Brendan serves as Interim CEO of Swissnex in Boston and New York. Serving in this role and as Head of Research, he connects the Swiss higher education and research ecosystems to partners on the East Coast, driving forward programs at the intersection of science, technology, society, and university innovation. Before joining Swissnex in 2021, he worked as a tenured professor after earning his PhD in European history from Harvard University.

As Global Communications Lead and member of the Leadership Team, Nathalie drives strategic communications and oversees global storytelling efforts for the Swissnex network. Previously, she served as Head of Innovation, leading Swissnex's startup and innovation programs on the East Coast. Nathalie brings a diverse background in communication and strategic project management from roles at Warner Music Switzerland and STARTUP CAMPUS, as well as hands-on experience running her own companies in Sweden and Switzerland. She holds an MS in Business & Management from the Stockholm School of Economics and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Bern.

As our New York-based Innovation Lead, Josephine develops and executes various startup and entrepreneurship programs. Before joining Swissnex, Josephine worked at the Swiss Business Hub USA, helping Swiss startups enter the US market. Josephine holds a BA in Business and Economics from the University of Basel and an MSc in International Economics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In her free time, Josephine enjoys exploring New York and picking up new hobbies such as sailing and painting.

As part of the Innovation Team, Oriane implements and expands entrepreneurship programs. Prior to joining Swissnex, Oriane worked in hotel and events management, as well as in the financial sector. She holds a BSc in International Hospitality Management from the EHL Hospitality Business School as well as an MSc in International Strategic Management from the University of Lund. In her spare time, Oriane enjoys hiking, traveling, photography, and playing volleyball.

As Head of Arts and Creative Industries based in New York City, Marc is responsible for Swissnex's activities at the interface of art and the fields of education, research, and innovation. He sees the arts as an opportunity to engage diverse communities around Swissnex's thematic focus areas in a tangible, playful, and accessible way. Marc is the former Deputy Artistic Director of the contemporary dance center Tanzhaus Zürich and founder of the zürich moves! festival for contemporary practice in the performing arts. He studied curating at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

As Academia & Arts Program Coordinator, Zohra operates at the intersection of research, education, and the arts – designing and facilitating partnerships, projects, and events that connect creative and intellectual communities. Zohra holds an MA in History and Philosophy of Knowledge from ETH Zurich and a BA in German Language and Literature as well as Media Studies from the University of Basel. During her studies she was also part of an academic publishing collective. Zohra’s passion for all things arts and culture extends beyond her work, with classical music and modern dance playing a central role in her free time – alongside her fondness for extensive train travel.

As part of the Operations team at Swissnex, Johanna is an instrumental part of day-to-day operations, facility management, event planning, hospitality, and more. Prior to joining Swissnex, Johanna served in the Peace Corps in Morocco, managing a youth center there. She also served as an AmeriCorps member in Illinois. In her spare time, Johanna is a budding novelist, with several self-published books. She is a graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke Virginia.

As a part of the Operations team, Christina is responsible for event logistics and the smooth running of everyday facility operations in addition to supporting team members in different departments. Prior to joining Swissnex, Christina graduated from Boston College with her B.A. in International Studies where she was an International Studies Peer Advisor her senior year. She also studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France during the 2021-2022 academic year. In her free time, Christina enjoys watching hockey games, cooking new recipes, and going on walks with her Bernese Mountain Dog.

As Content and Public Diplomacy Manager, Frederic is involved in many aspects of communication and programming at Swissnex. He holds an MA in international relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a BA in history from the University of Chicago. Before joining Swissnex, Frederic worked in transatlantic public diplomacy in his native Washington, DC. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, cooking, and playing music.

Olivia is the Head of the Science and Technology Office at the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States. In this role, she is responsible for reporting on education, research, and innovation policy developments and trends in the US. Before joining the Embassy in 2022, Olivia was a project manager at Presence Switzerland, where she was responsible for the Americas and was strongly involved in promoting Swiss innovation abroad, particularly in the field of cleantech and environmental protection. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Fribourg, and has studied at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She nerds out about sporting events and the mechanics of communication campaigns.

Katie Stebbins is the Executive Director of the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at Tufts University and was previously the Vice President for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts President’s Office. Katie proudly played a leadership role as the inaugural Secretary for Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Governor Baker in Massachusetts, where she led state investment efforts in clean energy, cybersecurity, health-tech, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Katie continues her work in cybersecurity as President of Global Epic, an international consortium of cyber economic leaders. She is formally trained in economic development and environmental planning and has worked for twenty years designing and implementing technology driven projects for ecological and economic sustainability. Katie has launched three of her own companies, is an Innovator in Residence at MIT Sloan School’s Innovation Institute, and earned a master’s in regional planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and her BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder.