How has your own leadership journey shaped the way you coach today? 

My career has taken me from being a Chartered Accountant at KPMG to Managing Director at UBS, through the challenges of leading global teams and major transformation programmes and later serving as CFO of an international fintech business. On paper, it looked like a successful career. Behind the scenes, like many leaders, there were moments of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and times when there wasn’t an obvious right answer. 

Those experiences have shaped the coach I am today. I know what it feels like to carry significant responsibility, navigate organisational complexity, make decisions with incomplete information, and balance professional ambition with life outside work. 

Today, I work as a confidential thinking partner to experienced professionals. I don’t tell people what to do. Instead, I help them slow down, think more clearly, see situations from different angles, and make decisions that are aligned with who they are and the leader they want to be.  I do this from my office on Bahnhofstrasse in the centre of Zurich, a place I am very proud of and where I love meeting my clients. 

What leadership, career or organisational challenge do you see most often today? 

The pace and complexity of leadership have increased significantly. Many of the people I work with are highly capable, yet they are operating in environments where the answers are rarely straightforward. 

Common themes include stepping into larger roles, leading through change, managing difficult stakeholder dynamics, or questioning what comes next in their career. Often, there is also a quieter challenge: how to maintain clarity and confidence while constantly being pulled in multiple directions. 

Interestingly, it is rarely a lack of competence. More often, it is a lack of space. Leaders spend much of their time responding to others, but very few have a dedicated space to step back, think deeply, and challenge their own assumptions with someone independent. 

What is the biggest misconception about leadership? 

That good leaders are expected to always have the answers. 

In reality, the most effective leaders I have worked with are not those who project certainty at all times, but those who are comfortable with ambiguity. They stay curious, invite different perspectives, and are willing to say, “I don’t know yet.” 

Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions for good thinking, in yourself and in others, and making thoughtful decisions in situations that are often complex and uncertain. 

Another misconception is that authenticity and influence are in tension. Many people feel they must become more political to progress. I don’t believe that is true. The real skill is learning how to be influential without losing authenticity. 

What does being part of PWN Zug & Zurich mean to you, and what keeps you involved? 

PWN is one of my tribes. It brings together women, many of whom are expats, who are working at the top of their game across many different professions. We come together to exchange thoughts and experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. 

I have always believed that we learn through conversation as much as through formal development. I value hearing how other women approach their careers, leadership challenges, and the realities of working and living in Switzerland. Their experiences are often different from mine, and that is precisely what makes the conversations so interesting. 

Leadership can also be surprisingly isolating. Being part of PWN provides connection with women who understand many of the opportunities and challenges that come with senior roles. I learn from them, enjoy their company, and value the sense of community we create together. 

How do you most enjoy spending your time outside work? 

Most of my free time is spent with my husband and our two adult children. We enjoy travelling, playing golf and exploring places by e-bike. Those are the things that help me step away from work and enjoy time together. 

I also genuinely enjoy going to events where I can find my tribe, whether among people from finance and banking or women from many different industries. I’m curious about people: their backgrounds, interests, cultures, and the paths their careers have taken. 

I know many women feel uncomfortable about networking, particularly when they are new to a city or don’t know anyone in the room. I’m always happy to say, “Come with me.” Sometimes all it takes is one familiar face to make walking through the door a little easier.