On February 1st, Ulrike Pfab became the new head of the Department Communication and Fundraising at the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) in Stuttgart. The 48-year-old from Filderstadt has previously worked for the ecumenical development society Oikocredit as a public relations officer and deputy managing director.

"We are looking forward to Ulrike Pfab sharing her experience in development policy, communication and marketing with us. Even more as the EMS is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has planned many different activities," says General Secretary of the EMS Dr Dieter Heidtmann. The Jubilee Year activities also include a newly composed song, "Together We Are Free", which is is to be taken up by church choirs, brass bands and music groups all over the world, thus making the work of EMS known better.

After studying intercultural and development politics, Ulrike Pfab gained her first experience in sales, marketing and communication in the international finance and IT industry. Over the past ten years, she has devoted her energy to sustainable financing: "Oikocredit focuses on financing microcredits for the development of small businesses in the global South, thus helping to secure the livelihoods of millions of economically disadvantaged people. For the first time in my career I was able to fully live my Christian values regarding global justice and a mindful approach to our fellow human beings and Creation." After more than ten years, she says, it was time for a change – the transition to the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity was easy due its contextual proximity. With the EMS focus being on sustainable care for Creation over the next three years, she is particularly looking forward to playing an active role in this.

Ulrike Pfab is married and lives in Filderstadt in the Stuttgart region together with her husband. She is a congregation member in the Protestant parish of Sielmingen, where she has been singing with great enthusiasm in the church choir and working in the World Day of Prayer team for many years. Besides being a board member of the local One World Shop, she is giving lectures and organizing workshops on fair trade and is working in different committees on climate protection.

Press contact: Ulrike Pfab, pfab@dont-want-spam.ems-online.org, Tel. +49 711 63678 -11