Brita Fernandez Schmidt
CEO
“I am inspired by the opportunity to help shape the work of BB Energy Foundation and create an innovative, inclusive and compassionate way of providing resources to organisations in disadvantaged communities who are at the forefront of creating empowering solutions to local challenges that have a global impact.”
Brita has a long history of working in international development with a specific focus on gender equality and women’s rights. For 13 years, Brita served as the Executive Director of Women for Women International – UK . She co-founded Women for Women International in Germany, in 2018. She was the Chair of the Network Gender Action for Peace and Security, the Chair of the Gender and Development Network, and previously worked as the Programmes & Policy Director at Womankind Worldwide.
Brita started her career as Policy Officer at the European Women’s Lobby. She is company director of her company Fierce Power where she works with organisations and businesses to create working cultures that are value-led, inclusive, in-powering, innovative, trauma-informed and sustainable. She is passionate about promoting alternative models of ‘leadership’ as a response to the urgent problems facing our society and world.
Brita is an advocate and promoter of our inherent power and is passionate about equality. Over the past 25 years, she has frequently written and spoken publicly about the challenges of addressing inequality worldwide. Originally from Germany, Brita attended school in Venezuela and has worked with people from numerous countries throughout her career.
