SOLIDARITY LEVIES AIM TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF
GLOBALISATION
This mechanism involves a surcharge on a major economic activity, enacted by a government and earmarked for a specific cause. For example, an air ticket levy has raised billions for UNITAID.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Innovative Finance Foundation (IFF) is a private foundation established in 2011 by Robert Filipp and Leonard Lerer under Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code. Our mission is to improve the lives of people around the world by structuring innovative financing mechanisms and collaborations that leverage entrepreneurship, development assistance, philanthropy and private investment. To that end, we provide specialised expertise in financial structuring, fundraising, governance and risk management to those interested in achieving tangible development impact. The foundation governed by the Board of Trustees and supervised by the Swiss Federal Foundations Supervisory Authority (ESA).
The foundation founders were pioneers in the field of innovative financing for development, having structured several innovative funding mechanisms for development. Some of their initiatives, such as the Debt2Health programme of the Global Fund, are still active today, surpassing the USD 500 million mark.
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At a time when development assistance is undergoing far-reaching changes, we are redoubling our efforts to explore new modalities and financing mechanisms for next generation development cooperation.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ROBERT FILIPP
Founder & President of the Board of Trustees
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Robert Filipp is a lawyer, entrepreneur and former UN official, known for his pioneering work in innovative financing for development. From 2004 to 2011, Robert was Head of Innovative Finance at the Global Fund, where he created the debt swap program Debt2Health and other innovative initiatives. Robert's work has been featured at Harvard University and IESE Business School. In 2011, Robert founded the IFF. He has extensive experience in law, development finance and business development. Robert is the co-author of the UNFCCC Loss and Damage synthesis report mandated for COP28 and the author of a G20 report on debt swaps for health. Robert speaks English, French, Spanish, Russian, Polish and Hindi.
ALEESHA TAYLOR
Member of the Board of Trustees
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Aleesha Taylor is the Principal of Herald Advisors, a consulting firm she founded to support leaders and organisations in philanthropy and international development. Aleesha is a former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ education program and a Lecturer of International Educational Development at Columbia University in New York. At Open Society, Aleesha managed global grant making to strengthen education systems and civil society around the world and pioneered work on innovative financing for education. ​Aleesha is an expert in global education, community development strategies and partnership building. Aleesha speaks English and Swahili.
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ALEXANDRE VASSILTCHIKOV
Member of the Board of Trustees
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Alexandre Vassiltchikov is a senior banking executive serving as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ING Bank Switzerland. Alexandre has extensive experience at major European banks in a number of roles, including as COO, CFO and CRO covering governance, tax, regulatory and risk matters. Alexandre was also a director in Monaco and Jersey-based banks. ​Alexandre is a former Attorney-at-Law in Geneva, London and Moscow and an active member of the Swiss Trade & Shipping Association. Alexandre speaks English and French.
HANA ALHASHIMI
Member of the Board of Trustees
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Hana Alhashimi was the Chief Climate Negotiator for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Director of the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change. She successfully ran the bid for the UAE to host COP28 in Dubai and then played a key role in climate negotiations and the management of COP28. In 2024, Hana was awarded the First Class Order of Zayed by the President and Prime Minister of the UAE. Hana has extensive experience in international diplomacy and the UN system with previous positions in Prime Minister's Office, the UN and the UAE Mission to the UN in New York.​ Hana speaks Arabic, English, German and French. ​
RAPHAEL WOLF
Member of the Board of Trustees
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Raphael Wolf is a former professional football player with a long and distinguished career in the German Bundesliga. Raphael played in the position of goalkeeper for some 17 years for well-known football clubs such as Werder Bremen, HSV Hamburg and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Following his retirement from professional sports at the age of 32, Raphael decided to put his unique experience in competitive sports and his wide network in the service of the IFF by focusing on innovative win-win collaborations between the world of sports and innovative financing for good causes. Raphael speaks German and English. ​​
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HUBERTUS HILLERSTRÖM
Legal Counsel
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Hubertus Hillerstrom (lic.jur.) is an Attorney-at-Law and Partner in the Geneva office of law firm Walder Wyss Ltd. ​Hubertus is specialised in banking and finance law and has extensive experience in national and international transactions, including mergers& acquisitions, structured finance, private equity and venture capital. Hubertus is admitted to the bar in Switzerland and speaks English, French, German, Spanish and Swedish.
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Friends of IFF
FRIENDS OF IFF is an informal club of people and organisations that share our mission and support our work in a variety of ways.
LEONARD LERER
Founder & Chief Science Officer, BYAS Chicago
Co-founder IFF
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CAROL BELLAMY
Former Executive Director of UNICEF
Former Chair, GPE
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PHILIPPE DOUSTE-BLAZY
Former UN Special Advisor on Innovative Financing for Development and President of UNITAID
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GEORGES SUDARSKIS
Partner, Sudarskis & Partners
Former Chief Investment Officer, ADIA
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