10 Break-Out Sessions
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Best of 54th St. Gallen Symposium
Key Insights
Set against a backdrop of global disruption, the 54th St. Gallen Symposium brought together over 1,200 leaders from business, politics, academia, and civil society for a solution-oriented dialogue across generations and regions. The theme “Shifting Global Power” framed high-level conversations on navigating geopolitical instability, transforming leadership, and renewing global cooperation.
This year’s Voices of the Leaders of Tomorrow survey by the Nuremberg Institute and SGS revealed a striking divergence: while 72% of young leaders see today’s geopolitical shifts as major disruptions, only 39% of senior executives agree. This gap reinforced the need for genuine cross-generational dialogue.
Debates at this year’s St. Gallen Symposium centered around fundamental shifts reshaping global power structures. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat offered a summary of the 6 major forces driving this transformation:
- The deglobalization and fragmentation of global supply chains due to geopolitical risk;
- Demographic changes that are redefining national competitive advantages;
- Rapid digitalization that is revolutionizing industries and altering the skills landscape;
- Mounting debt burdens that threaten economic stability
- The urgent imperative of decarbonization
- US stepping out from its global leadership role, requiring the rest of the world to come together to rebuild a new world order
Global power dynamics move toward multipolarity. In that regard, Botswana’s Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe warned that “the pillars of multilateral cooperation are under strain” and “the very architecture of global unity is being tested.” Rather than allowing nationalist tensions to dominate, he calls for nations to rise “together not as competitors in crisis but as collaborators in renewal,” emphasising that principle-based cooperation, not power competition, must guide the necessary transformation of our international institutions.
Sessions explored how businesses need to manage and strategise on multiple timescales in times of geopolitical disruption. In the short term, businesses are reorganising supply chains, diversifying operations, and forging regional partnerships to build resilience and respond to immediate disruptions. Yet, true competitiveness depends on a steadfast commitment to innovation, trust, and strategic focus that extends beyond today’s volatility.
While recognising real challenges, effective leaders sustain an unshakable belief in a better future — a mindset Angela Sun, board member of The Western Union and Cushman & Wakefield described as “the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.” This optimism is not naive idealism but a strategic imperative. It empowers leaders to inspire others, envision possibilities beyond present limitations, and guide their teams with confidence through uncertainty, even when others may falter in the face of doubt.
1200+
Participants
87
Nations
60+
Sessions
Major Outcomes
The 54th St. Gallen Symposium brought together different generations for focused and meaningful engagements. Building on cutting-edge research, we believe that by joining forces across generations, we can shift towards more long-term, responsible decision-making in business and policy-making.
Over 60 sessions and hundreds of bilateral meetings created rare opportunities for cross-sector and cross-generational exchange—when such cooperation is most needed.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter highlighted the Symposium’s role in Switzerland’s international engagement. In a closed-door roundtable with top DACH executives, she explored how regional cooperation can weather global instability. During her conversation with SGS Conference Co-Chair Lord Brian Griffiths of Fforestfach, she identified key success factors of Switzerland:
1) Robust debate and competing ideas as hallmarks of Swiss democracy
2) Creating a framework where society and business can develop freely; and
3) Ensuring financial stability for resilience.
With nearly 1,000 submissions, this year’s Global Essay Competition showcased bold ideas from young thinkers. Winning essays were celebrated in a plenary ceremony.
A joint UN Youth Office – St. Gallen Symposium – Club of Rome report launched at the event calls for age-diverse leadership to drive agility and innovation in business. Participants engaged directly through the Young Leaders on Board initiative, translating theory into action.
Session Library
Speakers
Karin Keller-Sutter
President of the Swiss Confederation
Jakov Milatović
President of Montenegro
Heng Swee Keat
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore
Ndaba Gaolathe
Vice-President and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Botswana
Magnus Brunner
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, European Commission
Wladimir Klitschko
Founder, Klitschko Foundation
Roland Busch
CEO, Siemens
Katherine Maher
CEO and President, National Public Radio (NPR)
Show all Speakers
Karin Keller-Sutter
President of the Swiss Confederation
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter is the President of the Swiss Confederation and has been the Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) since January 2023. Before her election to the Swiss Federal Council in December 2018, she represented the canton of St. Gallen in the Council of States from 2011 until the end of 2018, serving as President of the Council of States from 2017 to 2018. Her political career began in 1992, and from 2000 to 2011, she was a member of the cantonal government of St. Gallen (Regierungsrat), where she held various senior positions, including leading the Justice and Security Department. Outside of government and politics and prior to joining the Swiss Federal Council, Ms. Keller-Sutter has held multiple board memberships, including positions at Bâloise Insurance Group, the Swiss Employers Association, and the NZZ Media Group. Notably, she also served on the board of trustees for the St. Gallen Symposium until 2018. Initially a trained translator/interpreter and secondary school teacher, between 1989 and 2000 she worked as a freelance translator and also taught at a vocational school. Hailing from the canton of St. Gallen, she holds a postgraduate degree in pedagogy from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
Jakov Milatović is the President of Montenegro, having assumed office on May 20, 2023. With a distinguished academic and professional background, he has played a pivotal role in advancing economic development and fostering regional cooperation in Southeast Europe. Before his election, President Milatović founded the Europe Now Movement! in June 2022, following his tenure as Minister of Economic Development in the 42nd Government of Montenegro (2020–2022). In his ministerial role, he spearheaded key economic initiatives to strengthen Montenegro’s economy and accelerate the country’s integration into the European Union. Prior to his government service, President Milatović built a robust career in international finance. Beginning in 2014, he worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the economic and political analysis team, focusing on Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans. From 2018 to 2020, he was stationed in Bucharest as Chief Economic Analyst, overseeing Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria. Earlier in his career, he gained valuable experience in Montenegro’s banking sector and abroad. President Milatović holds a master’s degree in economics from St. John’s College at the University of Oxford, where he was awarded a British Government scholarship. His academic journey also included studies at Illinois State University (as a U.S. Government scholarship recipient), the Vienna University of Economics and Business (under an Austrian Government scholarship), and Sapienza University in Rome (through the European Commission). In addition to his formal studies, he has participated in numerous educational programs organized by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Stanford University, and the University of Beijing. In the fall of 2022, he was a guest lecturer at the Luxembourg Business School.
Heng Swee Keat
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore
Heng Swee Keat is Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. He is also Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC. Mr Heng is the Chairman of the National Research Foundation, which sets the direction for Singapore's research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) strategies. Mr Heng is overseeing the closer integration of our RIE and industry transformation efforts. He is also the Chairman of the Future Economy Advisory Panel, which provides expert advice to support Singapore’s next bound of economic growth and transformation. The FEAP will identify new growth areas where Singapore can be competitive and build capabilities in, to create better career prospects for our people. From 2017 to 2023, Mr Heng chaired the tripartite Future Economy Council (FEC) which oversaw the restructuring of our economy, design and implementation of national strategies in areas such as skills and capabilities development, innovation and productivity as well as the internationalisation of our companies. Mr Heng served as Minister for Education from 2011 to 2015. He also led the year-long Our Singapore Conversation from 2012 that helped to engage more than 47,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life through dialogues. Before entering politics in May 2011, Mr Heng was the Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as CEO of the then-Trade Development Board. Mr Heng has an MA in Economics from Cambridge University. He also holds a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Ndaba Gaolathe
Vice President and Minister of Finance, Republic of Botswana
Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe is the Vice President and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Botswana. He also serves as Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington-South, Vice President of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), and President of the Alliance for Progressives, one of the UDC’s member parties. Earlier in his political career, Mr Gaolathe advised former President Festus Mogae on economic and national policy matters and served as a speechwriter. He also chaired the campaign of Gomolemo Motswaledi, founder of the political movement that now forms part of the current government. Before entering politics, Mr Gaolathe built a career in economics, strategy, finance, and governance, working for economic think tanks, governments, and investment banks at regional and international levels. He has experience in portfolio management, macroeconomic and monetary policy, scenario modelling, and institutional restructuring, and has collaborated with a broad array of institutions across multiple sectors. A committed community advocate, Mr Gaolathe founded a volunteer initiative in 1991 to help underprivileged students succeed in Cambridge O-Level examinations—particularly in mathematics—and also supported them in English, general knowledge, survival skills, and entrepreneurship. From his university years until 2014, he personally mentored over 40 students each year through this programme. He has also been active in several civic and faith-based organisations both in and outside Botswana. Mr Gaolathe holds a MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The George Washington University.
Magnus Brunner is the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, a position he has held since 1 December 2024. Prior to his current role, Mr Brunner served as Austria's Federal Minister of Finance from December 2021 to November 2024. He also held the position of State Secretary in the Ministry of Climate Action, Energy, Environment, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Federal Council for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) from May 2009 to January 2020. Mr Brunner holds a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Vienna and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from King’s College London.
Roland Busch, PhD, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG since February 2021. He also serves as Chairman of Siemens Mobility GmbH and is a Supervisory Board Member at Siemens Healthineers AG. He began his career at Siemens in 1994 and, prior to his current roles, held numerous senior management positions across the company, including Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). In addition to his roles at Siemens, Dr Busch holds several prominent board and advisory positions, including Supervisory Board Member at Munich Re, Vice Chairman of the Karl Heinz Beckurts Foundation, Member of the Board of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), and Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee (APA) of German Business. He also serves as Chairman of the University Council of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). Dr Busch earned his PhD in physics from Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg and also studied at Grenoble INP – Phelma.
Wladimir Klitschko is a former heavyweight boxing champion renowned not only for his prowess in the ring but also for his significant public engagement and philanthropy. After retiring from boxing, Mr Klitschko has become a prominent public figure and shifted his focus from professional boxing to public advocacy, particularly in rallying international support for Ukraine during the ongoing invasion of Russia. Since the escalation of the conflict, Mr Klitschko has joined Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces and has been vocal about the need for global support to counter Russian aggression. He has urged the international community to provide Ukraine with necessary supplies and financial support, highlighting the critical situation on the ground and the urgent need for military and humanitarian aid.
Kristina Kallas is the Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia, a position she has held since April 2023. A distinguished political scientist and educator, she plays a key role in shaping Estonia’s globally recognised education system. Minister Kallas is a strong advocate for the integration of technology in education as a means to enhance learning outcomes, promote inclusivity, and ensure the continued future readiness of Estonia’s education system. Prior to her government service, Minister Kallas was a researcher at the University of Tartu and served as Director of Narva College at the University of Tartu from 2015 to 2019. As an expert consultant for organisations such as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, she has advised multiple governments—including those of Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia—on integration policy. Minister Kallas holds a PhD in political science and has dedicated her career to equipping future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to navigate diverse and multicultural societies.
Leon Schreiber has served as Minister of Home Affairs since 2024 and has been a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa for the Democratic Alliance (DA) since May 2019. Prior to his cabinet appointment, he was the Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration, where he gained prominence for leading a campaign against cadre deployment in the national government. In addition to his governmental roles, he is a well-known advocate for Afrikaans language rights at Stellenbosch University. Mr. Schreiber is also no stranger to the St. Gallen Symposium, having attended in 2015 as a Leader of Tomorrow and a finalist in the Global Essay Competition. He holds a master’s degree in political science from Stellenbosch University and completed his PhD in political science at the Free University of Berlin.
Christian Sewing is the CEO of Deutsche Bank, a position he has held since April 2018. He has been a member of the Management Board since January 2015 and took on additional responsibility for Human Resources in May 2021. Mr Sewing has spent his entire career at Deutsche Bank, which he joined in 1989. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles across various divisions, including Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, and Risk Management. Before becoming CEO, he led the Private & Commercial Bank, including Postbank, and served as Head of Group Audit. Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief Risk Officer and Chief Credit Officer, with international assignments in Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Tokyo, and Toronto. Mr Sewing completed his bank apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank and earned a diploma from the Bankakademie Bielefeld and Hamburg.
Amitabh Kant is India’s G20 Sherpa, representing the country in this key diplomatic role. He previously served as CEO of NITI Aayog, India’s premier policy think tank, from 2016 to 2022. Prior to that, he was Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion from 2014 to 2016, where he led India’s industrial policy, foreign direct investment strategy, and intellectual property initiatives. A senior member of the Indian Administrative Service, Mr Kant has been a driving force behind transformative governance efforts and landmark nation-branding initiatives, including the globally acclaimed Startup India, Make in India, and Incredible India campaigns. A prolific author and thought leader, he has written several books and over 500 articles on economic development and governance. Mr Kant is a Chevening Scholar, studied at Harvard Kennedy School, and holds degrees from St. Stephen’s College and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Stefan Paul has been CEO of Kühne + Nagel International AG since August 2022 and previously served as EVP of Road Logistics and Sales from 2020 to 2022 and EVP of Road Logistics from 2013 to 2020. Mr. Paul began his career with Kühne + Nagel, where he worked for seven years before joining DHL. Before returning to Kühne + Nagel in 2013, Paul spent more than 12 years with DHL and served as CEO of DHL Freight Germany from 2010 to 2013 and Senior VP of marketing and Sales from 2010 to 2013.
André Hoffmann is the Vice Chairman of Roche Holding AG. Alongside his roles in the family business, he serves on the Board of SystemIQ, helping drive positive disruption in economic systems, and sits on the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum, and has founded InTent. He is also President of W.A. de Vigier Stiftung and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Venture Foundation, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. Mr Hoffmann has a distinguished career in nature conservation and sustainability. He is the President of Fondation Tour du Valat, a world-renowned institute dedicated to wetland conservation, and serves on the boards of Capitals Coalition, b-Team, Peace Parcs, and the Givaudan Foundation. Additionally, he helped establish the Hoffmann Institute at INSEAD, which is at the forefront of advancing sustainability in business education. Mr Hoffmann studied economics at the University of St.Gallen and holds an MBA from INSEAD.
Dr Thomas Schinecker has been Chief Executive Officer of the Roche Group since March 2023 and a member of the Corporate Executive Committee since 2019. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as interim CEO of the Pharmaceuticals Division in early 2023. For two years, he led Roche Diagnostics' largest business unit, including research and development, before taking over as CEO of the Diagnostics Division (2019–2022). Dr Schinecker joined Roche in 2003 as part of a management development programme. Over the course of his career at the company, he has held leadership positions across six countries and three continents. Before taking on more senior leadership roles, he served as Head of Marketing and Sales in Austria, Lifecycle Leader for Diagnostics' Sequencing Solutions in the United States, and General Manager of Roche Diagnostics in both Sweden and Germany. Alongside his work at Roche, Dr Schinecker serves as a member of the Innovation Board of Labor Berlin (Charité and Vivantes), Chair of the Biopharmaceutical CEOs Roundtable (BCR), and President of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), both since 2025. He was also elected to the Board of Directors of Chugai Pharmaceutical in Japan in 2025. Born in Germany, Dr Schinecker holds both German and Austrian citizenship and grew up in Singapore. He studied genetics in Salzburg, Austria, and earned a PhD in molecular biology from New York University in 2003.
