Daniela Schwarzer

About Daniela Schwarzer

Daniela Schwarzer is a leading German expert in European affairs, international relations, and corporate governance, and she currently serves as an independent director of Covivio. She holds a PhD in political economy and a Master’s degree in political science and linguistics, and has built her career at the crossroads of public policy, strategic analysis, and high-level advisory work on European and Franco-German issues. At Covivio, she brings to the Board a deep understanding of institutional, geopolitical, and regulatory dynamics that shape the European real estate and financial sectors. Before taking on corporate board responsibilities, Daniela Schwarzer held senior leadership roles in prominent institutions. From 2016 to 2021, she led the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), one of Germany’s most influential think tanks on foreign and European policy. She then served from 2021 to 2023 as Executive Director of the Open Society Foundations in Europe and Asia, where she oversaw work related to democracy, civil society, and institutional resilience. In 2023, she was appointed to the Management Board of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, reinforcing her profile as a voice in policy thinking and public-interest leadership. Her career is also distinguished by a strong academic dimension. She is currently an honorary professor at Freie Universität Berlin, where she teaches European integration and international affairs. She also serves as a non-executive board member of BNP Paribas, as well as on the board of the DGAP and several European policy-oriented bodies. This combination of board roles and intellectual leadership gives her a broad perspective on governance, compliance, sustainability, and long-term strategy. At Covivio, her appointment as an independent director reflects the Group’s focus on strengthening the Board’s European expertise, diversity of experience, and strategic oversight. Her background is particularly valuable in helping the company navigate regulatory change, the transformation of the real estate market toward sustainability, and the demands of rigorous international governance.