A small team with a big purpose
-2.png "Jonas Parello-Plesner (1)-2")
Democracy is facing unprecedented challenges, and at the Alliance of Democracies, we are committed to standing on the frontlines of its defence.
Though our team is small, our ambition is boundless - we work tirelessly to support democratic voices, promote collaboration, and drive impact where it matters most.
Team
Jonas Parello-Plesner
Executive director
Jonas oversees the overall management and fundraising efforts of our organization, including the annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit. With experience across global power centers—Washington, Beijing, and Brussels—he brings a deep understanding of international affairs.
He is a frequent commentator in both Danish and international media and contributes a regular column to Berlingske.
Maria Fogh Duelund
Chief operating officer
Maria oversees the daily operations of the Alliance of Democracies, managing everything from finance to human resources. With 15 years of leadership and general management experience across both the private sector and the military, she brings a unique perspective to her role.
A trained military interpreter in Russian and Serbian, Maria was deployed to Kosovo in 2003–2004 as part of NATO’s peace-support operation. She is a strong advocate for democracy, individual civil liberties, and the rule of law.
Danielle Piatkewicz
Deputy chief operating officer
Danielle leads our strategic initiatives, oversees the operations of the Alliance, and plays a key role in organizing the annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit. She has worked with The German Marshall Fund of the United States and the European Institute of Peace across global hubs, including Warsaw, Brussels, Washington, D.C., and Prague.
In addition to her role, Danielle is a research fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, specializing in transatlantic, Central, and Eastern European foreign and security relations.
Richard Walakira
Senior program manager
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Board
