“The Envisioneer”

If you visit Pier 17, be prepared to appear in Emilia’s Instagram story.

As our CEO, Emilia’s job includes telling people what to do without giving them the feeling of telling them what to do. Before joining Swissnex, Emilia was an Advisor to the Swiss Federal Council. She holds a MA in Political and Economic Philosophy from the University of Berne. In her spare time, you can find Emilia at Dolores Park and buying overpriced cappuccinos.

"The Artful Explorer"

Will cross any city for a good museum and can turn just about anything into a Halloween costume.

As Deputy CEO and Head of Programs, Monica brings a runner’s mindset to her work: pacing programs perfectly so the right people meet, connect, and actually go further together. Before joining Swissnex, she built the first in-house UX Design team at the ICRC and earned an EMBA from EPFL. Outside of work, you’ll find her running, wandering through SF’s museums, or sketching out her next inventive Halloween creation.

“The Producer”

She’ll always combine science, strategy, creativity, and a hint of chocolate into something irresistibly tasty.

As Head of Communications, Andrea creates compelling stories about Swissnex San Francisco and works to strengthen the brand and elevate our programs. She has focused her career on storytelling and communications in topics including health, education, biomedicine, physics, and the environment. She started her career as a Producer at the PBS science series NOVA and most recently led communications at the non-profit Partnership on AI.

While not at Swissnex, Andrea enjoys hiking the hills of the Bay Area, baking anything that includes chocolate, and exploring the area as if she were a tourist (despite living here for 11 years!).

“The Finance-Sis”

What do Harry Potter, Cats and Taylor Swift have in common? Right, they are all loved by Caitlin!

As Head of Finance and Operations, Caitlin handles our budget and administration. She is not just great at her job, but also able to make the most complex topics easy to understand. Caitlin graduated with a MS in Accountancy from San Francisco State University. In her free time, she likes to go on a hike in the redwoods and spend time with her cat.

“The Pop Culture Enthusiast”

Will always mention Pop Culture in her conversations.

As Academic Engagement Program Manager, Sarah is cultivating strategic relationships with Swiss and US universities and academic institutions. She holds a MS in Political Science from the University of Geneva. In her free time, she likes to explore the city, visit bookshops, and is into gaming.

“The Traveler”

After visiting more than 40 countries, he still insists that Pizza is the best food.

As the Startup Program Manager, Matteo is supporting and connecting the Swiss entrepreneurship ecosystem with the US. He holds a MS in Economics from the Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) as well as a MS in Economics and International Policies from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. Outside the office, Matteo loves to surf in the Pacific Ocean and explore all the Italian places in the city.

“The 1.5x speed podcast listener”

Sharing great articles and podcasts is her love language.

As the AI Program Manager, Maulde is responsible for connecting Switzerland and the US in AI. Her main objective is to make sure that we are active in the future of AI and that Switzerland continues to be a key player in this sector. Before joining Swissnex, she completed a Master’s Degree in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship from the University of Rotterdam as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art from the University of Art and Design Lausanne (ECAL). In her free time, you can find Maulde relaxing at the beach, exploring the cultural scene, or comparing the Swiss and American wines.

“Mr. Steal Yo Plants”

Got plants? Don't be surprised if he asks to cut a little piece for propagation...

As the Communications Associate, Guillaume is responsible for communicating about Swissnex in San Francisco activities, promoting Swiss innovation and bringing the freshest news to our audience through our communications channels. Before joining Swissnex, he interned at Bcomp Ltd. as a ​​Marketing Communications Intern after completing his Bachelor in Communication Sciences and Media Research at the University of Fribourg. In his free time, Guillaume likes to discover new spots to eat, find the best viewpoints and go on long walks to create space for serendipity.

"The bridge builder"

Part overthinker, part improviser, always building bridges and playlists.

As the Creative Industries Program Manager, Lucas is responsible for building bridges between the creative industries from Switzerland and the Bay Area, aiming to foster meaningful projects that bring together innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Lucas graduated with a Master's degree in Art History in a Global Context from the University of Zurich (UZH) and a Bachelor's degree in Art History from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich). In his free time, you will find Lucas playing tennis, walking, or watching dogs at Alamo Square.

“The Swissnex Memory”

Loves sweets and can be tricked into coming to the office for desserts.

As Senior Communications Manager, Julia is responsible for letting the world know about all the amazing things our team is working on. One of her many specialties is the monthly newsletter from Swissnex in San Francisco. Julia graduated with a MA in Marketing, Services, and Communications Management from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). In her freetime, Julia likes to escape Karl The Fog and explore new playgrounds with her gazillion kids who never seem to run out of energy.

"The Encourager"

Will hype you up, no matter what.

As the Startup Programs Associate, Benjamin is responsible for supporting the startup team in coordinating existing entrepreneurship programs, building new partnerships, and creating content that enables visionaries to transform their ideas into tomorrow's reality. He holds a Bachelor in International Hospitality Management from EHL hospitality business school with focus on developing entrepreneurial projects, management consulting and leadership. In his free time, you’ll find him enjoying long walks, discovering the local art scene and finding the best chefs in town.

"The Hiker"

Always ready to plan the next themed office party.

As the Operations Manager, Dana ensures that everyone who comes through our office has an excellent experience at Pier 17. She welcomes you not only in English or German but also always with her bright smile and happy attitude. Dana graduated with a Dual Degree in International Business from Northeastern University in Boston and Reutlingen University in Germany. Before starting at Swissnex, she spent six months on the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking from Mexico to Canada.

“The Swissnex Model”

Will rate and judge our daily outfit choices.

As Community & Events Manager, Diego is creating a unique event experience for our visitors. He’s also in charge of our team’s lunch break entertainment. Diego holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Lausanne. In his spare time, he likes going to the ocean for a walk or reading a book in Golden Gate Park.