“I quickly fell in love with the Foundation’s mission”
Meet Jacob Hübertz, the new CEO of the Elsass Foundation.
What was your first thought when you were contacted about the job as CEO of the Elsass Foundation?
"That it sounded exciting and incredibly meaningful. I quickly fell in love with the story of our founder Helene Elsass and the Foundation's powerful mission. It resonated strongly with me."
How much did you know about Cerebral Palsy and the Elsass Foundation beforehand?
"Not much - I haven’t encountered Cerebral Palsy personally and I’m really looking forward to learning about Cerebral Palsy and the Foundation's work. I’m very curious and I want to engage with everyone - people with Cerebral Palsy, relatives, researchers, partners and, of course, my future colleagues at the Elsass Foundation."
What will be your most important task?
"As CEO, my most important task will be to do my part to honour Helene Elsass’ vision: to improve the lives of people with Cerebral Palsy through the Elsass Foundation. The Foundation’s work helping children and young adults with Cerebral Palsy to get the best start in life and engage in meaningful communities is particularly important.
To fulfil this vision, we need three things:
We need solid financial backing, through donations, to make the greatest possible difference for people with Cerebral Palsy.
We also need good and relevant projects where donations can make a meaningful difference. And finally, we need colleagues who are happy, skilled, and find fulfilment in their work."
Jacob Hübertz becomes the new CEO of the Elsass Foundation as of May 1st, 2024 - PHOTOS: Robin Skjoldborg
What experience from your previous jobs will be helpful as CEO of the Foundation?
"I have a solid financial background. Having worked as an investment director in pension funds, I’m familiar with managing other people's finances. But the fact that the Foundation was established by a founder who donated her fortune to this purpose calls for a special degree of responsibility. The idea of making money grow might sound boring, but it’s the basis for being able to carry out the founder’s vision.
Through my experience at the Danish Growth Fund (Vækstfonden), I realized what a powerful source of energy it is to make a difference. In the Growth Fund, we helped to realize the potential in companies. In the Elsass Foundation, we’ll help realize the potential in people. That is an even more powerful purpose."
