We are a team of specialists on a joint mission
As a Danish commercial foundation, the LEO Foundation is fully independent of outside interests and has no owners or personal beneficiaries.
The LEO Foundation has established a transparent governance model with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
The Foundation is governed by the Board of Trustees.
The daily management is carried out by the Foundation’s CEO, assisted by a small management team.
Governance structure
Board of Trustees
The LEO Foundation Board of Trustees consists of 11 members. Seven members are appointed in accordance with the Foundation’s charter, while four members are elected by LEO Pharma employees in accordance with applicable law.
The composition of the Board reflects the qualifications and skills necessary for the LEO Foundation to fulfil the objectives specified in its charter.
The Board strives to ensure that at least 40% of its members elected according to the charter are female and, similarly, that at least 40% of its members elected according to the charter are male.
The members of the LEO Foundation’s Board of Trustees also make up the Board of Directors of LEO Holding A/S.
Work of the Boards
Based on the Foundation’s charter and purpose, the Foundation prepares an overall strategy that sets the framework and direction for the Foundation’s work, including sub-strategies for engaged ownership, grants and investments. All strategies are evaluated on an annual basis by the Boards.
Matters related to overall strategies and the Foundation’s grant activities are handled by the Board of the LEO Foundation, while matters related to investments and our engaged ownership of LEO Pharma are handled in the Board of LEO Holding.
Both boards meet at least four times a year and, in addition, hold an annual seminar to discuss and review strategies.
Rules of Procedure and board evaluation
The work of the Board is regulated by its Rules of Procedure. The Rules of Procedure lay down the duties, obligations and responsibilities of the Board.
In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the Board annually evaluates the competences and composition of the Board to ensure that the required collective competences are present to serve the overall purposes of the Foundation.
Remuneration
Each member of the Board as well as the CEO receives a fixed annual fee at a reasonable and customary level and is not entitled to any bonus or other type of incentive payments. Please find detailed overview of remuneration in our annual report (p 38).
Doctor of Medicine, MBA
Elected to the Board of Trustees: 2015 (re-elected 2021, end of term 2023)
Master of Law, Advanced Management Program
Elected to the Board of Trustees: 2017 (re-elected 2021, end of term 2023)
Principal Professional, LEO Pharma A/S, Master of Science (Chemistry), PhD
Elected to the Board of Trustees: 2015 (re-elected 2022, end of term 2026)
Professor, DTU Health Technology, Director of the IDUN Centre of Excellence, Master of Science (Physics), PhD, Executive Program
Elected to the Board of Trustees: 2019 (re-elected in 2021, end of term 2023)
Principal Technician, AP Graduate Laboratory and Biotechnology “Technonome”
Operator, LEO Pharma A/S, Higher Commercial Examination
Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Head of R&D – Japan, H. Lundbeck A/S, Doctor of Medicine, Executive education
CFO and Executive Vice President, Finance, IT & Legal, Novozymes A/S, Master of Science (Business), PED, IMD
Executive Assistant, LEO Pharma A/S, Diploma Graduate
No members of the Board own shares, options, warrants and similar in the LEO Foundation’s subsidiaries and/or associates.
Committees
Two permanent board committees have been set up: a Grant Committee (as part of the LEO Foundation) and an Investment Committee (as part of LEO Holding A/S). Both meet at regular intervals.
In addition, ad hoc committees are established when deemed relevant to handle specific matters – e.g. an independent Scientific Evaluation Committee (SEC) for evaluation of applications received in open competition.
Grant Committee
The Grant Committee supervises all grant and award activities and advises the Board on relevant matters, including grant strategies and policies. The Grant Committee also ensures that all grant and award applications undergo relevant assessment to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s objectives for its philanthropic activities.
This includes evaluation of applications by scientific evaluation committees with external members who, among other things, assess the scientific topic being researched, the qualifications of the applicant and the academic standard of the host institution. All grants and awards are decided by the Board of Trustees.
| Committee member | Titles |
|---|---|
Peter Schwarz |
Chairman of the Grant Committee |
Anja Boisen |
Member of the Grant Committee |
Karin Jexner Hamberg |
Member of the Grant Committee |
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee advises the Board on matters relating to investments and asset management. It prepares and recommends investment strategies and policies to the Board and ensures their implementation in cooperation with the Executive Management.
The Committee also monitors and reviews relevant internal controls, risk management and governance models.
| Committee member | Titles |
|---|---|
Cristina Lage |
Chairman of the Investment Committee |
Eivind Kolding |
Member of the Investment Committee |
Lars Olsen |
Member of the Investment Committee |
Our team
The LEO Foundation organization is made up by dedicated team of highly competent specialists.
The LEO Foundation’s CEO since 2021.
