top of page
ABOUT ANNE KATHRIN
Leading with a mission to foster a regenerative world, Anne Kathrin Merkle built up WWF’s innovation effort striving to spread innovation thinking and doing across 85 WWF offices. She also convenes the Innovation for Impact Network - a community of practice in which Innovation Directors of 20+ INGOs gather to propel the spirit of innovation into the non-profit sector. Her dedication to nature, people, and collaboration drives her to make change happen and steward a diverse and wholesome team.
A GREAT LEADER COMES DOWN TO BEING A GREAT HUMAN. REFLECT & GROW. GO TO THE PLACES THAT ARE DARK AND BEFRIEND THEM - THE INNER WORK IS WHERE IT BEGINS
Anne Kathrin Merkle
ANNE KATHRIN IN A NUTSHELL
Innovation Culture Manager
WWF
area of expertise
Public Services / Governmental Administration Germany 🇩🇪
companies Anne Kathrin has worked for
ANNE KATHRIN AS A LEADER
Anne is focused on authenticity and continuous growth. She's known for building deeply connected and high-performing (innovation) teams. She strives to walk the talk by fostering innovation within her work - always evaluating and aiming higher. As a leader - she believes success is about achieving goals that create meaningful change. Her approach combines empathy, self-awareness, and a commitment to personal development. Anne emphasizes the importance of nurturing the body and spirit, empowering her team to show up as full humans that operate with autonomy and authenticity.
Leadership is not power-play, micro-management or self-glorification.
Great Leaders cultivate the soil for everyone to show up as their true authentic and wholesome self. The book Reinventing Organisations has been fundamental for this understanding by Frédéric Laloux.
The future of leadership is facilitating the shift into a new societal system that truly serves people and the planet.
When I think of a leader, I think of an emotionally mature human with a grounded spirit, inspiring vision, and the ability to steward a team towards meaningful action. Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin is a great read.
SAY YES TO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AND THINK ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THEM LATER. BE COURAGEOUS. DISCLAIMER: IT NEEDS TO FIT THE TEAM STRATEGY & CAPACITY.
Anne Kathrin Merkle
ANNE ON BUILDING STRONG TEAMS
Stewarding a team in our time (think: permacrisis) requires deep trust; humbleness to honor not knowing, uncertainty and mistakes; alongside solid team routines. Priority when assembling a team for Anne is on their passion and energy, ability to problem solve, empathy alongside systemic views, adaptability and openness to grow. By giving her team the freedom to design their roles, goals and KPIs guided by the team’s vision, Anne encourages self-agency. This approach ensures that her team can leverage their passions and skills effectively, driving meaningful environmental impact. When the team is set-up a key focus is on building team routines that nurture trust and connection. Anne’s team is spread over four continents and operates fully virtual which makes intentionally set-up team spaces crucial:
- Calls that are simply about growing the bonds within the team (monthly)
- Strategy related calls - where updates are shared, quick problem solving happens (monthly)
- Reflection calls where successes and failures are reviewed and learnings captured (every 2 months)
- Quarterly strategy reviews where progress is discussed and pivots decided upon (every 3 months)
A great inspiration for Anne is on Joanna Macy’s “the work that reconnects” - she has facilitated the truth mandala for her team and done time travel meditations. Both practices are ones she highly recommends to create deep connections within a team.
ANNE ON EMBRACING NATURE FOR RESILIENCE
Anne emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature as a source of strength and resilience. In her leadership journey, she integrates practices that nurture the body and spirit, such as grounding morning routines, artistic expression, and movement. By finding solace and rejuvenation in nature, she maintains her energy and reconnects to the beauty of life. WeWilder, a bison rewilding project in Romania, has been playing a crucial role in Anne’s nature journey - a place with truly wild nature. These moments allow her to continuously show up to her work as her best self. This holistic approach not only supports her mental health but also inspires her team to cultivate their own well-being and purpose within their work.
THE STATE OF THE WORLD, THE URGENCY OF THE BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE CRISIS, AND THAT WE ARE BORN INTO THIS MOMENT IS AN INVITATION TO DRIVE CHANGE.
Anne Kathrin on becoming a better leader
INTERVIEW
EXPLORE OTHER LEADERS
bottom of page