Foundation

The Alimentarium Foundation, established in 1980 by Nestlé S.A. and Nestlé Suisse S.A., is a foundation governed by its statutes and by Articles 80 and following of the Swiss Civil Code. It is placed under the supervision of the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations. Its purpose is to operate and develop in Vevey a museum dedicated to food, serving as an international reference in the fields of nutrition and human alimentation, across cultures and throughout history. It shares its expertise with the general public of all ages as well as with professionals in the fields of food and nutrition.

The Foundation Council is the supreme body responsible for defining the overall strategy, ensuring the achievement of the statutory purpose by providing the necessary means, and overseeing the management of the executive board, in accordance with Articles 80 to 89 of the Swiss Civil Code. It must ensure the proper use of the Foundation’s assets and resources, approve budgets, reports and annual accounts, appoint and evaluate the executive management, and make sure that the activities respect the scientific and cultural mission, including the conservation, enhancement and mediation of heritage.

The Foundation is administered by a Foundation Council composed of ten to sixteen members, appointed as follows: three members are appointed by the founding company Nestlé S.A., based in Cham and Vevey; one member is appointed by Nestlé Suisse S.A., based in Vevey; one member is appointed by the Federal Department of Home Affairs; one member is appointed by each of the Cantons of Vaud and Zug; and one member is appointed by the City of Vevey. In addition, between two and eight members are elected by the Foundation Council itself, chosen among historians, economists, food and museology specialists, whether Swiss or foreign. Members of the Foundation Council are elected for a three-year term, with the possibility of re-election.

Current Members of the Board

Eugenio Simioni, président
CEO Nestlé Suisse S.A.

Stephan Schleiss, vice-président
Conseiller d’État du canton de Zoug

Carmelo Laganà
Secrétaire général du Département de l’économie, de l’innovation, de l’emploi et du patrimoine (DEIEP), Lausanne

Bernard Lehmann
Prof. em. ETH Zurich et ancien directeur OFAG

Alexandra Melchior
Municipale de la commune de Vevey

Barbara Orland
Privat-docent d’histoire des sciences et des techniques, Musée de la pharmacie, Université de Bâle (retraitée)

Jean-Christophe Thiébaud
Head of Legal & Compliance, Nestlé Suisse S.A.

Jelena Trajkovic Karamata
Head of IT Switzerland, Nestlé NOWS

Nina-Caren Kruchten
Head of Corporate Giving and General Secretary, Nestlé S.A.

Urs Stadler
Responsable du secteur Nutrition, Office fédéral de la sécurité 
alimentaire et des affaires vétérinaires OSAV, Berne

Roland Wetzel
Directeur Museum Tinguely, Bâle