Fellow, Geopolitical Risk and Strategy
Berend (Beer) Kwak is part of the non-resident HCSS network as Fellow, Geopolitical Risk and Strategy. His expertise lies in translating geopolitical risk into strategic decision-making for both public and private sector leaders. On behalf of HCSS he was part of the organisation and curation of the NATO Public Forum during the NATO Summit 2025, as well as a range of other high-level in-person events across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, South Africa, and Iraq.
Beer joined HCSS as an intern in January 2024, coordinating HCSS Boardroom and the two HCSS Cyberschools in India (IDCSS) and South Africa (SANCS). Following his internship, he was hired to manage and grow these initiatives and contribute to several research projects and events. After both these roles concluded, Beer now remains connected to the HCSS research programs on geopolitical due diligence and broader geoeconomics.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Philosophy from the University of Groningen and a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (cum laude) from Leiden University. He is currently pursuing the MSc International Political Economy at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
