Team

rfu 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

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 7969999-2
E-Mail: friesenbichler@rfu.at

Mag. Catherine Cziharz

Managing Director

Completed her degree in Law at the University of Graz and Italy. Post graduated in Public Relations and enclosed a training as an academic CSR-Manager. In the past she has worked as a journalist, in the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as speech writing and public relations for the European Commission in Brussels.

2012 bis 2014 Consultant und Sustainability Analyst bei der rfu mit Schwerpunkt Financials. Lectorship at the University of Applied Sciences bfi, Vienna. 2012 – 2014 Consultant and Sustainability Analyst at rfu with a focus on Financials. Since 2014 Managing Director, responsible for Communications and Management.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-1
E-Mail: cziharz@rfu.at

Ariane Kober, MSc

Authorized representative, Senior Analyst und Auditor

Completed her degree in CSR and Ethical Management at the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna and studies Cultural and Social Anthropology at the University of Vienna.

Since 2012 at rfu with a focus on Sovereigns.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-6
E-Mail: kober@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 7969999-7
E-Mail: loy@rfu.at

Marvin Gschösser MSc

Consultant, Analyst

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

Since 2022 Consultant and Analyst at rfu with a focus on Energy.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-4
E-Mail: gschoesser@rfu.at

Erich R. Hoffmann

Senior Consultant

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.

Since 2020 Senior Consultant at rfu with a focus in Sales.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-2
E-Mail: hoffmann@rfu.at

Anna Köstinger, MSc

Senior Analyst

After completing her bachelor’s degree in History and International Development at the University of Vienna she studied Social and Human Ecology at the Alpen-Adria-University of Klagenfurt. Occupational activities in finance and accounting as well as student employee with a focus on biophysical environmental accounting.

Since 2021 Sustainability Analyst at rfu with a focus on Corporates.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-4
E-Mail: koestinger@rfu.at

Sophie Pinner-Schrot, MA

Senior Analyst

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.

2017 internship at rfu. Since 2018 Analyst at rfu with a focus on Health Care & Communications.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-5
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 7969999-3
E-Mail: urban@rfu.at

Claudia Schnirch

Analyst

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

Since 2020 at rfu with a focus on commodities and sovereigns.

Tel: +43 (0) 1 7969999-2
E-Mail: schnirch@rfu.at

Mag. Barbara Ottawa

Junior 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 7969999-3
E-Mail: ottawa@rfu.at