February 18 2016
SOS Children’s Villages International announces changes to top management team
Richard Pichler, who served as Secretary General and CEO of SOS Children's Villages International for more than 20 years, will assume a new role in the organisation as of May 2016.
INNSBRUCK, Austria - SOS Children’s Villages International has announced that Richard Pichler, who served as Secretary General and CEO for more than 20 years, will assume a new role in the organisation as of May 2016. Mr Pichler will take on the newly created position of Special Representative for External Affairs and Resources, in which he will focus on high level external relations and partnerships. The International Senate expressed its appreciation for the achievements of Mr Pichler during his tenure as Secretary General and CEO, and is very much looking forward to continue the cooperation with him.
SOS Children’s Villages’ new global strategy - expected to be confirmed at its General Assembly in June - calls for the federation to work more closely with partners in civil society, global foundations, international forums and multilateral organisations, as well as to raise the global profile of the organisation, thus increasing the organisation’s impact for children. To deliver this step change, Richard Pichler will take on this challenging task. In recent years, he has successfully led the organisation to increase its engagement on the international stage in efforts such as contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, and forging closer ties with the other child-focused INGOs.
Until a new CEO joins, management responsibilities will be collectively shared by the Management Team: CFO Norbert Meder, COO Carsten Völz, and Tom Malvet, Director of International Competence Centres.
SOS Children’s Villages International President Siddhartha Kaul expressed his appreciation of Mr Pichler: “Richard Pichler has done exceptional work for SOS Children’s Villages International as its Secretary General and CEO for over 20 years. In his new role, Richard will continue to have a profound impact on our work by serving as one of the key voices of SOS Children’s Villages on the international stage. We know he will be a passionate spokesman and advocate for our organisation and give a voice to the needs of vulnerable children.”
Mr Pichler said: “It has been both exciting and humbling to be part of the organisation’s journey on this rapid development until now. I thank all colleagues who supported me along that way. In recent times it has become evident that we can increase our impact by partnering and by developing a stronger global positioning of our organisation. In the past, as CEO, I could initiate some developments. After 20 years in daily management I now look forward to fully concentrating on partnerships and positioning for the benefit of the most vulnerable children. I am convinced together we can increase our impact.”