Listen before deciding
On arrival, I met staff, partner associations and public stakeholders. I reviewed the accounts, tools, IT architecture, governance and the organisation’s history. Addressing emergencies had to create space for deeper work.
Pro Senectute Genève
Transforming Pro Senectute Geneva
From 2016 to 2025, leading a deep institutional reconstruction, developing the organisation and consolidating its place in Geneva’s ageing policy.
2016—2025Director General
up to 120members of staff
≈ CHF 16mannual budget at the end of the mandate
10,311people supported, guided, informed or welcomed — 2025 activity report
Rebuild tools and trust
Restructuring combined analytical accounting, internal control, shared processes, a management board and support for teams. A social organisation cannot fulfil its purpose sustainably unless its tools are reliable.
Strengthen governance
The change from association to foundation, effective on 1 January 2022, was a major milestone. It clarified responsibilities and strengthened the governance structure.
Develop places and services
All five day centres were refurbished. The purchase and fit-out of the Carouge head office brought administration, social consultation and several service areas together in one shared tool.
Negotiate the public mission
Sustaining free social consultation required constant dialogue with the Confederation, canton and municipalities. These negotiations led to agreements and partnerships embedded in Geneva’s system.
In the press
Joël Goldstein, l’ange gardien du troisième âge au temps de la pandémie
This profile traces a career beginning at Les Marronniers, the leadership of Pro Senectute Geneva and support for older people during the first weeks of the pandemic.
Read the article on Le Temps ↗« I would like to thank Joël Goldstein, my predecessor, for all his contributions to the development of Pro Senectute Geneva and for the quality of the handover. »
Carlo Santarelli, Director General, 2025 activity report
External references