About Us

The Peace Innovation Foundation is a non-profit organization that works on solving some of the most pressing challenges in peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and disaster response.

We are recognized as a charitable “Public Benefit Organisation” (Dutch: Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, ANBI) and are recognized with our U.S. Foundation as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Our Foundation Board

All of our distinct Board Members serve in pro-bono positions without pay, dedicating their time and effort to promote the goals of our Foundation.

Axel Weber (Chairman)

Mr Weber is an accomplished senior technologist and innovator with more than 20 years’ experience in aligning business processes with technology in complex and large-scale environments, the planning, and the implementation of cutting-edge technology initiatives.

Mr Weber co-founded several global technology initiatives and is the founder of the Peace Innovation Foundation and worked in different roles for the United Nations.

Dr. Cornelis van Honk (Vice Chairman)

Ambassador (ret.) Dr. van Honk is a distinguished diplomat who worked for the Dutch Foreign Ministry. He represented the Netherlands all over Africa, Europe, and South America.

He has tackled the most difficult, complex global issues with intelligence, integrity, and insight that included demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, and forming strong alliances with the EU and the UN.

Dr. Lale Akgün (TechGirls Ambassador)

Dr. Lale Akgün is a certified psychologist and licensed psychotherapist and former Member of the German Parliament. Her expertise is particularly in the field of migration/integration and development policy.
As head of the NRW State Centre for Immigration, as group leader for international affairs and One-World Policy in the State Chancellery of the State, and at the Office for Sustainable Procurement in the State Chancellery, her work has always focused on the entire range of problems between the industrialized countries and the Third World.
Lale Akgün is a published author and renowned expert on migration/integration and Islam.

Kurt Mosgaard (General Manager) *Dutch Stichting

Major General (ret.) Mosgaard looks back at a very distinguished military career in the Danish Forces.

He served as Military Adviser at the Danish Permanent Mission to the United Nations, he chaired the C-34 group of the European Union and was appointed as Force Commander to the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and worked extensively on international relations and capacity building in Eastern Africa.

Timothy Palmer (Secretary)

Mr. Palmer is an experienced Logistics Officer in the United States Air Force with a strong sense of social responsibility and a passion for data and information technology.

Most of Timothy’s experiences have been studying and working with NATO, focused on directing integrated logistics processes, in-depth knowledge of commercial carrier industry practices and operations governing all logistic transportation within Europe and select regions.

Hélèn Lumière Ellingsen (TechGirls Ambassador)

Helen is a social entrepreneur and founder and CEO of INLINGOO AS – an educational technology start- up as well as being a mentor for local social entrepreneurs. She has extensive professional experience as a product manager and concept developer in the healthcare sector and education department for both established international companies as well as start-ups.
Her passion and drive come from wanting to make positive changes in both the local and global society. She also works as a mentor for social entrepreneurs and communicates the importance of starting local with a bigger vision of global impact.

Ira Cohen (Treasurer)

Mr Cohen is an experienced financial services consultant and successful mutual fund executive with over 30 years of financial experience with a strong track record in building trust.

Mr Cohen serves as an Independent Board Trustee for several multi-billion-dollar capital funds, including Chairman of the Governance Committee, Chairman of the Audit Committee for Griffin Capital Funds, and Chairman of the Board for Angel Oak Funds.

John Eschenfelder

Mr. Eschenfelder is a very experienced communications and technology expert, working with humanitarian organizations and the United Nations worldwide for over a decade.

His experience in dealing with difficult situations and his knowledge of the needs of field missions in the third world make him a perfect advisor on our innovation projects.