The FZS is run by a board of directors. The full members elect and discharge the Board at the annual members assembly. The board which consists of up to eight individuals and is elected for four years.
The Board approves the yearly program, the budget, and the asset management as put forward by the Executive Director. All the board members conduct their duties on an honorary basis.
The FZS Board of Directors, for its part, appoints the members of our “Help for Threatened Wildlife Foundation” Board.
FZS Board of Directors
President Klaus Becker
The President of FZS was elected to this office on 22 September 2014 and has been a member of the “Help for Threatened Wildlife Foundation” Board since 2010, as well as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board since 2023. Klaus Becker has been Chairman Europe, Middle East, Africa and India of KPMG EMA Cooperative since October 2023 and a member of the Global Executive Committee and Global Board of KPMG International.
Vice President Dr. Norbert Kloppenburg
Dr. Norbert Kloppenburg has been a member of the FZS Board of Directors since 2019, since December 2023 he has also been Vice President. He was a member of the KfW Managing Board.
Vice President Egon Kochanke
Egon Kochanke has been a member of the FZS Board of Directors since 2017. He worked for the Federal Foreign Office for many years. He was the Federal Government Commissioner for Africa, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Namibia and most recently Ambassador to Tanzania for three years.
Board Member Professor Dr. Thomas Müller
Professor Dr. Thomas Müller has been a member of the FZS Board of Directors since 2024. He is currently working at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research as a biologist and expert in the movement ecology of wild animals and biodiversity conservation. Prof. Müller has also been involved in the development of the Frankfurt Conservation Center gGmbH since its foundation.
Board Member Ulrich Wilhelm
Ulrich Wilhelm has been a member of the ZGF Board of Directors since 2024. Among other things, he was Head of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government from 2005-2010 and Head of the Bayerische Rundfunk, a public broadcasting body in Germany.
Board Member Hans Bernhardt
Hans Bernhardt has been a member of the FZS Board of Directors since September 2020. He has also been a member of the Foundation Board since 2016, from 2018 to 2022 as Vice Chairman and since 2023 as Chairman.
Board Member Gabriele Eick
Gabriele Eick has been a member of the ZGF Board of Directors since 2024 and has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2018. She is Chairperson of the Board of the Bruno H. Schubert Foundation and also Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Aramark GmbH and two Supervisory Boards of Gothaer Versicherungen.
Board Member Dr. Christina Geiger
Dr. Christina Geiger has been a member of the Board since 2025. She has served as Acting Director of the Frankfurt Zoo since February 2022.
Honorary President Gerhard Kittscher
Gerhard Kittscher has been Honorary President of the Frankfurt Zoological Society since September 2022. He has supported the organization in various roles since 1980, including President of the ZGF and Chairman of the Foundation Board from 2001 to 2022.
"Help for Threatened Wildlife Foundation" Board
Chairman Hans Bernhardt
Hans Bernhardt has chaired the Board of the Foundation Help for Threatened Wildlife since 2023. He has been a member of the Board since 2016 and served as Deputy Chair from 2018 to 2022. Since 2020, he has also been a member of the FZS Board of Directors. Before that, he was a member of the Executive Board of the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank.
Vice Chairman Klaus Becker
Klaus Becker has served as Deputy Chair of the Foundation Board since 2023 and has been a member of the Board since 2010. He has been President of the FZS Board of Directors since 2014.
Foundation board member Petra Gerster
Petra Gerster has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2021. She is a presenter, journalist, and author with many years of experience in public broadcasting.
Foundation board member Sylvia von Metzler
Sylvia von Metzler has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2019. She is Chair of the Board of the Metzler Foundation and is actively involved in numerous other committees, particularly in the cultural sector.
Foundation board member Dr. Arne Weick
Dr. Arne Weick has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2022. He is a member of the Executive Board of Frankfurter Sparkasse.
Foundation board member Johannes Huth
Johannes Huth was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2023. The finance manager and investor serves on the boards of several companies. Previously, he worked for more than 25 years at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR).
Foundation board member Anna Alex
Anna Alex has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2024. She is a founder, entrepreneur, and speaker with a focus on sustainability, climate, and nature.
Foundation board member Isabel Alfes
Isabel Alfes has served as a member of the Foundation Board since 2025. She is also a member of the German committee of Human Rights Watch.