Pete, you were introduced to helping others from an early age. Tell us about that.
The desire to help others has been with me for as long as I can remember. In the 1970s, my family lived in Nairobi, where my father worked as Swissair’s country representative. He regularly visited projects supported by the Swissair Children’s Aid Foundation, including a local SOS Children’s Village, and I sometimes accompanied him. Seeing first-hand how even modest support could improve lives left a lasting impression on me.

Later, during my apprenticeship with Swissair, supporting the Foundation felt like a natural step. Even then, I donated part of my salary because I wanted to contribute in my own small way.

How did you become actively involved in the Foundation yourself?
When I became a captain at the age of 30, I started thinking about what I wanted to achieve beyond my professional career. Around that time, a group of Crossair employees launched a charitable initiative and were looking for people willing to get involved. I joined in 1999 and took on the role of President.

Over the years, the organisation evolved steadily and, following the Swissair grounding, became what is today known as the SWISS Staff Foundation for Children in Need.

What motivates you?
What motivates me most is encouraging people to support one another and create opportunities for those who need them most. It is not just about financial contributions. It is about solidarity, compassion and a shared sense of responsibility.

I hope to inspire others to get involved because helping feels good. Most importantly for those receiving support, but also for those who choose to give.

What responsibility comes with the privilege of living in Switzerland?
Many of us in Switzerland live in very fortunate circumstances. For me, sharing some of that privilege with others is simply the right thing to do.

What is often overlooked is that it does not take much to make a difference. A small monthly contribution may seem insignificant on its own, but when many people come together, those individual contributions can have a remarkable impact.

You lead a Foundation that is deeply rooted in our airline’s culture while also working as a pilot. What does this dual role mean to you?
As a pilot, I am responsible every day for bringing people safely from one destination to another. It is a demanding and rewarding profession that requires clear thinking, sound judgement and a strong focus on procedures.

The Foundation allows me to contribute in a different way. It gives me the opportunity to help create something that has a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families.

Of course, I could simply make a financial donation. But for me, it is about more than that. I want to contribute my time, my experience and my energy. Knowing that these efforts can help improve someone’s future is incredibly rewarding.

The Foundation relies on donations from SWISS employees. How do you experience the spirit of solidarity within the workforce?
What continues to impress me is the generosity of our colleagues. Whether through a monthly payroll donation, a spontaneous fundraising initiative or a contribution linked to a special occasion, many employees choose to support our work.

What I particularly appreciate is that people understand an important truth: it is often not the size of a donation that matters, but the willingness to contribute. The real strength of our Foundation lies in what we achieve together.

How do you ensure that every donated Swiss franc reaches the children directly?
We are fortunate that SWISS covers our administrative expenses and allows us to use existing infrastructure. This means that every donated franc goes directly to our projects.

In addition, the entire Foundation Board and all volunteers work on a voluntary basis. This keeps our overheads to a minimum and ensures that donations are used where they can make the greatest possible difference.

Looking three years ahead, what milestones would you like the Foundation to achieve?
My most important goal is to return to the donation levels we enjoyed before the pandemic. At the same time, I would like to prepare my succession as President carefully and well in advance.

After more than 25 years, it feels right to gradually hand responsibility over to a new generation within SWISS. The Foundation is built on strong foundations, and I hope to see it continue to grow with fresh ideas, new energy and the same spirit of solidarity that has defined it from the very beginning.