Building Bridges welcomes Karen Hitschke, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 21, 2024. In her new role based in Geneva, Karen will lead the evolution of the Building Bridges Foundation into its next phase of impact and growth, fostering progress towards a more sustainable financial system.

Former Chief Operating Officer of the WHO Foundation, Karen Hitschke is a trained biologist, investor, board member, executive manager and certified executive coach who brings over 25 years of experience in the Biotechnology, Venture Capital, Consulting, Social Business, and Impact Investing industries. Initially graduating in Biology, she holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France, and her professional background includes a wide range of roles spanning the for-profit and non-profit sector. Karen currently holds several board memberships and advisory roles, and is a Board Member, Co-Founder and former Managing Director at Yunus Social Business Global Initiatives, a pioneering Impact Investing organization funding social businesses across India, East Africa and Latin America.

As a firm believer in bringing together people, cultures, and ideas to transform business and society, Karen has a profound commitment to driving positive change. “I am thrilled about the opportunity to work together with such a wide range of stakeholders bridging the for-profit, non-profit, impact investing and public sector” says Karen. “Only through collaboration across sectors and across nations can we help shape an economic system where business and finance are applied for the good of society and the planet. This is the mission of the Building Bridges Foundation and I am honored to lead the organization through this transformative next phase.”

 

Patrick Odier, Chair of Building Bridges, comments:

We are delighted to welcome Karen as the new CEO of the Building Bridges Foundation. Her deep knowledge of finance, in both the public and private sector throughout multiple geographies, lies at the heart of the initiative and will support the execution of our mission to further align finance with sustainability.