Our office staff handles the Foundation’s operational tasks on behalf of the Foundation Board.
Marlies Heerdegen
Managing Director
Marlies Heerdegen has a Bachelor’s degree in business economics from HWV and completed a postgraduate course in Fundraising Management at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. She also holds certificates from the Center for Philanthropy Studies at the University of Basel; CAS Impact Management, CAS Leadership & Governance; and the Intensive Course in Foundation Management. After a long career as a Relationship Manager in the banking sector, she took on the major donor fundraising role for the Swiss Cancer League. In 2018, she joined the Vontobel Foundation and was appointed its Managing Director in 2022.
Renata Fäh
Deputy Managing Director, Head of Individual Assistance
Renata Fäh is a business specialist and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Communication from the Zurich School of Economics, which she completed alongside her job. She also completes a postgraduate course in Nonprofit Management & Law at the Center for Philanthropy Studies at the University of Basel. Before joining the Vontobel Foundation in 2020, she worked for almost 20 years in various roles at Vontobel Holding.
Kristina Picenoni
Project Manager
Kristina Picenoni holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). She has been a Segment Manager at Swarovski, the Managing Partner of a real estate firm, and supported the management of a foundation. Ms. Picenoni furthered her education at the Center for Philanthropy Studies at the University of Basel in foundation management as well as at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences in social insurance.
