Change in management of the foundation

Annette: I came to the Ecole seven years ago and was immediately impressed by the place. A sociologist by training, I work in administration for the school’s management and see daily what an opportunity it is for many young people to live and learn here.

Beatrice: I went to school here at the end of the 1970s and that time was enormously important for me. The Ecole shaped me and was like "a second home away from home", for which I am very grateful. I later became a member of the board of the cooperative, and then I was managing director of the Ecole Foundation for many years. Even though I am now stepping down from this position, I will remain involved with the school as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Beatrice: Well, there is the famous "return on investment" (ROI), where you look at the financial return on an action. However, there's also the ROX, the "return on experience": What we experience at work or at school is ultimately more important than any grades or a pay rise. My commitment to the Ecole is my way of expressing my gratitude for the experiences I had during my time at the school, in other words, my own personal "return on experience". As such, it is vital that the Ecole continues to provide a lot of ROX—and the holistic educational concept of the Ecole d'Humanité plays a central role in this, in line with the Ecole slogan "become who you are!". In order for this to continue to be possible, ROI is of course also needed, i.e. funds, for example in the form of donations.

Annette: I have a wonderful vision of an Ecole that shines out into the world like a star. In a large network with other places that also strive to realize the best version of humanity and being human. It is important to me that the Ecole functions and is perceived as one large organism. To achieve this, it is crucial that the school, the cooperative, and the foundation work hand in hand. As the new Managing Director working directly at the school, I hope to be able to contribute here. This also includes generating the necessary funds for the school so that it can continue to shine.

Annette: Not at all, even though we will be looking at how and where fundraising is best positioned in the Ecole universe over the next six months as part of organizational development. Beatrice has already set the bar high in fundraising, and we want to strengthen this area further.

Beatrice: Thank you! The Board of Trustees will also remain unchanged, and Christel Grünenwald will continue to be responsible for estate marketing. So, there is continuity - but at the same time, there is of course room for new activities.

Annette: I am particularly interested in the contacts with all the people, organizations, and alumni involved. I would like to maintain this fantastic network around the world. I think the Ecole should become a little more accessible to the outside world again. And there will be a great opportunity for this in 2026 at the latest: that's when the Ecole will celebrate its 80th anniversary on the Hasliberg!