Ole Spies

Ole is Co-Director of Programs at the Global Solutions Initiative, where he helps shape and drive much of the organization’s programmatic work. His work primarily focuses on civil society engagement and youth inclusion, as well as overseeing programs on climate, global finance and related challenges. Previously, he served as Director of the Global Solutions Summer Schools and for many years led the Young Global Changers program, which he continues to oversee. Ole has been part of the Global Solutions Initiative since 2018.

Before joining the Global Solutions Initiative, Ole worked at the German Federal Foreign Office. As the desk officer for cultural relations with the United States and Canada, he worked on the development of new institutions for cultural exchange, among them the Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles and 1014 in New York.

Before his time at the ministry he worked for several years as Program Manager for the international Summer and Winter University of Freie Universität Berlin (FUBiS) which provides international students and scholars with academic study abroad programs. At Freie Universität Ole developed academic curricula, scholarship programs and cultural exchange opportunities.

Ole holds degrees in communication studies (MA), political science and international law. Through his work at the Global Solutions Initiative, he aims to bring underrepresented perspectives, innovative ideas, and fresh energy into global discussions on political, societal, and economic change.