provided her with extensive experience in various roles within multinational companies.
On a personal level, Nicole is deeply committed to preventing preterm birth and advancing individualized, developmentally supportive care along with parental empowerment. Having experienced the challenges of an extremely preterm birth in her own family over 40 years ago, she is passionate about giving every baby the best possible start in life.
Nicole is also an accomplished writer, serving as author, co-author, and co-editor of various informational materials, brochures, fact sheets, articles, and reports on topics related to maternal and newborn health.
Director, Administration and Operations
Aurelia Abenstein joined EFCNI in April 2016.
Aurelia has a diploma as a Foreign Language and Event Assistant and holds a university degree in Geography. She has substantial international experience, having lived, studied, and worked abroad for several years, and speaks English and Spanish. Before joining GFCNI, Aurelia worked as the Head of Administration in an international environmental consultancy.
Aurelia aims to live in a socially and environmentally sustainable way and is therefore committed to supporting GFCNI in its mission to improve the well-being of mothers and newborns, not only in Europe but across the globe.
Senior Medical Director
Professor Helmut D. Hummler, MD, MBA, joined GFCNI on September 1, 2024.
He graduated in 1986 from the medical school of the University of Tübingen, Germany. After completing his residency in Pediatrics in Germany, he received training in Neonatology from 1992 to 1995 under Eduardo Bancalari, M.D., at the Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Jackson Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami, Florida, USA.
After returning to Germany, he joined the staff of the Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital, University of Ulm, Germany, in 1996, where he became Division Chief in 2005. He earned his MBA and became a Professor of Pediatrics in 2006 and Vice-Chair of the Department of Pediatrics in 2008.
He joined the faculty at Sidra Medicine in Doha, Qatar, to help establish a brand-new Mother and Child Care Center and to serve as Chief of the Division of Neonatology in 2017. He was appointed Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar in 2018, and introduced family-centered care as a new standard in Qatar.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to Germany and joined the Department of Neonatology at the University of Tübingen in 2021, and became Chief of the Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care in Marburg, Germany in 2023.
His research interests include neonatal lung injury, mechanical ventilation, neonatal resuscitation, and the effects of hypoxemic episodes in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). In recent years, his work has focused on research related to quality of care as well. He led a multidisciplinary team to reduce the local rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to substantially improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
He is a member of numerous national and international scientific committees and a frequent peer reviewer for many scientific journals. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the European Society of Pediatric Research.
He is a strong advocate of family-centered care, based on core principles such as dignity and respect for parents and families, open information exchange, family participation in care, and cross-level cooperation. He is very pleased to support GFCNI projects, particularly those related to improvements in quality of care, with the ultimate goal of providing uniform standards and the best possible care for sick neonatal infants wherever they are born.
Management Assistant
Tanja Augsten joined EFCNI in June 2019.
Tanja studied languages and holds a degree in interpretation and translation.
She has a strong background working as an Executive Assistant for international companies, including many years in the field of sustainability and social innovation. After experiencing two preterm births herself, supporting the cause of GFCNI is truly close to her heart.
Team & Management Assistant
Stefanie Gorbahn joined EFCNI in November 2022.
Stefanie is qualified as an industrial management assistant and is a skilled, experienced Team and Management Assistant. Working for multinational companies, she enhanced her professional competence.
Due to her dedication to human rights and her active membership with Amnesty International, she feels honored to be part of the GFCNI family.
Office Assistant
Lukas Mader joined EFCNI in 2023.
He holds a Master’s degree in Empirical Cultural Studies and European Ethnology from Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich.
As a former preterm baby, born weighing 515 grams, he experienced firsthand what it means to be born preterm—even into adulthood. This experience is both his incentive and motivation to work at the foundation.
Head of Scientific Affairs and Research
Dr. Christina Tischer joined GFCNI in March 2022.
With a focus on international research projects in respiratory health, Christina has built extensive experience across renowned research institutions in Germany, Spain, and Finland.
Christina holds a Diploma in Social Science, a PhD in Human Biology, and is a visiting researcher at the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) in Kuopio, Finland. She has a strong interest in participatory research and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) related to maternal, newborn as well as child health.
Together with a team of passionate scientists, Christina leads the planning and development of research projects in close collaboration with partners across industry and academia. She is also actively involved in business development and enhancing the visibility of scientific outcomes, helping to elevate GFCNI’s role in global scientific initiatives.
As a mother of two sons, Christina is proud to support GFCNI in optimizing targeted healthcare for families.
Senior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Dr. Julia Feiler joined GFCNI in January 2025.
