The ICLEI European Secretariat has announced the appointment of Shtilyana Koppe and Matthew Bach as our new Managing Directors. They will succeed Wolfgang Teubner, who will leave his position at the end of 2025 to become a Senior Advisor to the new leadership, ensuring the organisation will still profit from more than 30 years’ experience seeing it grow from 5 to 180 staff members.

Matthew Bach, who will take office as Managing Director for Strategy and Policy from 1 April 2025, has been with ICLEI Europe for over seven years, where he has most recently served as Head of Justice, Equity and Democracy. Throughout his career, Mr. Bach has been deeply committed to integrating climate neutrality and justice at the local level and has worked closely with European civil society and policymakers to foster just and place-based transitions.

Shtilyana Koppe, who will take office as Managing Director for Organisational Management and Finance from 1 January 2026, is currently Head of Finance and Controlling at ICLEI Europe and has several years of leadership and experience in financial environments. Over the last ten years, she has worked on a wide range of financial management responsibilities and overseen the financial operations at ICLEI.

Wolfgang Teubner said, “I am delighted to welcome the joint leadership of Shtilyana Koppe and Matthew Bach stepping up as our new Managing Directors over the coming year. Both bring a diverse background of experiences and strong capabilities in both strategic as well as operational management. I look forward to supporting them in the transition into their new roles as new Managing Directors.”

Matthew Bach reflected on his appointment by indicating, "We look forward to working with our members and partners for sustainable cities, towns and regions across Europe, as we continue to build our network’s resilience and strengthen our collective impact. Now more than ever, the local level is the cornerstone of a climate neutral, resilient, prosperous, and inclusive future."

Shtilyana Koppe said, "We are delighted to have been appointed as Managing Directors at ICLEI Europe. I look forward to diversifying, strengthening and consolidating our financial operations to in turn continue supporting local governments in developing new capacities, knowledge and markets that promote a sustainable and a cohesive transition for its citizens."