Board of the Greater Zurich Area Foundation

Carmen Walker Späh
Carmen Walker Späh (Chairman)
Canton of Zurich, Government Councillor
Daniel Previdoli
Daniel Previdoli (Vice Chairman)
Zürcher Kantonalbank, Member of the Executive Board
Urs Baertschi
Urs Baertschi
Swiss Re, CEO P&C Reinsurance
Juan Beer
Juan Beer
Zurich Insurance Company, CEO Zurich Switzerland
Marcus Caduff
Marcus Caduff
Canton of Grisons, Government Councillor
Urban Camenzind
Urban Camenzind
Canton of Uri, Government Councillor
Paolo Di Stefano SwissLife
Paolo Di Stefano
Swiss Life, Head Real Estate Switzerland
Karin Hauser
Karin Hauser
Canton of Zurich, Department of Economic Affairs, Deputy Secretary General
Michael Künzle
Michael Künzle
City of Winterthur, Mayor
Karin Lenzlinger, Zürcher Handelskammer
Dr. Karin Lenzlinger
Zürcher Handelskammer, President
Marianne Lienhard
Marianne Lienhard
Canton of Glarus, Government Councillor
Corine Mauch
Corine Mauch
City of Zurich, Mayor
Patrick O. Müller, UBS
Patrick O. Müller
UBS, Managing Director and Regional Director UBS Zurich
Hanspeter Rhyner
Hanspeter Rhyner
Zuger Kantonalbank, CEO
Gian Andrea Schmid
Dr. Gian Andrea Schmid
Canton of Zurich, Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary General
Elisabeth Stark
Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Stark
University of Zurich, Vice President Research
Petra Steimen-Rickenbacher
Petra Steimen-Rickenbacher
Canton of Schwyz, Government Councillor
Dino Tamagni
Dino Tamagni
Canton of Schaffhausen, Government Councillor
Silvia Thalmann-Gut
Silvia Thalmann-Gut
Canton of Zug, Government Councillor
Christian Vitta
Dr. Christian Vitta
Canton of Ticino, Government Councillor
Kaspar E.A. Wenger
Kaspar E.A. Wenger
Holcim Schweiz, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Vanessa Wood
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Wood
ETH Zurich, Vice President for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations
Brigit Wyss
Brigit Wyss
Canton of Solothurn, Government Councillor

News

Start-up Weekend Uri 2025
From September 13 to 15 2025, creative minds will gather in Altdorf to refine their start-up ideas – supported by experienced coaches, inspiring Alpine surroundings, and a strong regional network. Organized by the Uri Office of Economic Affairs and partners, the event offers the perfect mix of innovation, community, and quality of life. Apply by June 13!
Greater Zurich ranks #2 globally for inclusion and competitiveness
Greater Zurich has earned an AAA rating and ranks second globally in the 2025 Open for Business City Ratings, which assess cities on economic strength and LGBTQ+ inclusion. The result confirms the region’s position as a leading hub for innovation, talent, and long-term business resilience.
Headsquarter: Greater Zurich’s most exciting mini tech ecosystem
Greater Zurich's tech scene is booming, and Headsquarter is right at the center of it all. This flexible co-working space has become a hotspot for AI and technology companies. CEO Anil Varghese shares the success strategy, explains why international firms choose Headsquarter, and explains how a boutique approach is shaping the future of work.
The big Swiss AI secret: How a small country challenges the tech giants
As global superpowers pour billions into AI, Switzerland takes a different route - decentralized, innovative, and surprisingly effective. Alexander Brunner shows how the Swiss model with its smart strategies and grassroots collaboration can rival even the most powerful tech nations.

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