As a social scientist, Julia has primarily conducted qualitative research in maternal and reproductive health. She wrote her doctoral thesis on the medical discourse surrounding social egg freezing and worked in a transdisciplinary research network on society’s perception of technology.
Julia holds a Diploma in Sociology and a PhD in Sociology and Gender Studies. With her passion for healthcare topics, patient advocacy, and family politics - and as a mother of two daughters - she is proud to support GFCNI in its global mission.
Senior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Dr. Julia Hoffmann joined GFCNI in September 2020.
As a nutritional scientist, Julia investigated the impact of maternal prenatal lifestyle on mother–infant health, focusing on both perinatal outcomes and long-term benefits. She contributed to a large-scale public health project aimed at implementing prevention strategies into routine care in Germany. In doing so, she collaborated with gynecologists, midwives, healthcare professionals, and healthcare institutions to offer pregnant women comprehensive support.
Julia holds a PhD in Natural Science, as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Medicine & Biomedicine / Nutritional Science. With her expertise in evaluating strategies for better care, she is proud to support GFCNI in its global mission.
Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Ilona Trautmannsberger joined GFCNI in March 2022.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Technical University Munich and a master’s degree in Public Health from Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. During her studies, including a semester abroad in France, she gained valuable experience in scientific research, with a particular focus on health promotion in early childhood and pediatric infectious diseases, which also became the subject of her master’s thesis.
With a strong passion for health-related topics and extensive experience in public health, Ilona is proud to contribute to GFCNI’s mission—ensuring that every newborn receives the best possible start in life while supporting their families along the way.
Junior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Vanessa Wydrin joined GFCNI as a working student in February 2023 and transitioned to the role of Junior Project Manager in the Scientific Affairs and Research Department in March 2025.
She holds a B.Sc. in Health Science from the Technical University of Munich and is awaiting the official completion of her Master’s degree in Health Science – Prevention and Health Promotion. Passionate about empowering individuals to maintain their health and lead self-determined lives, she is dedicated to promoting preventive healthcare and long-term well-being.
Understanding that long-term health outcomes are shaped from pregnancy and birth onwards, Vanessa is proud to be part of GFCNI, where she contributes to improving neonatal care through research, advocacy, and collaboration.
Head of Policy and Advocacy
Aisling Walsh-Papageorgiou joined GFCNI in June 2020.
With more than 15 years of experience in EU and international policy work and project management, Aisling has lived and worked in several countries. She began her career at the University of Valenciennes in northern France before briefly joining the European Commission in Brussels and later moving to Finland to focus on cross-border cooperation across diverse thematic areas. Prior to joining GFCNI, Aisling worked as an independent consultant for several EU programs and projects. Over the years, she has contributed to a range of health-related projects, including those addressing neonatal issues, engaging with stakeholders from European governance and international institutions to develop and strengthen policies.
Aisling holds a BA in European Studies and French from Queen’s University Belfast (Northern Ireland) and an MA in European Politics and Policy from the Institute of Political Studies in Strasbourg, France. She is certified in PRINCE2 project management, process management, mediation, and facilitation methods and is an EUPATI Fellow. A native English speaker, she also speaks fluent French and intermediate German. As a mother of two, Aisling is proud to be part of GFCNI and its efforts to advance healthcare and support for newborns and their families worldwide.
Junior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Ruth Kemper joined GFCNI in April 2023.
Ruth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in European Public Health from Maastricht University and a Master of Global Health from the University of Copenhagen. During internships and volunteer projects in Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Tanzania, she has gained substantial experience with the challenges of global healthcare. Sexual and reproductive health, particularly access to care, is one of her main areas of interest.
She is especially passionate about focusing on vulnerable groups in the fight against health inequalities.
Senior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Teresa Primavesi-Poggio joined GFCNI in June 2023.
Having worked as a qualitative researcher specializing in healthcare research and advising global pharmaceutical companies for over 15 years, she is well-versed in communicating with patients and key opinion leaders. While leading multiprofessional teams in both the UK and Germany, she gained valuable experience in large-scale, multicountry projects. Teresa is also a trained moderator with AQR (Association of Qualitative Research).
She holds a BA in Public Relations from the University of Westminster in London, UK, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Early Life Care at Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria. During her studies, she developed a keen interest in policy work, believing this is where she can best use her diverse skill set to represent the interests of preterm and newborn infants and their families. Having lived in the UK and Australia, the international focus of GFCNI’s work strongly appeals to her. As a mother of two young children, she is excited to further the foundation’s growth and worldwide impact.
Junior Project Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health
Charlotte von Rosenstiel-Pulver joined GFCNI in September 2020.
