Dr. Monika Lessl to lead both the Bayer Science and the Bayer Cares Foundations

Bayer’s Board of Management has appointed Dr. Monika Lessl as Bayer Foundations’ executive committee member to lead both the Bayer Science Foundation and the Bayer Cares Foundation. This role will be integrated into her current leadership of Bayer’s Corporate Innovation and R&D function.

 

Kemal Malik, Board Member for Innovation at Bayer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Monika Lessl to the Foundation’s Executive Committee,” adding: “With her broad expertise in science, social innovation and foundation-leadership, Monika will further advance the Foundations’ mission in driving excellence in science and promoting social progress.”

 

 

The Bayer Foundations are a cornerstone of Bayer’s societal engagement. While the Bayer Science Foundation fosters cutting- edge research, scientific talents and science education, the Bayer Cares Foundation focus is on promoting social innovation and employee engagement.

 

“I feel honored to join the Foundation’s executive committee”, explained Monika Lessl. "The foundations offer a unique opportunity in shaping the future by nurturing new and emerging fields in science, driving social progress by working with social entrepreneurs and fostering the dialogue with all stakeholders on role and impact of innovation for the progress of our society.”

 

Monika Lessl performed her PhD thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin and holds a PhD degree from the Free University Berlin as well as a Diploma in General Management from Ashridge Business School London. She is Vice President and Head of Corporate Innovation, R&D and Societal engagement at Bayer AG. In her former role, she was Head of External Innovation Therapeutics at Bayer’s pharmaceutical division in Berlin, where she was responsible for the open innovation strategy and partnerships. Prior to this, she was CEO of the Ernst Schering Foundation and conducted research in the area of women’s health at Schering AG. Monika Lessl acts as vice chair of the Supervisory Board of the Futurium, Berlin’s museum of the future and is a jury member of the European Innovation council.