Sarah Epprecht Noetzli starts as new General Director of MSF Switzerland / Operational Centre Geneva

Geneva, 1 September 2026 – Sarah Epprecht Noetzli today takes up her role as General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland / Operational Centre Geneva (OCG), bringing more than 20 years of humanitarian leadership experience to the position.

Sarah Epprecht Noetzli joins MSF after a long career with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she held senior field, operational and executive roles. Most recently, she served as Director of Protection and Essential Services and as a member of the ICRC executive team.

Her career has taken her from field leadership roles in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palestine, Liberia and Armenia/Nagorno-Karabakh to senior positions in Geneva focused on humanitarian operations, organisational transformation, governance and crisis management.

Sarah Epprecht Noetzli, General Director of MSF Switzerland / OCG, said:

“It is an enormous privilege to join an organisation whose commitment to providing independent and impartial medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict, crisis and exclusion has long inspired me. I look forward to working alongside MSF teams in Switzerland and around the world, and to contributing to an organisation whose independence, humanity and determination to act where needs are greatest remain as vital as ever.”

Dr Micaela Serafini, President of MSF Switzerland, said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Sarah as General Director of MSF Switzerland / OCG. She brings extensive humanitarian and leadership experience, together with a deep understanding of the challenges facing humanitarian organisations today. I am confident that her experience, humility and ability to build strong relationships will serve OCG well as she works with colleagues across the organisation and the wider MSF movement.”

MSF Switzerland / OCG also expresses its sincere gratitude to Ricardo Rubio for his leadership as interim General Director over recent months and for ensuring continuity during the transition.

About MSF Switzerland / Operational Centre Geneva

MSF Switzerland / Operational Centre Geneva (OCG) is part of the international Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) movement and is one of its operational directorates, which directly manage MSF’s medical humanitarian operations around the world.