Astrid Manden-Benneker believes the future needs as much imagination as it needs evidence – and she acts on that belief every day.

As Innovation & Partnership Manager for Cultural & Creative Industries at Erasmus University Rotterdam, she builds coalitions across sectors: connecting knowledge, capital and society around themes like resilience, sustainability and the responsible use of technology. She also brings a global dimension as a member of Medinge Group, a think tank focused on purpose-driven leadership and branding.

Her background spans the arts, banking, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. She doesn’t just connect people – she connects worlds.