She holds a BSc in Health Science from Technical University of Munich and an MSc in International Public Health from VU Amsterdam. During her studies, she gained experience as a student research assistant in Munich and Berlin and participated in a medical mission to South Africa with an independent charity that provides basic medical care to children without access to healthcare.
As a health scientist with an interest in medical, social, and ecological challenges worldwide, she is proud to be part of GFCNI’s mission to improve healthcare and support for newborns and their families in Europe and beyond.
Head of Design & Art Director
Diana Hofmann-Larina joined GFCNI in March 2016.
She studied architecture in Ukraine and holds a Master’s degree. After moving to Germany, she earned another Master’s in Advanced Design. She worked at Hubert Burda Media in the design department, where she expanded her experience by collaborating with renowned international clients.
Always eager to contribute her skills and passion for design to an international organization for a good cause, she is proud to be a part of GFCNI today, helping to create a better world for preterm infants and their parents.
Senior Designer
Olga Antonava is an accomplished art director and holds a diploma in communication design as well as degrees in arts and education.
Originally from Belarus, she has been living in Munich for two decades and has built a strong reputation working for reputable design and advertising agencies.
She joined GFCNI in the fall of 2021. As a mother of two young children, Olga is dedicated to supporting and contributing to the GFCNI mission to improve healthcare and support for newborns and their families.
Senior Designer
Laura Staudt joined GFCNI in January 2018.
She completed an apprenticeship as a media designer and specialized in graphic design at an advertising agency in Munich, Germany. During her time there, Laura already worked with GFCNI on several graphic projects for the foundation.
After 13 years in advertising, where she most recently served as creative director, she followed her heart and worked as a freelance graphic designer in Cape Verde. Now, she has eagerly embraced the opportunity to take her work with GFCNI to the next level by joining the Design Department.
As a young mother, Laura deeply identifies with the foundation’s goals and is glad to support the GFCNI mission.
Senior Designer
Alexandrea Stiller joined GFCNI in March 2025.
After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Design and German Studies, Alexandrea spent 7 years as a graphic designer and then Creative Coordinator in the interior design industry in California.
With a deep interest in better access to quality healthcare for all, she is now thrilled to join GFCNI and contribute to their mission of improving support for newborns and their families across the world.
Head of Communications
Catherina Witte joined GFCNI in June 2021.
After graduating as a business economist in Hannover, Catherina moved to Munich and spent over a decade in international marketing and project management in the medical technology sector. In addition to responsibilities in corporate communications and event management, she also gained experience creating a digital information platform for patient education.
This experience sparked her strong interest in equity in access to care, patient education, and empowerment. To follow her heart and pursue a more philanthropic career path, Catherina completed further studies as a foundation manager and worked for several years in CSR and fundraising in the non-profit sector.
With her passion for health-related topics and people-centered care, she aims to dedicate her work at GFCNI to raising awareness and creating opportunities for better treatment, health, and life for preterm infants, sick newborns, and their families.
Senior Communications Manager
Dr. Annika Brunck joined GFCNI in November 2020.
Annika holds a PhD in American Studies and a Master’s degree in British and North American Cultural Studies. She taught at the university level for several years and served as the project manager for an international, interdisciplinary research network. She speaks German, English, Spanish, and some French, and has lived abroad.
As part of the corporate communications team, she aims to support the foundation’s goals of international networking and outreach, and to facilitate meaningful communication between the organization, its partners, stakeholders, and the broader public.
Communications Manager
Bianka Gallina joined GFCNI in March 2024.
She pursued her studies in Business and Economics at Lund University in Sweden, followed by an MSc in International Business in Warsaw, Poland, specializing in cross-cultural communications. With a keen interest in fostering international cooperation, Bianka brings several years of experience working in multinational environments. She speaks Hungarian, Swedish, English, and German.
Bianka is deeply committed to our organization’s mission of supporting families facing the challenges of preterm birth. With five years of experience in corporate communications, she aims to contribute her skills to drive meaningful impact in GFCNI’s global initiatives.
Senior Communications Manager
Paloma Nosten pursued her studies in International Business Management Relations at both CESEM Neoma Business School in Reims and Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid. With over 12 years of professional experience in developing and executing communications and marketing strategies, complemented by an international background, Paloma has always sought roles that are mission-driven, where her work can create meaningful and lasting impact.
Previously, Paloma worked as a Communication and Dissemination Lead for an EU-funded project aiming to develop alternative protein ingredients and products for humans which have a positive impact on bio-economy, environment, biodiversity, nutrition, food security and consumer trust and acceptance. With a strong passion for bridging cultures and facilitating international dialogue, Paloma brings years of experience working across diverse and dynamic global environments. She speaks French, Spanish, English, Italian, and German.
