Chair of the Board of KR Foundation; Former European Commissioner for Climate Action

Connie is the Chair of the Board of KR Foundation. She was the European Commissioner for Climate Action from 2010 to 2014, when she led the negotiations toward the adoption of the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. As EU Commissioner, she was also responsible for the 2050 Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy and represented the EU in international climate negotiations. Connie has had climate action as a centerpiece of her political effort since she was appointed Minister of Environment in Denmark in 2004. She initiated her political career in 1984 when she was elected to the Danish parliament as the youngest ever to exercise the mandate. In 1990 she decided to leave parliament and focus on a career in journalism, achieving 14 years in the print press, as TV anchor, and as head of Danish Radio News (DR), respectively. Hence, she is highly engaged in issues concerning the interplay between media, the public, and democracy. Recently, Connie has chaired the Danish Public Service Committee, determined to contribute to the shaping of a modern understanding of public service as a pillar supporting democratic conversation in the 21st century. In 2015, Connie was appointed Public Investigator for the Norwegian government’s project on Green Competitiveness. Currently Connie chairs a number of foundations and executive boards, such as OECD’s Round Table for Sustainability, KR Foundation, Aarhus University, and Denmark’s green think tank, Concito. In addition, she serves as board member for Danfoss, Nordex, Teknologisk Institut and the Danish Annual Democracy Festival, Folkemødet. Connie holds a master’s degree in History and Literature and has authored and contributed to several books, publications, and columns.