{"id":864,"date":"2025-12-19T08:57:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T08:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/about-us\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T13:34:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T13:34:34","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"<div   class='avia-fullscreen-slider main_color av-small-hide av-mini-hide  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  container_wrap sidebar_right'  >\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0\">\n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:70px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n#top .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0__0 .avia-caption-content{\nfont-size:32px;\n}\n#top .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0__0 .avia-caption-content p{\nfont-size:32px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-slideshow av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0 avia-slideshow-no scaling av_fullscreen avia-slide-slider av-small-hide av-mini-hide av-slideshow-ui av-control-default av-slideshow-manual av-loop-once av-loop-manual-endless av-default-height-applied   avia-slideshow-1' data-slideshow-options=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:false,&quot;loop_autoplay&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;interval&quot;:5,&quot;loop_manual&quot;:&quot;manual-endless&quot;,&quot;autoplay_stopper&quot;:false,&quot;noNavigation&quot;:false,&quot;bg_slider&quot;:true,&quot;keep_padding&quot;:false,&quot;hoverpause&quot;:false,&quot;show_slide_delay&quot;:0,&quot;slide_height&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;image_attachment&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;}\"  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><ul class='avia-slideshow-inner ' style='padding-bottom: 66.666666666667%;'><li style='background-position:center center;' data-img-url='https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-shark-children.jpg' class='avia-slideshow-slide av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0__0  av-single-slide slide-1 slide-odd'><div data-rel='slideshow-1' class='avia-slide-wrap '   ><div class='av-slideshow-caption av-mjcpqpb2-bf6af5f9b750b9a91aa2dc4957018fd0__0 caption_fullwidth caption_bottom caption_bottom_framed caption_framed'><div class=\"container caption_container\"><div class=\"slideshow_caption\"><div class=\"slideshow_inner_caption\"><div class=\"slideshow_align_caption\"><h1 class='avia-caption-title '  itemprop=\"name\" >About us<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-e2otp-46aa9eb436d15877df3e008626f13e83 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_fullscreen  el_before_av_section  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-864'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-1do8ml-bc86f6a4a64b63ce2084bd313e039ab9 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mjcxv3ma-2531c3500959feb052bff0bc1169e07a '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<p>Good deeds are a blessing. They are especially so where they are urgently needed and wanted.<br \/>\n<small>&#8211; Poeteus &#8211;<\/small><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-7ptml-36ee5030409fad5ebb57fc5a7932b577 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mjcneiyn-f705ac768839ccab3e187aad7e34615c '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In memory of a wonderful person \u2013 Elke \u2013 we want to fulfill her dream of establishing a foundation and helping people in need around the world through numerous charitable projects, bringing smiles to their faces.<\/p>\n<h2>Founding Story<\/h2>\n<p>How did the idea for the ELKE SCHARK FOUNDATION come about?<\/p>\n<p>I have had countless experiences in my life, but the worst day was the diagnosis of my beloved Elke in early June 2022: terminal lung cancer. A world collapsed for me and our two sons, Raphael and Christopher. It was a journey of support, hope, and saying goodbye. On October 4, 2023, after 38 years together, my great love passed away surrounded by her family and her beloved friend Karina. She left us with so much, above all, faith in a future, a reunion, and not to fear death. She didn&#8217;t want a funeral service, but rather a farewell party by the sea, on the Lido di Ostia, near our beloved city of Rome. My promise to Elke was that I would &#8220;carry some of her ashes on foot to Rome&#8221; to reflect and find my own farewell in silence.<br \/>On June 1, 2024, I set off from Carinthia and, over 39 days of hiking (one day for each year we had together), covered more than 1,000 km and 18,000 meters of elevation gain to Rome and on to Frascati. During daily hikes, sometimes lasting up to 10 hours, I became aware of many things. As a palliative care nurse, Elke spent most of her life dealing with death. She accompanied countless people on their final journey, easing their fear and pain. She also worked with people with dementia and the homeless, supported social projects, and had absolutely no fear of contact. Elke conveyed feeling and love to people. She was a truly wonderful soul. Our shared plan was always to implement social projects on a larger scale. Along my journey, I felt that now was the time to fulfill her wish &#8220;as a token of gratitude and remembrance&#8221; by establishing a charitable foundation.              <\/p>\n<p>My dearest love, I hope that from where you are now, you can see the significance your life has had for us and the significance it will have for many people around the world in the future.