Young Systems Leader: Sabrina von Wegerer Elizeche

Sabrina von Wegerer began her journey as a Research Assistant and Political Incidence Coordinator in the Project Unit at Fundación Visión in Paraguay. Today, she leads the Research and Development department, where she collaborates with a team of brilliant young professionals from diverse backgrounds, including computer science, theology, sociology, and education. This rich mix of expertise fuels her team’s innovative approach to tackling challenges and contributing meaningfully to society. Her aspiration is to inspire and mentor them, helping them reach their full potential while fostering an environment of growth and collaboration.

As an economist with a deep passion for research, Sabrina is driven by the potential of evidence-based decision-making to create systemic change. Her work focuses on integrating economic evaluation into public health, particularly in the field of eye health. She has contributed to projects assessing the economic impact of vision impairment and interventions like bilateral cataract surgeries through a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study. Additionally, she is actively involved in the development of tools, such as an economies-of-care survey integrated into the RAAB study in Paraguay. Looking ahead, she aspires to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for conditions like refractive errors in school-aged children, ensuring that evidence continues to guide impactful health policies.

Having had the opportunity to learn multiple languages, Sabrina speaks Spanish, English, German, and Mandarin Chinese fluently and has a working knowledge of French, Italian, and Guaraní. She hopes to use her language skills as a tool for connection, fostering collaboration and meaningful exchanges across diverse communities and professional networks.

She is deeply grateful for the professional mentors, including Rainald Duerksen, Alexander Paez, Olivia Gomez, and Ryan Toews. Their guidance and investment in her development have left a lasting impact, and she hopes to honor their legacy by giving back and nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Sabrina reflects often on the sacrifices made by the generation that came before her. She views it as her challenge to carry the baton forward—to serve as a bridge between generations, learning from the wisdom and experiences of her predecessors while embracing the insight, creativity, and vitality of younger colleagues.

Her vision is twofold: first, to contribute to the creation of smart, equitable policies that benefit the greatest number of people; and second, to cultivate a workplace culture where professionals can thrive both personally and professionally.

Sabrina’s passion for storytelling complements her research interests. She enjoys delving into people’s unique stories, discovering what drives them, and learning from their experiences. If not immersed in research, she often muses that she might have been a journalist.

Sabrina is profoundly thankful to Fundación Visión for its flexibility and support, which have allowed her to fulfill her role as a new mother while continuing to contribute to its mission. She is also deeply grateful to her husband, Daniel Amstutz, for his unwavering support and partnership.

While Sabrina is passionate about driving progress and effecting change, she acknowledges that she often finds herself impatient for results to materialize more quickly. This has inspired her to reflect on the Serenity Prayer, which she finds both grounding and aspirational: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” These words serve as a reminder for her to balance ambition with patience and to pursue meaningful change thoughtfully and sustainably.