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Management Team

The management team runs the operative business and is responsible for implementing the business aspects. The management is granted all the powers that are not expressly assigned to another body by law, statutes or regulations issued by the Executive Board.

  • Janine Bunte
    CEO SYH
    since 01.01.2019
  • René Dobler
    CEO SFST
    since 01.05.1999
  • Philipp Estermann
    Director Operation/ Deputy CEO SYH
    since 01.10.2020
  • Hans-Urs Häfeli
    Project Manager/ Deputy CEO SFST
    since 01.10.1996
  • André Eisele
    Director Marketing & Communications
    since 01.09.2019
  • Laura Walter
    Director Finance & Controlling
    since 01.08.2021
  • Corina Gilgen
    Director Sales
    since 01.09.2023

Executive Board

The Executive Board is the highest management body and is chosen by the delegates’ assembly for a term of four years. The Board defines the strategic orientation and reviews the operative implementation.

Term of office from 1st of January 2020:

  • Frank Reutlinger
    President
    since 15.06.2019
  • Thomas Kulcsár
    Vice President
    since 23.09.2023
  • Rahel Spiess
    since 11.06.2016
  • Mathias Gallo
    since 29.11.2019
  • Gian Marco Juon
    since 06.03.2020
  • Corinne Michel-Abegg
    since 27.11.2015
  • Yves Schneuwly
    since 23.09.2022
  • Stephanie Tauber Gomez
    since 23.09.2022
  • Andreas Wyss
    since 25.09.2021
  • Nico Züllig
    since 23.09.2023

Structures

  • At the national level

    Swiss Youth Hostels is a politically and denominationally neutral non-profit organisation active in all regions of Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

    Swiss Youth Hostels is made up of three independent national partner organisations:

  • Swiss Youth Hostels association

    The Swiss Youth Hostels association is responsible for operating the youth hostels in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

  • Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism

    The Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism is the owner of more than one half of all youth hostels in Switzerland, and is responsible for building and maintaining the youth hostels in Switzerland.

  • Foundation for Youth Hostels in Switzerland

    The Foundation for Youth Hostels in Switzerland provides financial support in the form of long-term loans for land purchases and for building and converting youth hostels.