Melanie Bernhofer (she/her) joined the European Union office of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in September 2021. She supports the work of the Operations Team and of Heads of Programme.

Since November 2023 she is the parental leave replacement for the Climate, Trade and Agricultural Policy programme.

Previously, she worked at the think tank "European Policy Centre" where she managed a civil society project. Before that, she interned at the Representation Office of Salzburg to the European Union. Melanie is also a volunteering member of "Young Feminist Europe" and supports the youth organisation in the Policy, Research and Advocacy group. She holds two Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and in Journalism and Communication Science as well as a Master's degree in European Studies from the University of Vienna. She speaks German, English, French and Italian.

Melanie is the also the office's focal point for Gender and for the Foundation's policy on Protection from Sexual Abuse, Violence and Harassment (PSEAH).