New Managing Director Sandro Grünenfelder
New Managing Director Sandro Grünenfelder
Shaping a new chapter together
Dr Sandro Grünenfelder is to become the new Managing Director of the HSG Foundation. The experienced foundation and philanthropy expert will take up the post on 1 January 2027. As an HSG alumnus, he has close ties to the University of St Gallen and is looking forward to rediscovering the HSG community.
The HSG Foundation is appointing a new managing director: Dr Sandro Grünenfelder will take over as head of the Foundation on 1 January 2027. He brings with him many years’ experience in corporate philanthropy, foundation work, governance and partnership building. He thus combines key skills for the HSG Foundation’s remit: working with donors to secure additional funding for the university and thereby support its strategic development.
“Championing my alma mater and its excellence is both an intellectual challenge and a labour of love for me: the concept of ‘patient capital’ has been a recurring theme for me ever since I completed my PhD. I am therefore all the more delighted to carry on the work of my predecessors and to shape the future of the HSG together with alumni and friends – true to the motto: HSG made by us!”
Experience in philanthropy and foundation work
Sandro Grünenfelder has been CEO of the Second Mile Foundation since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for an international portfolio of philanthropic and entrepreneurial initiatives. These include impact investment and development projects in Africa, as well as long-term philanthropic partnerships with internationally active NGOs. He has also established, managed and further developed several foundations and initiatives.
Prior to this, Grünenfelder spent around ten years at UBS and Credit Suisse. At UBS, he worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS Switzerland. His responsibilities included, amongst other things, overseeing business and philanthropy mandates, as well as governance and communications. At Credit Suisse, he held various roles in risk, governance and regulatory/governmental affairs in Zurich, Singapore and Hong Kong.
With this new role, Grünenfelder returns to his alma mater. He studied political science at the University of St Gallen and later obtained a PhD in political science and political economy, specialising in sovereign wealth funds and political risks. Even after completing his studies, he remained closely connected to the University of St Gallen through its alumni clubs whilst working abroad.
A big thank you to Sonja Fehr
Until Sandro Grünenfelder takes up his post, Sonja Fehr will continue to lead the HSG Foundation on an interim basis. As a long-standing member of staff, she knows the Foundation, its remit and its network inside out. During the transitional period, she has taken on responsibility for the management of the Foundation in addition to her existing duties and has ensured continuity. The HSG Foundation would like to thank her warmly for her tremendous dedication and commitment during this important phase. From 1 January 2027, Sonja Fehr will take up the post of Deputy Managing Director.
“As a foundation, we have set ourselves ambitious goals in order to provide effective support for the University of St. Gallen. We are therefore all the more delighted to have a team, comprising Sandro Grünenfelder as our new Managing Director and Sonja Fehr as his Deputy, that perfectly combines innovation and experience.”