Miryan Vieira has served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Cabo Verde since May 2021. She brings extensive experience in international cooperation, financing for development, and addressing the unique challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries. Her expertise spans sustainable development, migration, international humanitarian law, human rights, and social development. Previously, Ms. Vieira served as Counsellor at Cabo Verde’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she was deeply involved in intergovernmental processes across a range of development issues. During her tenure in New York, she also served as Vice-Coordinator for the Bureau of African Group Third Committee Experts (United Nations General Assembly Third Committee). Prior to her diplomatic posting, Ms. Vieira was a desk officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' National Directorate for Political Affairs and International Cooperation. There, she was also the National Coordinator of the OECD surveys on the implementation of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Before entering public service, Ms. Vieira was a lecturer in personal skills and social development and a French language teacher at the secondary school level. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.
Florence Gaub is the Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defense College in Rome. Prior to this, she held several high-profile positions, including Deputy Director at the EU Institute for Security Studies, Foresight Advisor at the EU Council, and Special Advisor to EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. With a focus on strategic foresight and geopolitical trends, Ms Gaub has significantly contributed to understanding future challenges and long-term global developments. She began her career at NATO’s Middle East Faculty in 2009, and her work encompasses conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as institutional change and geopolitical analysis. Her publications include the bestseller Zukunft: Eine Bedienungsanleitung (2023). In addition to her current role, she serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Complex Risks and is a member of the World Science Fiction Society. Ms Gaub holds a PhD from Humboldt University and degrees from Sciences Po Paris, the Sorbonne, and the University of Munich.
Andreas Berger has been the Group Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re since July 2024, having joined the company in March 2019 as Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Solutions and a member of the Group Executive Committee. Before his tenure at Swiss Re, he served on the Board of Management at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, where he held the position of Chief Regions and Market Officer, overseeing Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia. Additionally, he was responsible for the Global Broker Channel Distribution for Allianz Group. Mr. Berger is currently the Chairman of the International Insurance Society and a non-executive Board member at Advance – Gender Equality in Business. Since 2024, he has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies. He holds a master's degree in law from Justus Liebig University and a master's degree in business administration from Université Paris-Dauphine.
Sabine Keller-Busse has served as President of UBS Switzerland and President of Personal & Corporate Banking since February 2021. Furthermore, she has been a member of UBS's Group Executive Board since 2016, contributing significantly to the firm's strategic direction. From 2018 until April 2021, she held the role of Group Chief Operating Officer for UBS Group AG and UBS AG. Additionally, she served as President of the Executive Board and a Member of the Board of Directors of UBS Business Solutions AG from 2018 to 2021, and as President of UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa from 2019 to 2021. Before joining UBS in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer for UBS Switzerland, Sabine led Credit Suisse’s Private Clients Region Zurich division for two years. Earlier in her career, she worked at McKinsey & Company, where she was named Partner in 2002. Alongside her current roles at UBS, Ms Keller-Busse is also a board member of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. and Zurich Insurance Company Ltd., having joined these boards in April 2021. Additionally, she is a foundation council member of the UBS Center for Economics in Society at the University of Zurich, a foundation board member of the University Hospital Zurich Foundation, a member of the board and board committee of the Zurich Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the advisory board of EqualVoice. She holds both a master's degree and PhD in business administration from the University of St.Gallen.
Thomas Buberl has held the position of CEO and Director of AXA since 2016. He began his professional journey at the Boston Consulting Group and has held various executive positions on the management boards of both AXA Group and several AXA subsidiaries. In addition to his role at AXA, Mr Buberl serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann and is a part of the Directors and Corporate Governance Committee of IBM. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of St.Gallen.
Patrick Rapp
State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Tourism, Baden-Württemberg
Patrick Rapp is the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, a position he has held since May 12, 2021. He also serves as a member of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg, having been first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2016 and 2021. Previously, Dr Rapp held key leadership roles, including Chairman of the Rural Areas and Consumer Protection Working Group and Tourism Policy Speaker for the CDU state parliamentary group. Before his political career, he worked as a management assistant to the executive board in the food industry and as a personnel manager in the timber industry. In addition to his governmental duties, Dr Rapp is a member of the Tourism Advisory Board of Baden-Württemberg, serves on the advisory board of the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, and is the honorary president of the Confederation of German Brass Instrument Associations in Staufen. Dr Rapp holds a degree in forestry science from the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, where he also completed his doctorate at the Institute for Forestry Policy.
Karla Godoy
Executive Secretary for Sustainability of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil
Karla Godoy is the Executive Secretary of Sustainability for the State of Pernambuco, where she leads efforts to advance sustainability and climate action. Her work focuses on supporting the sustainable development of emerging economies, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and traditional communities. She previously worked as an analyst of economic and financial projects for industries in Brazil and has published academic research on topics including political representation, UN peace missions and sexual crimes, and sustainable development as a democratic measure. Ms Godoy holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in Political Science from the Federal University of Pernambuco, as well as a second master’s degree in Development Practice from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.
Christian Kohlpaintner has served as the CEO and Chairman of the Management Board at Brenntag since 2020. Brenntag is the largest global chemical distribution company with more than 600 sites in 72 nations and is listed in the German DAX-40 index. Mr Kohlpaintner’s extensive experience in the chemical sector includes his tenure as CEO and Chairman of the Board at Chemical Specialist Budenheim from 2005 to 2009. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee at Clariant from 2009 to 2019. In addition to his current role, Mr Kohlpaintner holds positions as a member of the Supervisory Board at Evonik, a member of the Board of Directors at the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA), and a member of the Board at the German Chemical Industries Associations (VCI). He holds a PhD in chemistry from the Technical University of Munich.
Barbara Kux
Member of the Supervisory Board, Henkel; Member of the Board of Trustees, Max Schmidheiny Foundation
Barbara Kux is a recognized Board Director with an extensive international executive and board experience. She acts as Member of the Supervisory Board, the Nomination and Sustainability Committee of Henkel and on Advisory Boards for INSEAD, the Max Schmidheiny Stiftung and the University of Zurich. Previous Board of Director’s mandates were with TotalEnergies and Firmenich, including chairing Audit and ESG committees. The EU Commission has nominated her to the High Level Panel for Decarbonisation to give strategic advice on green innovation and technologies in Europe. She also acts as main lecturer for Sustainability at the University of St. Gallen and as Director for Corporate Governance at INSEAD. As Member of the Jury for the Digital Price Germany of McKinsey and Handelsblatt she is in touch with key innovators in Europe. From 2008 until 2013 Barbara Kux was the first female Member of the Managing Board of Siemens. There she increased results from the growth of green businesses and supply chain management by several billions of euros, just as she had done previously at Royal Philips where she was a Member of the Group Management Committee for supply management and sustainability. Preceding she held senior executive roles at ABB, Nestle and Ford Motor Company driving growth in emerging markets. She holds an MBA from INSEAD with distinction and started her career as Management Consultant of McKinsey in Germany. Barbara Kux has been repeatedly ranked as one of the leading women in international business by Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. In 2024 the Swiss Economic Forum recognized Barbara Kux with their SEF Women Honorary Award.
Katherine Maher has served as President and CEO of National Public Radio since 2024. She also worked for seven years as CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, leading Wikipedia to its highest brand trust since its founding, navigating the misinformation crisis and global trust decline in media. Before Wikimedia, Ms Maher worked on rights, democracy, and innovation at Access Now, the World Bank, the National Democratic Institute, and UNICEF. Alongside numerous other engagements, Ms Maher is the Chair of the Board of Signal Foundation, responsible for the secure, private Signal Messenger app, and from 2022 to 2024 served as an advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State's Foreign Affairs Policy Board regarding issues of technology, governance, and human rights. In 2023, she was briefly the CEO of Web Summit and served on its Board of Directors. Ms Maher holds a degree in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies from New York University.
Felipe Paullier assumed his mandate as Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs in December 2023. He leads systemwide collaboration, coordination, and accountability on youth affairs, overseeing the UN’s efforts to strengthen meaningful youth engagement in the areas of sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security. Prior to taking up his post, Mr Paullier was the Director General of the National Youth Institute of Uruguay beginning in 2020, where he led efforts to engage young people in policy-making processes at the national level. Mr Paullier is a Medical Doctor by training, holding a Medical Doctor degree from the Universidad de la Republica Oriental de Uruguay and an MBA from Universidad Católica de Uruguay.
Jason Thielman
Principal Founder, S2R Public Affairs; Fmr. Executive Director, NRSC
Jason Thielman is the Principal Founder of S2R Public Affairs. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Senator Steve Daines, a member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. During the 2024 election cycle, he was Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), where he played a pivotal role in securing the Republican Senate majority. Mr Thielman has been an influential figure in Republican politics, serving as Senator Daines’ top aide since Daines’ initial election to Congress in 2012. A proud native of Montana, he began his professional career as a Marketing Officer with Union Bank and Trust before transitioning into politics. In 2001, he assumed the role of Chief of Staff to former Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown. His long-standing partnership with Senator Daines began in 2012, when he served as Campaign Chairman during Daines’ successful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. Following the election, Mr Thielman became Daines’ Chief of Staff and continued to play a key strategic role throughout Daines’ successful U.S. Senate campaign in 2014. When Senator Daines was elected Chairman of the NRSC, Mr Thielman was appointed Executive Director, overseeing the committee’s operations with the mission of reclaiming the Senate majority. Jason Thielman resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Erin, and their three children, Alexander, Abigail, and Andrew.
Sabrina Soussan
Fmr. CEO and Chairperson, Suez; Member of the Board of Trustees, St. Gallen Symposium
Sabrina Soussan is a member of the Board of Directors at Boeing and a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Symposium. Most recently, she served as the Chairman and CEO of SUEZ from February 2022 to February 2025, where she oversaw the company’s global initiatives to ensure access to water and waste management services while driving innovation and sustainability throughout the organization. Alongside these leadership roles, Ms Soussan is actively involved in various industry associations, including the French Business Confederation (MEDEF). Prior to her tenure at SUEZ, Ms Soussan served as CEO of dormakaba and was a member of the Board of Directors of ITT Inc. and Schaeffler. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership positions at Siemens, including serving as CEO of Siemens Mobility. Ms Soussan holds a degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from ENSMA and an MBA from the University of Poitiers.
Prof. Simon J. Evenett is Professor of Geopolitics and Strategy at IMD and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Trade and Investment. Prior to joining IMD in 2024, he served as Professor of International Trade and Economic Development at the University of St.Gallen from 2011. An internationally recognized expert on trade, investment, and geopolitical dynamics, Prof. Evenett has developed several policy intelligence initiatives that provide real-time insights into global legal, policy, and regulatory developments. In 2023, he launched the Crux of Capitalism initiative, offering valuable insights into the performance of firms and sectors in 21 major economies. In 2020, he co-founded the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade (SGEPT) in collaboration with the Max Schmidheiny Foundation and the University of St.Gallen. SGEPT currently hosts three leading independent commercial policy monitoring initiatives: the Global Trade Alert, a key resource for assessing trade tensions; the New Industrial Policy Observatory; and the Digital Policy Alert. He has also taught at the University of Oxford and served twice as a World Bank official. Prof. Evenett holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from Yale University, and he has authored over 200 publications for academic, policy, and business audiences.
Tim Scharwath
Member of the Management Board, Deutsche Post DHL; CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight
Tim Scharwath is the CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, a role he has held since June 2017. He also serves as a member of the Board of Management at Deutsche Post DHL Group, with his current term extending until May 2030. Before joining Deutsche Post DHL Group, Mr Scharwath spent over two decades at Kuehne + Nagel International AG. During his tenure, he held several key positions, including Executive Vice President for Air Logistics, Regional President for North West Europe, and Managing Director for the Netherlands. Mr Scharwath holds a degree in business administration from the University of Hamburg.
Prof. Ryan Enos
Professor of Government; Director, Center for American Political Studies, Harvard University
Miljan Gutovic has served as CEO of Holcim since May 2024, leading the company’s purpose-driven mission to deliver superior performance and value for all stakeholders while decarbonising building at scale. Immediately prior, Mr Gutovic was Region Head for Europe and led Holcim’s Operational Excellence organisation, advancing renewable energy use and driving decarbonisation across the group. Notably, as Region Head for Europe, he transformed sustainable growth into profitable growth by implementing a decarbonisation roadmap that achieved industry-leading EBIT margins and boosted demand for sustainable solutions, including ECOPact and ECOPlanet. Mr Gutovic joined Holcim in 2018 as Head of the Middle East & Africa. Before joining Holcim, he held various management roles at Sika, a specialty chemicals company. In addition to his role as CEO, he is a member of Holcim’s Group Executive Committee and serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Cement and Concrete Association. Mr Gutovic holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a PhD in engineering from the University of Technology in Sydney.
Nabeel Al-Amudi is the CEO of Olayan Financing Company, one of the largest family-owned businesses in the Middle East. Previously, he served as Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport from 2017 to 2019. Before that, he held the roles of President and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority from 2015 to 2017. Prior to his government work, Al-Amudi had a notable career at Saudi Aramco, where he worked in the legal department, led long-term strategic planning, and ultimately became President of Saudi Aramco's North American subsidiary. Currently, he chairs Mobily, the Kingdom’s second-largest mobile operator, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, while also holding a board position at Olayan Saudi Holding Company. Nabeel has a JD from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University. In Addition, he completed the Stanford Business Executive Program in 2009.
Dominic Barton is the Chair of the Board at Rio Tinto, a role he assumed in 2022, bringing with him over three decades of experience in global business, public policy, and diplomacy. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Canada’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, where he advanced Canadian interests and engagement with one of the country’s largest trading partners. Prior to this, he spent over 30 years at McKinsey & Company, including nine years as Global Managing Partner. Earlier in his career at McKinsey, he served as Chairman in Asia and oversaw the firm’s Korea office. In addition to his corporate and diplomatic service, Mr Barton has held a range of public sector leadership roles, including Chair of Canada’s Advisory Council for Economic Growth and Chair of the International Advisory Committee to the President of South Korea on National Future and Vision. He is an Adjunct Professor at Tsinghua University in China and, since 2019, has served as one of three Conference Chairpersons of the St. Gallen Symposium. Mr Barton holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in economics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, the former Commanding General of US Army Europe (2014-2017) and Commander of NATO Allied Land Command in İzmir, Turkey (2012-2014), currently serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics and is a Distinguished Fellow with GLOBSEC. He also serves pro bono on several civic advocacy Boards, including Renew Democracy Initiative, Atlantik Bruecke, Arthur Burns Fellowship, Razom, Spirit of America, and Warsaw Security Forum. Additionally, he consults for several companies on Europe, NATO, and the European Union, and he is co-author of the book, Future War and the Defence of Europe. Before his current roles, he was Senior Advisor to Human Rights First, a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in the United States. Prior to that, he held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). During his career with the US Army, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, including the First Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004). His other operational assignments include Chief of Operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005-2006) and Director of Operations, Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2009-2010). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy West Point, whereafter he was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the US Army in May 1980, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018 and currently resides with his wife in Frankfurt, Germany.
