The management of Save the Children Switzerland is responsible for the implementation of the strategy and operational management of Save the Children Switzerland. It is composed of the following members: Lea Bachmann (Director Philanthropy), Andreas Brüchle (Director Finance & Controlling), Adrian Förster (CEO) and Alex Brans (Director Global Programmes).

Who we are:

Adrian Förster
CEO

Growing up in Brazil and Argentina, I was confronted at an early age with social inequality, poverty and children's problems. This is also one of the reasons why I like to dedicate my professional life to the weakest members of our society – children. For ten years, I led a development project for SAM global in Guinea and then served as Deputy Managing Director for the same organisation in Switzerland. For the last five years I was CEO of TearFund Switzerland. I have a Master in Law and a Bachelor in Theological and International Studies. Through my commitment to Save the Children I can contribute to the fulfilment of our vision – that every child survives, learns and is protected.

 adrian.foerster@savethechildren.ch

Andreas Brüchle
Director Finances & Controlling

Due to my more than ten years of experience in leading positions at several international NGOs, most recently at the Max Havelaar Foundation as Head of Finance & Administration and Member of the Executive Board, I am very familiar with the challenges and functioning of aid organizations. During my several years of assignments in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and Côte d'Ivoire, I also gained important financial experience in the field and saw the difference aid makes to the beneficiaries. As a family man in Switzerland, I know what children need for a safe, healthy and happy development. In less privileged areas of the world and contexts, children need additional support. I am very pleased that in my position at Save the Children I can make a contribution to this.

 andreas.bruechle@savethechildren.ch

Lea Bachmann
Director Philanthropy

Every child has the inalienable right to grow up and develop in a peaceful environment free from discrimination, persecution and exploitation. Unfortunately, millions of children experience a very different reality: a reality in which children's rights are not respected. With several years of experience in the consumer goods industry, I look after our valuable partners at Save the Children. They enable our dedicated, courageous and tireless efforts to help the world's most disadvantaged children, so that every single child can grow up in a healthy and protected environment.

 lea.bachmann@savethechildren.ch

Alex Brans
Director Global Programmes

The more I saw of the world as a young, curious person, the more I felt the need to do something about the omnipresent inequality and injustice. In my position, I am responsible for translating the valuable funds provided by the government, our partners and private individuals into programs that not only provide immediate relief for children, but also have a lasting positive impact on their lives. My team of experts in the fields of education, health and nutrition, child protection, disaster prevention and humanitarian aid and I take this responsibility very seriously. My work is based on my experience in global humanitarian and development work since the early 1990s and on my MSc in International Relations with a focus on human rights.

 alex.brans@savethechildren.ch