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Our Team

  • Dr. Peter A. Wuffli
    Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

    Dr. Peter A. Wuffli
    Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

    Peter Wuffli (born in 1957) is the Founder and Chairman of elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization. elea was established in 2006 with the purpose of fighting absolute poverty (i.e. less than USD 3 daily income) with entrepreneurial means. elea is a philanthropic impact investor in the fields of agricultural value chains, informal retail and last mile distribution, employable skill building and digital solutions.

    In addition, Peter is Honorary Chairman of IMD (a global top ranked Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland) and a Member of the Advisory Board of the elea Center for Social Innovation at IMD. He also serves on the board of Sygnum, a digital asset bank in Zurich and Singapore, and he is the Vice Chairman of the Zurich Opera House.

    Previously, Peter was Partner at McKinsey & Company, CEO of UBS Group, and Chairman of Partners Group (a global leader for private market investments listed at Zürich Stock Exchange) and IMD respectively. Peter earned a Ph.D. in economics from University of St. Gallen. He regularly publishes articles and books on themes of globalization, ethics, impact investing and leadership (most recently: Inclusive Leadership – A Framework for the Global Era, Springer 2016). He is married and has three adult children.

  • Andreas R. Kirchschläger
    CEO

    Andreas R. Kirchschläger
    CEO

    Andreas R. Kirchschläger is the CEO of the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization and the President of the Max Schmidheiny Foundation. He serves as a board member of the HSG Foundation, GCA Altium Corporation, PG Impact Investments AG and some of elea’s portfolio companies. Andreas is a visiting lecturer at the University of St. Gallen. As Managing Director and President of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies, he led the annual International Management Symposium St. Gallen for more than one decade. Andreas holds a Master’s degree in Law and Economics from the University of St. Gallen.

  • Stéphanie Abels
    Director

    Stéphanie Abels
    Director

    Stéphanie Abels graduated from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in 2011 with a B.A. in Business Administration, after gaining initial professional experience at a textile machinery manufacturer in India. Prior to receiving her M.Sc. in Strategic Management and M&A at HEC Paris in 2015, she completed an internship in Strategy & Acquisitions at a leading Swiss industrial firm as well as an educational stay in Latin America. From 2015 to 2019 she worked at Credit Suisse as a financial analyst in the Corporate Development M&A department. Stéphanie Abels joined elea as an external consultant in Costa Rica in November 2019 and took up her position in Zurich in April 2020.

  • Adrian Ackeret
    CFO

    Adrian Ackeret
    CFO

    Adrian Ackeret graduated with an M.A. from the School of Management at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). From 2005 to 2009, he was with the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies, where he shared responsibility for the thematic and strategic development of the annual St. Gallen Symposium. Subsequently, he worked as a research associate in the field of strategy and entrepreneurship with RISE Management Research at the University of St. Gallen and as assistant to the board of trustees of the Max Schmidheiny Foundation. Adrian Ackeret joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in September 2013.

  • Martin Buess
    Associate

    Martin Buess
    Associate

    Martin Buess holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). During his studies, Martin focused on statistical data analysis and evolving business ethics in an increasingly digital world. He wrote his bachelor thesis on how labor market policy and work cultures affect productivity in tech companies in North America and Europe. Martin joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Intern in March 2019 and subsequently joined elea’s Talent Program as an Associate in October 2019.

  • Melody Chua
    IT Analyst

    Melody Chua
    IT Analyst

    Melody Chua holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology and a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduation, she received a Fulbright-Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for the research and development of a sensor-augmented flute for use in interactive, multimedia performances. During this time, she worked as an audiovisual programmer in several interdisciplinary settings, including the Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology Immersive Lab and the Zürich University of the Arts (ZHdK) Immersive Arts Space. She is the Co-Founder of a music technology non-profit organization, Null-state, Inc., and is currently pursuing master’s degrees in Music Performance and Transdisciplinary Studies at ZHdK. Melody Chua joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an IT Analyst in October 2018.

  • Katya Duncan
    Associate

    Katya Duncan
    Associate

    Katya Duncan holds a First-Class B.A. in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge. Prior to her studies she taught Physics and Maths for eight months in rural Zambia for the Scottish charity, Project Trust. This experience inspired her to write her bachelor dissertation on conservation and poverty alleviation. While at university, she gained professional experience interning in London’s real estate sector. Katya Duncan joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Associate in elea‘s Talent Program in September 2020.

  • Amanda Turner Ege
    Executive Director

    Amanda Turner Ege
    Executive Director

    Amanda Turner Ege graduated from Yale College in 2007 with a B.A. in history. After graduation, she obtained a fellowship to volunteer in Guatemala and stayed until 2011, managing a non-profit that works in remote rural areas in education. She received her MBA at the Yale School of Management in 2013. From 2013 until 2018, she served as the Head of Sustainability at an award-winning social enterprise that develops small-scale farmers in Latin America. She is a member of the Advisory Board of GreenBuzz Zurich. She joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in April 2018.

