the Change.Preneurs: Catalyzing Impact and Redefining Success

Trista Bridges is a sustainable business expert who works with companies worldwide to develop and implement business strategies that integrate ESG and sustainability into their strategy and operations. Trista’s unique approach enables businesses of all sizes to better manage risks, boost innovation, and drive growth. As cofounder of the sustainability advisory firm Read the Air, Trista brings practical knowledge of how to incorporate sustainability and ESG principles into the practices of organizations of all sizes. Trista is also co-author of Leading Sustainably (2021), a practical guide for managers at all levels seeking to understand how to factor sustainability into their decision-making and activities. Trista holds a BSE from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and is currently pursuing a joint doctorate in business administration at Emlyon Business School and Durham University. Trista currently divides her time between Tokyo and France.

Renée is an ex-Googler with a 20-year strong corporate track record in people performance, marketing and communications, talent engagement, coaching and facilitation.
Today, she’s an independent consultant who regularly delivers a climate impact workshop for the World Wildlife Fund's Corporate Volunteering Program.
She also builds and runs footprint reduction coaching programs and is the Product and Impact Strategy advisor for Ailuna Sustainability App.
She is often invited to present, educate and facilitate discussions about personal footprint reduction at Sustainability forums and events.

A background in business and economics, Niels’ curiosity took him through multiple countries and professions before finding his passion in (social) entrepreneurship and in Switzerland. After studies at the University of St. Gallen and leadership roles at the student organisation oikos, he co-founded Impact Hub Zürich and later STRIDE learning. After becoming a father, he worked 50% during 6 years. With his kids getting older and more independent, Niels is working on a new #LearnTech startup Rflect which brings personal development to learning institutions in a scalable, high-quality and affordable way.

Pauliina Rasi has 20 years in journalism, corporate communications and PR.

"I help ambitious businesses and projects tackle the overwhelm related to all things content – so that you can express your message with clarity, speak right to the hearts of your dream clients and grow a successful business. "

Karime is a talented executive and a change leader with a robust supply chain, sustainability and business strategy background built over a 25-year work experience. She worked for global corporations, such as Delphi Automotive Systems and Unilever, where she stayed for 14 years, helping to design and implement the USLP – Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. She has led sustainability projects in emissions reduction, waste elimination, clean energy and social projects. As a consultant, Karime developed sustainable business models for insect-based food, digital agriculture, education and IT services. She also created performance management models and executive compensation frameworks linked to ESG.

Ciaran is one of the co-founders of Sustainable Pathways - a marketplace where you can find sustainability specialists, tools, templates, courses and more.
He also works with schools and SME's and specialise in

• Sustainability Impact Reports: They identify areas for improvement, then work together to develop a sustainability action plan that fits the needs.
• Workshop Facilitation for companies and schools. He has worked with companies like eBay to deliver educational workshops on sustainable business practices.
• Team Performance: With a background in performance psychology he supports companies to improve their team performance & dynamics in order to help them move quicker to implementing their sustainability solutions and climate action. 

Claire helped organizations develop, implement and integrate ESG/Sustainability strategies in a transformative manner. She is a subject matter expert on climate policy and accompanies the private & public sectors on their decarbonisation and net zero journeys. Claire manages and grows the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), a international non-profit industry association that represents best practice for credible and impactful voluntary climate action to support the transition towards a low carbon economy. She is also a B Leader and Academic Assessor for the Business and Climate Change program at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

Claire is a subject matter expert on climate policy and accompanies the private & public sectors on their decarbonisation and net zero journeys. Claire manages and grows the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), a international non-profit industry association that represents best practice for credible and impactful voluntary climate action to support the transition towards a low carbon economy. She is also a B Leader and Academic Assessor for the Business and Climate Change program at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

At B&A, he specializes in recruiting top-tier impact and sustainability professionals for Swiss companies, ensuring they have the talent to drive meaningful change. Through ImpactCareers, he has created a platform that bridges job seekers with opportunities to make a difference. Outside of his entrepreneurial ventures, Gaudenz dedicates his time as a Coach and Mentor, guiding individuals on their personal and professional journeys.

Global Marketing Communications Leader in Financial Services and Change Agent for sustainable business and positive impact.

Changemaker enabling the definition of strategic goals, their translation into integrated plans, the implementation of derived activities and the measurement of the impact created.

Vanessa Rueber is passionate about nature. She is the Community, Marketing and Impact Manager for Patagonia Switzerland.  It is a powerful feeling to work for a company that is committed to a purpose and wants to inspire other companies to copy this model.

She sits on the board of Protect our Winters Switzerland.  

She is a Canadian of Swiss nationality. She is a wife, mother and employee. She is also an athlete, a friend, a sister, a dog owner and a sustainability activist.
She is a nature lover, an outdoorswoman, an eco-lover.

Experienced Global leader with deep knowledge and solid understanding of project management techniques, Risk Management accounting, reporting and audit issues.  
Luca has over 20 years of experience working in Finance acquired through multinationals (Saipem, ENI, ABB) and is currently Leadership learning ecosystem community Lead at ABB. He holds a PhD in Business Administration on sustainability focus and he’s GRI Certified Sustainability Professional since 2023.
He has a wide experience on sustainability and author of two books and several papers on the subject.

Ekaterina has over 20+ years of executive experience in the international brands, retail, luxury, FMCG, food and travel retail industries. She worked for iconic global brands, such as Mcdonald's, serving as Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Alignment responsible for 115 markets, Dufry Group, where Ekaterina led as the CEO of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, the UK, Malta, and global Managing Director B2B at The Nuance Group. 

She has a BBA from The International University in Geneva and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, she has an Advanced Diploma from ESSEC Business School in the European Board of Directors Governance.She serves on the Board of Directors of the Swiss Association of MBAs and the Advisory Board of MyFeld digital farming from Brugg, Metabloqs, metaverse Web 3 SaaS from Luzern.

She was a key player with the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals deployed across various countries with Dufry Global initiatives. Besides, she volunteers as an Executive-in-Residence for The University of Chicago Booth alumni, current students, and the University of St. Gallen to achieve economic empowerment and mentoring.

Ekaterina is passionate about people, retail, ESG. She is a Swiss citizen, living in canton Schwyz, married and has one daughter.