American Swiss Foundation

In 1989, Ambassador Faith Whittlesey, our then Chairman and current Chairman Emeritus, and members of the Board of Directors were looking for a program that would give the Foundation a new life and purpose in fulfilling its mission to help build bridges of understanding between the United States and Switzerland.

The result was the American Swiss Foundation Young Leaders Conference, which they identified as the most promising vehicle to create meaningful dialogue and foster mutual understanding among the next generation of leaders in Switzerland and the U.S. Since 1990, a group of approximately 50 young Swiss and Americans, aged late 20s to early 40s and nominated by prominent senior national leaders, has met annually to participate in the weeklong Young Leaders Conference held in Switzerland. As we enter the 19th year of the successful endeavor, with over 750 alumni or current participants, we can acknowledge the far-sightedness of the group that inaugurated this ambitious program.

In 2008, the Conference will be held in Geneva with the principal sponsorship of Rolex and travel sponsorship of American participants provided by SWISS International Air Lines.