Gerd Elmark has 20+ years of development experience working for the UN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Human Rights Institution, Academia and NGOs, including several multi-year postings abroad. Most of it has revolved around human rights and a combination of local intervention with regional and multilateral policy tracks. Her field experience includes Asia, Latin America, The Balkans, North, South and Central Africa, and MENA.

As an anthropologist Gerd has also produced film and radio documentaries among other issues on artists - sculpturers, poets and female lead singers in the MENA region. Privately she chairs a choir that performs original pieces with professional musicians.

Gerd Elmark joined Freemuse as the Interim Executive Director of Freemuse in September 2021.