As Development Director, Silke provides strategic direction to strengthen and sustain Blue Planet Network's revenue streams. She is responsible for developing relationships with prospective donors as well as the day-to-day planning, coordination and management of all aspects of fundraising. With Blue Planet Network, Silke continues her passion of being at the forefront of solving global health and human rights issues, championing the importance of safe drinking water in rural communities around the world.

Silke has more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, building relationships between organizations and their key audiences in order to achieve fundraising, communications and marketing objectives. She started her career as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Guyana, South America and has since worked in many countries and with many diverse organizations.

Silke has a M.A. in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, and a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in German from Sonoma State University.