Welcoming a New Chapter at HYF
We are thrilled to begin 2026 with the addition of Susanne Wilson in the new role of Executive Director. Susanne comes with extensive experience and will help HYF move into this next chapter in a bold way. Just as we have for over 20 years, the Himalayan Youth Foundation will continue to provide education and opportunity for disadvantaged children from the Himalayas, and we are excited to be expanding our team. The addition of an Executive Director will exponentially increase our capacity to execute on our critical mission at a moment where it has never been more necessary.
Read on for a statement from our Board of Directors on this exciting news, and please join us in welcoming Susanne to the HYF & Kailash family!
HYF Announces New Executive Director
The Himalayan Youth Foundation (HYF) is an extraordinary global nonprofit that has transformed the lives of hundreds of children in Nepal and Bhutan through support and stewardship of Kailash Home, located just outside Kathmandu, and the Choki Traditional Arts School (CTAS) located just outside the Bhutanese capital of Thimpu.
HYF was founded 23 years ago with a simple and powerful idea, by two pioneering, visionary, and deeply resourceful leaders, Micheline Kramer and David Bidwell. Avid trekkers and hikers, Micheline and David found themselves, while on a trip through Nepal, confronted with the heartbreaking reality of children who had been orphaned or abandoned and left without a place they could call home. This was something these two leaders could not walk away from. And so, they decided to do something about it. Thus Kailash Home began.
The goal was, and remains, to bring happiness, safety, and education to as many of these children as possible. Today, Kailash Home is a place filled with laughter, meaningful relationships, lifelong friendships, a deep educational foundation, inspiring activities, and a strong sense of community. One would never suspect that many of these “Kailash Kids” once lived in extremely difficult conditions. All of the children attend nearby schools and participate in educational and skill-building programs designed to help them grow into healthy, confident adults who can contribute positively to society. CTAS was founded in 1999 by Dasho Choki Dorji, a former monk and master painter, to provide free housing and training for young men and women in traditional Bhutanese arts. David was introduced to Dasho by a mutual acquaintance and oversaw the growth of CTAS into the vibrant community it is today.
Sadly, David died in 2015. Strongly committed to carrying out their mission, Micheline leveraged unparalleled devotion and resourcefulness to ensure the continued growth and success of HYF. Beyond her vision and personal dedication, she has also surrounded the organization with the right people – both now and for generations to come. Our Board of Directors, along with dedicated leaders who regularly visit Nepal, help ensure that Kailash Home has the resources needed to operate as it should. Micheline herself has traveled to Nepal fifteen times with another return visit planned this year. The Himalayan Youth Foundation has never been stronger. For that reason, the Board believes, as Micheline also does, this is the right moment to strengthen our leadership with the addition of an Executive Director.
An extensive national search attracted 160 applicants, and after a thorough review of the most highly qualified candidates, an exemplary choice was made, and Susanne Wilson has accepted our offer to become HYF’s new Executive Director. She brings a wealth of experience as a results-driven leader and, most importantly, Susanne has a deep passion for carrying forward the mission of HYF and Kailash Home. Susanne said when joining the organization, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead Himalayan Youth Foundation and inspired by its founder-led legacy. I’m committed to honoring the past while helping shape a strong, sustainable future for the youth and communities we serve.” As Executive Director, Susanne will assume responsibility for the day-to-day activities of HYF, including oversight of Kailash Home through close collaboration with our dedicated partner foundation, Kailash Home Foundation, based in Andorra, which provides exceptional leadership and support to Kailash.
At the heart of our work is maintaining and strengthening outstanding relationships with both donors and sponsors, and we are profoundly grateful to our sponsor network, who in many ways serve as parental figures – providing love, encouragement, and ongoing communication to our Kailash Kids. This form of mentorship is invaluable, as is the assurance that each child’s essential financial support is there year after year. We are equally grateful to our donors, whose generosity enables us to keep Kailash Home in excellent condition for the children. We simply could not do this work without you.
And Micheline? She will remain deeply committed and closely involved with HYF, serving as our ultimate ambassador and a trusted presence whenever needed. She felt – and the Board agreed – that the time was absolutely right to take this next step. Importantly, HYF now has the resources to do so. Micheline provides her wisdom from this experience: “When I discovered Nepal, as a first-time hiker in the Himalayas, I was heartbroken by the sight of young children living in such harsh conditions. I felt the urge to do something – bring them support, happiness, and hope for a better future. During 20 years of passion and dedication leading the Himalayan Youth Foundation, I have learned it works the other way around. The love we give these children comes back to us even stronger. We receive much more from them than we could ever give. The children we care for are the ones who give us happiness and hope for the future.”
Susanne and Micheline have enjoyed getting to know one another and have already forged a strong working relationship based on mutual respect and shared purpose. Both plan to travel to Nepal soon to do the most important work of all – being with the children. Please join us in welcoming Susanne Wilson to the Himalayan Youth Foundation, and in thanking Micheline Kramer for her extraordinary vision, leadership, and decades of service that have brought HYF to this moment of strength and promise.
With warmth and deep appreciation,
The HYF Board of Directors
