Regine Schönenberg has headed the Heinrich Böll Foundation's office in Rio de Janeiro since January 2024. She holds a doctorate in political science from Freie Universität Berlin (FU-Berlin) and has three decades of experience in international development cooperation and research in the Brazilian Amazon region. Her focus is on natural resource governance, organized crime, land conflicts, social inclusion and exclusion, violence, land use change and biodiversity loss, climate change and tipping points.

Regine's academic career is closely linked to her involvement in interdisciplinary and intercultural projects. These valuable experiences with dialogical and participatory learning processes, which often help to break down prejudices and overcome deadlocked situations, fit perfectly with the Heinrich Böll Foundation's commitment to strengthening democracy in Brazil.