  • Marietta Füllemann
    Assistant

    Marietta Füllemann
    Assistant

    Marietta Füllemann completed a hospitality apprenticeship in a five star hotel. Subsequently, she successfully graduated with a professional matura in health and social affairs and gained a wide variety of work experience in various sectors and companies. Most recently, she worked as a management assistant at management consulting firm. In October 2018, she joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as a part-time assistant. In addition, she is a part-time Yoga and Pilates instructor.

  • Candice Hitzeroth
    Assistant

    Candice Hitzeroth
    Assistant

    Candice Hitzeroth began her career at the South African Embassy in Berne, where she was involved in various projects, as well as in planning and implementing of international events. After seven years at the Embassy, she then changed the sector and found a new position as manager’s assistant at Crucell Switzerland AG which today belongs to the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. In 2010, she started working at the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) as an assistant to the Vice Director. After five years with FOCA in the Security Department, Candice Hitzeroth worked for the Department of Social Affairs of the City of Zurich before joining the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an assistant in October 2018.

  • Lisa Jean-Mairet
    Director

    Lisa Jean-Mairet
    Director

    Lisa Jean-Mairet completed an M.A. in International Affairs at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) after gathering professional experience working with start-ups and for a social enterprise in India for a year. During her master she studied abroad at the National University of Singapore for a semester. After starting her career at UBS and completing the Bank’s Graduate Talent Program, during which she held a position in the Chief Investment Office Impact Investing team, she joined elea in June 2018.

  • Stefan Kappeler
    COO

    Stefan Kappeler
    COO

    Stefan Kappeler completed his Master of Science at the University of Zurich where he studied Geography. After his graduation he worked for Esri Switzerland Ltd., both in Eastern Africa and in Europe. From 2006 until 2009 and in collaboration with a local university, he built up an office in Kigali and a flourishing business in Rwanda. Before joining the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in September 2011, Stefan Kappeler successfully completed his MBA at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

  • Paul Kukuk
    Associate

    Paul Kukuk
    Associate

    Paul Kukuk graduated from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and Sciences Po Paris with a double-degree in International Affairs and Governance. He put a particular focus on analyzing the development of the microfinance sector in emerging countries. Before graduating, he gained initial experience in financial services, interning notably for AXA. After graduating, he began his career with KPMG in Paris, working for a year and a half on consulting projects in the insurance sector. He joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Associate in elea’s Talent Program in September 2019.

  • Florin Lanz
    Executive Director

    Florin Lanz
    Executive Director

    Florin Lanz graduated from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) with a B.A. in International Affairs and Governance. From 2007 until 2017 he was working as a management consultant and a business builder for the international business and consulting company a-connect across Europe, the Middle East and the US. He received his MBA from IE Business School in Madrid in 2014. From 2017 until 2020 he was responsible for the Americas expansion of the Swiss software company Palisis. Florin is an active member of the Pioneers’ Club entrepreneurs network in Zurich. He joined elea in August 2020.

  • Karoline Rast
    Associate

    Karoline Rast
    Associate

    Karoline Rast holds a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). She focused her studies on development economics and gender studies and spent one semester abroad at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. During her studies, she engaged in the International Students’ Committee, supporting the organization of the 48th St. Gallen Symposium. Prior to her studies she volunteered as an English teacher in rural Thailand. She gained initial professional experience working at the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies as Project Manager and interning at the Max Schmidheiny Foundation. Karoline Rast joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Associate in elea’s Talent Program in January 2021.

  • Tina Ruchti
    Director

    Tina Ruchti
    Director

    Tina Ruchti holds an M.A. in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). After gaining broad initial experience through internships in different industries, she worked at Credit Suisse for the Latin American market in Zurich and Mexico City where she engaged in various strategic and business development initiatives. Before joining the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in Zurich in February 2018, she completed an assignment as an external consultant in Nairobi from October 2017 onwards.

  • Adrian Sameli
    Head of IT

    Adrian Sameli
    Head of IT

    Adrian Sameli started his career at the Chamber of Commerce Baselland, where he founded and managed the swiss web agency IWF Web Solutions as a business unit from 2005 until 2015. Afterward, he traveled as a digital nomad through more than 100 countries and worked as a freelancer for various technology and social impact startups around the world, while at the same time completing Smartly’s online Executive MBA. In all his activities, he specialized in building sustainable technology teams and developing innovative web platforms to solve global challenges. After engagements with elea portfolio companies in the United States, Kenya, and India, Adrian joined elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in October 2019 as Head of IT.

