Who we are

What change asks of us

The challenges shaping young people’s lives are connected. Physical and digital environments influence how they participate, access opportunities connect with others, and shape communities.

Institutions responding to these challenges are often organised around separate issues, sectors, and priorities. At Fondation Botnar, we believe philanthropy can work differently: connecting perspectives, supporting collaboration, and giving locally rooted partners the time and flexibility to pursue lasting change.

We help shape more connected ways of understanding change.

What we bring

Lasting change requires patience, trust, and collaboration. It also requires institutions willing to work beyond short funding cycles, disciplinary boundaries, and individual projects.

People

Our people

Fondation Botnar brings together a Management Office in Basel, a Board, and expert members of the Investment Commission, drawing on expertise across. Together, they guide our work and steward our resources responsibly.

Management Office Board

Andrea Studer
Chief Executive Officer
With over 20 years in international development in bilateral and multilateral organisations, Andrea leads Fondation Botnar and serves on the Board of SwissFoundations.
Karin Schumacher
Chief Operating Officer
With extensive experience in non-profit and foundation management, Karin oversees finance, HR and legal matters and leads effective organisational operations.
Katharina Pompilio
Chief Programme Officer
With expertise in diplomacy, international law, and political communication, Katharina leads the implementation of the foundation’s philanthropic strategy and its continued development.
Alexandra Sagarra
Strategic Learning and Evaluation Manager
An economist with over 25 years in international cooperation, Alexandra strengthens the foundation’s contribution to systems change using evidence to inform learning, adaptive management and strategy.
Aline Cossy-Gantner
Portfolio Manager
With 15 years’ experience in cross-sector partnerships, business development, and health research, Aline oversees mental health programmes and develops partnerships to strengthen their impact.
Antoine Veyrassat
Senior Investment Manager
Drawing on his asset management experience, Antoine supports the foundation’s investment strategy and oversees venture philanthropy activities in Latin America.
Armida Mathivannan
Junior Project Manager (Communications) 
Armida supports strategic communications and external engagement projects.
Chloë Whitley
Strategic Learning and Evaluation Manager
Chloë draws on 20 years in international cooperation to strengthen the foundation’s effectiveness, supporting strategy, design, planning, decision-making, learning and adaptive management.
Daniela Weber
Investment Manager: Venture Philanthropy
Specialising in venture investments across Africa, Daniela guides and oversees venture philanthropy activities in Africa and beyond.

Governance

Fondation Botnar is governed by its Board, supported by four specialist bodies and managed day-to-day by the Management Office.

The Board is responsible for the foundation’s governance and strategic direction in accordance with the foundation’s purpose and the will of its founder, Marcela Botnar.

Advises on philanthropic strategy, reviews funding proposals and makes recommendations to the Board, and oversees the use of funds and the impact of philanthropic activities.

Members: Florian Schweitzer (Chair) · Michele Acuto · Amalie Molhant Proost · Elsbeth Müller

Our resources and responsibility

Fondation Botnar is supervised by the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs and guided by the Swiss Foundation Code. Our accounts are prepared in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER 21.

Fondation Botnar held assets of CHF 4.1 billion as of 31 December 2025. These are managed with a long-term perspective in accordance with established principles of responsible institutional asset management.

Our investment framework reflects the foundation’s values. It incorporates environmental, social and governance considerations, draws on theoretical and empirical evidence, and manages risk through portfolio diversification.

Fondation Botnar plans an annual funding commitment of approximately CHF 60 million to advance its purpose. Actual expenditure varies according to funding decisions and implementation timelines.

Related Download

Investment Beliefs and Principles (PDF, 78 KB)

Memberships

Fondation Botnar is collaborating with selected organisations and supporting joint initiatives.

Careers

Join us

Thank you for your interest in working with Fondation Botnar. We don’t have vacancies open at the moment.

Legacy

The Botnar Family

Fondation Botnar was founded in 2003 by Marcela Botnar to continue the philanthropic legacy she shared with her husband, Octav, inspired in part by the memory of their daughter, Camelia. Born in Romania, Marcela later moved to the United Kingdom with Octav. A former political activist and member of the French Resistance, Octav built a successful automotive business and donated more than USD 100 million to charitable causes, particularly those supporting children.

Following Octav’s death in 1998, Marcela established the Basel-based foundation to help children and young people worldwide. Their example lives on in the values that guide our work: