Matthijs Visch takes the lead at Hoffnungsträger Global Impact 

Leonberg, 25^th September 2026 – Matthijs Visch is taking on leadership and management responsibility at Hoffnungsträger Global Impact as Head of Global Impact. A native of the Netherlands, he brings many years of international leadership experience from the corporate world, including 20 years at Nike, most recently as Vice President, as well as serving as General Manager EMEA at Patagonia. 

Visch studied economics in Rotterdam and has lived and worked in Uruguay, France, Japan, Turkey and the United States over the course of his career. Throughout this time, he repeatedly explored the question of how business and social responsibility can go hand in hand. His personal commitment has also included supporting disadvantaged girls in Turkey, as well as people experiencing homelessness and refugee women. 

By joining Hoffnungsträger Global Impact, Visch is shifting the focus of his professional career towards creating social impact. Together with the team and its international partner organisations, he will drive the strategic development of Global Impact forward. 

At the heart of its work is the mission to enable healing, justice and rehabilitation for all those affected by or involved in crime – inspired by faith, hope and love. 

Hoffnungsträger Global Impact focuses its international work on four strategic priorities: “Justice for victims and survivors”, “Rehabilitation-focused prison systems”, “Strengthening families and communities affected by crime” and “Advocacy and systemic change for victim-centred, restorative and humane justice”. 

With this clearer focus, Hoffnungsträger is further developing its funding and support strategy to enable lasting change for the people and communities it serves in countries around the world. 

Over the past 13 years, its numerous programmes have reached more than 150,000 people worldwide, opening up new prospects for thousands of children of offenders. 

Global Impact works in close partnership with local organisations in strategically selected countries. NGOs in these partner countries contribute their knowledge of the respective social, cultural and legal contexts and shape the work on the ground. Together, the partners develop effective approaches, strengthen expertise and enable lasting change for individuals, communities and justice systems. 

“Moving from the commercial business world to an impact-driven organisation is a transformative moment for me,” says Visch, describing this new chapter in his career. He will now draw on his international experience to develop partnerships, bring together different perspectives and strengthen Hoffnungsträger’s work in restorative justice. 

Heiko Seeger, who has built and shaped Hoffnungsträger Global Impact over many years, is stepping back from his leadership and management role. He will now focus on operational work and programme development and will continue to work with the Hoffnungsträger Global Impact team.