Prof. Bai Chong-En
Dean, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University
Professor Chong-En Bai is Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Distinguished Professor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University. His research focuses on the relationship between economic institutions, policy, and development, and from this perspective, the Chinese economy. Professor Bai is Vice-Chairman of the 13th All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. He is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the “15th Five-Year Plan” National Development Planning Expert Committee, the Chinese Economists 50 Forum, the China Finance 40 Forum, and Chinainfo 100. He is also Chairman of Academic Committee of China Wealth Management 50 Forum. He was a member of the monetary policy committee of the People’s Bank of China and of the executive council of International Economic Association, a non-resident Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, and Adjunct Vice-President of Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd.. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Economics from Harvard University.
Marcela Escobari
Fmr. Sp. Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection
Marcela Escobari is a senior fellow at Brookings and a leading voice on international development, inclusive growth, and economic mobility. Her career has spanned the private sector, government, and academia, with a common thread of promoting growth that is inclusive and sustainable. She has been twice confirmed by the U.S. Senate under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden to lead the Latin America & Caribbean bureau at USAID, and most recently served on the White House National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President on hemispheric migration and protection. In this role, she led efforts to promote safe, orderly, and humane migration and to advance a collaborative, regional response to the displacement of over 8 million people across Latin America and the Caribbean. This regional effort contributed to a more than 75% decrease in irregular migration at the U.S. border in 2024, helping to stabilise and integrate over 4.5 million migrants and refugees within Latin America. Before her government service, she was Executive Director at the Center for International Development at Harvard University and worked at Brookings, where she launched the Workforce of the Future initiative focused on policies to restore opportunity in U.S. cities and states in the wake of globalisation and COVID-19. She holds a BA in Economics from Swarthmore College and a Master in Public Policy in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Prof. Christoph Heusgen
Honorary Professor, University of St.Gallen
Christoph Heusgen is the former Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), a position he held from 2022 until the conclusion of the 61st Munich Security Conference in 2025. Before assuming that role, he served as Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York from 2017 to 2021, chairing the UN Security Council in April 2019 and July 2020. From 2005 to 2017, Ambassador Heusgen advised Chancellor Angela Merkel on foreign and security policy and led the Foreign Policy Department of the Federal Chancellery as Director General. From 1999 to 2005, he headed the political staff of Javier Solana, then High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Earlier in his career, he served as Head of the Europe Division at the Federal Foreign Office (1997–1999), following his role in the ministerial office of Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel (1993–1997). In 1988, he was appointed Personal Assistant to the Coordinator for Franco-German Cooperation, after previous postings at the German Consulate in Chicago and the German Embassy in Paris. Ambassador Heusgen joined the German Foreign Service in 1980. He studied at the University of St.Gallen, Georgia Southern College in the United States, and the Sorbonne in Paris, earning his doctorate at the University of St.Gallen, where he is an honorary professor and currently teaches political science.
Thomas Süssli has been Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces (CdA) since January 2020, responsible for leading the army and overseeing key commands, including the Armed Forces Staff, Joint Operations Command, Armed Forces Logistics Organisation, Cyber Command, and Training and Education Command. Immediately prior, he served as Major General of the Armed Forces Command Support Organisation from January 2018 to December 2019, and as Brigadier General, Commander of Logistics Brigade 1 from September 2015 to December 2017. Before his military leadership roles, Mr Süssli gained extensive experience in the financial sector. Between 2014 and 2015, he was the CEO of Vontobel Financial Products (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Additionally, he previously served as Head of Investment Advisory International in the Global External Asset Managers division of Credit Suisse and Head of Processing Management in the Transaction Banking division of Vontobel. Earlier in his career, he was COO and Head of Product Management at IFBS AG and held various positions at UBS in Basel, Zurich, and London. Mr Süssli holds an Executive MBA from the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Economics (HTW) and is a Swiss certified expert in IT with a federal diploma.
Jens Fehlinger is the Chief Executive Officer of Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., a role he assumed in 2024. Since beginning his professional career with the Lufthansa Group in 2011, he has held a number of leadership positions across the organisation, including Managing Director and Accountable Manager of both Lufthansa CityLine and Lufthansa City Airlines, as well as Head of Structural Crisis Management and the ReNew Restructuring Program at Lufthansa Group. He also previously held strategic roles in operations performance, business development, and network management at Lufthansa. Alongside his management responsibilities, Mr Fehlinger is a trained commercial pilot. He joined Lufthansa as a First Officer on the A320 in 2006 and later flew as a Senior First Officer on the A380. While he currently focuses fully on his executive duties, his flying experience continues to shape his leadership perspective. Mr Fehlinger holds an Executive MBA with global modules in Madrid, Los Angeles, and Singapore. He also earned a Master of Science in Traffic and Transportation from the Technical University of Darmstadt and a degree in Aviation Engineering and Management from Bremen City University of Applied Sciences.
Rahul Sahgal
CEO, Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce (Swiss AmCham)
Rahul Sahgal, PhD, is the CEO of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce (Swiss AmCham), where he oversees efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations between Switzerland and the United States, and to ensure that Switzerland remains a preferred destination for US and international investment. Previously, Dr Sahgal served as Deputy Head of the Tax Division at the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) in Bern from 2021 to April 2024. Prior to his tenure at SIF, he held various diplomatic positions within the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). From 2017 to 2021, he was stationed in Washington, D.C., serving as Counsellor for Financial and Fiscal Affairs. From 2014 to 2017, he was Deputy Head of Unit in the Human Security Division, and his diplomatic career began in 2013 as Attaché Diplomatique at the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels. Before his diplomatic service, Rahul held leadership roles in the private sector; among them, he worked for Deloitte Consulting in Zurich and was Managing Director of Autoneum India. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a Board Member and President of the Northern Region with the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce. Dr Sahgal holds master’s degrees in both business administration and law, as well as a PhD, all earned from the University of St.Gallen.
Prof. John Kay
Fellow in Economics, St John's College, Oxford
Prof. John Kay is a renowned economist and author celebrated for his contributions to public policy and economic thought. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and St John's College, Oxford. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has held prestigious roles, including professor at London Business School, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and visiting professor at the London School of Economics. Prof. Kay has significantly shaped economic policy, most notably through his leadership of the Kay Review of UK Equity Markets and Long-Term Decision-Making, commissioned by the UK government in 2011. His influential recommendations have helped align financial markets with long-term economic goals. An accomplished writer, Prof. Kay is the author of several highly regarded books, including “The Long and the Short of It”, “Other People's Money”, and his most recent work, “Cooperation in the 21st Century”, which examines the role of collaboration in addressing global challenges. Prof. Kay studied economics at the University of Edinburgh and earned a DPhil from Nuffield College, Oxford.
Bineta Diop
Founder, Femmes Africa Solidarité; Co-Convener, AWLN
Bineta Diop is the Founder and President of Femmes Africa Solidarité, an international NGO dedicated to promoting peace, security, and development in Africa, and a Member of the Board of the Hunger Project. She is also the Co-Convener of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), a women-led network in 39 African countries formed in 2017 to advance the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making processes. Since 2014, she has served as the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security. Ms. Diop has led numerous peace-building programmes to enhance women’s participation in peace processes. She played an instrumental role in achieving gender parity within the African Union Commission in 2003, the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004), and the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003) by the African Union. Ms. Diop studied Management in Paris, France and Public Relations and Communication in Lausanne, Switzerland. She received an Honorary Doctorate from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in 2012 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Middlesex in London, UK, in 2014.
Nico has been working with Asia Society Switzerland since its inception in 2016 – as Head of Programming, Co-Executive Director, and since April 2021 as sole Executive Director. A medieval historian by training (really), he previously worked for Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, founded the global entrepreneurial community Sandbox, and ran business development for Swiss startup Mila.
Lord Brian Griffiths of Fforestfach
Conference Co-Chairperson, St. Gallen Symposium; House of Lords, UK
Lord Brian Griffiths of Fforestfach is a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament and the former Vice-Chairman of Goldman Sachs International. He was educated and afterward taught at the London School of Economics from 1965 to 1976, became Professor at City University in 1976 and held the position of Dean of the University’s Business School from 1982 to 1985. He served as a Director of the Bank of England from 1983 to 1985, Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit from 1985 to 1990, and was the special advisor to the Prime Minister for Domestic Policy Making. Lord Brian Griffiths serves as one of three Conference Chairpersons of the St. Gallen Symposium.
Claudia Süssmuth Dyckerhoff
Board of Directors Member, Clariant; Member of the Board of Trustees, St. Gallen Symposium
Claudia Süssmuth-Dyckerhoff has been with McKinsey for 21 years. Serving as Senior Partner, she led the Asia-wide Health Systems and Services Sector, providing advisory services to healthcare companies and governments. Transitioning to board work in 2016, she assumed the position of Senior Advisor at McKinsey. Ms Süssmuth-Dyckerhoff currently serves on the boards of Hoffmann-La Roche, Clariant, Ramsay Health Care, QuEST Global, and Prudential plc. She spent 17 years with her family in Asia – 15 years in Mainland China and 2 years in Hong Kong – and returned to Switzerland in 2022.
She studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen and ESADE, earning an MBA. Furthermore, she holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen/University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Ms Süssmuth-Dyckerhoff is a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies and the University of St. Gallen Foundation.
Nick Studer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Oliver Wyman Group, a position he has held since July 2021. He also serves as a Vice Chair of Marsh McLennan and is a member of its Executive Committee. Previously at Oliver Wyman, Mr Studer has held key leadership roles, including Managing Partner of the Consumer, Industrial, and Services Practice and the Financial Services Practice. Furthermore, Mr Studer is a strong advocate for diversity, serving as executive sponsor of Oliver Wyman's racial and ethnic diversity initiatives. A founding director of TheCityUK and advisor to the FICC Markets Standards Board, he has worked extensively with senior executives and government leaders on governance, strategy, and public policy. Mr Studer holds an honors degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Cambridge.
Barnaby Skinner is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) in Zurich, Switzerland, a position he has held since September 2024. Prior to his role as Debuty Editor-in-Chief at NZZ, Mr Skinner led the NZZ Visuals team, focusing on data-driven storytelling and visual journalism. He also served as Head of Data Journalism at Tamedia from 2018 to 2020 and worked as a data and innovation journalist at Tages-Anzeiger and SonntagsZeitung. Earlier in his career, he was a technology reporter at SonntagsZeitung and co-founded Opendata.ch, advocating for open data initiatives in Switzerland. Mr Skinner holds a degree in history from the University of Basel and is a graduate of the School of Journalism at Columbia University.
Philipp Navratil is the CEO of Nestlé Nespresso S.A., a position he has held since July 2024. With over two decades of experience at Nestlé and an extensive background in the coffee industry, he combines deep market insights with innovative strategies to drive Nespresso’s evolution in an increasingly competitive landscape. Prior to his current role, Mr Navratil served as Senior Vice President of Nestlé’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit from 2020, where he was responsible for shaping the global strategy and driving innovation for the Nescafé and Starbucks coffee brands. Before this, he led Nestlé’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico from 2013 and was Country Manager for Nestlé Honduras from 2009. He previously held various commercial roles in Central America after beginning his career at Nestlé in 2001 as an International Auditor. Mr Navratil holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Derek Walker is the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, a position he has held since March 2023. In this role, he is committed to safeguarding the needs of future generations, providing guidance to public bodies and policymakers in Wales on incorporating long-term thinking into decisions that impact social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing. Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Derek served for over a decade as Chief Executive of Cwmpas, the UK’s largest development agency for social enterprises and cooperatives, where he led initiatives to strengthen communities, create jobs, and promote inclusive, community-focused economic growth. From 2004 to 2009, he was Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales Trade Union Congress (TUC), where he developed impactful campaigns and organized high-profile events to advance the objectives of the Wales TUC. Derek holds a master’s degree in international journalism from Cardiff University and a bachelor’s degree in modern european studies from University College London.
Prof. Yan Xuetong
Distinguished Professor & Honorary Dean, Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University
Prof. Yan Xuetong is a distinguished Professor at Tsinghua University and the Honorary Dean of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at Tsinghua University. A central figure in the development of the "Chinese School of International Relations," he is widely recognized as the founder of the international relations theory of moral realism. From 2012 to 2023, Prof. Yan served as the Secretary-General of the World Peace Forum (WPF), the first high-level international security forum initiated by a Chinese non-governmental institution. Established in 2012, the WPF is co-organized by the IIR and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). Previously, Prof. Yan served as the Director of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, where he also held the position of Chief Editor of The Chinese Journal of International Politics. Throughout his impactful career, he has authored numerous works that have profoundly influenced global debates in international relations. From 2014 to 2019, he was the only Chinese political science scholar included in Elsevier's Most Cited Chinese Researchers. His notable books in English include “Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power” and “Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers”, both published by Princeton University Press. His most recent work, “The Essence of Interstate Leadership” (2023), was published by Bristol University Press. Prof. Yan holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. in International Politics from the University of International Relations, China, and a B.A. in English from Heilongjiang University in Harbin, China.
Yaël Meier is the co-founder of ZEAM, the leading Gen Z consultancy in the DACH region. She heads a team of 30 strategists and content creators who help companies connect with the next generation of consumers and talent. Ms Meier is a SPIEGEL bestselling author of the book "Gen Z for Decision Makers" and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Christoph Brand has served as Chief Executive Officer of Axpo Group since May 2020, leading Switzerland's largest producer of renewable energy. With extensive experience in the energy and telecommunications sectors, he has held key leadership roles including CEO of TX Markets, Sunrise Communications, and Adcubum, as well as Chief Strategy Officer at Swisscom. He is also Chairman of CKW AG and a Board Member at AMAG Group AG. Mr Brand holds a degree in economics from the University of Bern and completed the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD.
Ruth Metzler-Arnold is the President of Swiss Olympic and a seasoned leader with extensive experience in politics, business, and governance. She previously served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council, where she led the Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) and held the position of Vice President of the Swiss Confederation. Before that, she was a member of the Government Council of the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, serving as Finance Director. Ms Metzler-Arnold has held various leadership roles in the private sector, including positions at Novartis as Head of Investor Relations and General Counsel for Novartis France, as well as a career in audit and advisory at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has also served on multiple corporate and foundation boards, contributing her expertise in governance, crisis management, and transformation processes. In addition to her leadership roles, Ms Metzler-Arnold previously served as President of the Swiss Sports Aid Foundation. She studied law at the University of Fribourg and is a certified public accountant.
