Sonia MEDINA
Biography
Parent, La Châtaigneraie Primary and Secondary
I am a seasoned philanthropy professional and a dedicated member of the Ecolint community, with three children currently enrolled in La Châtaigneraie. As the Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Executive Director for Climate at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), I oversee a $1.2 billion portfolio of grants and a 50-strong team dedicated to solving the toughest challenges facing children globally, particularly climate change. My work involves strengthening philanthropic ecosystems, co-designing innovative grant-making strategies and partnerships, and managing significant annual disbursements of over $200 million.
With over two decades of experience, I have developed deep expertise in board governance and strategic oversight in the Charity sector globally, and on fundraising. I have served on more than fifteen boards in various capacities, including as Chair and in various Committees, such as Development, Governance and Risk and People & Culture.
My background also includes building a startup, Africa Renewables Ltd., as Partner and COO, and leading international teams at EcoSecurities, a carbon trading firm. I hold an Executive MBA from London Business School and an MSc on Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford.
Beyond my professional life, since joining the La Châtaigneraie community five years ago, I have been deeply involved as a Class Parent Representative (CPR) every single year, and strongly believe in the role that parents play, as partners to teachers, in our children's education and wellbeing. I also love cooking, travelling and a nice meal surrounded by friends.
What are your main motivations for becoming a Board member?
As a mother of three boys currently enrolled at Ecolint, I am deeply invested in the future of our institution. Given my background and experience in philanthropy, Foundation governance and fundraising, I also believe I can contribute to the school as a member of the Governing Board, beyond my current CPR responsibilities.
For the last five years, I have seen first hand how the deep commitment of our teachers and the Ecolint leadership to our children's wellbeing and education is transformative. I would feel privileged to contribute even more, if I am elected. I am passionate about ensuring Ecolint remains a world-class institution that nurtures every child’s potential, with strong financial foundations and a deeply committed Governing Board that helps the institution navigate difficult times. Between the rise of AI and ecological disruption, to the threat of multilateralism, our children, and by extension our school, face a complex future. I believe Ecolint can and must remain a "beacon of light"—a strong institution that builds on its proud 100-year history and is fit and ready for the next century.
What skills/expertise would you bring to the Governing Board?
- Governance
- Fundraising
- Sustainability
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion
In light of the Ecolint Governing Board’s interest in primarily seeking individuals with skills/expertise/experience in financial management, governance, and fundraising, please share concrete examples of how your experience would be relevant, and how this could benefit Ecolint.
As the Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Executive Director at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), I bring a unique perspective on financial sustainability. While my organization is a grant-maker, I am deeply familiar with the mechanics of global fundraising. I frequently fundraise on behalf of our partners and projects, working in close partnership with other major foundations and high-net-worth individuals to co-design and fund innovative strategies. My track record in mobilizing philanthropic capital includes co-designing fundraising campaigns with institutions like Climate Lead (where I served on the Board, and has mobilised more than $5bn+ for climate), and serving on Development Committees of organizations such as ClientEarth (environmental law), Smith School for Enterprise and Environment (Oxford University) or TARA Climate Foundation (a rapidly growing Asia-based organization). I believe Ecolint would benefit from having an endowment that would help the school fund infrastructure or other capital projects (like the Campus Hub) but also weather difficult financial situations, like the drop in enrolments that we currently face with the loss of a significant number of UN families. A way forward could be a fundraising campaign that potentially targets more effectively our impressive Alumni. I also strongly believe in good governance as an excellence multiplier in an institution. Partnership between the Governing Board and the Leadership team and the wider Staff Community are critical for a well-functioning organisation. I am deeply familiar with Foundation governance structures, and in addition to development, I also have experience in recruitment, people & culture and performance management. Given the current interim leadership structure, recruiting the right leadership for the future and setting them up for success, with a strong Board by their side, is critical for the future and stability of the institution.
How would you support the mission of the Foundation if you are elected to the Governing Board? Emphasising the skills/expertise that were highlighted above, and other leadership and soft skills you would bring to the Board Governing.
If elected to the Governing Board, I would support the mission of the Ecolint Foundation by focusing on financial sustainability & strategic fundraising, world-class governance and strengthening community connection between parents and teachers, and between campuses. As an executive at a major foundation (CIFF) managing a $1.2 billion portfolio, I am deeply familiar with grant-making and long-term financial planning. I will support Ecolint’s Development Office by using my experience in launching fundraising campaigns to strengthen Ecolint’s Endowment and Scholarship funds. With over 20 years of experience on international boards, I will ensure the Governing Board operates with the highest standards of transparency. My goal is to leave a legacy of a robustly governed institution that protects the Foundation’s Charter and values for the next century. Finally, as a Class Parent Representative (CPR) at La Châtaigneraie for five consecutive years, I offer a direct bridge between Board-level strategy and the daily lived experience of our families and students.
I am committed to leaving a legacy of a stronger, more resilient institution that honours our past while being fully equipped for our future.
Finally, could you describe your understanding of relationships within the Governing Board and your approach to the Governing Board culture? How do you imagine the collaboration between the Board members with other stakeholders such as staff, other parents and the local community?
The Board is the steward of a community, and it is this collective leadership that brings strength. My vision for collaboration within the Board is centered on active listening to each other and shared accountability. I view the relationship with school leadership as one of bringing both support and accountability, a "critical friend". With parents, as a five-year CPR at La Châtaigneraie, I believe the Board must be a proximate group that reassures parents that their investment in their children's education is being managed with integrity. Finally, with the local community, as a family that has made Switzerland our home, I strongly believe that Ecolint must preserve its strong ties with local institutions and Geneva-based international organizations that also make our school unique and special.