Jenny Pöller Appointed as New Central Gender Equality Officer at HNEE
From August 2025, Jenny Pöller will take on the role of Central Gender Equality Officer at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). She succeeds Dr Nadine Herold, who, in her many years in the role, played a key part in shaping and advancing gender equality at HNEE, both structurally and culturally. Dr Herold will continue to support the university in her capacity as Deputy Gender Equality Officer.
Jenny Pöller brings a wealth of experience in gender policy, higher education, and organisational development. Born in Nauen in 1984, she first trained in hotel management before going on to study education, political science and public administration at the University of Potsdam. She later completed a Master’s degree in Social Work, specialising in organisational development and inclusion, at the University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg. She is currently undertaking a doctorate at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg on the topic of voluntary engagement in the care sector.
Over the years, Pöller has held senior roles at the intersection of education, gender equity, and social participation. As a lecturer and academic researcher, she brings both scholarly insight and practical experience to questions of social transformation. Her feminist perspective informs not only her academic work, but also her long-standing voluntary commitments — including serving on the board of the Autonomous Women’s Centre in Potsdam, as a spokesperson for the Brandenburg Women’s Policy Council, and as a co-initiator of the Women’s Polling Place project in Potsdam.
“To help shape equality at HNEE means taking on responsibility at a university that sees social, ecological, and gender justice as interconnected,” Pöller says. The open recruitment process for the role signalled to her that gender equality is not just viewed as a cross-cutting issue at HNEE, but as a strategic goal actively pursued. “I’m excited to be joining an institution that makes change possible — through conviction, academic rigour, and open dialogue.” Her appointment followed a competitive, externally advertised selection process — a clear indication of HNEE’s intention to continue advancing its gender equality strategy and to welcome new perspectives.
In her new role, Pöller plans to further raise the visibility of existing initiatives, strengthen protections against discrimination, and embed gender equality more firmly as a key quality feature of university development. “There is already a strong network of committed people at HNEE working to promote equity and diversity,” she notes. “I look forward to building on this solid foundation — through dialogue and collaboration.”
The university also takes this opportunity to recognise the exceptional contributions of Dr Nadine Herold, who has led the gender equality work at HNEE with deep expertise and tireless commitment over many years. Under her leadership, key frameworks for gender-sensitive university development were established, gender equality became embedded in HNEE’s strategic goals, and numerous initiatives to promote diversity and participation were launched. “Without Nadine Herold, our gender equality work would not be where it is today,” says University President Professor Dr Matthias Barth. “We’re grateful that she will continue to share her experience as Deputy Gender Equality Officer.”
Looking ahead, Jenny Pöller is keen to develop HNEE’s gender equality work in a systematic and participatory way. Her vision: a university where diversity is valued, processes enable fairness, and structures foster inclusion. “For me, gender equality is not just one issue among many — it’s at the heart of a democratic, future-oriented university.”