“It is important to have a vision and communicate it so people understand that the work they invest in is not in vain,” says Marina M. Lessig, founder and chairwoman of Münchner Freiwillige – Wir helfen e.V.

With her organization, Marina not only established Germany’s first spontaneous aid organization but also created an innovation hub for volunteer projects.

The pivotal moment came in the fall of 2015, when nearly 70,000 refugees arrived in Munich. Marina, in her role as a board member of the Münchner Kreisjugendring, was asked to help. “I went there to see the situation for myself,” she recalls. It quickly became clear that there was a lack of structure and organization on-site.

Marina is decisive and practical. She set up collection points, procured phones and laptops, and created shift schedules. What she built at that time became nothing less than a blueprint for civilian spontaneous aid.

After the acute situation, Marina realized that there was no framework for such emergencies and that it was often difficult for people to offer help. In response, she founded the organization, which later provided aid during the COVID-19 crisis and supported Ukrainian refugees.

Münchner Freiwillige – Wir helfen e.V. also serves as an incubator and trustee for social ideas. It focuses on sharing experiences, knowledge, ideas, and resources. For instance, the organization has secured safe housing for over 700 people through apartment placement and runs a project that refurbishes donated bicycles and provides them to disadvantaged individuals.

Marina works full-time as a manager in a strategy consulting firm and dedicates her evenings and weekends to the organization. “If there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s that in my free time, I’ve created 15 crisis-proof, permanent jobs in the social sector,” she says.

Marina believes that one’s calling can be found alongside a career. She is also convinced that anger can lead to positive outcomes. “Anger is often seen as unseemly, irrational, or hysterical in women. But anger has immense potential for positive change. Be angrier—your anger will unleash great strength,” she advises.

In “Frauen des Jahres” you can learn more about Marina and her organization. Marina is also available as a mentor and looks forward to exchanging ideas on topics such as (participatory) leadership, social innovation, and disaster relief.

A post by herCAREER,
published on LinkedIn on 16.12.2024

 

Frauen des Jahres 2024/2025 (available only in German language)
Link to the book