Diana Engetschwiler succeeds as only the second CEO of Swissnex in Japan, taking on the role at an important moment for the organization. Since its launch, Swissnex in Japan has supported new collaborations between Swiss and Japanese universities, research institutions, startups and innovation ecosystems. Following the momentum generated by the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Diana will build on these achievements and help shape the next chapter of Swissnex in Japan.

A former Swiss national volleyball player and innovation leader, Diana Engetschwiler combines a team-oriented approach to high performance with experience building partnerships across sectors. As former Deputy Managing Director of digitalswitzerland, she led Switzerland’s largest Digital Day initiative and expanded it to seven countries. She later led AI strategy in the financial industry, co-initiated the Swiss AI Weeks and founded Switzerland’s largest female hackathon. Diana is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development. In her new role, Diana will build on the strong foundation established by the Swissnex in Japan team and work with partners across Switzerland and Japan to develop new opportunities for exchange and collaboration.

“Building a strong bridge between Switzerland and Japan is incredibly important, as both countries have so much to contribute across education, research, and innovation,” says Diana Engetschwiler. “I look forward to strengthening these connections and creating opportunities that allow both sides to benefit from closer collaboration through Swissnex in Japan.”

Swissnex supports the exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent between Switzerland and the world. By connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, universities and other stakeholders, it creates opportunities for new partnerships and longer-term exchange. The impact of these connections can extend well beyond an initial meeting or event, becoming a starting point for research partnerships, market opportunities and lasting exchange. In Japan, recent examples include Swissnex connecting Swiss startup REOR20 with a Japanese partner, leading to a pilot and the startup’s first partnership in Asia. An initial introduction between the University of Bern and Kansai Medical University that developed into a university-wide Memorandum of Understanding. And a ZHAW researcher’s sabbatical, supported by Swissnex, that led to continuing exchanges with Japanese partners, including a visit to Switzerland and an invitation to deliver a keynote in Tokyo.

The World Expo 2025 in Osaka provided an important platform to showcase Switzerland’s strengths in innovation and deepen relationships with Japanese partners. Swissnex in Japan will build on this momentum by creating further opportunities for collaboration between Swiss and Japanese partners.

“Diana brings a strong combination of entrepreneurial drive, innovation expertise and a team-oriented approach to leadership,” says Jacques Ducrest, Head of International Relations at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. “Her experience and extensive network will be a strong asset as Swissnex in Japan builds on the momentum of Expo 2025 and enters its next chapter.”