Lynn Kuok, PhD holds the Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. She is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge. Currently, she serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Geopolitics and previously served as a Council Member on its Global Future Council on International Security. Ms Kuok has held fellowships at prestigious institutions, including Yale Law School, Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School. She has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Cambridge Review of International Affairs and the Singapore Law Review. Ms Kuok holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Beat Tinner has been a Member of the Government of the Canton of St. Gallen and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs since 2020. The Department of Economic Affairs oversees areas such as public transportation, forestry, agriculture, economy and labor, and nature, hunting, and fishing. Before his election to the Government Council, Mr Tinner served as Mayor of the Municipality of Wartau from 1997 to 2020. Additionally, he was a member of the Cantonal Parliament from 2000 to 2020 and served as parliamentary group president from 2017 to 2020. His professional career began at a Swiss Bank, where he held various positions, including cashier, client advisor, and commercial specialist. Mr Tinner is a member of the FDP.The Liberals of the Canton of St. Gallen and actively participates in various political committees.
Fabienne Kinzelmann-Opel is an editor for international economics at Handelszeitung in Zurich, where she covers foreign policy, macroeconomics, and global events including the World Economic Forum and UN climate conferences. Prior to this, she worked for Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the Blick group, and Axios in Washington, D.C. Ms Kinzelmann is committed to quality journalism and gender equality in the media. She holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and Catholic theology from Technische Universität Dresden and a joint master's degree in religion, economics, and politics from the University of Zurich.
Mitsuyuki Tominaga has served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ASICS Corporation since January 2024. He joined ASICS in 2018 as Executive Officer and Senior General Manager of the IT Division and later held roles as Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), where he led the company’s digital transformation and innovation strategies. Prior to joining ASICS, Mr Tominaga held key positions at leading organizations, including Vice President and Executive Officer at IBM Japan, Vice President, Head of Services and Managing Executive Officer at SAP Japan, and President and Representative Director at Works Applications America. Mr Tominaga holds a bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University and an MBA from Purdue University.
Marie-Chantal Kaninda is the President of Glencore DRC and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a joint venture between Gécamines and Glencore in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has over 25 years of professional experience in the mining sector, having held key leadership roles in major international groups such as Ashanti Goldfields, AngloGold Ashanti, De Beers Group, and Rio Tinto. Ms Kaninda is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly focusing on women's access to education and greater inclusion in the mining sector. She founded the MCKM Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education for girls in the DRC, and mentors several young women entrepreneurs in the region. In addition to her role at Glencore, Ms Kaninda serves on several boards of directors, including as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Standard Bank DRC. She has also been recognized as one of the most influential women by Forbes Africa for three consecutive years. Ms Kaninda holds a degree in economics from the University of Liège in Belgium.
Prof. Manuel Ammann is the President of the University of St.Gallen and a Professor of Finance. He previously served as Dean of the School of Finance at the University of St.Gallen and Director of the Swiss Institute of Banking and Finance. Known for his expertise in derivatives, asset management, financial markets, and risk management, Prof. Ammann has made substantial contributions to the field of finance. Before becoming President, Prof. Ammann was Chairman of the Board of Directors at Algofin AG and Neue Bank AG, and he also served on the Board of Directors of St. Galler Kantonalbank. He earned his master’s degree in computer science from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and a PhD in Finance from the University of St.Gallen. Additionally, Prof. Ammann has held visiting professor positions at New York University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Peter Voser
Chairman of the Board of Directors, ABB; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, St. Gallen Symposium
Peter Voser has held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors at ABB since 2015. Prior to his role at ABB, he served as the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell from 2009 to 2013 and held the position of CFO from 2004 to 2009. Mr Voser is a member of the Board of Directors at IBM Corporation and Temasek Holding, as well as the Group Chairman of the Board of Directors at its subsidiary, PSA International. From 2005 to 2010, he served as a member of the Board of Directors at UBS AG, and from 2011 to 2019, he was a member of the Board of Directors at Roche Holding. Since 2013, Mr Voser has assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Symposium.
Michael Rauchenstein is a News Anchor for SRF Tagesschau, a position he has held since August 2022. Prior to his current role, he worked as SRF's TV Correspondent in Brussels from March 2020 to November 2022. Michael has also served as a journalist for various departments, including the foreign and video editorial departments, as well as the documentary and archive departments. In addition, he has been a part of the team for the political talk show "Arena." Michael holds a Master's degree in Political Science from the Free University of Berlin and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Lucerne.
Angela Sun
Venture Capital; Board Director at Cushman & Wakefield, Western Union, Maxim (Apollo company)
Angela Sun is a principal at the Hyland Group, where she invests in and advises early-stage to growth companies and family offices. An experienced leader across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, she also serves on the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company, Cushman & Wakefield, Maxim Crane Works (an Apollo portfolio company), and Kero Sports. Previously, Ms. Sun was Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Alpha Edison, an LA-based venture capital firm. Earlier, she spent ten years at Bloomberg LP, most recently as Global Head of Strategy and Corporate Development, where she spearheaded emerging technology initiatives and led M&A and commercial partnerships across the company’s media, financial products, enterprise, and data businesses. She also oversaw Bloomberg Institute, serving 1,500 universities worldwide. From 2008 to 2014, she was Chief‐of‐Staff to Bloomberg’s CEO, leading corporate-wide strategic planning, new business development, and growth initiatives in emerging markets and Asia. Before joining Bloomberg LP, Ms. Sun served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Bloomberg Administration and held roles at McKinsey & Company, J.P. Morgan, and the Henry L. Stimson Center.
A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College, she also holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She remains closely connected to Harvard, serving as an Elected Director of the Alumni board and Class Chair of the John Harvard Society. Ms. Sun is a Trustee of Second Stage Theater and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Prof. Nikolaus S. Lang is a managing director and senior partner in BCG’s Munich office and has been working for the firm since 1998. Nikolaus is the global leader of the BCG Henderson Institute, BCG’s think tank, global vice chair of BCG’s Global Advantage practice, and chair of the Center of Geopolitics, supporting clients on an array of globalization-related topics: geopolitics, global trade, supply chain resilience, international joint ventures, and digital ecosystems. He lived in Asia for ten years and has worked in most of the world's emerging markets. Mr Lang is co-author of the book Beyond Great: Nine Strategies for Thriving in an Era of Social Tension, Economic Nationalism, and Technological Revolution (PublicAffairs, 2020). His work has been featured in leading publications including the World Economic Forum (WEF) Agenda and Harvard Business Review. He is a regular speaker at global events including WEF Davos, Semafor World Economy Summit, and World Policy Conference. Mr Lang is Honorary Professor at the Institutes for Business Administration and Mobility at the University of St.Gallen.
Prof. Oliver Gassmann is Professor for Technology Management at the University of St. Gallen. He has published over 800 publications on innovation. His book ‘The Business Model Navigator’ by Financial Times, rapidly became an international bestseller. He has been Research Fellow at Berkeley (2007), Stanford (2012), and Harvard (2016). In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Scholarly Impact Award by the Journal of Management. Prof. Gassmann is worldwide among the top 3 most cited researchers in the field of “Business Models” and “R&D Management” (Google Scholar). He is also active in several boards of international companies.
Anna Penido is currently the Executive Director for the Centro Lemann for Leadership and Equity in Education. Prior to that she was the director of the Inspirare Institute (2012-2020), and contributed to the creation of the Brazilian curriculum standards. She was the chief of the UNICEF field office for the States of São Paulo and Minas Gerais (2007-2010) and founded and directed CIPÓ – Comunicação Interativa (1999-2007), a non-governmental organization dedicated to guaranteeing the rights of children, adolescents and young people through the educational use of communication means and technologies. She participated in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University (2011), the Human Rights Training Program at Columbia University (1998), and the Thematic Residency on Youth as Agents of Transformative Change at The Rockfeller Foundation Bellagio Center (2018). Anna is an Ashoka fellow since 2002.
Josh Zoffer
Principal, Clocktower Ventures; Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Columbia Center on Global Energy
Josh Zoffer is a Principal at Clocktower Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in climate tech and fintech companies, a senior non-resident fellow at Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy, and a Policy Fellow at Stanford's Institute for Economic Policy Research. From 2023 to 2024, he served as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the White House National Economic Council (NEC). At the White House, he led the NEC’s work on issues at the intersection of climate, energy, and markets, including climate technology investment, climate-related financial risk, carbon markets, energy security, and energy-related sanctions. He also worked closely on trade and supply chain issues, including China-related trade policy. From 2021 to 2023, Zoffer served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, most recently as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary. In that capacity, he served as the Deputy Secretary’s principal advisor on economic and foreign policy issues and as his chief speechwriter. He played a key role in many of the Treasury Department’s signature policies during this period, including the design and negotiation of the price cap on Russian oil and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. He also co-led the negotiation of the U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement. He is a recipient of the Treasury Medal. Zoffer also served on both the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team and the Clinton-Kaine Presidential Transition Team and advised the Biden-Harris campaign on economic policy issues. Before serving in government, he worked at Cove Hill Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm, and in McKinsey & Company’s New York Office. He holds an A.B. in Social Studies from Harvard University and a J.S. from Yale Law School.
Prof. Scott D. Anthony is a Clinical Professor of Strategy at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a Senior Advisor at Innosight. At Dartmouth, his research and teaching focus on the adaptive challenges of disruptive change. Harvard Business Review Press will release Scott’s ninth book Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World on September 16, 2025. Before joining the Tuck School of Business, Prof. Anthony spent over 20 years at Innosight, a growth strategy consultancy founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen. He became a Senior Advisor in 2024 after serving as Managing Director of Innosight Consulting Asia-Pacific from 2009 to 2022, where he built out Innosight's presence in the region. Additionally, between 2012 and 2018, he served two terms as Global Managing Partner, a period during which Innosight doubled its global business, expanded to Europe, and was acquired by Huron. An internationally recognized expert and dynamic keynote speaker on navigating disruptive change, Scott has been at the forefront of strategic transformation. He has helped major global organizations navigate tumultuous changes, held board roles at public and private companies, delivered keynote addresses on six continents, and worked closely with CEOs at numerous global organizations. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an Executive Master in Change (EMC) from INSEAD.
Sebastian Ramspeck has been working for Swiss Television SRF as an international correspondent and host of the foreign affairs magazine "#SRFglobal" since 2020. He covers events such as meetings of the UN and NATO and regularly appears as an expert on global political issues. Mr Ramspeck studied international relations in Geneva, European law in Zurich, and is a graduate of the Henri-Nannen School of Journalism in Hamburg. He began his professional career in federal administration, initially at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) and later in a security policy staff unit of the Federal Council. As a journalist, Mr Ramspeck worked for various media outlets at home and abroad, including "Der Spiegel" and "Sonntagszeitung". He has been with SRF since 2012, initially as a reporter and from 2014 to 2020 as a correspondent in Brussels.
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook serves as Executive Vice President at Bertelsmann Stiftung and, as a transatlantic policy expert, is leading two of the foundation’s important initiatives: the German-American Future Forum and a high-level strategy group on Europe. She formerly served as both Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). Until 2021, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook was the Executive Director of the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard University’s Belfer Center and the Executive Director of the Project on Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship at Harvard Kennedy School.
Florian Schick is the President of Merck Switzerland and General Manager of Merck (Schweiz) AG, roles he has held since 2022. He also chairs the Swiss Country Council. Prior to these roles, Mr Schick led the Neurology Business Unit in Germany and has been with Merck for over a decade in various local and global commercial leadership positions. Before joining Merck, he began his career at Pfizer and McKinsey & Company. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to driving innovation and fostering strategic growth in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Beyond his responsibilities at Merck, Mr Schick is the co-founder of Family Forward, an initiative promoting family-friendly workplace policies, and is a strong ally for diversity and gender equity in the workplace. Florian studied General Management and Supply Chain Management in Germany, Spain (Universidad de Zaragoza), Mexico (ITESM), and the USA (MIT).
Carlos Alvarez Pereira is the Secretary General of the Club of Rome, a position he has held since December 2023. Before assuming this role, he served as Vice President of the Club of Rome, bringing over 30 years of experience in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and business management. He is passionate about cultural transformation for equitable human well-being and a healthy biosphere. Mr Pereira is a member of several esteemed organizations, including the International Bateson Institute's Advisory Board and the World Academy of Art and Science. He holds an MSc in Aerospace Engineering and is the founder of the Innaxis Foundation & Research Institute.
Prof. Johanna Gollnhofer
Director, Institute for Marketing and Customer Insight, University of St.Gallen
Johanna Gollnhofer is an Associate Professor of Marketing and the Managing Director of the Institute for Marketing and Customer Insight at the University of St. Gallen (IMC-HSG), where she also serves as Associate Dean for Quality Development. She is an expert in qualitative approaches, particularly ethnography, in consumer research and focuses on future topics in the retail and healthcare industry and the sharing economy. Her research has been published in various international journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Business Research, and the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Southern Denmark from 2016 to 2019 and a visiting doctoral and postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University (Helsinki, Finland) from 2015 to 2016. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing and Customer Insights from the University of St. Gallen and obtained a Master of Science in Business Administration and a bachelor’s in international cultural business studies from the University of Passau.
Gerold Riedmann is an Austrian journalist and media executive widely acclaimed for his contributions to modern journalism and media innovation. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Der Standard, one of Austria's most prominent newspapers, where he leads editorial strategy and direction. Previously, he was Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Vorarlberger Nachrichten, a leading regional newspaper, and held leadership roles at Russmedia, focusing on driving innovation in the media industry. Mr. Riedmann studied communications science at the University of Salzburg and completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School.
Axel Threlfall is Editor-at-Large at Reuters, based in London. Alongside his editorial duties, he hosts high-profile engagements and thought leadership events for, and on behalf of, Reuters and Thomson Reuters. He was previously Lead European Anchor for Reuters Digital Video. Prior to joining Reuters, Axel spent five years as an anchor for CNBC in London. Before that, he was an editor and reporter with The Wall Street Journal in New York, and a news reporter for Bloomberg in London. He has also advised businesses and NGOs on their dealings with international media. He holds a BA in History from Durham University and a postgraduate degree in journalism from City University of London.
Prof. Claudia Franziska Brühwiler
Professor of Political Theory & American Studies, University of St.Gallen
Claudia Franziska Brühwiler is Professor of Political Theory & American Studies at the University of St.Gallen. Her research interests encompass a broad range of topics with a particular focus on American conservative and libertarian thought as well as on the interplay of politics, literature, and popular culture. In addition to her current position and previous roles at the University of St. Gallen, Prof. Brühwiler was also a Visiting Professor at Keio University in 2016 and a Visiting Fellow at the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin in 2015. Prof. Brühwiler holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Affairs and Governance, a doctorate, summa cum laude, in Political Science, and a venia legendi (PD; Privatdozentin) in American Studies from the University of St.Gallen. For her PhD dissertation, Prof. Brühwiler was awarded the Dr. Rudolf Mäder Prize for the best doctorate in law and political science of 2010 at the University of St.Gallen.
