Team

Our team is connected between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and represents Swissnex in Brazil. We are an international and dynamic team, connecting people and ideas in education, research, and innovation.

Meet our Team

CEO ad interim

Benjamin Bollmann

Benjamin Bollmann is the Interim CEO of Swissnex in Brazil, as well as CEO of Swissnex in Boston and New York and Consul of Switzerland in Boston. He is also 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. Benjamin was previously Deputy CEO at Swissnex in San Francisco, where he led interdisciplinary programs spanning from science communication to humanitarian action 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 neuroscience and AI research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Program Manager | Innovations & Startups

Vincent Neumann

As Innovation & Startups Program Manager, Vincent connects the Swiss and Brazilian innovation ecosystems and supports entrepreneurs in their soft landing in a foreign market. A further responsibility is fostering international collaborations and projects in biodiversity and sustainability, striving towards the SDGs through Swiss-Brazilian joint efforts in innovation, academia, and education. He has a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from the University of St.Gallen and is currently enrolled in a Master's of International Law. Brazil became the epicenter of his personal and professional journey when he started working for a local NGO in 2019 and finally wrote his final thesis in and about Brazil.
Finance & Program Manager

Larissa Hess

As Finance & Program Manager, Larissa takes ownership of Swissnex in Brazil's finance, accounting, and project management. She also assists in planning and implementing projects while developing ideas and recognizing opportunities to expand and deepen relationships between Brazilian and Swiss partners. 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. She has previous experience in project management and diplomacy with a focus on the LATAM region.
Communications Manager

Sofia Costa

As Communication Manager for Swissnex in Brazil, Sofia works to develop and implement the communication strategy, focusing on developing, strengthening, and implementing an innovative and coherent approach across different offline and online channels. She also seeks to extend the outreach of Swissnex services to potential clients and partners through marketing, strengthening the Swiss-Brazilian connection. With a degree in Communication and Journalism from UERJ, Sofia has worked in areas like Press Relations, Corporate Communication, and marketing for startups, as well as having experience in digital marketing, social media engagement, and campaign launches.
Program Manager | Academic Relations

Pedro Capra

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.
Program Manager | Art & Science

Gabriela Devaud

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.
Program Manager

Isabela Temístocles

As a Program Manager, Isabela contributes to the connection between Switzerland and Brazil through multidisciplinary innovation, education and research projects. With a Bachelor’s degree in both Science and Humanities and International Relations from UFABC, Isabela is committed to building strong partnerships and impactful projects. Her previous experiences include leading innovation and sustainability initiatives between Germany and Brazil, reflecting her passion for international cooperation and creating or strengthening opportunities for her home country, Brazil.
Junior Project Manager

Audrey Tavares

Growing up amidst diverse cultural influences, Audrey developed a deep appreciation for global perspectives and a strong desire to foster international understanding. Pursuing her academic ambitions, Audrey completed a Bachelor in International Relations and a Master's degree in African Studies from the University of Geneva. Audrey’s passion for global issues took her to Kenya, where she undertook an impactful internship with the United Nations Environmental programme. During her time at the UN, she worked on various projects related to sustainable development and biodiversity. Audrey's academic path led her to discover the profound cultural and historical ties between her parents' country of origin Cape Verde and Brazil, a relationship forged through shared linguistic, cultural, and historical connections.
Junior Project Manager

Carolina Oettinger

Fascinated by the multifaceted aspects of communication and globalization, Carolina pursued a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Media from the University of Brighton, followed by a master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Edinburgh. She has previous experience in brand and product development as well as social media strategy, having worked at an EPFL native, biotech company. This opportunity ignited a keen interest in bio-sciences and deepened her knowledge of start-up dynamics.

Careers

Join our team

Are you interested in working at Swissnex in Brazil? Check out our current job openings.

Careers
Careers