Martin Wipfli – member of the Board of Trustees since 2004
Why am I involved in the BPN Foundation Board?
Many of us live in an environment that is only granted to a few people in this world. At the same time, our society is characterized by materialism and individualism. Common values and the need for an intact social fabric are fading into the background. BPN counters this by encouraging people in other countries to take responsibility as entrepreneurs for their employees through a value-based commitment. This lays the foundation for a self-reliant and self-determined social order. With my commitment, I want to enable BPN to achieve the goals it has set itself.
What is my role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees?
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, I am responsible with the Board of Trustees to ensure that BPN pursues a coherent strategy that is in line with the founder's wishes. In this context, I prepare the Board of Trustees meetings, chair the meetings and am the interface for communication and cooperation with the operational management. At the same time, I am involved in the public image of BPN by connecting people and getting them excited about BPN.
Caroline Bärtschi – member of the Board of Trustees since 2019
BPN Foundation - Why am I involved?
Last February, I took part in a trip to Nicaragua and was able to see first-hand the impact of BPN's work. It confirmed to me once again that the goals BPN has set itself - to support small and medium-sized enterprises in order to create and secure jobs - are not just fine words, but reality. We visited entrepreneurs who have gone one way with BPN and are now in a different place than when they started their journey with BPN.
The idea that jobs can be preserved and new ones created by supporting local entrepreneurs inspired me right from the start. I was also convinced by the aspect of long-term cooperation. It's not just about teaching the entrepreneurs as much as possible in a course and then leaving them alone again. Rather, BPN is prepared to work with them over a longer period of time, to challenge them again and again and also to encourage them.
In discussions with entrepreneurs in Nicaragua and on an earlier trip to Rwanda, I was very touched to hear that the cooperation with BPN has not only left its mark on professional life, but also on private life. The values that BPN conveys have reached people in their roles as entrepreneurs and "private people" and are being lived.
What is my role?
On the Board of Trustees, we work very well together as a team. There are no assigned roles – except that of the president – and each person can and should speak out on all issues. However, since my background is in human resources, I can give my subject-specific input on HR-related topics. For example, we have developed and implemented an HR strategy. For other topics, I see my role as taking a critical look and actively listening. With my commitment as a member of the Board of Trustees, I am happy to continue to contribute to ensuring that BPN can have a long-term and sustainable positive impact.