Robert Dorlin is the General Manager of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), where he is dedicated to fostering business relationships and growing trade between the UK and Switzerland. In January 2025, he launched the BSCC Technology Task Force, a strategic initiative designed to unite technology leaders in developing forward-thinking programs and content for both markets. Robert's career includes his role as Head of Digital at EF Education First between 2008 and 2020, where he led global teams in media and digital content. He has also devised marketing strategy initiatives through his work with Webrepublic, crafting innovative campaigns for leading sports and entertainment brands, including activations for the FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar. He is deeply passionate about language and cultural exchange, firmly believing that cross-cultural understanding is a key driver of innovation and international collaboration.
Ali Aslan is an internationally renowned TV presenter and journalist with over 20 years of experience as a talk show host, news anchor, correspondent, and moderator. His journalistic career spans three continents and includes work for CNN in Washington DC, ABC News in New York, Channel News Asia in Istanbul, and Deutsche Welle TV in Berlin. Mr Aslan regularly moderates at high-level global conferences and has shared the stage with top world leaders, including Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau, Christine Lagarde, and Bill Clinton.
Cecilie Hellestveit is a Norwegian lawyer, social scientist, and author specialising in international humanitarian law and armed conflicts. She has conducted research with institutions such as the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), focusing on the laws of war, human rights, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. She also serves as an advisor at the Norwegian Institution for Human Rights, is a member of the Council on Ethics for the Government Pension Fund Global, and has contributed to governmental commissions on extremism. Ms Hellestveit is the author of several notable works, including “Syria: A Great War in a Small World”. She holds a Ph.D. in international humanitarian law from the University of Oslo.
Marco Tittler is the Landesrat (Provincial Councillor) for Economic Affairs in Vorarlberg, a position he has held since November 6, 2019. In this role, he oversees economic and labor market policies, economic law, housing subsidies, spatial planning, building law, municipal development, telecommunications, and tourism. Before his appointment as Landesrat, Mr Tittler served as Deputy Director of the Vorarlberg Economic Chamber from 2018 to 2019 and led the Economic Policy Department from 2014 to 2019. He began his career at the Vorarlberg Economic Chamber in 2005, holding various positions, including Head of the Energy and Environmental Policy Department. Mr Tittler is also a member of several boards, including serving as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH and as a board member of VIVIT, the Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment. He holds a degree in business administration (Mag. rer. soc. oec.) from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Prof. Tomas Casas-Klett
Director, China Competence Center, University of St.Gallen
Prof. Tomas Casas Klett is a Professor at the University of St.Gallen’s Research Institute for International Management (FIM) and the Director of the China Competence Center. He also serves as the Index Director and Co-Author of the Elite Quality Index (EQx2023), a global political economy index. Additionally, he collaborates with the St. Gallen Symposium on its sub-index, the NextGen Value Creation Barometer. Prof. Casas Klett frequently leads international executive education programmes and courses at leading business schools in China, including Tsinghua SEM, Fudan University FDSM, and Shanghai Jiaotong University Antai. He graduated with honors from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, obtaining in parallel a Japanese language degree from Sophia University in Tokyo. Prof. Casas Klett later earned a Master's degree in Management from Fudan University in Shanghai and a PhD in Economics from the University of St.Gallen.
Kai Diekmann
Journalist; Chairman, German Friends Association of the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem
Kai Diekmann, is the Chairmen of the German Friends Association of the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem, served as Editor-in-Chief at Germany’s largest circulated newspaper, BILD, for 15 years, with a daily circulation of over one million copies. In 2017, following his departure from Springer-Verlag, he co-founded Storymachine, a public relations agency in Berlin, and established Der Zukunftsfonds, a digital asset management company. From 2010 to 2022, Mr Diekmann held the position of Non-Executive Director at Times Newspaper Holdings Limited.
Simon Thun has held the position of Global Chief Client Officer at Interbrand since 2022. He took this position in addition to his role as CEO of Interbrand for the region Central & Eastern Europe which he has held since 2017. Before joining Interbrand, he served as the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi Germany from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Thun was an Associate Partner at the international strategic brand and marketing consultancy Prophet and Managing Director of Prophet's office in Germany. He had joined Prophet through the acquisition of Noshokaty, Döring & Thun (NDT) in 2011 which he had co-founded in 2005 as a Boutique Management Consulting Firm. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Thun was at BBDO Consulting (now Batten & Company), where he played a key role in building the Brand Management Practice.
Pranjal Sharma is an economic analyst, advisor and author who focuses on technology, globalisation and inclusive growth. He serves on boards of enterprises and global non-profit bodies which are leveraging emerging technologies for sustainable, equitable growth. His latest book The Next New: Navigating the Fifth Industrial Revolution, published by HarperCollins, is the first in the world to chronicle the impact of the fifth industrial revolution while quantifying the magnitude of revenue shifts globally. Previously he held leadership positions in economic media including as founding editor of Bloomberg TV in India.
Bruno Maçães is a Portuguese philosopher, journalist, politician, consultant, and author. He has authored several books, including "The Dawn of Eurasia," "Belt and Road: A Chinese World Order," "History Has Begun," and "Geopolitics for the End Time." His insights are regularly featured in publications like the New Statesman, where he serves as a columnist. Prior to this, he served as Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs from 2013 to 2015, representing his country during pivotal events such as the eurozone crisis, the first Ukraine war, and Brexit. He is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Advisory Council for the Brussels Institute of Geopolitics. Dr Maçães earned his doctorate in political science from Harvard University.
Dr. Patrick Müller serves as Chairman of the Partner’s Board of Vaillant Group since Mai 2024. The company is a global market leader specialised in heating, cooling, and hot water solutions, employing over 17,000 people worldwide. He was appointed as Member of the Board of Vaillant Group in 2018. Prior to his current role, he held several leading positions at Müller Milk, culminating in his role as CEO of the £2bn UK dairy business. Additionally, Dr. Müller has served as CEO and Co-Owner of Milk & More, the UKs largest doorstep delivery business that was successfully sold in December 2023. Dr. Müller holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a PhD in Corporate Finance from the University of St.Gallen.
Christoph Lechner is a chaired professor of strategic management at the University of St. Gallen, director of its Institute of Management & Strategy (IoMS-HSG) and academic director of its “Master in General Management” (MGM). Christoph was a board member of Helvetia (insurance, Swiss Stock Exchange) from 2007-2022, vice president of Hügli (food, Swiss Stock Exchange) from 2000-2018 until it was sold to Bell/ Coop Group, and co-founded SwissVBS, a digital solution firm in 2002, until it was sold in 2018 to BTS Global Business Consulting, Sweden. He is still active in the private equity industry with investments in later stage firms in the food and banking/ insurance industry.
Billie JD Porter
British Journalist
Billie JD Porter is a British journalist and filmmaker whose previous credits span the likes of BBC, Vice, Channel4 and Vogue. She began her career as a music writer, joining bands on the road for publications like NME Jalouse, before being tapped as an on-screen television broadcaster covering primetime news, entertainment and current affairs. She has been vocal about engagement in politics, spearheading a national campaign to encourage young people to exercise their right to vote in the 2017 UK election. She is the Creator and Executive Producer of, 'Sound and Vision' - a four part documentary series exploring the power of alternative music and subcultures to make positive change in society. Most recently, she Directed and Produced, 'It's Different For Girls' - a film exploring the pioneering world of new male birth control methods currently in development in Post Roe America. As a public speaker, Billie has given guest lectures and Keynote speeches for institutions and organizations including: Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore, York University, NRK, The Guardian and Accenture.
Michael Hilb is Chair of the Board Foundation, owner of DBP Holding, and serves on various corporate and foundation boards. He is the Dean of the Swiss Board School, a Titular Professor at the University of Fribourg, and teaches strategy, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance at universities in Asia and Europe. Mr Hilb holds a PhD from the University of St.Gallen, has been a Visiting Fellow at INSEAD and Harvard University, and has completed several executive education programs.
Prof. Damian Borth is an accomplished scholar in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML), currently serving as the director of the Institute of Computer Science at the University of St.Gallen. His research focuses on large-scale machine learning to mine insights from multi-modal data streams for trustworthy utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through accountability of deep neural networks. Prior to his current position, Prof. Borth was the founding director of the Deep Learning Competence Center at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Kaiserslautern, where he was also PI of the NVIDIA AI Lab at DFKI. Prof. Borth is an active board member of the German Data Science Society, the advisory committee of the Roman Herzog Institute, the board of Sociovestix Labs Ltd, the advisory board of Avobis Data AG, and the advisory board of the HSG Institute of Behavior Science & Technology. He has also been involved in several steering and program committees of international conferences and workshops. Prof. Borth received his Ph.D. from the University of Kaiserslautern and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), and did his postdoctoral research at the International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) in Berkeley, where he was involved in big data projects at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. During that time, Prof. Borth also stayed as a visiting researcher at the Digital Video and Multimedia Lab at Columbia University.
Johannes Bohnen is the Founder and Managing Director of BOHNEN Public Affairs, a leading firm in strategic communication, political analysis, and campaigning. In addition to his leadership role at BOHNEN Public Affairs, Mr Bohnen has held several prominent positions, including speechwriter for the Federal Minister for Education and Research and spokesman for CDU Brandenburg. Before founding BOHNEN Public Affairs in 2015, Mr Bohnen worked as the Head of the Government and Institutions business at PLATO Communication, and as Managing Director at Scholz and Friends Berlin, where he established the firm’s PR and Public Affairs arm, Scholz and Friends Agenda. Earlier in his career, he held roles at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the NATO Fellowship Program, the WEU Institute in Paris, the Bertelsmann Foundation, and the office of the foreign policy spokesman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
Mr Bohnen coined the term and concept of Corporate Political Responsibility (CPR) and published a book with the same title in 2020. Through a political branding process, he develops political mission statements for companies.
Mr Bohnen holds a PhD from Oxford University. He has also studied at Harvard University, the University of Bonn, and Georgetown University, where he earned a master's degree in international relations.
Clara Zoé Richter is the Founder of Women With Impact, a platform providing women a voice by showcasing the positive impact they have on society. She interviews women leaders including former heads of state, social change-makers, and entrepreneurs including Kerry Kennedy, Susan Rockefeller, H.E. Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, and Jane Wurwand. Clara Zoé Richter regularly speaks at events and moderates panel discussions (e.g., Davos, St Gallen Symposium). Additionally, she is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Community, where she leads high-impact projects. Clara Zoé Richter holds degrees from the University of St.Gallen and University College London covering business and entrepreneurship.
Francesca Romana D’Antuono (FRD) is an international pharmaceutical marketer turned changemaker. She has been the co-president of Volt Europa since 2021 and has been elected for two consecutive mandates. Under her leadership, Volt succeeded in gaining representation in 10 countries, from the municipal to the European level. This includes National parliaments (NL, CY, BG) and a delegation of 5 members of the European Parliament. A Global Bridges alumna, a selected participant in the Lucerne Dialogue basecamp and a speaker in prestigious endeavors like the Cambridge Union and the European Leadership Academy, FRD has been featured as an author and as a host in national and international news outlets especially focusing on democracy, migration, economics, AI and political strategy. In 2017 and 2018 she published two poetry books under the pseudonym Francesca Del Mar.
Samuel Huber is the co-founder of For Planet Strategy Lab, an organisation dedicated to generating value through participative strategizing. In this role, he collaborates with organizations to craft strategy prototypes that transform uncertainty into actionable plans. Prior to founding For Planet Strategy Lab, Mr Huber served as Strategy Director at the global design firm Goodpatch, where he was instrumental in promoting planet-centric design principles. His interdisciplinary background encompasses studies in sociology, economy, management, and design, leading him to explore innovative approaches that integrate strategy and design through prototyping. In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr Huber is a researcher at the Zurich University of the Arts, focusing on the intersection of design and strategic innovation. He holds a Ph.D. on the topic of "Strategizing as Prototyping" from the University of St. Gallen's RISE Management Innovation Lab.
Prof. Marcus Schögel
Associate Professor, Institute for Marketing and Customer Insight, University of St. Gallen
Prof. Marcus Schögel, Institute for Marketing and Customer Insight (IMC-HSG), serves as the Academic Director of the English-language Master’s in Marketing Management programme at the University of St.Gallen (HSG). His research and teaching focus on customer centricity and strategic marketing, as well as the management of customer experiences. Following his research stay as a visiting professor in Singapore in 2013, Prof. Schögel has led the Customer Centricity Competence Centre at SGI-HSG in Singapore. He has published numerous papers, articles, and books, and his teaching excellence has earned him two nominations for the “Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching”. Since 2022, Prof. Schögel has served as President of the Foundation Board of the Swiss Marketing Society gfm.
Suneeta Reddy
Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals; President, All India Management Association (AIMA)
Dr Suneeta Reddy is the Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals. Since assuming leadership in 1989, Apollo Hospitals has flourished as Asia’s most trusted integrated healthcare provider. Her strategic insight and deep commitment have enabled the group to extend compassionate care to over 150 million people across 140 countries, firmly establishing its position as a global leader in healthcare. Moreover, Dr Reddy was instrumental in introducing foreign direct investment into India’s healthcare sector and led Apollo’s successful entry into international equity markets. Under her guidance, the organisation has set new benchmarks in clinical excellence, adopting cutting-edge protocols and fostering a culture of innovation. Her influence extends beyond Apollo through significant contributions to various boards and councils. She participated in the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response at the UN Headquarters in New York. She previously served as President of the India International Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as President of the All-India Management Association (AIMA), reflecting her commitment to advancing healthcare and management practices. She also represents Apollo Hospitals as a founding member of the Global Parity Alliance of the World Economic Forum in India, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr Reddy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stella Maris College, Chennai, and a Diploma in Financial Management from the Institute of Financial Management and Research, Chennai. She is also an alumna of the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School, Boston, and holds an honorary doctorate in Business Management from XIMB Bhubaneswar.
Beni Huggel is a co-founder of Athletes Network and a former Swiss national team player with extensive experience in professional sports, broadcasting, and leadership development. Over a 14-year football career, he played 41 matches for the Swiss national team, won twelve titles with FC Basel 1893, and competed in the UEFA Champions League and major international tournaments.
Following his career as a professional football player, he earned his UEFA A coaching diploma and has served as a football expert for Swiss broadcaster SRF since 2012. In 2015, he founded Beni Huggel bewegt GmbH, offering leadership trainings and coaching based on his elite sports experience. He also holds a CAS in Business Administration from the FHNW and serves on the Board of Directors of Praxisklinik Rennbahn AG.
