The Jacobs Foundation appoints new senior management

  • Long-term CEO Bernd Ebersold leaves on good terms
  • Sandro Giuliani, currently Head of the foundation’s intervention programs in Europe, to step up

Zurich, December 17, 2012: The Jacobs Foundation’s Board of Trustees has decided on a change in its senior management since CEO Dr. Bernd Ebersold has decided for personal reasons to leave the foundation at the end of December to pursue new challenges. The Board has appointed as his successor Sandro Giuliani, who will take over as Managing Director of the Jacobs Foundation on January 1, 2013. Since 2009, Mr. Giuliani has been in charge of the foundation’s intervention programs in Europe. He has been particularly involved in the development of the “Educational Landscapes Switzerland,” “Primokiz” and “Quality Label for Childcare Centers” projects in Switzerland.

Before joining the Jacobs Foundation, Sandro Giuliani worked ten years for the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, most recently as head of its international programs and member of the Board of Directors.

“The Board of Trustees of the Jacobs Foundation deeply regrets the departure of Bernd Ebersold. Mr. Ebersold was responsible for implementing the 2005 decision to establish a professional management, laying the groundwork for the foundation’s current success in the areas of research funding, intervention programs and institutional funding,” says Dr. Johann Christian Jacobs, Chairman of the Jacobs Foundation Board of Trustees. “I am pleased that with our selection of Sandro Giuliani as his successor we will ensure a smooth transition, especially as he is coming from within the organization.”

Information about the Jacobs Foundation

The Jacobs Foundation is active worldwide in promoting child and youth development. It was founded in Zurich by entrepreneur Klaus J. Jacobs in 1989. The Jacobs Foundation allocates a budget of approximately 35 million Swiss francs per year to fund research projects, intervention programs and scientific institutions. It is committed to scientific excellence and evidence-based research. With its investment of 200 million euros to support Jacobs University Bremen (2006), the Jacobs Foundation has set new standards for private funding.