ECFI Team
Meet the small and dedicated ECFI team with a big heart and shared passion for community foundations and place-based philanthropy.
Dr. Kathrin Dombrowski
Kathrin is ECFI’s Coordinating Director, leading internal coordination, managing funder relations and reporting, and shaping ECFI’s strategic and programmatic development. She also serves as the main strategic liaison with the host organisation (German Association of Foundations) and guides initiatives like the Foresight Group, our climate activities and the annual CFSO meeting.
EMPTY
MORE INFO
Kathrin brings a wealth of expertise and passion for driving change in the philanthropy field, having led the launch of the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change with WINGS and acting as strategic advisor for Philea’s European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate and the European Environmental Funders’ Group. She has been part of the ECFI team as climate lead since 2022. In previous roles, she worked as impact investing expert at Phineo and as program manager at the Bertelsmann Foundation. Kathrin holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences and an MPhil in International Studies from the University of Cambridge. She is a certified Foundation Advisor (Deutsche Stiftungsakademie).
Dr. James Magowan
James brings a diverse background spanning agriculture, European affairs, and philanthropy across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Formerly Co-Coordinating Director of ECFI and Director of DAFNE, he now serves as Senior Adviser to ECFI. He leads the design and delivery of ECFI’s advocacy strategy, builds strategic relationships with PSOs, funders, and policymakers, and contributes to knowledge creation through reports and guides that strengthen the case for community foundations.
EMPTY
MORE INFO
Earlier in his career James worked for the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland for a total of 10 years, during which time he was a board member of UKCF (then CFN). He was a Senior Fellow with the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the City University of New York in 2007.
In addition to his degree and PhD in Agriculture, James has a Diploma (with Distinction) in Management Practice (Audit Skills) from the Chartered Institute of Finance and Administration and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) from the University of Cambridge.
Francesca Mereta
Francesca leads ECFI’s peer learning and communications work – designing thematic meetings, study visits, and ECFI Picnics to spark connection and shared learning. She also manages the newsletters, social media, and storytelling through videos, podcasts, and ‘Stories from the Field.’ In addition, she designs and implements all the youth engagement activities.
EMPTY
MORE INFO
Before joining the philanthropic sector, she worked in different agencies as communication consultant in Italy focusing on developing and implementing communication strategies, focusing also on crisis communication and public affairs.
Born in Italy but always on the move, Francesca holds a Bachelor in Economics and a Master degree in Management of Cultural Organisations from Bocconi University in Italy. In 2023, she became Senior Fellow International Fellow on Community Philanthropy with the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the City University of New York.
Currently she is board member of Messina Community Foundation. She is also part of the Global Shapers Community.
Kamil Szlosek
Kamil is the Berlin-based operational link between the ECFI team and the Association of German Foundations, ECFI’s host. As Programme Manager and lead for research and knowledge, he oversees financial and contractual administration, manages the CF2CF Exchange Programme, and drives research collaborations with partners. He also leads on the Atlas and Directory, impact tracking, and participant surveys while ensuring smooth operations through database, website, and Salesforce management.
EMPTY
MORE INFO
With a background in International Relations, Public and Non-Profit Management, and Jewish History and Culture, Kamil brings a unique blend of academic insight and hands-on experience. His career spans roles in cross-border collaboration and civic engagement, including coordinating initiatives that strengthen cooperation between public and non-governmental sectors.
Kamil is passionate about fostering connections between community foundations and their support organisations, leveraging shared knowledge to inspire growth and innovation. Outside of work, he enjoys nurturing his plants and baking, hobbies that reflect his commitment to care and creativity.
Anja Böllhoff
Anja Böllhoff was ECFI’s first Coordinating Director, a role she shared with James Magowan from its inception in 2016 until December 2024. She continues to serve as a Strategic Advisor to ECFI, maintaining her deep connection to the community foundation field in Europe.
EMPTY
MORE INFO
From 2002 to 2015, Anja served as CEO of the Bielefeld Community Foundation, where she oversaw significant growth, multiplying the foundation’s endowment tenfold and delivering numerous impactful projects. During this time, she also supported the German Community Foundation Initiative as a Regional Curator. Anja was part of the Körber Foundation’s prestigious Mover Programme, which brings together leaders from some of the most successful non-profit organisations in Germany and Europe. She she has authored several publications and spoken extensively on the topic of community foundations. Currently, Anja leads the Wolfgang and Regina Böllhoff Foundation in Bielefeld, continuing her commitment to impactful philanthropy.