Daniel Nagel is the CEO of F/A/Q Health, a Munich-based impact company building the most relevant youth health brand for a new generation. With its flagship brand FAQ YOU, F/A/Q Health turns health into a cultural force – emotionally intelligent, radically transparent, and boldly designed. The organisation’s work redefines youth health across sexual, mental, and physical dimensions, always with one goal: helping young people make confident, informed decisions about their bodies and lives. To create a real and lasting impact, Mr Nagel and his team build cross-sector partnerships, design scalable interfaces for education and care, and challenge the norms that hold young people back. In addition to his role at F/A/Q Health, Mr Nagel also serves as a Goalkeeper for the Gates Foundation, promoting health equity on a global scale. Mr Nagel holds a bachelor's degree in business administration (BWL) from the University of Potsdam.
Stephen Cornish has served as General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders, MSF) Operational Center in Geneva since 2020. During more than ten years of field experience, Mr Cornish managed several major MSF humanitarian interventions in contexts such as Chechnya, Sierra Leone, Georgia, and Peru. He has successfully negotiated humanitarian access to vulnerable populations in conflict settings across the globe and has played a lead role resolving aid-worker abduction crises and other emergencies. From 2008 to 2012, Mr Cornish sat on the board of directors of MSF Canada, before serving as their Executive Director from 2012 to 2017. He also worked with the Canadian Red Cross as manager of programs for countries in armed conflict, for CARE Canada as a policy and advocacy advisor, and for other international organisations with a focus on humanitarian and environmental issues. Mr Cornish holds a Master’s degree in global risk and crisis management from the Université Panthéon Sorbonne in Paris and a post-graduate diploma in conflict resolution from the University of Bradford.
Severine Schori-Vogt is a Media Executive at SRG SSR, Switzerland’s Public Service Broadcaster. She stems from a legal background and joined SRGs legal department ten years ago. For the past five years, she served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Development and Offering. Since November 2024, Severine Schori-Vogt took the role as department-head. With her team, she focuses on key issues of the core business. Main work areas include accessibility services, digital transformation projects (among other tasks running SRG's streaming platform Play Suisse), data analysis and strategic questions surrounding artificial intelligence, content partnerships, and international relations. In addition, she holds various mandates in the media industry.
Timo Blenk serves as Partner and CEO of Agora Strategy Group AG, a globally operating geopolitical strategy consultancy. His expertise lies at the intersection of business and politics with a focus on strategic issues in the industrial sector, strengthening resilience, and crisis management in the face of global challenges. Prior to his current role, he served as Secretary General of the Swiss Political Science Association from 2015 to 2018 and as a research assistant at the University of the German Armed Forces from 2014 to 2015. Mr Blenk holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the Free University of Berlin and Sciences Po and a PhD in International Political Economy from the University of St.Gallen.
Prof. Gudrun Sander
Director Competence Centre for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion, University of St. Gallen
Prof. Gudrun Sander is a Professor of Business Administration and Senior Lecturer with a special emphasis on Diversity Management. She is currently the Director of the Competence Centre for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion (CCDI) and the Institute for International Management and Diversity Management (IIDM) at the University of St.Gallen. For the past three decades, she has been committed to inclusion and equity in research, practice, teaching, and further education. Prof. Sander initiated the St.Gallen Diversity Benchmarking and the Gender Intelligence Report, and launched the management training “Aiming Higher: Karriereentwicklung für Assistenzärztinnen.” She is a speaker in executive education, particularly in company-specific workshops and training sessions on topics such as Unconscious Bias and Inclusive Leadership. In addition to her work at HSG, Prof. Sander is a member of the Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group (WEPs LG) of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, as well as the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Working Group for Gender Equality. She earned her PhD from the University of St.Gallen.
Manas Chawla is the Founder and CEO of London Politica, which focuses on anticipating emergent macro trends and providing political risk analysis and forecasting to organisations operating in some of the most unstable regions of the world. Mr Chawla’s expertise lies in soft power, corporate diplomacy, and crisis management, and he has worked with prominent institutions such as the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the Red Cross. Before founding London Politica, he led The Youth Journal – a youth-led think tank that produced international affairs research for over 60,000 monthly readers. Mr Chawla holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master’s degree in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford, and is currently pursuing his PhD in International Relations and Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Nicole Hasenkamp is the co-founder of For Planet Strategy Lab, an organisation dedicated to creating value through participative strategising. In this role, she collaborates with organisations to develop strategy prototypes that address complex challenges with innovative solutions. In addition to her work at For Planet Strategy Lab, she is a strategy and organisation consultant at EBP. Ms Hasenkamp holds a master’s degree in management, organisation studies, and cultural theory from the University of St.Gallen, as well as bachelor's degrees in communication and media studies, economics, and political science from the University of Zurich.
Justin Shepherd
Managing Director Corporates, Eurasia Group
Justin Shepherd leads Eurasia Group’s corporates business, advising corporate and government clients worldwide on key strategic macroeconomic and political issues. His work focuses on strategic planning, market assessment and prioritization, risk management, scenario planning, strategic foresight, and competitiveness. Before joining Eurasia Group, he was an engagement manager at A.T. Kearney, based in Washington and Dubai, where he worked with the Global Business Policy Council and the Government and Economic Development Practice. He also served as a project manager at the World Economic Forum, working on personal data and privacy issues while on secondment from A.T. Kearney. Mr Shepherd holds a master of business administration degree with a concentration in international business and a master's degree in international relations, both from George Washington University. He also earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and classics from St. John's College.
Stephan Lendi has spent two decades serving as a Moderator and Voice Over Artist, lending his voice to radio and TV commercials, movies, TV shows, image films, and corporate productions. Additionally, he moderates Raumkultur TV and Zff72 at the Zurich Film Festival. Mr Lendi also shares his expertise as a rhetoric and moderating coach at Event Speaking and serves as an executive coach at Newbury Media and Communications Ltd. Mr Lendi holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool and received training in mediation at Harvard Law School and London School of Mediation, along with acquiring skills in conflict management and negotiations at the University of Cape Town.
Alexandra Wudel is an AI researcher and tech entrepreneur. With FemAI, she's building an AI certification platform certifying AI tools complying with ethical standards and EU law. As the CEO of FemAI, she has won awards such as the 'AI Person of the Year 2024,' was mentioned in '40 under 40,' and was one of 25 global experts on ethical considerations for AI. Alexandra has contributed to the design of ethical AI guidelines for over 25 organizations, including input on the EU AI Act and work for the German Federal Foreign Ministry, the UN, and the German Parliament.
Mato Njavro is the Dean of the Zagreb School of Economics and Management and teaches finance there, as well as at the Luxembourg School of Business, the University of St. Gallen, and Singapore Management University. Previously, he worked in Singapore at SGI-HSG and SMU, was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, and gained investment banking experience at Lehman Brothers and Nomura in London. He is the founder and academic director of the New Europe Business Forum and has authored several academic publications, including a Harvard Business School case on M&A in the CEE region. Mr Njavro studied economics and finance at Bocconi University and holds a PhD in finance from the University of St. Gallen.
Henning Gloystein
Practice Head Energy, Climate and Resources, Eurasia Group
Henning Gloystein is the Practice Head of Energy, Climate & Resources at Eurasia Group, based in London, where he focuses on geopolitical risk in oil and natural gas markets, the global energy transition, and environmental pressures on emerging market economies and resource supply chains. Since 2020, his work has included a particular focus on the rise of clean hydrogen as a fuel and industrial feedstock, as well as advising major industrial firms on global supply chain risks. Before relocating to London in 2021, he spent seven years in Singapore covering Asia-Pacific’s emergence as the world’s largest consumer of natural resources. Prior to joining Eurasia Group in 2019, he was the Asia energy editor and deputy editor in charge of Asian commodities at Reuters. He also led Reuters’s European power, gas, and coal coverage from London and previously worked at Platts, where he headed the European power pricing team during the region’s market liberalization period. Mr Gloystein holds a dual master's degree in history and politics from Humboldt University and in science and technology from the Technical University of Berlin.
Eva Umlauf
Auschwitz survivor
Eva Umlauf, born on December 19, 1942, in the labor camp Nováky in Slovakia, is one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust and a significant eyewitness to history. In November 1944, she was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp together with her pregnant mother. Despite severe illness, she and her mother survived the inhumane conditions until the camp was liberated on January 27, 1945. After returning to Slovakia, Eva Umlauf studied medicine in Bratislava. In 1967, she moved to Munich, where she worked as a pediatrician and later as a psychotherapist. In 2016, she published her autobiography "The Number on Your Forearm Is Blue Like Your Eyes." She is actively involved in Holocaust remembrance and shares her story to educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.
James Breiding is the co-founder of S8nations, a non-profit organization headquartered in Zurich that draws inspiration from his latest book, What Goliath Can Learn from David: Big Lessons from Small Nations. He is also the author of Swiss Made: The Untold Story Behind Switzerland’s Success and Too Small to Fail: How Some Small Nations Are Reshaping the World. Swiss Made has become a leading reference on Swiss achievements and innovation and is offered by seventy Swiss embassies as a diplomatic gift. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior manager at Price Waterhouse Coopers, as a director at NM Rothschild & Sons, and as managing director at Templeton Investments. In 1999, he founded Naissance Capital, a Swiss boutique investment firm. Mr Breiding’s writing has appeared in The Economist, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, New York Times, Scientific American, The Straits Times, South China Morning Post, and Wall Street Journal. He has been a fellow at Harvard's Center for International Development and has lectured at leading universities including Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, Stanford, and ETH Zurich. Mr Breiding holds degrees from IMD Lausanne and the Harvard Kennedy School.
Thierry Ngosso
Managing Director, IWE-HSG Africa Center, University of St.Gallen
Thierry Ngosso is a Cameroonian political philosopher with an interest in global justice, focusing on comparative philosophy and business ethics within the context of human rights, climate change, and migration. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Louvain, Belgium, and has been affiliated with the University of Maroua and the Catholic University of Central Africa in Cameroon, where he founded and manages the Ethics and Public Policy Laboratory (EthicsLab), and with the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, where he co-founded and manages the Competence Center for African Research (CCAR).
Jan Riss
Chief Economist & Deputy Director, Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) St. Gallen
Jan Riss serves as the Chief Economist and Deputy Director of the Chamber of Commerce St.Gallen-Appenzell (IHK), one of the world's oldest business associations of its kind. IHK represents approximately 1,700 companies, advocating for their interests in politics, administration, and society. Beyond his role at the Chamber of Commerce St.Gallen-Appenzell, Jan Riss is also a lecturer in economics at the University of St.Gallen. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of St.Gallen and earned his master's degree in applied economic analysis from the University of Bern.
Christian Opitz serves as the Head of the Competence Centre for Energy Management at the University of St.Gallen. His research focuses on strategic management in the utilities and waste management sector, business model analysis and innovation, as well as (mega-)trends and strategic positioning. Dr Optiz holds a diploma in business administration from the University of Mannheim, Germany, and a PhD in International Business from the University of St.Gallen.
Carolin Neffe is the Chief Executive Officer of Brüder Schlau GmbH & Co. KG, a family-run company active in both wholesale and retail, with a strong focus on craft services and related products. As the fifth generation to lead the business, she combines tradition with innovation to shape the company’s future. In addition to her executive role, Ms Neffe serves as Professor of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at Heilbronn University. Ms Neffe holds a PhD in Leadership in Family Firms from the University of Twente. She earned her MSc in Management from The University of Edinburgh, and her BSc in Business Psychology from the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. She is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Business Law at Leuphana University Lüneburg.
Claire Dusonchet is the Innovation Portfolio Manager at Unearthodox, where she supports changemakers and their projects to grow, evolve, and contribute to regenerative impact in conservation and beyond. She works across strategy and operations, guiding efforts from early-stage ideas to implementation and reflection, designing adaptive tools and processes that help teams respond creatively to complexity. With a background in humanitarian innovation, Ms. Dusonchet has led portfolios addressing gender-based violence and pandemic response, collaborating with actors across scales, from UN agencies to local networks. Her work focuses on nurturing conditions for collective learning, systems change, and shared stewardship. Originally trained as an architect, Ms. Dusonchet brings a systems-thinking lens and a deep belief in working from the ground of the problem. Her guiding motto is: fall in love with the problem, not the solution.
Sigvald Harryson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iKNOW-WHO.com. Prior to this, he was a Partner at Arthur D. Little, a Principal at Booz Allen, and a Manager at Boston Consulting Group. Earlier in his career, he worked in new materials research and development at Tetra Pak across five countries. Mr Harryson has also held academic positions, serving as Associate Professor of Ecopreneurship at Copenhagen Business School from 2008 to 2015, followed by a role as Professor of Disruptive Innovation at HULT School of Business in San Francisco. He holds a Dr. Oec. magna cum laude from the University of St. Gallen, a PhD from the Göteborg School of Economics, and post-doctoral docent competence from Lund University.
Patrice Juah is a Liberian poet, author, and advocate for girls' education and women's leadership. She is the founder of the Martha Juah Educational Foundation, which promotes literacy and empowerment through initiatives such as "Sexy Like A Book." As an Executive Committee Member of Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social-Emotional Learning, she works to advance youth development worldwide. She also serves as a Visiting Professor of Global Civil Rights and an Adjunct Professor at IE University. Ms Juah holds a master’s degree in international relations from IE University in Spain. Additionally, she is a Mandela Washington Fellow and a Deutsche Welle Global Media Fellow.
Susy Schär worked for 33 years in various editorial departments at Radio and Television SRF. Among other achievements, she became Switzerland’s first female Head of Sport in the 1990s. As a journalist, she covered eight Olympic Games and three Paralympic Games.
Since 2018, Mrs. Schär has run her own communications company: Susy Schär Im Gespräch. She has been advocating for more women in leadership positions for many years, particularly in sports.
She also holds several roles in the sports sector: she is Vice President of the Swiss Sports Promotion Foundation, a board member of Weltklasse Zürich, and a member of the Swiss Athletics Ethics Committee. Additionally, she serves as a delegate for UNICEF Switzerland-Liechtenstein and is a member of the Fundraising Commission.
Franzisca Gartenmann is the Co-Founder of KEEN Wellbeing, a company committed to redefining recovery and resilience through holistic health practices. She also serves as the Founder and President of the Board of Lotus for Laos, a non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for young Laotians. Ms Gartenmann began her career in the insurance and biotech industries before transitioning into the wellbeing sector. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of St.Gallen.