<\/p>\n<p>With love and remembrance<\/p>\n<p>Bernhard<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div class='flex_column_table av-mjcyo72o-c1ff9df09c3b043a21fa6631856a3e18 sc-av_one_half av-equal-height-column-flextable'><div  class='flex_column av-mjcyo72o-c1ff9df09c3b043a21fa6631856a3e18 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mjcy1a4i-8214654a52f2a19da1d96534c39febf9 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Elke Schark<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container av-mjcycj95-69b14631391b01df763084efa76d002f  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-small av-mjcycj95-69b14631391b01df763084efa76d002f avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-e01b2df24c2fd4a9ae804c2f6faacd3b avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-1' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-1' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-1'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-1'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Born on April 17, 1961, in Klagenfurt, Austria (A-9020)\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Born on April 17, 1961, in Klagenfurt, Austria (A-9020)<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-15-9c9a9738594d43bc8fb94ddb050c45b0 avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-2' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-2' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-2'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-2'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Died on October 4, 2023, in Finkenstein am Faaker See, Austria (A-9584)\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Died on October 4, 2023, in Finkenstein am Faaker See, Austria (A-9584)<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-14-6cd2669c968340d81d616fbce612a173 avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-3' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-3' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-3'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-3'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Family: Two sons, Christopher (born 1986) and Raphael (born 1992)\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Family: Two sons, Christopher (born 1986) and Raphael (born 1992)<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-13-e0fcd1a919496823821912a8c158895c avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-4' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-4' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-4'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-4'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Partner: Bernhard Mailinger\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Partner: Bernhard Mailinger<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-12-da444c8f967642e9cc488c133261604f avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-5' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-5' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-5'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-5'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Occupation: Registered Nurse \"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Occupation: Registered Nurse <\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-11-c31d75686c635573b22ea2456ba1ac26 avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-6' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-6' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-6'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-6'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Additional training: Validation Therapy, Palliative Care, Hospice and End-of-Life Care\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Additional training: Validation Therapy, Palliative Care, Hospice and End-of-Life Care<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-10-e032e4869238e9a89869480d381374bf avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-7' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-7' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-7'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-7'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Professional interests: Dealing with death, near-death experiences, end-of-life care according to Dr. Elisabeth K\u00fcbler-Ross, palliative care\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Professional interests: Dealing with death, near-death experiences, end-of-life care according to Dr. Elisabeth K\u00fcbler-Ross, palliative care<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-mjcybzkk-9-4f1fef3e17be04e7646adef41c18fae8 avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello avia-svg-icon avia-font-svg_entypo-fontello'><span class='av-icon-char' data-av_svg_icon='right-open' data-av_iconset='svg_entypo-fontello'><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 32\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\" aria-labelledby='av-svg-title-8' aria-describedby='av-svg-desc-8' role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<title id='av-svg-title-8'>Right-open<\/title>\n<desc id='av-svg-desc-8'>Right-open<\/desc>\n<path d=\"M3.136 7.168l7.232 7.552q0.512 0.512 0.512 1.28 0 0.704-0.512 1.216l-7.232 7.552q-0.512 0.512-1.28 0.512t-1.28-0.512q-1.152-1.152 0-2.56l5.952-6.208-5.952-6.272q-1.152-1.408 0-2.56 0.512-0.512 1.312-0.512t1.248 0.512z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\" aria-label=\"Icon: Hobbies: Nature, sports, skiing, travel, dancing, books\"><p class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title_small  '  itemprop=\"headline\" >Hobbies: Nature, sports, skiing, travel, dancing, books<\/p><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/p><\/div><div class='av-flex-placeholder'><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-1b8j7x-ace8e501722208d465e1b556ed49a3c1 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_hr  flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle  column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mjcyatag-0bf34f12eac5a6752a4f596ed67d9978\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mjcyatag-0bf34f12eac5a6752a4f596ed67d9978 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mjcyatag-0bf34f12eac5a6752a4f596ed67d9978 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mjcyatag-0bf34f12eac5a6752a4f596ed67d9978 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-10  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-863 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-863 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-743x1030.jpg\" alt='' title='elke'  height=\"1030\" width=\"743\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-743x1030.jpg 743w, https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-768x1064.jpg 768w, https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-509x705.jpg 509w, https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--close column table wrapper. Autoclose: 1 --><div  class='hr av-3p8dp-47f09288e234fd94bb171dc50ee47594 hr-default  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mkl32ohz-cf47f3675d79ef9adf3562cafe8d5571 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>BOARD OF