Germany based independent energy think-tank Agora Energiewende has announced Frauke Thies to join as its executive director and lead the organization strengthening the association's work in Europe as the region trains its lens on transitioning to cleaner energy.
Thies moves to Agora's Brussels office from Open Society Foundations Europe that works to create 'tolerant democracies' where she led the climate domain. An environmental scientist and MBA by qualification, Thies has also worked in various senior level positions at industry lobby associations Smart Energy Europe (smartEn) and SolarPower Europe (SPE). At SPE, she was the policy director after moving from Greenpeace.
Agora also cites her credentials as being voted as the most important non-institutional influencer in the European Union (EU) energy policy in Euractiv's EurActory40 ranking since 2016.
"With her broad network, her high level of expertise in energy and climate policy, as well as her many years of leadership experience in various organizations and associations, Frauke Thies brings all the skills needed to successfully guide Agora Energiewende well into the future," said Agora's Managing Director Markus Steigenberger.
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Agora, R. Andreas Kraemer said with Thies on board, the team will work towards consistent implementation of the climate targets.
Officially joining duty on July 1, 2022, Thies will work alongside Steigenberger and report directly to the Supervisory Board.