Jonas Friedrich
PhD Researcher and Assistant on Organizational Democracy and Sustainability, University of St.Gallen
Jonas Friedrich researches and consults on democratic and participatory forms of leadership and organizing. His freshly submitted Ph.D. thesis at the University of St.Gallen investigates if and how democratic enterprises contribute to sustainability transformation, focusing on distributed leadership and responsible management while theoretically linking to inequality-sensitive, empowerment-fostering queer and feminist scholarship. With an MSc in Sociology from the University of Oxford and a BA in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from the University of Witten/Herdecke, Mr Friedrich brings a robust interdisciplinary foundation and an international perspective to his work. As an incoming Great Minds Postdoctoral Fellow (HSG), his future research will explore how to scale democratic enterprises through digital governance, further underlining his commitment to innovative, sustainable, and future-ready organizations. Mr Friedrich furthermore serves as a St. Gallen Symposium Young Leader on Board at the B Corp ten23health.
Prof. Christine Scheef
Assistant Professor of Family Business and Entrepreneurship, University of St.Gallen
Christine Scheef is an Assistant Professor at the University of St.Gallen, specializing in corporate governance and family business. She has published her work in leading academic journals and leads the St.Galler Owner Manager Forum, a platform for owner managers in Switzerland and Germany. From 2013 to 2019, she lived in Singapore, where among others she served as General Manager of the St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG) and as Adjunct Lecturer at Singapore Management University (SMU). She earned her Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of St.Gallen in 2014. Prior to her Ph.D., she studied at the University of Tübingen, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Fabian Lukas Goslar is an expert in social, intergenerational learning. He studied political science with a focus on economics, politics, and human rights in Passau, Rome, and Vienna. As the founder of the NGO genintelligence, Fabian is dedicated to preserving eyewitness knowledge for future generations and promoting European values like peace, freedom, and democracy. Together with his grandmother, he launched the project Europes Grandchildren ("Enkel Europas") on intergenerational exchange to foster social cohesion and strengthen the European Peace Project. With extensive experience leading initiatives in the DACH region as both an social entrepreneur and start-up board member, Fabian actively contributes to preserving historical memory and advancing civic engagement.
Rachel Brooks
Head of Sustainability Curriculum Development & Lecturer, University of St.Gallen
Rachel Brooks is Head of Curriculum Development for Sustainability & Responsibility, program director, and lecturer at the University of St.Gallen. Her research focuses on transformative learning for responsible leadership and sustainability in business schools. Previously, she led executive education at the Competence Center for Social Innovation (CSI-HSG), focusing on building competencies of leaders across sectors to take action on global grand challenges in an environment of mounting complexity and uncertainty. Rachel has worked and conducted research in several Latin American countries and Switzerland on social sustainability strategy development and cross-sector collaboration in the global food industry at the nexus of business, agricultural producers, government, and non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Latino/a Studies from Smith College and a Master’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from New York University. She earned her PhD in Organization Studies and Cultural Theory from the University of St.Gallen.
Prof. Alexander Geissler
Professor of Health Economics, Policy and Management, School of Medicine, University of St.Gallen
Alexander Geissler is a full professor of Health Economics, Policy and Management at the University of St.Gallen's School of Medicine, where he also serves as the academic director. His research, which is primarily empirical, focuses on health economics, health services research, and health systems research, with an emphasis on translating findings into policy recommendations. He aims to develop tools to measure and manage efficiency in healthcare. This includes aspects of remuneration and incentive systems, as well as issues related to quality measurement, presentation, and transparency. He is increasingly integrating these two research areas to provide more accurate insights into the optimal use of limited resources in the healthcare system. A distinctive aspect of his work is his international focus, reflected in both his publications and research topics. This is demonstrated by his involvement with supranational organizations such as the World Bank, the EU Commission, as well as national ministries and think tanks.
Silke Mischke is a Senior Leadership Advisor and Lecturer at IMD and EPFL. At IMD, she also serves as Co-Director of the Executive Coaching Certificate programme and teaches leadership in the Master in Sustainability Management (E4S), a joint programme by IMD, EPFL, and UNIL. Her work focuses on leadership development through the lens of emotional intelligence, with a strong emphasis on inclusive leadership practices and their role in advancing gender equality. Prior to her current roles, Silke coached and taught leaders and teams from a wide range of international organisations, guiding their development through individual and collective learning journeys. Her professional experience bridges leadership consulting, teaching, and executive development. In addition to her teaching and advisory roles, she contributes to research and thought leadership on how emotional and social competencies shape equitable leadership, organisational culture, and sustainable performance. Through her work, she challenges traditional leadership models and highlights the impact of gender dynamics on effective leadership behaviour. Silke holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology.
Stsiapan Putsila is the founder and editor-in-chief of NEXTA, the largest independent Belarusian media outlet, reaching over 10 million people daily across YouTube, Telegram, X, and other platforms. Since founding NEXTA in 2015 while still a student, he has led its growth into a key voice for uncensored reporting, particularly during the 2020 Belarusian protests. Operating in exile from Warsaw, he leads a team of journalists producing daily news, investigations, and documentaries, despite being labelled “extremist” by the Belarusian regime. Mr Putsila’s work is regularly cited by international outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and Deutsche Welle, and NEXTA has been nominated for the Sakharov Prize. He holds a bachelor’s degree in radio and television from the University of Silesia.
Prof. Arnd Bünker
Titular Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Fribourg; Director, SPI
Prof. Arnd Bünker is Director of the Swiss Institute for Pastoral Sociology (SPI), a position he has held since 2009. He also serves as Executive Director of the Pastoral Commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and has been a Titular Professor at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Fribourg since 2014. A theologian and social pedagogue by training, Prof. Bünker is a leading expert in pastoral sociology and religious studies, with a focus on church and pastoral development, mission, evangelisation, and interculturality. Prior to his current roles, he spent eleven years as a research associate and assistant at the Institute for Missiology at the University of Münster. In addition to his academic work, Prof. Bünker is actively involved in advisory and lecturing activities within the Church, particularly in the areas of pastoral planning and strategy. He is also a founding member of feinschwarz.net, an influential platform for theological and ecclesiastical discourse, and served on its editorial board from 2015 to 2019. Prof. Bünker studied Catholic theology in Münster and Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and social pedagogy in Münster.
Tajeshwar Singh is an Executive Vice President and Chief Architect at HCLTech' Digital Foundation Services business unit with over 20 years of expertise in IT services and technology strategy, spearheading innovation and transformation for global enterprises. Mr Singh is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges and delivering innovative, scalable solutions that empower organizations in the digital era. He spearheads a multidisciplinary team of solution architects, engineers, and specialists dedicated to refining the customers' IT strategy, architecture, and design that aligns technology choices with measurable business outcomes. A key focus of his role is advancing the Architecture & Consulting Services portfolio with a strong emphasis on the impact of AI and Generative AI (GenAI) on enterprise Target Operating Models. By integrating cutting-edge AI technologies, Mr Singh enables clients to fast-track their digital transformation journeys, driving business growth and operational excellence.
Plestia Alaqad is an award winning Palestinian journalist and writer who emerged as a rising voice in digital media during the Israel-Palestinian war. Known for her powerful, heartfelt content, she gained international recognition for her compelling on-the-ground reporting and poignant storytelling, which shed light on the human side of the war. Her unique ability to blend raw emotion, resilience, and advocacy has made her a strong voice for justice and human rights amidst challenging times.
Abdullahi Alim is the CEO of The Africa Future Fund, which backs audacious ideas and individuals that are reimagining the trajectory of the continent. The organisation is premised on the idea of protecting the next billion Africans to be born in the next generation alone and ensuring demographic gains run commensurate with increases in living standards and industrialisation, while respecting ecological boundaries. Previously, Abdullahi led Project2030 at the International Chamber of Commerce which sought to develop insights on future risks to global business. Moreover, he led The Davos Lab at the World Economic Forum, the world’s first post-pandemic recovery plan for young people and future generations that consulted upwards of 2 million people and generated over 40 policies and recommendations. Mr Alim holds a B.Com. (Hons) in Finance from the University of Western Australia and a B.Sc. in Actuarial and Applied Statistics from Curtin University.
Danielle Walwyn is the Advocacy Officer at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), a regional alliance of civil society organisations advocating for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean. She spearheads Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), the region’s only youth advocate network dedicated to NCD prevention, with a focus on mental health, healthy food environments, capacity building, and youth engagement in health decision-making. With nearly a decade of experience in strategic collaboration, she works closely with the HCC team to mobilise and support civil society and youth in driving impactful advocacy. Additionally, Ms Walwyn represents HCC and HCY on the World Health Organization Youth Council, which aims to amplify the insights and expertise of diverse young people to shape global health policies and strategies. She holds a Master of Science in Health Promotion, with research focused on adolescent physical activity in Antigua and Barbuda.
Tim Kramer
Director, Square at University of St.Gallen
Tim Kramer has taught in the contextual studies programme at the University of St. Gallen since 2010 and assumed the directorship of SQUARE at the University of St.Gallen in August 2024. Previously, he served as Artistic Director and Head of Academic Operations at the Theaterakademie August Everding from 2022 to 2024, and as Director of Drama at Theater Magdeburg from 2019 to 2022 and at Theater St. Gallen from 2007 to 2016. As a director, he has led productions at institutions including Theater Magdeburg, the Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Volkstheater Wien, Stadttheater Klagenfurt, Theater Konstanz, the Salzburger Landestheater, TAK Liechtenstein, Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, and Theater St. Gallen. Earlier in his career, he performed as an actor at venues such as the Burgtheater, Volkstheater, and Schauspielhaus in Vienna, the Salzburg Festival, the Staatstheater Wiesbaden, and the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern. Additionally, Mr Kramer held a teaching position at the Max Reinhardt Seminar for six years and served as Head of the Acting Department at the Konservatorium Wien for three years. He received his training at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart and the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna.
Anna Zofia Brzykcy
Sen. Project Manager, Competence Centre, Diversity, Disability & Inclusion, University of St.Gallen
Anna Brzykcy is Senior Project Manager at the Competence Center for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion (CCDI) at the University of St. Gallen. She has been researching the impact of diversity and leadership since her PhD in Management and translates this knowledge into workshops and trainings on inclusive leadership. Dr Brzykcy holds a PhD in Management from the University of St. Gallen.
Scott Young
Director Strategic Initiatives, Eurasia Group
Scott Young is a senior analyst with Eurasia Group’s geo-technology practice, where he focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies and geopolitics. Mr Young also co-leads Eurasia Group’s critical minerals working group and is an associate with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. Before joining Eurasia Group, he served as the director of ideas and insights at the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. He is a juror for the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy with the Writers’ Trust of Canada, a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader since 2018, and advises the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt on its Nordics strategy. He holds degrees from Simon Fraser University, the University of Warwick, where he studied as a Chevening Scholar, and the University of Oxford.
Fabian Buder heads the Future and Trends research group at the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), a non-profit research institute at the interface of science and practice. NIM investigates how consumer decisions are changing as a result of new technologies, societal trends, or the application of behavioural science, and the resulting impact on the market and society as a whole. Mr Buder is responsible for the annual "Voices of the Leaders of Tomorrow" report, published by NIM in collaboration with the St. Gallen Symposium. In addition to his role at NIM, he is a Research Affiliate at the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, USA. Mr Buder holds a degree in Sociology from Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg, Germany, and earned his PhD in Agricultural and Food Marketing from the University of Kassel, Germany.
Franziska Brandmann is Chair of the Young Liberals Germany (Junge Liberale), the youth organization of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), representing around 15,000 members aged 14 to 35. She also serves as an elected member of the FDP’s Federal Executive Board. Outside of her political roles, Ms Brandmann is the co-founder and managing partner of a company in the legal technology sector. She studied political science at the University of Bonn and earned a master’s degree in European Politics from the University of Oxford. Her political involvement is voluntary and complements her entrepreneurial career.
Frans Lehmusvaara
Co-founder, Veri
Frans Lehmusvaara is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Veri, a metabolic health company that helps individuals optimize their well-being through personalized insights based on continuous glucose monitoring. At Veri, he leads the technological development that enables users to translate complex health data into simple, actionable guidance to support healthier lifestyle choices. Mr Lehmusvaara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Aalto University and completed the International Honors Program in computer science at Stanford University.
Jan Baumgartner
Head Corporate Target Market Concrete, Sika
Jan Baumgartner has been the Global Head of Target Market Concrete at Sika since November 2020. Prior to joining Sika, he held several senior leadership roles at BASF, including Vice President and Global Head of Carve-out of the Construction Chemicals Division, Vice President and Global Head of Implementation of the Corporate FFPG Program, and Vice President and Head of the Business Unit Industrial Coatings Solutions EMEA. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Manager Global Strategy and as Head of Regional Marketing for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia at BASF. Mr Baumgartner holds a master's degree in civil engineering from ETH Zurich and an executive master's degree in marketing from WISS Schulen für Wirtschaft Informatik Immobilien.
Sandra Cesna is a federally recognised psychotherapist who specialises in fertility and egg donation counselling in her practice, Mental Heroes. She is a board member of Fertiforum, a committee of the Swiss Society for Reproductive Medicine. She is part of the team currently drafting the guidelines for the legalisation of egg donation in Switzerland. She is a member of the Brocher Foundation's international team of experts on surrogacy and gamete donation. As a pioneer and advocate of open egg donation, Sandra Cesna has been instrumental in raising awareness and acceptance of this method in Switzerland. Her main concern is that donor children are informed about their conception. She is President of the Swiss Egg Donation Association and author of the children's book We Wanted You. Her expertise and dedication have made her a leading psychological counsellor for professionals in fertility clinics. She earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Psychotherapy from the University of Basel.
Mredul Sarda is a Founding Partner at Riceberg Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in deep tech startups across India, Europe, and the US. Prior to launching Riceberg, he was the first strategy hire at Slice Money, where he played a key role in scaling the fintech startup from a $60 million to a $1.6 billion valuation within two years. He began his career at Booz & Company, advising clients such as Tata Communications, Raymond, and NPCI on strategic transformation projects. In addition to his work in venture capital, Mredul is an active angel investor and startup advisor, having supported over 15 companies and helped founders raise more than $20 million in early-stage capital. He holds a dual degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Deep Learning from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, where he was part of the team that launched Pratham, India’s first student satellite.
Rezwana Rahman
Finalist, St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition 2025
Rezwana Rahman is a Registered Nurse, researcher and entrepreneur focused on caregiving, urban health, and immigrant experiences. As the founder of SaraaSits, a faith-based caregiving platform for children and elderly adults, she integrates AI-powered solutions with culturally responsive care. Her research explores the duality of care among second-generation immigrants, and the intersection of faith and caregiving. With a background in nursing and a commitment to community-driven innovation, she aims to shape inclusive and sustainable caregiving solutions.
