Franny Klatt is a Project & Events Manager at SUBMARINER. She is originally from the U.S. and has lived in Germany for nearly a decade.
What are you working on at SUBMARINER?
At SUBMARINER, I divide my time between three very different work areas. I spend much of my time managing our BlueMissionBANOS and BlueActionBANOS projects, working with the rest of the Mission Ocean ecosystem to help make the Baltic and North Sea regions more fit for the future. In addition, I coordinate the SUBMARINER Network and our members, ensuring the Network is active and engaged with our daily work. Finally, I work as SUBMARINER’s events manager and have had the opportunity to organise several exciting and interactive events across Europe.
What drew you to SUBMARINER?
I was first drawn to SUBMARINER because of my love of the ocean. I’ve always loved being by the seaside and felt drawn to work that ensures future generations can also experience the joys of the ocean and the beach. The important work being done here has inspired me ever since.
What other jobs/industries have you worked in?
Before working at SUBMARINER, I came from the world of policy and governance. I believe in the important role that governments and policymakers play in supporting citizens and the environment. I think that true transformation is impossible to achieve without engagement from both the public and the private sector.
What is your favourite part of your job and why?
My favourite part of my job is definitely the people. I’m constantly inspired by my colleagues, the SUBMARINER Network members, and our many partners to be more engaged and proactive. It’s inspiring to see the range of amazing work being done to protect and restore oceans and strengthen the blue economy in general. Meeting inspirational people from our industry is a major highlight of my work.
Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
I’m very proud of BlueMissionBANOS’ Mission Arenas series, which I organised over the past year and a half. So far, we have hosted four Mission Arenas in Sweden, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Poland. These events have brought more than 1,000 stakeholders to the table to discuss the blue future of our region. With the Mission Arenas, I was proud and excited to see that they created an impact: Participants reported that they found the events educational and enjoyable, and the work initiated during the Arenas has significantly impacted our region.
What is inspiring you lately?
Lately, I’ve been involved with organising the EU’s 2nd Algae Awareness Summit and have been extremely inspired by all the innovators exploring new ways to use algae. In particular, I have loved seeing how young people are getting involved with the world of algae.
What is the best advice you have been given, or a mantra you like?
Usually, when I speak to my grandpa, he reminds me to ‘stay curious’. I love this advice because it helps me approach life one step at a time and be open to anything!
Where are you from? What brought you to Germany?
I am from Colorado in the U.S., but have lived in Germany for over eight years. Initially, I came to Germany to experience something new, but I have loved my time here so much that I have stayed ever since.
Where is your favourite place to travel, or where would you most like to go?
Above all, I love travelling to the mountains. Nothing beats the view from the top of a peak after a long hike!
Any movie, book, cultural event, etc. that caught your attention lately?
Lately, I read Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green and learned a lot about the influence tuberculosis has on all aspects of life in the modern world. Just after reading the book, SUBMARINER took our summer retreat to the largest tuberculosis sanatorium in Europe. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the disease and to see its influence in Berlin in very recent history.
