Team & Board
Our Team in Germany
Antje Virkus
CEO BaumInvest AG
“The concept of BaumInvest just convinced me I can use my competencies and experience exactly where they can be used in a meaningful way – in a continuous investment in bringing nature, economy and social aspects in harmony with each other.That is pioneering work for the good of others.”
Heiko Rock
Head of Group & Strategy
“As an economist, I am attracted by the simplicity of the BaumInvest approach: an investment in land and sustainable forestry that provides multiple benefits. Reforestation and CO2 sequestration are also exciting future markets for the next two decades. The BaumInvest share is a building block that our children will also benefit from.”
Simon Mader
Finance & Administration
Romana Hansen
Administration & Executive Assistance
“What motivates me the most is being able to view the fruits of our labor at the end of each day: seeing our natural forests grow one tree at a time. Additionally, the everyday work is just filled with life – because of the team work that spans across two continents, and cooperation between different universities who remain in immediate contact with our shareholders.”
Anja Spittel
Team Assistant Finance & Administration
BaumInvest stands for treating nature and people with respect. This attitude shapes our daily work together and makes the company special to me.”
Andreas Fritz
Assistant Finance & Controlling
“At BaumInvest, I feel like I’m contributing to something meaningful. Economic activity and nature conservation are consistently considered together here.”
Dr. Anna Mohr
Relationships Manager
“Sustainability is one of the solutions for the ecological challenges of the future and knowing that I am part of the solution makes me arrive at work with a smile everyday. It is exhilarating to be part of an extraordinary team in which everyone enjoys working together towards the same goal.”
Bastian Wenz
Graphic & Web Design
“With BaumInvest, I have found an employer who shares my attitude – eye level and appreciation are real values lived here, which extend to all the people who deal with BaumInvest. Whether in Costa Rica, Colombia, or in Freiburg. Whether as a shareholder or employee.”
Lisa Kannengießer
Marketing & Communication
„Since I have been backpacking through South America’s nature myself, it has become important to me to actively contribute to its preservation. At BaumInvest, I can ideally combine my passion for communication, Latin America and environmental protection. ¡El futuro es verde!“
Angelina Ruf
Design & Communication Assistant
“Nature has always fascinated me. At BaumInvest, I can apply my professional skills while helping protect the natural foundations of our lives.”
Dr. Anja Nölte
Process Coordination
“Before Bauminvest, I did my PhD on forest growth, climate change impacts and the economic potential of mixed afforestation with native tree species in Central America. I am delighted to now be able to utilise this knowledge in an applied context and thus make a direct and measurable contribution to counteracting the dangers of climate change.”
Fabian Schmidt-Pramov
Group Forestry Operations
“As a tropical forester, what particularly impresses me about BaumInvest is its consistent pioneering work in reforestation using native tree species. Instead of relying on monocultures of exotic tree species, we have for many years focused primarily on tree species mixtures modeled after natural ecosystems.”
Michael Metz
Quality & Certification
„It fascinates me to work across national borders and oceans with people who share a common vision: to tackle the problems of our time with sustainable approaches. In the BaumInvest Group, I can optimally contribute my skills to advocate for a future worth living.“
Ulises Flores
Forestry & Certification
“The international collaboration and the direct connection to nature make my work especially diverse and meaningful.”
Zach Clemens
Forestry & Certification
Ann-Kathrin Söllner
Group Forestry Coordination
Barbara Magdalena
Senior Manager Certification
“Again and again, it is exciting to play a part within a motivated and qualified team who shares the same vision as me. BaumInvest is a living example of a sustainable economy and I would love to see their concept replicated around the world in similar projects.”
Lion
Watch Dog
„I like working at BaumInvest – something is always moving here. I’m also glad that I can do my core competences like: Disposing of employees’ food, spreading good humour and occasionally barking at annoying postmen – in the office in Freiburg and not in our forests in Costa Rica.“
The Team in COsta Rica & Colombia
Ernesto Prado
CEO BaumInvest Latin America
“At a time when commercial activity needs to be developed in harmony with the environment, when climate change, adaptability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are key issues, working at BaumInvest is an excellent opportunity to contribute to global environmental sustainability.”
Enrique Baresch
General Manager COL
“For me, being part of BaumInvest means working consciously and responsibly—with an eye on today and on what remains.”
Rodrigo Lopez
Finance and Controlling
“My main motivation for working at BaumInvest is participating in the intercultural exchange between Costa Rica and Germany while promoting social and economic well-being. This enabled me to refine my professional skills and apply them outside of this organization as well.”
Oswaldo Patiño Uzcategui
Senior Forest Manager COL
“At BaumInvest, sustainability is not viewed in isolation, but rather understood as the interplay of ecological, social, and economic factors. It is precisely this holistic view that convinced me and shapes my daily work.”
Jorge Rosales Rodriguez
Forestry Engineer
“It is fulfilling to be involved in a project where the results are visible and tangible. When forests develop and natural cycles are strengthened, it shows that consistent action can make a real difference.”
Julia Peschorn
Local Coordinator COL
“I am motivated by the fact that BaumInvest thinks and acts with a long-term perspective. The decisions made today will have an impact for decades to come – on forests, on people, and on future generations. I feel a great sense of responsibility in being part of this process.”
Alexis Quiros
Forester (La Virgen)
“I enjoy working for BaumInvest because I have been pursuing this work since a young age. It’s great to have gained the knowledge from this experience that it is possible to protect the environment with meaningful and sustainable reforestation.”
Luis Irigoyen
Forester (Las Delicias)
“I am very happy to work as a forester for BaumInvest, as I can contribute to climate protection and promote flora and fauna.”
Delvis Angulo
Ranger (San Rafael)
“It’s a pleasure for me to be part of BaumInvest and to do the job as a forester here, to help protect forests and animals.”
Jarling Mendoza
Forester (El Porvenir)
„My motivation to work for BaumInvest is my contribution to climate protection because we improve flora and fauna and counteract climate change by creating near-natural mixed forests.“
Luis Vargas
Ranger
“Every day, my work here shows me that sustainable forestry can really make a difference—for the climate, for nature, and for people.”
The Supervisory Board of BaumInvest AG
Gudrun Welsch
Chairwoman of the Board
“This endeavour is looking for a new path along the values of equality and social responsibility. To me, this is a matter of the heart. In this very long-term oriented investment, we want to find methods that are self sustaining and therefore can be replicated and expanded. Earning money is not an end in itself but just a means to an end.BaumInvest is a commitment and an act of environmental justice.”
Ursula Sydow
Vice Chairwoman
“To me, BaumInvest acts as an example of a project that can shape the future: It’s not inconsiderate economics only looking for short term profits, but a responsible community-oriented long term investment with real values. The reforestation of tropical mixed forests increases biodiversity, binds CO2, and offers economic prospects to the local inhabitants.”
Erhard Schulz
Board Member
„With my commitment to BaumInvest, I want to encourage even more people to privately invest in the green revolution in order to shape a sustainable future with silviculture.”
Martin Homola
Board Member
„Globally speaking, there are only a few financially successful investments in reforestation that follow ecological standards and and support social quality – but they exist and I believe BaumInvest is one of them.“
Rüdiger Theis
Board Member