Samuel Wille appointed as new Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy

Samuel Wille will take over as Director of the strategically important Partnerships & Philanthropy department at UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein and will also join the organization's Executive Board. Samuel Wille from Winterthur is 45 years old and has 20 years of experience in the acquisition and management of strategic partnerships. He most recently worked as joint manager of Sustainable Switzerland, the sustainability initiative of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Previously he worked for Switzerland Tourism as Head of Strategic Partnerships and for WWF Switzerland as Head of Corporate Relations. Samuel Wille studied economics, specializing in marketing at the University of St. Gallen, and also obtained an Executive MBA from IMD in Lausanne. He is married and has two sons. 

"Strategic partnerships and philanthropy are rapidly growing in importance – joining forces with the private sector is crucial for the sustainable implementation of children's rights. Institutional partners in particular not only contribute financial resources to the partnership, but also expertise, reach and networking strength," says Bettina Junker, Executive Director of UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein. "Thanks to his long-standing expertise, well-founded industry knowledge and proven management skills, Samuel Wille is the best person for this key position."

Samuel Wille will succeed Asa Sjöberg Langner, who will continue to make her incredible specialist expertise and experience available to UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein as Senior Advisor. "On behalf of UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein I would like to thank Asa Sjöberg Langner for her huge personal commitment and successful advancement of the Partnerships & Philanthropy department during the past few years. We're delighted that we will be able to continue to count on Asa Sjöberg Langner's active contribution and expertise from 2024," says Bettina Junker.