About us
Global Girls Foundation aims to mobilise partnerships and resources to tackle gender inequality by empowering girls worldwide.
Meet the team
Lea Bachmann
“With the Global Girls Foundation, we ignite a movement for girls’ rights and gender equality. By harnessing the power of philanthropy, we can shatter barriers, uplift voices, and create a world where every girl can learn, lead, decide and thrive.”
Lea is an accomplished philanthropic leader with a proven track record in mobilising high-impact partnerships and generating sustainable change across global development, humanitarian and private sector contexts.
A graduate of the University of St. Gallen and ETH Zurich, she brings deep expertise in philanthropy, new business development, and resource mobilisation, grounded in both non-profit leadership and earlier experience in consumer health and goods industries.
She has successfully built and led transformative initiatives for leading organisations such as Save the Children, forging strategic alliances with global philanthropists, foundations, and corporates. She is especially committed to strengthening capacities of diverse teams, empowering them to deliver results with excellence and autonomy.
With a strong sense of purpose, professional rigour, and cross-sectoral insight, she is committed to advancing social equity through innovative, results-driven collaboration.
Susanna Tornyay
“In my work with young girls, I listen to so many ambitious ideas to shape the world in a positive way and to keep learning and developing further!
“I believe every girl deserves a self-determined life – with access to health education, decent work, and a life free from violence. I am thrilled to accompany you on your philanthropic journey with Global Girls Foundation!”
Susanna is an exceptional senior executive with international experience in business development and relationship management in the private and non-profit sectors. At Deutsche Bank Switzerland, she thrived in her role managing crucial client relationships within the private wealth management sector. For 8 years, she made a huge impact as the person responsible for philanthropy and legacies at Oxfam Germany.
Not only is she a certified philanthropy advisor and foundation manager, but she also has an Austrian law degree and speaks 6 languages.
Our ambassadors
Our ambassadors are all committed advocates helping us raise the visibility of girls’ rights issues, broaden our networks, mobilise resources and work with our partners to make lasting change happen.
Her Excellency Monica Chakwera
the First Lady of Malawi
As a Global Girls Foundation ambassador, Monica plays a key role in advocating for girls’ rights, education, healthcare, economic opportunities and leadership. She strengthens our efforts to advance equality, expands opportunities for girls and young women and breaks down systemic barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Monica is an active member of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development and a long-standing partner of Plan International Malawi.
“Across Africa and around the world, girls continue to face significant challenges in accessing education, economic opportunities, and protection from harmful practices. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every girl can thrive, lead, and shape her own future. The time to act is now.”
Anna Volpel de Borja
In 1998 Anna founded Jugueton – the largest toy store in El-Salvador and in 2011 she expanded her activities by founding Bebe Mundo.
Since 2010, Anna has supported Plan International’s work, including key campaigns such as Because I am a Girl and Girls Get Equal and has donated $92,959 through Jugueton.
Anna is currently an active member of Plan International El-Salvador’s Advisory Board, joined the Global Girls Foundation’s activities in Peru in 2022 and has since become an ambassador for us.
“Our greatest desire is that girls have the tools and the surroundings to achieve their goals, grow up free from all forms of violence and lead their own destinies. We want to make a collective call, which reaches all corners of the world, so that we can come together with the aim that those who are girls today, can be women leaders with a voice in decision-making tomorrow.”
Related pages
