Change in the Presidency of the cinfo Foundation Board as of 1 January 2025
In January, Christine Beerli-Kopp retired after many years as president of cinfo's Foundation Board. She is succeeded by Barbara Hintermann, who has been a member of the Board since 2019. This change ensures the continued strategic development of cinfo.
Barbara Hintermann, Executive Director of Terre des hommes in Lausanne, brings over 20 years of leadership experience in both humanitarian and multilateral settings. She is well-versed in the global challenges and current national developments in international cooperation. Through her several years of voluntary service as a member of cinfo's Foundation Board, she is also familiar with the organisation and, together with the entire Board, has supported the strategy process for 2025-2028.
In the coming years, cinfo will further solidify its positioning as a centre of excellence for work in international cooperation (IC). This will be achieved under the premise of three strategic priorities: Thinktank with a focus on the IC labour market, career advice and skills development – for both individuals and organisations – as well as job offers and placement services. In these three areas, cinfo can offer added value to people and organisations in the sector through its expertise, trend research, and a wide network.
Barbara Hintermann looks forward to continued collaboration with the other Foundation Board members, the two Co-CEOs Irenka Krone-Germann and Urs Stauffer, as well as engaging with cinfo’s staff.
What motivated you to take on the role of President of cinfo's Foundation Board?
I have been a member of the Board since 2019 and Vice President since 2020. During all these years, I have had the opportunity to see this wonderful organisation evolve. cinfo and its team have a remarkable ability to adapt and remain agile, which I greatly admire and consider absolutely essential for ensuring the sustainability of an organisation. However, what matters most to me are cinfo's mission and the values it upholds.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for cinfo until 2028?
I see two main challenges for cinfo in the coming years: ensuring funding, particularly in light of the reduction in SDC contributions, and integrating the necessary shift in the localisation of aid into its organisational model by creating partnerships at the local level. Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities: cinfo's services are of high quality, they are recognised, and therefore could create strong synergies and attract other actors.
Are there any particular experiences or impressions from your previous work with cinfo that have particularly influenced you?
I am deeply impressed by the skills of cinfo's employees. In addition to the expertise of the team, the agile organisational model that cinfo has adopted in recent years, as well as its culture of innovation, are key elements in guiding the organisation towards sustainability in an ever-changing environment.