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Frieda is organised according to sociocratic principles and practises shared leadership. We work in a role-based and self-organised manner in circles, with clear responsibilities and transparent decision-making processes. As a learning organisation, we are constantly evolving.
Team
Giorgia Bazzuri (she/her)
Communications Officer for the «16 days» in Italian-speaking Switzerland
Lisa Joanne Bissegger (she/her)
Programme Manager Feminist Peace Policy / Member of the steering committee
Lea Breitner (she/her)
Programme Manager South Eastern Europe / Member of the steering committee
Céline Fallet (she/her)
Head of Digital & Community Building / Member of the steering committee
Marina Peterhans (she/her)
Programme Manager Palestine/Israel / Member of the steering committee
Franziska Rüegger (she/her)
Public Fundraising Manager / Coordination of the steering committee
Anna-Béatrice Schmaltz (she/her)
Programme Manager Prevention of Gender-based Violence / Member of the steering committee
Local Coordinators
Board
The Frieda Board consists of the association’s President and 5-10 members, as well as a representative elected by the staff with voting rights. The Board works on a voluntary basis.
PRESIDENT
Virginia Köpfli
Campaign consultant (since 2025)
VICE-PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMBERS
Lena Allenspach
Media Spokesperson for SP Switzerland, Co-President SP Bern City, City Councillor Bern, Board member of the Trade Union City of Bern and Surroundings as well as of the Tenants’ Association of the Canton of Bern (since 2021)
Susanne Bachmann
Scientific Staff at University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (since 2023)
Aline Beyeler
Guardian for Unaccompanied Minor Asylum Seekers (UMA), KESB (Child and Adult Protection Authority) (since 2021)
Mahperi Elma
Project Leader Caritas Lucerne (since 2023)
Thusanthy Sinniah
Independent Consultant, Owner of Magniti GmbH, (Cooperation with University of Applied Sciences, SEM), Board member of the Baselland Foreigners' Services (since 2023)
Beatrice Teuscher
Pastor at the Federal Asylum Centre, 20% active in the parish office for market traders, showmen and circus people (since 2016)
Felicitas Fischer
Research associate and lecturer at NADEL - Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development, ETH Zurich (since 2025)
Joanne van Spyk
Staff Representative (since 2025)
Andrea Lüchinger
Finance specialist, Co-President of SP Women Canton Zurich (since 2025)
Sibylle Oetliker
Formerly Managing Director of Kinderhilfe Bethlehem (since 2025)
Barbara Weyermann
Retired, over 30 years of experience in international cooperation with a focus on SGBV and migration, member of the Green Party of Switzerland, 20% position at HEKS (Swiss Church Aid)(since 2025)
Commissions
Specialist commissions or advisory groups support Frieda’s work. Commission members contribute their expertise, advise staff on specialist issues, and support the strategic direction of the work. Their involvement is on a voluntary basis.
FINANCE COMMISSION
Virginia Köpfli
President
Andrea Lüchinger
Board member, responsible for finance
Desirée Boccella
Responsible for Finances (ex officio)
COMMISSION INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Sabin Bieri
Director, Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern
Anna Leissing
Director, Society for Threatened Peoples
COMMISSION MIGRATION AND PEACE POLICY
Maritza Le Breton
Professor at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
Rahel Ruch
Political Advisor, ellips public affairs
Annemarie Sancar
Social Anthropologist
Christina Hausammann
Lawyer
Franziska Müller
Co-Managing Director, Church Contact Point for Refugee Issues (KKF)
Angela Stienen
Professor at the Bern University of Teacher Education