Anna Sophie Herken

Bullish Africa 2026 Speaker

Anna Sophie Herken

CEO and Board Member, GIZ

Bullish Africa welcomes Anna Sophie Herken, CEO and Board Member at GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), to the stage.

A German-Swedish lawyer and Cambridge MBA, Anna brings a career spanning finance, governance, and multilateral policy: former Business Division Head at Allianz Asset Management, Board Member at Allianz Life (US) and CPIC Fund Management (China), and President and Chair of the Allianz Foundation for North America. Her path has also taken her through the World Bank, the EBRD, the Hertie School of Governance, and the German government, where she was involved in negotiations at the UN, EC, WTO, and OECD.

Beyond the boardroom, she founded #DieNächste, an initiative confronting violence against women, and serves on the boards of the German Business Ethics Network, IRC Germany, and Save the Children Germany. Her work has been recognized with the Focus Female Finance Award, the Strive Award, and a Top 40 Under 40 honor.

Anna joins Bullish Africa's roster of global leaders shaping the conversation on capital, governance, and Africa's next chapter at the upcoming summit.

At a Glance

Current Role
CEO and Board Member, GIZ
Based
Germany
Focus
Finance, governance, multilateral policy
Previously
Allianz Asset Management, World Bank, EBRD