Matthias Berninger

Helping more people thrive within the planetary boundaries.

Germany

About

The well-being of all people and respect for planetary boundaries is very important to me. This is exactly what I work for in my role as Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability at Bayer. I am an optimist. I believe that the situation is very serious, but that we can manage to keep climate change within limits and to achieve the UN sustainable development goals. We will not succeed in all of this without strong partnerships and groundbreaking innovations. In my work, I am driven by the great responsibility that arises from the fact that Bayer can make a significant contribution to achieving the SDGs. Sustainability, nutrition, agriculture, health and science have always been the focus of my work. I benefit from my many years of experience as a member of the German Bundestag and as Head of Public Affairs at Mars. In my free time, I love cycling my road bike, playing chess, and cooking.

Experience

  • Bayer (7 yrs 7 mos)
    • EVP Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE
      Feb 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

    • SVP Public Affairs & Sustainability
      Aug 2019 - Feb 2022 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    • SVP Global Public & Government Affairs
      Jan 2019 - Feb 2022 · 3 yrs 2 mos

  • Mars (12 yrs)
    • VP Public Affairs
      Mar 2012 - Jan 2019 · 6 yrs 11 mos

      Leader of a global Public Affairs team for Mars, Incorporated

    • VP Corporate Affairs
      Sep 2010 - Mar 2012 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Member of the Mars Global Chocolate Leadership Team

    • Global Public Policy Director
      May 2008 - Sep 2010 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Responsible for global issue management and development of globally consistent public-facing positions across Mars, Incorporated. Supported the Mars sustainability and Health & Wellness strategy.

  • Mitglied des Bundestages at Deutscher Bundestag
    Oct 1994 - Feb 2007 · 12 yrs 5 mos

    Member of the German Parliament representing the Greens in the State of Hesse Committees: Budget Commerce Higher Education Family and Youth Sports Re-elected in 1998, 2002, and 2005

  • Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär at Bundesministerium für Verbraucherschutz, Ernährung und Landwirtschaft
    Jan 2001 - Oct 2005 · 4 yrs 10 mos

    As deputy to the Minister, I supported the fundamental shift in German and European agriculture policy following mad cow disease and other food safety crisis. As liaison to both houses of the German Parliament and the EU institutions, my role was to ensure the legislative and budget support for the reforms.

  • Sales Manager at Fahrrad-Handel Radsport Bornmann GmbH
    Apr 1987 - Dec 1993 · 6 yrs 9 mos

    Built and sold lots of great bicycles.