Benjamin Bollmann is CEO of Swissnex in Brazil since January 2025. He was previously CEO of Swissnex in Boston and New York, and Consul of Switzerland in Boston. He is the Chair of Swissnex’s CEO Committee, which coordinates strategic priorities across the global Swissnex network. Under his leadership, Swissnex has launched several long-term initiatives such as Project Quantum, Climate Collider, and more recently Swissnex for the Planet. Until 2020, Benjamin was Deputy CEO at Swissnex in San Francisco, where he led interdisciplinary programs ranging from science communication to humanitarian technologies and human rights in the digital age. Before joining Swissnex in 2015, he worked as a journalist and communications consultant at the interface of science and design in Switzerland. He is a graduate of ETH Zurich and has conducted research in neuroscience and artificial intelligence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As Chief of Staff at Swissnex in Brazil, Larissa Hess provides strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring the alignment of the organization’s initiatives with its mission to foster innovation and collaboration between Switzerland and Brazil. Drawing from her experience as Finance & Program Manager at Swissnex in Brazil, she continues to drive the organization’s success through effective management and strategic planning.
Larissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Geneva and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lausanne. Her career spans roles in project management and diplomacy, with a focus on the Latin American region, equipping her with a deep understanding of international relations and cross-cultural collaboration.

As Head of Programs, Vincent leads the strategic development and execution of Swissnex in Brazil's initiatives, driving collaborations between the Swiss and Brazilian innovation ecosystems. He oversees projects in biodiversity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, advancing international partnerships that contribute to the SDGs through joint efforts in innovation, academia, and education. Vincent holds a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from the University of St.Gallen. Brazil became the epicenter of his personal and professional journey when he began working for a local NGO in 2019, later writing his final thesis in and about the country.

As Academic Relations Program Manager, Pedro helps connect universities, think tanks, research institutions, professors and researchers to establish, and further develop, science and technology partnerships. He holds a PhD in Political Science from UNICAMP and spent time as Visiting Researcher first at the University of Zurich and later at the University of Fribourg. Since then he has been working closely with Latin Americanists from Switzerland and abroad.

As Art & Science Program Manager at Swissnex in Brazil, Gabriela works to integrate architecture, design, and art with innovation, technology, and science, creating possibilities for transdisciplinary projects. In parallel, she is involved in the internationalization of programs in an art Gallery. Previously, she worked as a Project Manager for the organizing committee of the Rio2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where she gained extensive experience in major events' management and production. Gabriela holds a Master's degree in Architecture and Urbanism from ETH, Zürich, and in Project Management in Art and Culture from Rome Business School.

As a Program Manager, Isabela facilitates connection and cooperation between Switzerland and Brazil, with a focus on innovation and startups. A Brazilian national, she holds Bachelor's degrees in both International Relations and in Science and Humanities from the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), where she was awarded a full merit-based scholarship. Isabela contributes to strengthening innovation and sustainability ecosystems through her experience in supporting the internationalization of startups, developing public-private partnerships, organizing international business delegations, conducting market studies, and building strategic alliances. She has previously led innovation and sustainability initiatives between Germany and Brazil, reflecting her strong commitment to international cooperation and to creating impactful opportunities for her home country.

As Operations Coordinator, Emilie Sena plays a central role in ensuring effective functioning of Swissnex in Brazil’s day-to-day operations. She supports all departments with administrative and logistical tasks, helps coordinate events, and contributes to the professionalization of internal processes. With a hands-on approach and a strong organizational mindset, she enhances the efficiency of workflows and strengthens the office infrastructure.
Emilie is completing her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), and her thesis focuses on the political causes of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. She brings experience in government relations and business internationalization, having worked at the British Consulate in São Paulo. Passionate about sustainability, public policy, and global collaboration, Emilie thrives in multicultural environments and is driven by initiatives that create positive social impact.

Salvador Borges is Junior Project Manager at Swissnex in Brazil, where he contributes to advancing bilateral initiatives at the intersection of sustainability, research, and innovation between Switzerland and Brazil. Prior to this role, he supported international advocacy efforts at Child Rights Connect in Geneva, collaborating closely with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Salvador holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the Université du Québec à Montréal and enriched his academic journey through an exchange year at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. Growing up immersed in diverse cultural contexts, he developed a strong commitment to fostering international cooperation and cross-cultural dialogue.