Florian Feltes
Founder & CEO, Zortify
Florian Feltes is the CEO and Co-founder of Zortify, where he has spent over five years advancing AI-driven HR diagnostics to support HR professionals in talent selection, development, and team dynamics. His work focuses on equipping organisations with the tools needed to drive people-centred success. In addition, he serves as Professor of Digital HR and Leadership at XU University in Potsdam, where he mentors future leaders and innovators. Mr Feltes is the author of Revolution? Yes, please! When Old-School Leadership Meets New-Work Leadership, a book examining the transformation of leadership cultures towards change, diversity, and empowerment. He holds a PhD in the science of education from the University of Luxembourg.
Hubert Büchel
Regierungsrat of the Ministry for the Interior, Economy and Sport, Principality of Liechtenstein
Hubert Büchel has served as Regierungsrat of the Ministry for the Interior, Economy and Sport of the Principality of Liechtenstein since April 2025. Prior to his current role, he was CEO of GN Finance AG and founder of Büchel Advisory GmbH. He also served as Chief Markets Officer and a member of the executive board at Mason Privatbank, as well as Chief Customer Officer and Head of Private Banking at Bank Frick. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions in private banking and portfolio management at several financial institutions in Vaduz, including Banque Pasche Liechtenstein, Serica Bank, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank.
Mr Büchel has been active in various public and civic roles, including as a deputy member of the Liechtenstein Parliament and its EWR/EFTA and Council of Europe delegations. He is also a board member of the Liechtenstein Football Association and treasurer of the FC Ruggell supporters' association.
Mr Büchel holds an Executive MBA in Wealth Management from the University of Liechtenstein and completed advanced studies in Private Banking at the Hochschule Liechtenstein
Zaniyar Sharifi
Partner, Jenewein AG
Zani Sharifi is a partner at JENEWEIN, a leadership and organizational culture consultancy dedicated to turn places of work into places of joy and performance. Formerly, Zani founded Switzerland’s leading financial industry research think tank and worked in strategy consulting. In addition, Zani serves as a lecturer for leadership and entrepreneurship at several Swiss universities. He holds Ph.D. from the University of St. Gallen, researching the role of emotions in shaping behavior and change.
Gabriele Filkauskas is Global Policy Leader at Roche Pharmaceuticals, where she focuses on early and strategic global policy engagement to support healthcare system readiness and enable rapid, broad, and sustainable patient access to Roche’s innovative offerings. Since joining Roche in 2010, she has built extensive expertise in health policy, market access, patient partnerships, product management, and competitive intelligence across multiple disease areas, including oncology and neuroscience. She has worked in diverse international settings, including Brazil and Germany, and has been based at Roche’s global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, for the past six years. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Filkauskas has a deep personal interest in the area of fertility. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Insper in São Paulo, Brazil.
Andreas Böhm
Head of the Center for Philanthropy, University of St.Gallen
Dr. Andreas Böhm is a lecturer in the Master's programs in International Law and International Affairs at the University of St. Gallen since 2017. A further research focus is international politics, particularly the Middle East. Dr Böhm earned his PhD from the University of St. Gallen.
Oliver Montique
Analyst Geostrategy, Eurasia Group
Oliver Montique is an analyst in Eurasia Group’s Geostrategy practice, based in the firm’s London office. He partners with industrial sector clients on topics including the geopolitics of industrial policy, battery supply chains, critical minerals, and sustainable supply chain development. He leads the team's automotive portfolio and is a founding member and co-chair of Eurasia Group’s Critical Minerals Working Group, examining the full value chain implications of essential inputs for the global clean energy transition. Before joining Eurasia Group, he worked in industrial supply chain research at Fitch Solutions, where he focused on the clean energy transition, the politicization of electric vehicle supply chains, and trade barriers in the global automotive industry. His insights on industrial trade and supply chains have been featured in publications such as WIRED and the Financial Times. Mr Montique holds degrees from the University of Manchester and Nottingham Trent University.
Kezia Sanie
Founder & President, For The Future (FTF)
Kezia Asiedua Sanie is a lawyer, social entrepreneur, and youth advocate committed to empowering underprivileged children and communities through education, gender equality, and sustainable development. She is the Founder and President of For The Future (FTF) Organization, which she established as a teenager and has since led to impact over 5,000 children across Ghana and Nigeria. FTF is also registered as a 501(c)(3) organisation in the United States. Beyond her work with FTF, Ms Sanie serves on the Board of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award – Ghana (Head of State Award Scheme), where she is the youngest member. She is also part of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum and a Fellow of the Women Changemakers in Education initiative. She has represented youth at international forums including the World Bank Youth Summit and the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) conferences. Ms Sanie holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Ghana and a Barrister-at-Law qualification from the Ghana School of Law. She aspires to pursue a career in international human rights law, with a continued focus on advocacy, mentorship, and community-driven impact.
Eduardo Ribas Brito
Finalist, St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition 2025
Eduardo is a Security Engineer and Industrial PhD candidate specializing in privacy-enhancing technologies, applied cryptography, and distributed systems. He contributes to EU Horizon and DARPA-funded projects on federated data sharing, synthetic data generation, and cryptographic protocols. His research focuses on decentralized Proof-of-Location and trustworthy software development practices. He combines hands-on engineering, applied research, teaching, and open-source contributions to advance secure, scalable, and privacy-preserving digital infrastructure.
Marinel Sumook Ubaldo
Climate Advocate
Marinel Sumook Ubaldo is a Filipina climate activist who helped organize the first youth climate strike in the Philippines. She has played a leading role in advocating for stronger climate action, corporate responsibility, and the protection of human rights in the face of climate change. She testified as a community witness before the Philippines Commission on Human Rights and has spoken at the United Nations Climate Conference and before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on the impacts of climate change in East Asia and the Pacific. Earlier in her career, she served as a youth leader at Plan International, where she educated local communities on climate change and disaster risk reduction. Her activism was shaped by her personal experience surviving Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which became a turning point in her commitment to climate advocacy. She has since participated in climate leadership training events, including one led by Al Gore in Yokohama, and has engaged audiences at universities and public forums internationally. Ms Ubaldo also featured in the documentary Girl and Typhoons, directed by Christoph Schwaiger. Ms Ubaldo holds a a master’s degree in environmental management from Duke University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Leyte Normal University.
Bushra Amiwala is the first Gen Z elected official in the United States. She currently serves on the Skokie Board of Education as its youngest member and works as a Solutions Consultant at Google. Previously, Ms. Amiwala gained national recognition when she ran for the Cook County Board of Commissioners at the age of 19, advocating for underrepresented and marginalized communities. She has since become a leading voice in civic engagement and public service. Ms Amiwala has been recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 and honored as Glamour magazine’s College Woman of the Year and Seventeen magazine’s Voice of the Year. She has received the Women’s Champion Award from the United Nations and has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine. Additionally, she has appeared in PBS, Amazon, and Hulu documentaries and on major news outlets, including Fox, CBS, NPR, ABC, and PBS. Ms Amiwala is currently pursuing her MBA at Kellogg, Northwestern School of Management.
Yuhan Zheng
Finalist, St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition 2025
Yuhan Zheng is a Ph.D. researcher in Geography at the National University of Ireland, focusing on global energy governance and community empowerment through innovation. She previously worked with the UNFCCC on the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement and now serves as International Affairs Manager at WAGA. Yuhan chairs the UNECE Young Working Group on Energy Systems, represents the Asia-Pacific on FAO’s Global Youth Policy Board, and leads the IEEE Climate & Sustainability Task Force. Her background includes work on urban sustainability, climate resilience, and partnerships with IEA, IRENA, and SeForAll.
Charlotte Emily Weishaupt is one of the three Presidents of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), responsible for overseeing Partnerships and Participant Services for the St. Gallen Symposium. Her journey with the St. Gallen Symposium began in September 2023, when she managed partnerships with companies in the Legal and Finance sectors within Switzerland. In February 2024, Charlotte transitioned to the Participant Services Team. She is deeply inspired by the Symposium’s mission to foster intergenerational dialogue and mutual understanding. Alongside leading her team in the successful organization of the 54th St. Gallen Symposium, Charlotte is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St.Gallen. Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Charlotte has a passion for playing the harp.
Fabiola Günther
Member, International Students' Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Fabiola Günther is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC) and one of the organisers of the Leaders of Tomorrow programme at the St. Gallen Symposium, where she is responsible for engaging with future changemakers across Europe. Her work has taken her from Estonia and Latvia to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Luxembourg, connecting with students and young leaders on the ground. In addition to her role in Europe, she played a key part in developing the Aspiring Leaders Journey, a track designed for the bridge generation of future decision-makers from the corporate world. Meeting passionate and driven young minds has only deepened her belief in the next generation’s ability to lead with courage and purpose. Fabiola is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of St.Gallen. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, riding her Vespa through the Swiss countryside, and having deep conversations over good coffee.
Luca Oberholzer is one of the three Presidents of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC). Beyond his ISC role, Luca is an avid enthusiast in the realms of global economic and political issues, as well as sustainable finance. His passion for fostering dialogue on matters that shape our world is matched by his commitment to fitness and sports, notably his enthusiasm as a football fan, which mirrors the energy and dedication he brings to every endeavour. Luca is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting and finance at the University of St.Gallen.
Richard Wäg is one of the three Presidents of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), responsible for overseeing Innovation & Technology, Marketing, and Technical Operations. He joined the St. Gallen Symposium in September 2023, assuming responsibility for Innovation & Technology. Richard is deeply committed to the Symposium’s mission of fostering cross-generational dialogue and serving as a school of life for students. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen, he balances his studies with a passion for adventure sports.
Malik Ourari
Member, International Students' Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Malik Ourari is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC) and responsible for Leaders of Tomorrow in Asia and Oceania, where he leads the Global Essay Competition as part of a passionate and collaborative team. In this role, he has had the opportunity to travel to Japan, South Korea, China, and India, connecting with students and universities and helping bring together some of the most inspiring young voices from around the world. Currently studying Law and Economics at the University of St.Gallen, Malik combines academic excellence with a broad range of real-world experiences. Growing up in Bern with Swiss and Tunisian roots, he is a great example of how the Swiss education system offers diverse and flexible paths. He transitioned from vocational training to one of Switzerland’s top universities, and along the way, he has learnt the value of resilience, teamwork, and staying open to new perspectives. Outside of his studies and professional activities, Malik is an enthusiastic football fan. He loves to hike or cycle through Switzerland’s landscapes and is always curious to discover new cultures and places. Comfortable in many settings, Malik brings a quiet attentiveness to his interactions, often creating connection simply by being present and open.
Minna Stalder
Member, International Students' Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Minna Stalder is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC) and responsible for the Leaders of Tomorrow programme at the St. Gallen Symposium. She has the privilege of organising the Touristic Day and coordinating all aspects of transport logistics for the Leaders of Tomorrow, including visas, flights, and financial arrangements. This role aligns perfectly with Minna’s background as a student of international affairs at the University of St.Gallen. Having spent her childhood moving across countries and being an avid traveller herself, she brings a global perspective to her work. Minna is deeply committed to creating a more inclusive and forward-thinking world and to amplifying young voices. She firmly believes that younger and future generations must be considered in all decision-making - whether in political, economic, or social contexts - regardless of age or status.
Sandro Mathys
Member, International Students' Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Sandro Mathys is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC) and responsible for the St. Gallen Symposium’s Leaders of Tomorrow. In this role, he travelled across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States to promote the Global Essay Competition (GEC) at leading universities and engage with students worldwide. He is deeply inspired by the Symposium’s mission to foster cross-generational dialogue and mutual understanding and is dedicated to creating a meaningful platform for emerging voices from around the globe. Alongside his work for the Symposium, Sandro serves as a lieutenant in the elite forces of the Swiss Army, where he leads a mechanised infantry platoon. His commitment to leadership and resilience is also reflected in his passion for trail running and marathons. Sandro is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St.Gallen.
Carl Schreiber is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), currently responsible for the Indian market and Innovation & Technology at the St. Gallen Symposium. He joined the ISC in September 2024, initially managing partnerships and relations in India, including travelling to the region to strengthen relationships and expand the Symposium’s international presence. Since February 2025, he has also joined the Innovation & Technology team, contributing to the technical development and digital experience of the Symposium. Inspired by the Symposium’s mission to foster intergenerational and international dialogue, Carl values the unique influence and global perspective his role offers at just 20 years old. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St.Gallen, now in his second year. Outside of his academic and professional life, he is passionate about music, nature, and adventure – whether skiing, biking, or running. A car enthusiast and avid traveller, he also enjoys singing and discovering new cultures.
Pablo Quilez is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), responsible for Marketing & Communications at the St. Gallen Symposium. He joined the team in September 2024, leading media outreach in Switzerland and the UK, as well as managing the Symposium’s social media, print and digital products, and website. Originally joining as a volunteer, Pablo was inspired by the Symposium’s mission to lead with the next generation in mind and to foster intergenerational dialogue. He is currently studying Business Administration at the University of St.Gallen, with strong interests in strategy and finance. Outside the Symposium, he is a passionate DJ, football and Formula 1 fan — and always up for a good poker night.
Lena-Sophie Vogt is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), overseeing Food and Beverages and Social Sessions for the St. Gallen Symposium. She joined the Symposium in February 2025 and is passionate about creating platforms for diverse voices and encouraging meaningful, inspiring conversations. Alongside her responsibilities in organising the Symposium, Lena is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of St.Gallen. Outside of her academic and professional commitments, she enjoys an active lifestyle, with a love for sports such as skiing, running, and horse riding, as well as a strong interest in creative pursuits including music and film.
Nikola Marinov
Member, International Students' Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Nikola Marinov is a Member of the 54th International Students’ Committee (ISC), responsible for the German market and transport logistics at the St. Gallen Symposium. He joined the team in September 2024, managing partnerships and relations in Germany. Since February 2025, he has additionally been ensuring smooth transport operations for participants and partners. Originally drawn to the ISC for its global reach and collaborative spirit, Nikola is inspired by the Symposium’s mission to foster meaningful dialogue across generations. He is currently studying International Affairs at the University of St.Gallen, with a keen interest in global politics and diplomacy. Outside the Symposium, he enjoys sports, reading, and discovering new cultures. Nikola is always up for a challenge and for meeting new people.
Jade Josephine Röller
Member, International Students' Commitee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium
Jade Josephine Röller is a member of the International Students’ Committee (ISC), where she is responsible for partnerships in Germany and is currently leading media outreach in the country. Originally drawn to the committee by her strong interest in politics and her international background, she was further inspired by her experience as a Communications volunteer the previous year. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a keen interest in international relations. Beyond her academic and committee work, she is passionate about musical theatre and the piano. Additionally, she is a Board Member of prisma, the student magazine at the University of St. Gallen, where she contributes to its editorial direction. In her free time, she enjoys Formula 1 and cooking.
Your Support Makes it Possible
More than 300 partners represent the bedrock of our global, cross-generational community. With hundreds of senior executives present at this year’s symposium, they demonstrated their commitment to cross-generational dialogue and long-term thinking in business and politics.