Peter’s background includes:
- Novo Holdings, CFO and member of Executive Management
- Novo Nordisk, several national and international leadership positions
- Gudme Rasschou /Panmure Gordon, BG Bank (now Danske Bank) and Sydbank, Equity Analyst
Peter holds an MSc in Finance and Accounting from Aarhus School of Business and an Executive MBA from IMD.
Other positions
- NNIT, Board member and Deputy Chairman
- House of Denmark A/S, Board member and Chairman
- HC Andersen Capital, Advisory board member
- Aktive ejere, Board member
- Innovation Fund Denmark, Sounding board member
Joined the Foundation in 2021.
+ 45 32 72 51 10
info@leo-foundation.org
Anne-Marie is responsible for the LEO Foundation’s grants and awards and for the Foundation’s grant strategy.
Anne-Marie Engel has extensive experience in grantmaking and strategic foundation work. Prior to joining the LEO Foundation, she held the position as Program Director at the Novo Nordisk Foundation focusing on large strategic grants within the biomedical area. Prior to that she held various positions at the Lundbeck Foundation including Director of Grants.
Anne-Marie holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree as well as a PhD within tumour immunology – both from University of Copenhagen.
Joined the foundation in 2022.
+45 27 38 60 59
Morten is responsible for the LEO Foundation’s financial assets and investment strategy. The Foundation’s financial assets are all held in the wholly owned subsidiary, LEO Holding A/S.
Morten has previously worked at Danske Bank and BG Bank with a large array of finance and investment-related tasks, e.g.:
- Investment strategies
- Asset allocation
- Hedge funds
- Alternative investments
- Risk management
Morten holds a PhD in economics from Aarhus University and an MSc in economics from Aarhus University and University of Southampton.
Joined the Foundation in 2017.
Anton is responsible for tasks related to the strategic ownership of LEO Pharma. This includes financial analyses, valuation, and benchmarking of ongoing performance, as well as market analysis and risk management.
Anton has a background as Senior Valuation Manager at PFA, where he has worked with the valuation of alternative investments.
Anton has a MSc in Economics and Business Administration (Finance and Investments) from Copenhagen Business School and is a certified Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).
Joined the Foundation in 2022.
+45 40 24 88 08
anton.saietz@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Lars is responsible for coordinating the Foundation’s grants and handles scientific and administrative matters relating to the Foundation’s donations. He also works on further developing the philanthropic area.
Lars has a scientific background having worked in academic research for 16 years on projects ranging from molecular mechanisms in migraine over COPD to sleep disorders and osteoporosis.
Lars holds an MSc in human biology and a PhD in neuroscience, both from University of Copenhagen.
Joined the Foundation in 2017.
+45 30 46 42 91
lars.kruse@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Lars is responsible for is co-managing the Financial Portfolio of the LEO Foundation. Lars’ tasks include:
- Asset allocation
- Investment strategy
- Manager selection
- Alternative investments
- Risk management
Lars has a broad background from the financial world in general and from investment strategy, risk assets and risk management in particular. He has previously worked at Danske Capital, Danica Pension and PFA.
Lars holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration majoring in both Finance and International Management & Economics from Copenhagen Business School.
Joined the Foundation in 2018.
Currently undertaking his Master’s degree in Creative Business Processes at Copenhagen Business School, with a minor in Corporate Social Responsibility, Nicholas functions as assistant to the LEO Foundation’s Communications department.
Regular tasks and responsibilities include:
- Social Media
- Website maintenance
- Internal and external communication
Nicholas has an international background, with the completion of his bachelor degree from the University of Stirling in Scotland within Business Studies and Marketing.
Joined the foundation in 2021.
Pernille is responsible for handling various administrative tasks across the organisation including support to CEO Peter Haahr.
Pernille has previously worked as Executive Secretary at Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S.
Pernille holds an MA in Business Language and International Business Communication – Translator and Interpreter, English from Copenhagen Business School.
Joined the Foundation in 2020.
+ 45 20 86 17 84
pernille.moerch@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Peter is responsible for handling the Foundation’s legal matters and acts as corporate secretary to the Board of Trustees. Furthermore, he supports the on-going work in developing corporate strategies and forming new partnerships and collaborations.
Peter has previously worked as attorney-at-law at LEO Pharma and Horten Law Firm.
Peter holds an MA in Law from University of Copenhagen and is admitted to the bar.
Joined the Foundation in 2017.
+45 25 14 14 14
peter.kjeldsen@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Signe is responsible for the LEO Foundation’s communication activities, including internal and external communication, stakeholder relations and public affairs.
Signe has a background within communication from the Velux Foundations, the Think Tank DEA, from PR- and communications agencies and as external lecturer at the Copenhagen Business School.
