Fostering Sustainability and Responsible Entrepreneurship
for a better tomorrow

Rico Baldegger is an accomplished entrepreneur and professor of Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Innovation at the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR), Switzerland. With a Master's in Business and Economics from the University of St. Gallen and a Ph.D. in SME and entrepreneurship from the University of Fribourg, he brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation. Professor Baldegger's extensive professional experience includes leadership roles in human resources, IT, and branding. He has founded several start-ups in Europe and the US and was the CEO of a management consultancy. Currently, he serves on several boards of directors and he is a prolific author with over a hundred publications, including several books. His latest book on the Future of Business Schools is a best-seller. His research focuses on entrepreneurs' innovation processes, the internationalization of start-ups and SMEs, new venture creation, and growth management. Professor Baldegger is known for his strategic thinking and ability to innovate within global contexts. He regularly delivers lectures and keynotes across Europe, the USA, Singapore, and Australia, sharing insights on strategic innovation and global business trends. He has spoken multiple times at the United Nations for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day, particularly addressing the connection between MSMEs and sustainability. His contributions underscore his commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and innovation in achieving sustainable development goals. In addition to his other achievements, Professor Baldegger has successfully shepherded the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR) through the extensive accreditation process of AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

Prof. Dr. Philipp Aerni is the Director of the Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CCRS) and a Professor of Sustainability and Impact Entrepreneurship at the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR). He holds a Master's degree in Geography, minors in Environmental Science and Economics from the University of Zurich, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from ETH Zurich. Before joining CCRS, Dr. Aerni was a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, ETH Zurich, the University of Bern, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In addition to his role at CCRS, Philipp Aerni is a senior lecturer at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. He is actively involved in several other capacities, including serving as a member of the Jury for the Swiss Family Business Award, the Forum Genetic Research (SCNAT), and Liberethica, a platform on ethics, business, and religion. As an interdisciplinary social scientist, he focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation as driving forces for inclusive and sustainable change.

Beat Vonlanthen holds a Ph.D. in law from the University of Fribourg and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. From 1986 to 2004, he worked in the Swiss federal administration, eventually becoming vice-director of the State Secretariat for Education and Research. In 2004, he was elected to the government of the canton of Fribourg. Initially overseeing the Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure department, he assumed responsibility for the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2006, a role he held until 2016. He served as president of the Fribourg cantonal government in 2010 and 2014 and was President of the Inter-cantonal Conference of Energy Ministers from 2010 to 2015. From 2015 to 2019, Beat Vonlanthen represented the canton of Fribourg in the federal parliament (Council of States [Senat]). He is the president of various economic federations, including Swiss Medtech and CHOCOSUISSE. Since 2017, he has been a member of the Advisory Board of the Fribourg School of Management.

Entrepreneurial personality with activities in financial services, industrial minerals, IT and consulting activities in the services sector, i.e. services management/education management. Disciplinary focus on strategy, corporate finance/M&A and business development - Different non-executive board memberships in Asset/Investment Management and commercial real estate in Australia and Switzerland. Industry Fellow teaching PG Corporate Finance/Entrepreneurial Finance at Swinburne and UAS Western Switzerland. Previously: business oriented Finance Director at large Swiss bank, proven track record in financial management (corporate finance, M&A, strategy, performance management) and lead of large corporate projects. In-depth knowledge (20 years+ experience) of the banking sector (wealth management, investment products, equity research, COO/CFO role)

Alisee de Tonnac, is the co-founder and co-CEO of Seedstars, a Swiss investment holding on a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging and frontier markets through technology and entrepreneurship. Alisee sits on several boards of companies and foundations and is also a member of the Swiss Innovation Council. She was nominated as a Social Entrepreneur Forbes 30 under 30, an Innovation Fellow of Wired UK, one of Europe’s most influential women in the startup and venture capital space, and one of the 29 Powerful Women by Refinery29.

Prof. Dr. Ing. Jürgen Fritz is Head of Industry Liaison and R&D and a Member of the Management Board of the School of Management of Fribourg (HEG-FR), Switzerland. He has more than 15 years of international leadership experience in the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical industries, working in organizations ranging from start-ups to multi-national corporations. His responsibilities included developing highly innovative sensors, ensuring customer quality in a plant for mechanical and electronic products, managing the quality of a business unit for combustion engines, developing and deploying quality standards worldwide, and undergoing organizational transformations. He has published several articles or books and shares his knowledge during international conferences