Susanne Schroff, you grew up in the Karlsruhe area and later studied and worked in several countries. How have your roots and international background helped shape the person and leader you are today?
I was born into a family where entrepreneurship was part of everyday life. My father had founded an electronics company at a young age, and my mother was actively involved in the business. So, even before I understood its significance, I observed from the kitchen table the weight of decisions, the sense of responsibility, the ability to deal with uncertainty. Those conversations, overheard almost unnoticed, instilled in me a way of looking at work and duty that has never left me.
After high school, the desire to explore the world became irresistible. I studied and worked in different countries, becoming fascinated by new cultures and ways of thinking that broadened my horizons. Every encounter, every city, every language helped make me more open, better able to understand and engage with people far removed from my original experience.
In my late twenties, I returned to Europe to take on responsibilities in the family business, Rotronic, in Switzerland. I brought with me not only what I had learned abroad, but also a more mature awareness: that of having grown up in a privileged environment, and that from that very privilege comes a duty, a commitment to others and to the company I represent.
What core values guide your decisions in your private life as well as in your entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors?
At the heart of everything, for me, is authenticity: the constant effort to remain as true to oneself as possible. It's a principle I consider indispensable, a sort of internal compass that guides my choices, big and small.
Alongside this, I place equally profound importance on respect and tolerance for ways of thinking and living that differ from my own. Over the years, I've learned how enriching it is to encounter perspectives that are far from my own certainties, and how necessary it is to embrace them with openness and curiosity. These are values I try to embody not only in my personal life, but also in my entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities, where engaging with others becomes an opportunity for mutual growth. You have a renowned institution like Mannheim, the Sorbonne and the Harvard Business School studied».
What formative experiences from that period continue to haunt you today, and why?
All those experiences left a profound impression on me. After studying in Germany, I consciously longed to explore other cultures and perspectives: being able to pursue an education abroad is a rare privilege. Even today, I remain deeply convinced of the value of lifelong learning. There's something extraordinary about constantly engaging with new things—and, what's more, it keeps you young at heart.
Every step of that journey has left a profound mark. After completing my studies in Germany, I felt a conscious desire to open myself to other cultures, to explore perspectives different from my own: being able to pursue an education abroad is a privilege I've never taken for granted. Even today, I remain firmly convinced of the value of lifelong learning. There's something extraordinary in allowing yourself to be surprised by the new, in embracing the unknown: an exercise that enriches, renews, and, in a certain sense, keeps you young in spirit.».
Philanthropy has played a central role in your personal and professional journey. How do you personally interpret the act of supporting others?
I'm deeply convinced that helping others makes us happy. Perhaps, upon closer inspection, this motivation even contains a hint of healthy selfishness. What really matters, however, is the concrete impact our help can have and the awareness of doing something genuinely useful for others.
The SANNI Foundation is now a fully established entity. What sparked its creation, and what vision did you hope to achieve through it?
About twenty-five years ago, I went to India for the first time, to visit a diabetes project in Kerala, supported at the time by my parents. It was there that I met Father Jose—an experience that left a profound impression on me. I met people driven by a genuine desire to help others, and others who, without that help, would not have survived.
Since my life was now mainly spent in Switzerland and I wanted to promote my own initiatives – in particular, together with Father Jose, in favour of children living in conditions of extreme poverty – I decided to found the SANNI FoundationToday, many people in my entourage have also chosen to get involved, driven by the desire to ensure that their donations reach those who need them most directly.».
The SANNI Foundation's statutory objectives—education, health, self-determination—are extremely concrete. Which of these areas are particularly close to your heart, and why?
«I believe everyone should support what truly touches them deeply. For me, direct confrontation with extreme poverty has made a simple truth clear to me: without health and adequate nutrition, neither education nor self-determination can become a reality.».
Is there a SANNI Foundation project that, more than others, embodies your way of conceiving philanthropy?
"Our Medical Village In Kerala, it perfectly represents our approach. It boasts three hospitals, an orphanage, a home for the elderly, and several programs dedicated to the advancement of women. Wealthier patients contribute to supporting those less fortunate: a system that allows the facility to be self-sustaining and operate sustainably.
Generally speaking, we pursue the principle of helping people become independent: we want to empower them to generate their own income. In Delhi, we support various projects in slums. We're currently starting a small tailoring shop where the women make school uniforms, while we handle the sales. This way, they're no longer forced to work countless hours in multiple families and can rely on a tangible income. Our goal is to promote dignity and independence, not hand out handouts.».
What experiences in your philanthropic work have given you the greatest personal satisfaction—those moments when you clearly felt you could truly make a difference?
One of the most touching moments for me was attending two weddings last year of young people who, despite being born with HIV, grew up in our orphanage. Today, they lead independent lives, have healthy children, and are well-educated. Episodes like these powerfully demonstrate what lasting support can make possible—and they are, for me and our supporters, deeply moving.
Every social commitment also brings with it difficult moments. What frustrations or obstacles have you encountered over the years, and how have you addressed them?
For me, commitment to others comes naturally, especially when you grow up in a privileged environment. It's not necessary to contribute financially: even donating time is immensely valuable. Sometimes, though, I find myself wondering why this sensitivity isn't more widespread.
The SANNI Foundation works in complex contexts like India and Myanmar. What challenges have you faced along the way?
Cultural differences are naturally profound and can lead to numerous misunderstandings. India has experienced significant development, but wealth distribution remains extremely unequal—something we find difficult to fully understand. In Myanmar, however, the political situation remains extremely difficult and unstable following the 2021 coup, making fieldwork particularly challenging.
How would you describe your leadership style in philanthropy today? Is it more vision-oriented, organizationally structured, or strongly focused on connecting with people?
I see it as a synthesis of all these elements. It's crucial not to waste energy, but to pursue a few projects with continuity and depth. In particular, in our long-distance adoptions, in addition to the essential aspects like health, nutrition, and education, there are also softer dimensions, related to affection and care: human criteria, which require attention and presence.
In your work, you often encounter stories of vulnerability, but also of extraordinary resilience. Is there an encounter, a face, that has particularly touched or left an impression on you?
In the slums of Delhi, I met an elderly woman, dignifiedly wrapped in a magnificent sari, who lived with her family on a landfill site. When I asked her age, she simply shook her head: she didn't know. That encounter reminded me once again how often we dwell on irrelevant factors—like a person's age—and how much dignity and pride human beings can maintain even in the most difficult conditions.
Philanthropy is undergoing a transformation: today, we're talking about measurable impact, sustainability, and empowerment. How do you interpret this evolution and how is it reflected in your foundation's work?
«As an entrepreneur, I strive to lead both the SANNI Foundation and the Schroff Foundation with a clear, structured, and professional approach, leveraging my experience in the private sector. I strongly welcome the fact that philanthropy is becoming increasingly results-oriented and sustainable.».
Looking ahead, what new horizons do you wish to open, what unexplored territories of solidarity do you feel are ready to transform into a concrete future?
"In addition to our work in India and Myanmar, we are currently evaluating a commitment in Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. Maintaining a clear focus and building long-term partnerships is essential for us."