Signe is MSocSC in Political Communication and Management from Copenhagen Business School and holds a BSc from Roskilde University.
Joined the Foundation in 2020.
+ 45 20 49 68 69
signe.krabek@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Signe is responsible for various areas related to the Foundation’s grants, both in terms of guidelines for applications, review processes and measuring impact. She is also involved in further developing the philanthropic area with new grant making instruments.
Signe has extensive experience in administration and grants. She has previously worked as Senior Grant Manager at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, as Administrative Coordinator at DTU Health Technology and as Project Manager at Innovation Fund Denmark.
Signe holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Danish Language and Literature from University of Copenhagen.
Joined the Foundation in 2022
+45 53 70 66 18
signe.holm@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Stine is responsible for financial planning, budgeting, controlling, and reporting, including:
- Annual reports
- Budgets
- Budgetary control
- Financial reporting
Stine has extensive experience in reporting and controlling and has previously been employed by J. Lauritzen A/S, Victoria Properties A/S, SEB og PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Stine holds an MSc in Business Economics and Auditing from Copenhagen Business School.
Joined the Foundation in 2021.
+45 29 25 63 05
Uffe is responsible for the communication of the LEO Foundation’s grant activities and is also involved in the daily operations of the communication team.
Uffe has previously worked within communication at DTU (Technical University of Denmark), University College Absalon, as self-employed consultant and with the media outlet Jyllands-Posten.
Uffe is a photojournalist from DMJX (Danish School of Media and Journalism) and has a bachelor’s degree in history from Roskilde University.
Joined the Foundation in 2022.
+45 31 14 88 73
uffe.frandsen@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
LEO Historial Archives and Museum
The old porter’s building at LEO Pharma’s headquarters is home to the LEO Historical Archives and Museum, which is run by the LEO Foundation.
The LEO Museum gives LEO employees and stakeholders alike the opportunity to delve into the history of LEO Pharma and the LEO Foundation – from the back rooms of the original “Løveapoteket” (Lion Pharmacy) in central Copenhagen, to the present day and LEO Pharma’s latest endeavors.
Sophie is head of LEO Historical Archives and Museum. A museum, an archive and a collection that tell a story of the pharmaceutical company LEO Pharma and the LEO Foundation.
Sophie has a background from Moesgaard Museum where she was a curator and was responsible for the museum’s ethnographic collection. At Moesgaard Museum, she also managed the blog ethnographica.net.
Sophie holds a master’s degree and a PhD in Anthropology – both from Aarhus University.
Joined the Foundation in 2020.
+45 31 12 94 32
sosee@leo-pharma.com
LinkedIn
Arne is responsible for curating the rich LEO history through careful tending to the LEO Historical Archives and Museum.
Arne has a background from LEO Pharma A/S and the University Library of Copenhagen.
Arne holds an BSc in Scandinavian Language and Literature from University of Aarhus and an MA in Library and Information Science from the Royal School of Library and Information Science.
Joined the Foundation in 2016.
+45 31 17 65 32
amadk@leo-pharma.com
LinkedIn
Berit handles the administration of the LEO Museum’s archives as well as the registration of documents, photos, and objects.
Berit has 38 years of experience from LEO Pharma A/S within Global Sales & Marketing, Global Regulatory Affairs and Global Product Supply. Berit started her career in LEO France and most recently, Berit held the position as Director of Internal Market Access.
Berit holds an MA from Copenhagen Business School and a CBA from AVT Business School.
Joined the Foundation in 2021.
+ 45 22 15 25 64
beghd@leo-pharma.com
LinkedIn
Vibeke works with the digitization of the LEO Museum’s collections and the communication of the history of the LEO group.
Vibeke has a master’s degree in history from the University of Copenhagen, and a background in the museum, archive, library and university industry.
Joined the Foundation in 2022.
+45 53 55 74 79
viksv@leo-pharma.com
LinkedIn
DKK 23 million to eight new skin research projects
Read articleEducation and awareness initiatives receive DKK 15 million
Read articleThe latest on Twitter
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NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE 29 JAN. Calling young skin researchers (40 & below): Nominate yourself for the LEO Foundation Award & USD 100K! Just provide: Outline of vision, letter of recommendation and CV information. https://t.co/UyE2Y5svjT #dermtwitter @SocInvestDerm @ESDRorg #JSID Read more 3 days ago
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“The LEO Foundation Award allowed me to study basic aspects of skin biology, which despite their significance would typically not receive high priority at other funding agencies.” Maksim Plikus, awardee 2019. Self-nom. deadline 25 Jan: https://t.co/SLImyogQCL @SocInvestDerm https://t.co/dXxQqIaBoS Read more 5 days ago