Raphaela is CEO of Swissnex in China and Head of the Science, Technology & Education Office at the Swiss Embassy in Beijing. She has over 14 years of experience spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and leading tech companies, including six years with the Alibaba Group as well as roles at ANT Group and Amazon. Earlier in her career, she conducted research for the Swiss National Science Foundation across Asia and founded and successfully exited a startup in Hong Kong. She has lived and worked in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Chile, and Switzerland.

Raphaela holds a PhD from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), with studies at the University of Geneva, Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago de Chile, the University of Hong Kong, and Singapore Management University.

Tim is responsible for how the office positions its work at the intersection of innovation and policy. He manages the communications strategy, maintains a portfolio of contacts from different ecosystems, and translates developments in China's innovation landscape into insights for Swiss stakeholders.

Tim brings deep expertise in China-focused policy analysis and diplomacy. Most recently, he served as Political Officer at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing. Earlier, he worked at Trivium China, monitoring regulatory developments for clients. He holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, a BA in Political Science with a Minor in China Studies from the University of Zurich, and has spent a year of his undergrad at Sichuan University in Chengdu.

Aijing leads programs that advance collaboration between Swiss and Chinese academic, scientific, and creative communities. She oversees sabbatical research programs and interdisciplinary initiatives, guiding them from concept to realization and identifying synergies among stakeholders that turn ideas into lasting partnerships.

Aijing first joined Swissnex in China in 2021 as a Junior Project Manager across the Art-Science and Innovation teams, before completing her Master's in International Affairs at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Her international background includes internships at the International Telecommunication Union and WIPO in Geneva, where she built a foundation in multilateral cooperation and stakeholder engagement within diplomatic environments.

Yao Ding is the backbone of the office's day-to-day functions. She oversees internal processes, administrative operations, and logistics, making sure the team can deliver.

With over six years of experience in international diplomatic environments, Yao brings expertise across administrative management, trade promotion, cultural programming, and public affairs. She holds a Master's degree in French Language and Literature from Shanghai International Studies University and a Certificate of Political Studies from Sciences Po Lyon, an academic path that sharpened her cross-cultural perspective and multilingual fluency in Chinese, English, and French.

Su guides Swiss startups through one of the world's most dynamic innovation landscapes and connects companies with local ecosystems to turn emerging trends into action. Her work bridges the Swiss and Chinese innovation communities, creating the conditions for meaningful exchanges.

A scientist by training, Su holds a B.S. in Forestry, an M.S. in Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Climate Change. That analytical grounding shapes how she reads complex systems, spots opportunities, and moves between the worlds of research, startups, and corporate innovation.

Jasmine oversees all accounting activities, managing payments, budgets and financial reporting. She brings precision to every stage of the office's financial life.

Prior to joining Swissnex, Jasmine worked in the finance departments of several private companies for over a decade, where she developed the patience and attention she continues to utilize today. She holds a degree in Finance from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Hannah is in charge of visual design and shapes communications across the office's projects and initiatives. She develops content and manages media channels to connect Swiss and Chinese audiences.

Hannah brings a background that spans art media, museum operations, and digital strategy. Before joining Swissnex, she served as New Media Director at a major art museum in Beijing, where she led the marketing for exhibitions. Prior to that, she worked as a columnist and contributor at Harper's Bazaar Art China. She holds an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA in Visual Communication from the Communication University of China.

Yaqin helps innovators, researchers, and organizations navigate new contexts and build meaningful partnerships. Her work has ranged from AI deployment in insurance to battery manufacturing, and she is happiest connecting unlikely conversations, learning something entirely new, and figuring out how different worlds fit together.

A proud alumna of Asia Society, Yale-NUS College, Claremont McKenna College, ETH Zurich, and the Geneva Graduate Institute, Yaqin's background spans philosophy, medical anthropology, and data science. Having lived and worked across China, Singapore, the United States, and Switzerland, she remains curious about how knowledge travels and transforms.

Sidney supports program development and outreach initiatives that strengthen connections between the Swiss and Chinese research and innovation ecosystems.

Sidney brings two years of consulting experience from Deloitte, where he advised clients on technology and life sciences. He holds a Business Administration degree from the University of St. Gallen, with exchange semesters in Singapore and Taipei. Alongside his studies, he worked for a biotech startup in Singapore and served on the executive board of the Asia Club at the University of St. Gallen. He speaks fluent Chinese, shaped by two years of full-immersion study in Kunming and Qingdao, and was named vice-champion of the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition in Switzerland in 2024.

Nathanaël facilitates institutional exchange between Switzerland and China across research, education, and innovation. His work is centered on coordinating bilateral initiatives and dialogues.

Nathanaël brings extensive experience in international governance, having previously served on the executive board of a global academic network and managed a leading international case competition. Recognized by the St. Gallen Symposium for his contributions to future-oriented dialogue, he is dedicated to supporting mutual understanding and sustainable partnerships between diverse institutions.

Qinyu designs and delivers programmes that connect the Swiss and Chinese innovation ecosystems with academic exchanges, innovation scouting, and delegation visits.

Before joining Swissnex, Qinyu spent her career in the United Nations system, managing international development programs on disaster and climate resilience with UNDP in Denmark and China and with UN-Habitat in Japan. She holds Master's degrees in International Development from IE University in Madrid and Urban Management from City University of Hong Kong, and is passionate about connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.