Anian Schreiber
Co-Founder & CEO at KOA Switzerland AG 

While establishing sustainable solar energy in rural communities in West Africa, Anian Schreiber discovered the untapped potential of the cocoa fruit. Driven by the conviction that doing business can and must be conducted in a truly responsible manner, he co-founded Koa to positively impact people, planet and profit. The venture set off to disrupt the unindustrialised and heavily scattered post-harvest process of cocoa. Accompanied by a passionate team, Anian Schreiber today is the managing director of the first and only company able to process the cocoa pulp with smallholders in West Africa – creating a significant extra income for farmers and delicious ingredients for the world.

Markus Hackenfort
Professor of Human Factors Psychology, School of Applied Psychlogy

After Markus completed his education as a childcare professional and psychology teacher, in his PhD he devoted himself to the question of how young people perceive risks and how this knowledge can be used to prevent accidents. After several years working in occupational safety, Markus spent 15 years working in the field of human factors in traffic safety. Together with his team, he set up the Driving Simulation Lab to investigate issues of road safety in general and in particular the effects of automation on drivers and cyclists in traffic. 

Martina Spiess
Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences

Martina holds a degree in physical therapy and is currently a professor at the Institute of Occupational Therapy. With experience in clinical practice, industry, research, and education, she embodies interdisciplinarity in her own career. Her research focuses on the user-centered development and application of technology in rehabilitation. Hereby, she collaborates closely with experts from various disciplines, including clinicians, patients and engineers and data scientists, to develop innovative solutions that enhance patient care. Martina is passionate about fostering effective interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that diverse perspectives come together to create meaningful and practical advancements. Her motto: Two or more brains are always better than one.

Nadina Müller
Professor for sustainable food processing

Nadina Müller is both a dedicated food scientist and a food enthusiast. Together with her team, she passionately explores innovative processing methods to enhance the sustainable use of food. Her research delves into the intricate interplay between processing techniques, product structure, and final product properties, while also assessing the impact on the ecological footprint of the resulting food products.

With a background in food science and over a decade of experience in the food and machinery industry, she is committed to conducting interdisciplinary, solution-driven research. By working closely with food processors, she strives to translate scientific innovation into practical applications. Nadina is married and the mother of two teenagers.

Thilo Stadelmann is Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Winterthur/Switzerland, where he is the Founding Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence. A computer scientist by training with a Doctor of Science degree from Marburg University, Germany, he held engineering and leadership roles in the automotive industry for several years prior to his appointment at the ZHAW. He is (co-)founder and part of the senior leadership of several organizations in the digital space. His current research interests include representation learning and the societal implications of AI. Thilo is married and father of one.