Sebastian Hofbauer

M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing., PMP

Sebastian Hofbauer is Programme Manager at the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), where he plays a central role in scaling the organization’s operations, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. He brings a unique combination of engineering expertise, strategic leadership, and international development experience to his work - shaping systems and teams that drive impact on a global scale.

A trained mechanical engineer with a specialisation in business management (M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing.), Sebastian leverages technology and strategy to strengthen mission-driven organisations. His work focuses on building operational frameworks, leading cross-sector initiatives, and aligning teams around clear, outcomes-driven goals.

Prior to joining GSF, Sebastian was appointed United Nations Fellow by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), where he led strategic projects focused on global health, innovation, and emerging technologies.

From 2018 to 2020, he served as Executive Director of the Global Challenges Forum Foundation (GCF) in Geneva, Switzerland. Appointed at the age of 27, he introduced a new strategic framework aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and established a dedicated focus on youth leadership and innovation.

Sebastian is also the Co-Founder of 1M2030 – One Million Youth Leaders for Sustainable Development Beyond 2030 – a global movement designed to empower young changemakers. The initiative was officially launched in 2019 at the United Nations Office at Geneva, with remarks by UN Assistant Secretary-General Nikhil Seth. He stepped down from the initiative in 2021.

He is an Associate of the Institute for Responsible Leadership (IRL), a global network committed to advancing ethical and values-based leadership in international business.

Sebastian holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®. He is passionate about using technology, systems thinking, and collaborative leadership to close the global surgical care gap and drive health equity worldwide.