Sebastian Tobler, Co-founder and CEO of GBY SA

Sebastian Tobler is co-founder and CEO of GBY SA, which has developed a new approach for the rehabilitation of people with reduced mobility. An automotive engineer by training and trade, Sebastian Tobler’s life took a new direction when a bike accident left him paralysed. Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, he heads the SCI-Mobility Lab as Professor at the Bern University of Applied Sciences.

Luciana Vaccaro, HES-SO

Originally from Naples where she grew up and studied physics, Luciana Vaccaro moved to Switzerland in 1996 to complete a PhD in microengineering at EPFL. She held various positions in research and education at the universities of Neuchâtel and Lausanne before heading the Grant Office at EPFL. In 2013 she took the reins of HES-SO as rector. Last October, Luciana Vaccaro was elected president of the umbrella organization swissuniversities and started in her new position on 1 February.

Francisca Obrecht, Weingut Obrecht

Peter Rupp grew up in Sargans, Switzerland, around 20km south of the Hilti headquarters in Liechtenstein. He studied Economics in St. Gallen, then took a post-graduate degree in Engineering in Winterthur.

Peter Rupp, Hilti Group

Peter Rupp grew up in Sargans, Switzerland, around 20km south of the Hilti headquarters in Liechtenstein. He studied Economics in St. Gallen, then took a post-graduate degree in Engineering in Winterthur.

Monika Zihlmann, Global Digital Commercial Platforms

Monika Zihlmann, Vice President Global Digital Commercial Platforms at Smith+Nephew, discusses the trends and pressures shaping the medtech industry and explains why now is the time to embrace a multi-channel customer engagement model.

Serra Bicak, Reckitt Hygiene

Serra Bicak is Senior Vice President Reckitt Africa Middle East at Reckitt Hygiene. She has lived and worked in eight different countries for various roles during her career in fast-moving consumer goods. Serra Bicak is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and leads Reckitt Hygiene’s gender balance program.

Patrick Pruniaux, Chairman & CEO of Sowind Group

Patrick Pruniaux has a background in business administration and began his career in the watch industry at TAG Heuer. Always fascinated by innovation, he joined Apple in 2014 and oversaw the launch of the Apple Watch. Following a move to Kering in 2017, he managed the Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux watch brands. In 2022, Patrick Pruniaux spearheaded the historic management buyout and now serves as CEO of these two brands within Sowind Group.

Siddhi Mehta, Rhythm 108

Siddhi Mehta, founder and CEO of Rhythm 108, talked to us about sustainability, craftmanship – and how her company combines heritage and innovation to take the Swiss chocolate tradition into the future.

Judith Häberli, Urban Connect

Fabienne Muff, an engineer from Lucerne, studied mechanical engineering at the ETH Zurich with a focus on renewable energies and robotics.

Thomas Fürer, ABB

Thomas Fürer has served ABB for 22 years, including 14 years in his current role as Group Head of Tax. A Certified Swiss Fiduciary Expert and Certified Swiss Tax Expert, he takes a keen interest in technology and digitalization in the tax function and beyond.

Christoph Jenny, Planted

Christoph Jenny is one of the four co-founders of the start-up Planted and a member of the Executive Board.

Antonio Hautle, UN Global Compact Network Switzerland

Antonio Hautle has been Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland since August 2015. The network of companies and institutions conducts its business activities in accordance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Previously, he was Director of Fastenopfer from 2001 to 2013, then Director of the Administration of the Social Department, State of Lucerne from 2013 to 2015.

Bruno Patusi, EY

Bruno Patusi has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. After launching his career at Credit Suisse in 1990, he joined Arthur Andersen in 2000, which became part of Ernst & Young (EY) in 2002. Today, Bruno is Financial Services Country Leader at EY Switzerland.

Caroline Barth, Lonza

Caroline Barth was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer and Member of the Executive Committee of Lonza in May 2020. With 25 years of experience driving change and growth in the pharmaceutical and IT industries, Caroline has defined and translated real-time business strategy into high-impact operational and financial results.

Daniel Koch, indeoendent

Some may know Daniel Koch better as “Mister Corona”, the nickname that became something of a trademark in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before becoming a top official, Daniel Koch practiced as a physician around the world for more than 14 years.

Jérôme Leupin, La Cave de Genève

Jérôme Leupin has been General Manager of La Cave de Genève for almost five years. After studying economics at the University of St. Gallen, he completed a master's degree at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Parma, Italy. He then launched his career in the world of gastronomy. Before devoting himself to production in his leadership role for La Cave de Genève, he worked for ten years in the distribution of food products

Johannes Galatsanos, Novartis

Johannes Galatsanos is Head of Data for Digital Core Transformation at Novartis, supporting the company to be at the forefront of Data & Digital in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mirjam Staub-Bisang, BlackRock

Mirjam Staub-Bisang has been Country Manager of asset manager BlackRock Switzerland and Senior Advisor for Sustainable Investing since 2018. Her work focuses on long-term, sustainable investing and the associated hurdles and opportunities with the aim of helping clients and society achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Nicolas Durand, Abionic

Nicolas Durand is the founder and CEO of Abionic SA, the company that developed the fastest in vitrodiagnostic platform in the world, the abioSCOPE.

Stefan Rösch-Rütsche, EY

As Country Managing Partner at EY in Switzerland, Stefan Rösch-Rütsche leads the Swiss practice with more than 2,300 employees. Stefan is passionate about building diverse teams, supporting inclusive growth, empowering employees and activating the full potential of EY in order to collectively deliver the best client experience possible. Especially now during these uncertain and challenging times.

Regula Schorta, Abegg-Stiftung

Dr. Regula Schorta has been Director of the Abegg-Stiftung foundation since 2002. In her role, she is responsible for collecting, exhibiting, conserving, restoring and studying historical textiles, as well as for the Master’s course in textile conservation and restoration affiliated with the Bern University of Applied Sciences

André Richner, Richnerstutz AG

André Richner founded the sole proprietorship Richner Blachen in 1988. In 2005, the company merged with AS Print AG to form Richnerstutz AG, which André Richner now leads as Co-CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Wim Ouboter, Micro Mobility Systems

Wim Ouboter founded Micro Mobility Systems in 1999 and works with his two sons, Merlin and Oliver, to remobilize the world.