Dear Claire
With your decision to step down as EDRi's Executive Director in the summer of 2025, we celebrate your remarkable leadership during the past seven years. Your vision, resilience, and commitment to digital rights have shaped EDRi into the robust and well established network organisation it is today.
Thank you!
When I joined the EDRi Board in 2023, I knew that one of the most responsible tasks, for my colleagues on the Board and myself, will be to help you transition out of your role as an ED, and ensure that the change in leadership goes smoothly. And I think that we are all well prepared for this process that will unfold in the months to come.
With your decision to step down as EDRi’s Executive Director in the summer of 2025, we celebrate your remarkable leadership during the past seven years. Your vision, resilience, and commitment to digital rights have shaped EDRi into the robust and well established network organisation it is today.
At EDRi, we’ve always seen leadership transitions as an opportunity to look back on what we’ve achieved and set the stage for what’s next. When you became Executive Director in 2018, you were always transparent about the fact that this would be a 5-6 year term, to help EDRi build long-term resilience and make an impact in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.
Leading with impact in the broader field
The past few years have proven how crucial your recruitment was. Under your stewardship, EDRi has not just weathered challenges but thrived in the face of shifting political, geopolitical, and social landscapes. You have navigated the organisation through these changes, keeping EDRi at the forefront of the digital rights movement. Thanks to your leadership, EDRi has become more flexible and resilient, built new alliances, and doubled down on its commitment to digital justice.
During your term EDRi has grown in both standing and impact. You have led the organisation through some of the most challenging times for digital rights — marked by increasing authoritarianism, growing power and influence of large tech companies, the spread of biometric surveillance, and growing threats to privacy. You have helped position EDRi not just as a major force in the digital rights field, but also as an important player in the wider human rights ecosystem, fostering an intersectional approach to EDRi’s advocacy. Your focus on decolonising digital rights allowed EDRi to form strong partnerships with racial justice, environmental and social movements, collectively expanding the impact of not only EDRi but its allies, collaborators and partners to advance justice, civil liberties and human rights in Europe.
“As board member and President of EDRi for six years, I worked with Claire from her year 0. And I witnessed how under her leadership EDRi grew from a young pioneering relatively small organisations into a strong, well-resourced and impactful organisation. Most importantly she worked tirelessly to mainstream digital rights, through widening the membership networks and creating close ties with a broad spectrum of human rights organisations - a crucial step for the world we currently live in."
Making EDRi a great organisation to work at
You also drove important changes within EDRi, guiding its growth and professionalisation in a sustainable fashion. One of your major achievements was ensuring EDRI’s financial resilience, laying a solid foundation for the future. You also fostered a care-centered work culture that supports staff growth, development and retention. One particular achievement to highlight is your help in the establishment of the Staff Committee and your facilitation of the introduction of the four-day work week, showing your commitment to creating a healthy and inclusive workplace.
In my view, one of your biggest achievements is the strengthening of EDRi’s Management Team, which has led to a greater level of decentralisation, with Andreea, Ella, and Vanessa now firmly leading as Heads of their respective teams at the EDRi office. Even though the Board doesn’t engage in operational activities, we have very much recognised the increased capacities and potential of the office. I am certain that with your help and the Board’s strong cohesion, the Management Team and the rest of the colleagues we will be guided confidently through this period of change.
Laying the ground for next steps
The new multi-annual strategy will lay out our network’s priorities for the next five years and set a clear path for the future. Your contributions to shaping this strategy will leave EDRi well-prepared to continue our vital work.
In January, the Board will share more details about EDRi’s current position, future plans, and what we are looking for in our new leadership.
It’s not time to say goodbye just yet, but it is a good opportunity to share my deep appreciation for your outstanding leadership over the years.
Sincerely yours,
