Be Brave, Be Kind, Be Bold!
A Love for Humanity
Throughout his life, Christoph has nurtured his calling to help others. With a professional background spanning the arts, media, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarian action, he is always eager to utilise his skills and experiences to support people in need.
Christoph is an award-winning humanitarian, photographer, artist, public speaker, and adventurer passionate about human and humanitarian issues.
He holds Master's Degrees in Arts, International Relations and Global Leadership, speaks five languages and has lived in over 15 countries.
He lives near Zurich (Switzerland) with his wife, Valentine, and baby Louis.
Passionate to Create Change
Christoph is the Group Head of Human Rights and Social Impact at Holcim. Before this, he was the CEO of the international children’s charity World Vision Switzerland and Liechtenstein and a Global Leadership Fellow at the World Economic Forum (WEF), where he was Head of Social Engagement and the Global Future Council on the Humanitarian System.
He worked on the frontlines of global conflicts (Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa) and negotiated with armed actors for a decade. He ran some of the largest refugee camps.
After a violent ambush in the Central African Republic nearly took his life, Christoph's determination to support the most vulnerable heightened.
He founded the Colour the World Foundation in 2003, helping leprosy patients around the world and carried out humanitarian expeditions such as Alegria (2010), Bike for Help (2002) and Run for Help (1998).
He has received several awards for his humanitarian efforts, including the World Explorers and El Mundo awards. He was decorated with the Commander’s Cross by The Order of Malta.
Christoph is a member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) and is on the YPO’s Peace Action Network board.
Creativity and Storytelling as Vehicles of Change
Christoph uses his creative skills to tell stories and give the voiceless a voice.
His films have been broadcast on TV and at film festivals worldwide. His documentary ‘Alegria - A Humanitarian Expedition’ won over 50 international film awards, including the London and Barcelona Film Awards.
His photographs were exhibited and published worldwide, including in Forbes, the Huffington Post, and the World Economic Forum.
His art, to be found in private collections worldwide, has been widely exhibited, including at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
His talks, including TEDx, range from international politics and humanitarian adventures to leadership. He regularly speaks on panels.