TRUSTEES<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='flex_column av-x65a5-475aae1d35870c2be0ebc7c7c570e99d av_one_third  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_one_third  first flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='avia-team-member av-mjcy3d3x-3e9f0b143fd3cefea64778f7befeee9a  avia-builder-el-14  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" ><h3 class='team-member-name '  itemprop=\"name\" >Bernhard Mailinger<\/h3><div class='team-member-job-title '  itemprop=\"jobTitle\" >President<\/div><div class='team-member-description '  itemprop=\"description\" ><p>Entrepreneur<br \/>Managing Director of various companies in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia<br \/>Born: 1965, Austrian citizen <\/p>\n<\/div><span class='hidden team-member-affiliation'  itemprop=\"affiliation\" >Elke Schark Foundation<\/span><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-suu8d-1c6ea9d4c05c25aa2f4e94f0b9d75ff9 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_one_third  flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='avia-team-member av-mjcy4aa9-db84ef4267deef80a9e1a1011f20141e  avia-builder-el-16  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" ><h3 class='team-member-name '  itemprop=\"name\" >Sebastian Oberwalder<\/h3><div class='team-member-job-title '  itemprop=\"jobTitle\" >Vice President<\/div><div class='team-member-description '  itemprop=\"description\" ><p>Attorney at Law (German Law \/ European Law)<br \/>Managing Director of various companies in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia<br \/>Born: 1978, Austrian citizen <\/p>\n<\/div><span class='hidden team-member-affiliation'  itemprop=\"affiliation\" >Elke Schark Foundation<\/span><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-24wlp-9c928f07660b9cedfb91a1faa5a2ac06 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_hr  flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='avia-team-member av-mjcy55qa-fe8f70ff20c699a191dc71507ac5a2e5  avia-builder-el-18  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" ><h3 class='team-member-name '  itemprop=\"name\" >Kurt Schnider<\/h3><div class='team-member-job-title '  itemprop=\"jobTitle\" >Member<\/div><div class='team-member-description '  itemprop=\"description\" ><p>Certified Public Accountant and lic. oec. HSG<br \/>Trustee Zovag SRC GmbH, CH-Widnau<br \/>Born: 1962, Swiss citizen    <\/p>\n<\/div><span class='hidden team-member-affiliation'  itemprop=\"affiliation\" >Elke Schark Foundation<\/span><\/section><\/div><div  class='hr av-fi9b1-cc7c2dc581949cc67ade91d6d5744572 hr-default  avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_one_full '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div  class='flex_column av-8tqct-3944facdd2c79088ffa1be18a5347e22 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mjcy5l47-8eeadb19b1a1505b06ed4fde08a93cf3 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>FAREWELL TO ELKE<\/h2>\n<h3>The Farewell<\/h3>\n<p>After Elke&#8217;s diagnosis of terminal lung cancer in early June 2022, we had a little time to discuss many things before her passing. Elke wasn&#8217;t afraid of death at all; she was only sad that she would have to leave her children, her beloved grandson Lauri, and me far too soon. Having dealt with death for decades and helped many people overcome their fear of it, this final journey was very familiar to her. Her wish was to die without painkillers, so that she could face death with an open mind and without feeling dazed.   <\/p>\n<p>Since Elke saw death as a transition to another consciousness, and because we will all meet again, she didn&#8217;t want a funeral, nor any sadness or tears. She wanted her body cremated and a &#8220;farewell celebration with family and friends by the sea, at Lido di Ostia, near our beloved city of Rome.&#8221; We were to scatter some of her ashes at sea on this occasion.  <\/p>\n<p>On October 4, 2023, my great love, after almost 39 years together, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and her beloved friend Karina.<\/p>\n<h3>The Hike<\/h3>\n<p>My hike to Rome with some of the ashes (link to the diary)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-133os5-8b989bda20d4bc4fc3747708a028a1bb\">\n.avia-section.av-133os5-8b989bda20d4bc4fc3747708a028a1bb{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elke-shark-cta1.jpg);\nbackground-position:50% 50%;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_2'  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.av-special-heading.av-mrnst-f4134b071cfb6cd24353352c409a3c1b .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-mrnst-f4134b071cfb6cd24353352c409a3c1b av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-25  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first  av-inherit-size'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Together we are changing the world \u2013 one smile after another.<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1l7hx-3f44afc5c5bc39517f64e221b86f6cac\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-1l7hx-3f44afc5c5bc39517f64e221b86f6cac{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-1l7hx-3f44afc5c5bc39517f64e221b86f6cac hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_button '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-9ohlx-08412487359ef801752891f923c3161d-wrap avia-button-left  avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '><a href='https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/en\/donate\/'  class='avia-button av-9ohlx-08412487359ef801752891f923c3161d av-link-btn avia-icon_select-no avia-size-x-large avia-position-left avia-color-theme-color'   aria-label=\"Donate now and support social projects worldwide\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Donate now and support social projects worldwide<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_2'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-864'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-864","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>About us - Elke Schark Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/en\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About us - Elke Schark Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/elke-schark-foundation.com\/en\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta 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