Communications Manager
Sonja Schäfer joined GFCNI in November 2023.
She holds a Master’s degree in Literature and Linguistics from RWTH Aachen University, specializing in English and American Studies. Her focus on psycholinguistics and language disorders such as aphasia sparked her interest in clinical topics. She then gained hands-on experience as a PR manager in healthcare communications, addressing both medical and public audiences across a wide range of medical fields.
In her role at GFCNI, she is dedicated to informing and raising awareness of health-related matters and supporting the foundation’s mission to protect the most vulnerable infants and assist their families during challenging times.
Communications Manager
Yvonne Willibald joined GFCNI in June 2023.
She studied journalism at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. After graduating, Yvonne specialized in medical and health topics and worked as a medical editor for various magazines and organizations. While working as a PR manager for a large clinic group, she discovered her passion for pediatric medicine. She is excited to return to those roots after gaining experience in online communications and project management at a digital health advertising agency.
Yvonne is proud to use her communication skills to support GFCNI’s mission to give newborn and preterm babies the best possible start in life.
Communications Manager
Berit Zuna-Pawlik joined GFCNI in April 2023.
She studied Business Administration in Lüneburg and earned an MSc in Brand Management and Marketing Communications from the University of Southern Denmark. During her studies abroad, she gained experience in healthcare-related communications. After graduating, Berit worked as a marketing specialist in the computer industry, but when she became a mother, she decided to use her marketing skills for communications that are more meaningful to her.
Thus, Berit is excited to support GFCNI’s mission to improve the situation for preterm and newborn babies and their families.
Lara joined GFCNI in March 2025.
She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Saarland University.
With a strong interest in neonatal health and family well-being, Lara is eager to contribute to GFCNI’s mission by supporting the Scientific Affairs Team in improving care for newborns and their families.
Ayse Düzenli joined GFCNI in July 2024.
She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science at the Technical University of Munich.
To help ensure that all children grow up healthy and to gain new insights into this topic, she is eager to support the mission and projects of GFCNI.
Julia Grüger joined GFCNI in July 2024.
She holds her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the Technical University of Dresden and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Food and Health Science at Bayreuth University.
Julia is proud to assist the Scientific Affairs Team at GFCNI in empowering families with the essential knowledge they need about newborn health.
Lisa Kaltner joined GFCNI in October 2023.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the Technical University of Munich and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Humanitarian Action at Uppsala University.
With previous experience in family planning and newborn health in Eastern Africa, Lisa is deeply passionate about improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. She is proud to support the Scientific Affairs Team at GFCNI, contributing to efforts that enhance care for newborns and their families worldwide.
Vivien Karcz joined GFCNI in July 2024.
She holds her Bachelor’s degree in Media Science and Ethnology from Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Communication Science at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich.
With her versatile experience in the field of communication, she aims to support the foundation’s goals of international networking and strives to foster meaningful communication between the foundation, its partners, stakeholders, and the wider public. She is proud to be part of GFCNI today, contributing to a better world for newborns and their families.
Anne Lenz joined GFCNI in November 2024.
She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and is currently studying Romance Philology.
Her interest in the sources and consequences of inequality - fostered by her studies in Political Science and Sociology - aligns with GFCNI’s aim to improve newborn care and provide optimal resources for every newborn and parent. She is proud to support GFCNI on this mission.
Johanna Priller joined GFCNI in March 2025.
She holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Science from the University of Hohenheim and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Food and Health Science at the University of Bayreuth.
Passionate about maternal and newborn health, Johanna is proud to contribute to GFCNI’s mission and to be part of its efforts to improve newborn care. She is dedicated to ensuring that every parent and child receives the support they truly deserve.
Ramona Rangott joined GFCNI in November 2024.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in German Literature and Language, History, and Fine Arts & Education from the University of Regensburg. After completing a subsequent journalism traineeship at one of the leading media groups in southeast Bavaria, she accumulated six years of expertise in political communication, public relations, and public affairs while working in various government agencies.
To further enhance her interdisciplinary competencies and broaden her skill set, she is currently pursuing studies in Psychological Sciences in Regensburg.
With a longstanding interest in health policy issues, she is proud to be part of GFCNI’s mission to improve conditions for preterm-born infants and their families worldwide.
GFCNI is the first global organization and network to unite patients, families, healthcare professionals,
medical staff, and scientists from different disciplines, fields,
and countries – all with the joint goal of advancing the health and quality of care for newborns and their families across the globe.
GFCNI is a non-profit organization established under German public law. Tax Reference Number: 143/235/22619
GFCNI
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