Team

rfu research is a team of experts with different backgrounds in a broad range of disciplines and with various abilities, allowing us to do justice to the multi-dimensional character of sustainability.

Mag. Reinhard Friesenbichler

Mag. Reinhard Friesenbichler

Managing Director & Founder

Studied Business Administration at Graz University after being trained as a mechanical engineer. He completed his business studies by handing in his final paper with the topic of “Ethical Investment”. His first professional activities included work as an engineer, business journalist and Managing Director of a financial services provider.

Since 1997, he has had his own company rfu Unternehmensberatung (Business Consulting), Vienna. Various teaching assignments and functions in Supervisory Boards, activities as an examiner and auditor as well as numerous publications.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-11

E-Mail: friesenbichler@rfu.at

Marvin Gschösser, MSc

Authorized signatory, Senior Consultant

Studied banking and finance at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna and, after several years of practical experience in the financing industry, completed a Master’s degree in “Sustainability & Responsible Management”.

At rfu since 2022 with a focus on design and sustainability controlling.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-14

E-Mail: gschoesser@rfu.at

Marvin Gschösser, MSc
Ariane Friesenbichler, MSc

Ariane Friesenbichler, MSc

Authorized representative, Senior Analyst und Auditor

Completed her degree in CSR and Ethical Management at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna. Since 2012 at rfu with a focus on Sovereigns.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-12

E-Mail: ariane.friesenbichler@rfu.at

MMag. Christian Loy

Head of Research

First completed business studies at Vienna University of Economics and Business and then studied Social Ecology at the Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies (IFF Vienna). Professional activities in projects with a focus on development policy and environmental education as well as scientific cooperation in sustainability research. Editor and auditor of the “Gemeinwohlökonomie” (“Economy for the Common Good”).

At rfu since 2005 and Head of Research for over 10 years with responsibility for the conception and further development of the rfu models as well as for sovereigns and commodity research.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-0

E-Mail: loy@rfu.at

MMag. Christian Loy
Sophie Pinner-Schrot, MA

Sophie Pinner-Schrot, MA

Head of Corporate Research

After completing her bachelor’s degree in European Economy and Business Management at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna, she studies Environmental and Sustainability Management at the University of Applied Sciences Krems.

With rfu since 2018. Sustainability Analyst with a focus on Consumer, Healthcare and Telecommunications. Head of Corporate Research since 2024.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-13

E-Mail: pinner@rfu.at

Mag. (FH) Markus Urban

Senior Analyst

Completed his degree in Business Administration at the FH Vienna University of Applied Sciences of WKW. Enclosed a training as an academic CSR-Manager at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna. Previous occupations in auditing and tax consulting as well as government tax auditing of large-scale corporates within public service.

Since 2016 Sustainability Analyst at rfu with a focus on Financials.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-15

E-Mail: urban@rfu.at

Mag. (FH) Markus Urban
Erich R. Hoffmann

Erich R. Hoffmann

Advisor

Expert regarding social capital management. Founder and managing partner for many years of H+P HOFFMANN & PARTNER Sozialkapitalmanagement GmbH. Sworn and court-certified expert for operational pension provisions, pension funds and insurances.

Advisor at rfu since 2020.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-0

E-Mail: hoffmann@rfu.at

Claudia Schnirch

Senior Analyst

Social worker with experience in campaign planning and organizational development. Expertise on socio-ecological agriculture.

At rfu since 2020 with a focus on commodities and energy.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-0

E-Mail: schnirch@rfu.at

Claudia Schnirch
Mag. Barbara Ottawa

Mag. Barbara Ottawa

Analyst

Studied History and English in Vienna and the UK before starting work at an Austrian daily newspaper and then moving to London. Since 2007 she is back in Vienna working as a freelance journalist and translator, mainly in the financial sector. For eight years she was also a bike messenger.

Since 2024 with rfu as Sustainability Analyst with a focus on Financials.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-16

E-Mail: ottawa@rfu.at