Area of Expertise:  federal grants management

Claudia developed a love of nature and wild animals while exploring the alpine foothills and mountains of her native Bavaria.

She began her career in environmental advocacy by founding a small nonprofit in New York City aimed at reducing fossil fuel use and promoting sustainable energy transitions. Subsequently, Claudia went on to lead the Maryland’s Sierra Club’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration program, which focused on implementing the Clean Water Act and passing state enabling legislation. She later served as a fundraising consultant, helping nonprofits and private sector organizations secure government funding.

Claudia holds two Master’s degrees, including a research-oriented M.A. in Environmental Policy from Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, where her studies centered on climate adaptation of natural resource systems in U.S. states. Recently, she completed a graduate certificate program in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) at Duke University’s Center for International Development.

In her spare time, she enjoys visiting DC’s art museums, hiking, and rewilding her garden.