  • Jutta Schläpfer-Elsässer
    Assistant to the Chairman and to the CEO

    Jutta Schläpfer-Elsässer
    Assistant to the Chairman and to the CEO

    Jutta Schläpfer-Elsässer studied economics at the FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany. Prior to that she had gathered professional work experience with KBC Fashion GmbH & Co., one of the most important textile printing companies in Europe, and, from 1986 to 1992, within Danzas Group’s Corporate Public Relations.

    From 1996 to 2010, she was with the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies where she supported the activities of the Board of Trustees and shared responsibility for the programme design and the selection of the members of the faculty of the St. Gallen Symposia.

    Between 2011 and 2012, she worked for Wegelin & Cie. Private Bankers in its wealth management department and subsequently was entrusted with the task of building up Notenstein La Roche’s Private Bank’s academic platform Notenstein Academy as Programme Director, a position she held until June 2017.

    Jutta Schläpfer-Elsässer joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as Assistant to the CEO in November 2017.

  • Marcin Stryczek
    Associate

    Marcin Stryczek
    Associate

    Marcin Stryczek graduated with distinction from Kozminski University in Warsaw with a Bachelor in Finance and Accounting in 2017. While pursuing his bachelor degree, he studied for a semester abroad at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and completed an internship at a management consulting company in Warsaw. Most recently, he completed a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance (MAccFin) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Associate in elea’s Talent Program in September 2019.

  • Camilla Weder
    Associate

    Camilla Weder
    Associate

    Camilla Weder holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). During her studies she spent a semester abroad at the University of Technology in Sydney. While at St. Gallen, Camilla was involved in various student associations dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and entrepreneurial skills, including START Global. She also gained professional experience interning in the sustainable real estate sector. Camilla joined the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization as an Associate in elea’s Talent Program in September 2019.

  • Gerald Weigl
    Director

    Gerald Weigl
    Director

    Gerald Weigl graduated from University of Cambridge with a MPhil in Finance after starting his career with KPMG in their Financial Risk Management Advisory function. From 2014 until 2017 he was Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Vienna, with particular focus on corporations in the Financial and Industrial Goods sector in Germany. Furthermore, he was active in BCG’s social impact practice and a mentor in an accelerator program of the Impact Hub in Vienna. He joined elea in June 2018.

Our Board of Trustees

  • Dr. Peter A. Wuffli
    Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

    Dr. Peter A. Wuffli
    Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

    Peter Wuffli is Chairman of elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization that he established together with his wife in 2006.

    Peter Wuffli obtained a PhD in economics from the University of St. Gallen with a dissertation on Swiss direct investments in Mexico. Ever since that time he has been interested in themes around globalization, ethics and leadership, and he has published regularly on these subjects (his latest book: "Inclusive Leadership - A Framework for the Global Era").

    From 1984 to 1993, Peter Wuffli worked at McKinsey & Company. In 1994 he joined Swiss Bank Corporation (now UBS) as Group Chief Financial Officer. He was President of UBS from 2001 and Group CEO from 2003 until summer 2007. From 2009 to 2019, he was Member of the Board of Directors of Partners Group Holding AG, a leading global private markets investment management company based in Zug (Switzerland). Between 2014 and 2018, he served as its Chairman and during the term 2018/19 as its Vice Chairman and Lead Independent Director. He currently chairs the Foundation and Supervisory Board of the Lausanne business school IMD and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Zurich Opera House.

  • Dr. Susanna Wuffli
    Founder and Member of the Board of Trustees

    Dr. Susanna Wuffli
    Founder and Member of the Board of Trustees

    Susanna Wuffli graduated from the University of Zurich with a Doctorate in Law. Subsequently, she was admitted to the Bar of the Canton of Zurich. Before founding her family, she worked at the district court and in different law firms. While raising her three children, she got involved with several organizations where she contributed her legal expertise. Since her youth, Christian ethical and social issues have been one of Susanna Wuffli’s main concerns. Today, she is a member of the Church Board in her home town where she takes responsibility for various areas of activity. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization which she co-founded with her husband in 2006.

  • Dr. Harold Grüninger
    Member of the Board of Trustees

    Dr. Harold Grüninger
    Member of the Board of Trustees

    Dr. Harold Grüninger, LL.M. is attorney at law, a certified specialist SBA in inheritance law, and a partner of Homburger AG. He is co-editor of successio, the Swiss journal for succession law, and commented on Swiss foundation law within the Basel commentary. He regularly publishes articles and lectures on topics of foundation and succession law. He is a founding member and vice chairman of proFonds, the umbrella organization for charitable foundations in Switzerland, and is a member of the legal council of SwissFoundations. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization since its establishment.

Our Comité de Patronage

  • Former Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin
  • Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
  • Marianne Haefner
  • Martin Haefner
  • Maria Haldner
  • Felix Haldner

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