Money meant for the public good can change lives, or sit quietly on the sidelines. Who decides which ideas get a chance?
Linda Sulzer has spent her career close to that decision: first in democracy and public governance, then at Migros and Stiftung Mercator, and now as the founder of Büro für Wagemut, where she helps foundations use their power with more clarity, trust and courage.
Her perspective is unusual because she knows both sides of the table. She has read the applications, defended projects in front of boards, and sat with the people trying to turn a fragile first idea into something that can last.
In this conversation, she explains why she backs teams before polished concepts; why falling in love with a solution can be a trap; and why a foundation’s real success should not be measured by the size of its assets, but by what those assets make possible.
They also talk about the uneasy power dynamic between funders and project leaders, the value of trust over excessive reporting, and what changed when Linda left established institutions to build a business of her own.
Her call is simple, but demanding: act now, be bold, and come together.
And a small note before you press play: Linda has one of those warm, smiling voices that makes a complex subject feel unexpectedly human. It was a real pleasure to sit with her for this conversation.
✨ Brillantes brings you powerful conversations with women who challenge norms and redefine what success truly means. Subscribe, share, or leave a review if this episode resonates with you.
Büro für Wagemut: https://buero-wagemut.ch/
Linda Sulzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-sulzer/
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