Sonja Thebes has extensive experience in international relations, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As the Senior Manager responsible for this region at the Federation of German Industries (BDI e.V.), she plays a crucial role in representing the interests of companies from the region, ensuring their concerns are communicated to both the German government and counterparts within the MENA region.
Before this, Sonja had a distinguished career in various Brussels-based institutions, including the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and RAND Europe, where her work focused on European security. She also worked within the European Leadership Network (ELNET), concentrating on European-Israeli relations, and gained on-the-ground experience in the Palestinian Territories through her work with an NGO.
Sonja holds dual Master’s degrees, one in Criminology and another in Security, Peace, and Studies, from Université libre de Bruxelles. Her background combines policy, security, and international relations expertise, particularly in the context of European and MENA affairs.