Who we are
The Zennström Philanthropies was established in 2007. It is governed by its directors, who are Catherine Zennström, Niklas Zennström, and Salvatore LaSpada.
Catherine Zennström, Co-founder and Chair
Catherine has been involved in the voluntary sector for many years. As a full time volunteer in the UK since 2002, she has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and Amnesty International in their London offices. In 2006, she became a Trustee of Refuge (a UK national charity fighting domestic violence in the UK), and became a member of the Paris Committee for Human Rights Watch and the Global Philanthropy Forum in 2007. In 2008, Catherine became a Trustee of Human Rights Watch and the Institute for Philanthropy.
Catherine believes in supporting efforts to build a fairer world with a focus on human rights, economic empowerment and education as a tool for critical thinking. She draws inspiration for the focus of her efforts from work and objectives already developed, such as the UN Millennium Development Goals and the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Before moving to London, Catherine worked for 10 years in the Telecom industry for different international companies in Sweden, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and France. She is a French citizen and was educated in California and France, and received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Humberside, Hull, UK.
Catherine believes in supporting efforts to build a fairer world with a focus on human rights, economic empowerment and education as a tool for critical thinking. She draws inspiration for the focus of her efforts from work and objectives already developed, such as the UN Millennium Development Goals and the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Before moving to London, Catherine worked for 10 years in the Telecom industry for different international companies in Sweden, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and France. She is a French citizen and was educated in California and France, and received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Humberside, Hull, UK.
Niklas Zennström, Co-founder and Director
Niklas is an internet entrepreneur who has co-founded several companies, including Atomico Investments, Joost, Skype, and Kazaa. He is currently a Partner at Atomico. In addition to this, he is also the Co-Chairman of Joost. Through Atomico, Niklas serves as a Board Member for several start-up companies.
Niklas started his professional career at Tele2, the first competitive phone company in Europe. Niklas holds dual degrees in Business and MSc Engineering Physics/Computer Science from Uppsala University in Sweden. He spent his final year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Niklas has won a series of industry awards including ‘Business Leader of the Year 2006’ (European Voice), ‘Innovation in Computing and Communications 2006’ (Economist Innovation Awards) and the ‘Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award for Technology Change Agent of the Year 2006’. Niklas was also named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ (European Business Leaders Awards 2006) and was included in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People List for 2006.
Niklas is a Swedish citizen. He is passionate about engaging those with influence to find sustainable solutions to the challenges created by global warming, as well as nurturing social entrepreneurs.
Niklas started his professional career at Tele2, the first competitive phone company in Europe. Niklas holds dual degrees in Business and MSc Engineering Physics/Computer Science from Uppsala University in Sweden. He spent his final year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Niklas has won a series of industry awards including ‘Business Leader of the Year 2006’ (European Voice), ‘Innovation in Computing and Communications 2006’ (Economist Innovation Awards) and the ‘Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award for Technology Change Agent of the Year 2006’. Niklas was also named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ (European Business Leaders Awards 2006) and was included in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People List for 2006.
Niklas is a Swedish citizen. He is passionate about engaging those with influence to find sustainable solutions to the challenges created by global warming, as well as nurturing social entrepreneurs.
Dr. Salvatore LaSpada is Chief Executive of the Institute for Philanthropy in London. Formerly, he was Director of The Philanthropy Workshop at the Rockefeller Foundation, a strategic philanthropy training and networking programme for high net worth individuals and new foundation Trustees, a programme which is now housed at the Institute for Philanthropy.
From 1993-1999, he was a philanthropic advisor to the Rockefeller family at Rockefeller Financial Services. His previous affiliations include: the Brazil Office of the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation (where he was earlier a post-doctoral Fellow) and the MacArthur Foundation as a Visiting Scholar. He was also an Eisenhower Fellow in Argentina, where he promoted strategic philanthropy to corporations and individuals of wealth. Previous to his work in philanthropy, he was founder and director of the Urban Video Project, a media education programme for at-risk minority youth in New York City.
Sal is also a Trustee of the Raymond and Gloria Naftali Foundation (New York). He is the former Chair of Tamkeen: The Centre for Arab-American Empowerment, Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Hetrick-Martin Institute. He serves on the advisory committee of Philanthropy UK and the Global Equity Initiative at Harvard University. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Bologna’s Masters in International Studies in Philanthropy.
From 1993-1999, he was a philanthropic advisor to the Rockefeller family at Rockefeller Financial Services. His previous affiliations include: the Brazil Office of the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation (where he was earlier a post-doctoral Fellow) and the MacArthur Foundation as a Visiting Scholar. He was also an Eisenhower Fellow in Argentina, where he promoted strategic philanthropy to corporations and individuals of wealth. Previous to his work in philanthropy, he was founder and director of the Urban Video Project, a media education programme for at-risk minority youth in New York City.
Sal is also a Trustee of the Raymond and Gloria Naftali Foundation (New York). He is the former Chair of Tamkeen: The Centre for Arab-American Empowerment, Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Hetrick-Martin Institute. He serves on the advisory committee of Philanthropy UK and the Global Equity Initiative at Harvard University. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Bologna’s Masters in International Studies in Philanthropy.
