"Through the appointment of Aart De Geus, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is welcoming an internationally recognized and highly regarded expert in the area of employment and social policy," said Prof. Dieter H. Vogel, chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Supervisory Board. "In view of his extensive experience in politics and his diverse contacts around the globe, he will be an important addition to our Executive Board."
"We have had repeated contact and in-depth discussions with Aart De Geus during his time as deputy secretary-general of the OECD," said Dr. Gunter Thielen, chairman and CEO of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. "We consider him an outstanding advisor, and his international experience will greatly enrich the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s work. My fellow board members and I are very much looking forward to working closely with him."
In his position at the OECD, De Geus has been responsible for the areas of Employment, Social Affairs, Pensions, Health, Migration, Education, Public Governance, Territorial Development, Entrepreneurship, Gender and the horizontal project Making Reform Happen. In his role as Dutch minister of social affairs and employment, he worked together with businesses, unions and other groups to introduce far-reaching reforms in employment and labor market policy.
As of September 1, 2011, the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board will include: Dr. Gunter Thielen (chair), Liz Mohn (vice-chair), Dr. Joerg Draeger, Aart De Geus and Dr. Brigitte Mohn.
About the Bertelsmann Stiftung:
The Bertelsmann Stiftung is dedicated to serving the common good. It executes projects in its four core areas of education, business and social affairs, health, and international relations, and strives to promote peaceful coexistence among the world's diverse cultures. Through the example of its civic engagement, it wants to encourage others to support their own communities as well. Founded in 1977 as a registered charity, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is majority shareholder of Bertelsmann AG. Structured as a private operating foundation, it is politically nonpartisan and works independently of Bertelsmann AG.