Background of the Members of the Board of Trustees in alphabetical order
Gian-Luigi Berini, chairman
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“You have to live the change you wish to see in the world.” M. Gandhi
Why did I get involved in the foundation:
Going beyond the concerns of one’s own life to serve and help others is an essential part and job of my life.
Bio:
Gian-Luigi, 1961, spent more than 10 years as line- and general manager in multinational companies before starting a technology start-up in 1999 which he merged successfully in 2008. In 2009, he decides to work in the field of entrepreneurship for the Swiss Government’s Commission of Technology and Innovation as well as the leading business incubator FONGIT. In parallel, he dedicates a substantial part of his time to development projects of More Than A Drop.
He serves as member of the board of various start-ups, of FONGIT as well as of a Seed-Money Fund. Gian-Luigi holds a degree in economy and marketing (Zurich, Bern), he has expertise is in Sales & Marketing, Finance, Project Management, Organization and General Management.
François Gilardoni
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” James A. Baldwin
Why I did get involved in the foundation:
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. Eventually, they would become the most dangerous creations of any society as there is no future or hope in their struggles. Let’s try to change this!
Bio:
François is a senior executive who has lived and worked throughout the U.S. and Europe and who has built a solid body of experience in the high technology industry almost two decades. His forte is to raise business valuation of early stage ventures, advise in seed investments and oversee business turnarounds in the Life Sciences, Cleantech, Oil & Gas and Finance industries. He holds a PhD (cum laude) in Computational Chemistry, as well as degrees in Environmental Science and Computing.
Rolf Gobet
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Why did I get involved in the foundation?
Each man has the right to access dignity, freedom and happiness and it’s our duty to make it happen.
Bio:
Rolf Gobet, 1966, has a proven track record as a hands-on line-manager in both the private and public sector. Rolf started his business career at the State of Geneva where he spent 10 years as manager within different departments. In 1999, he switches to the private sector, joining HP as Director. From 2004, he manages for more than 4 years the Logistic department of the Industrial Services of Geneva (SIG). In 2008, Rolf has been appointed as CEO of the Office for Promotion of Industries and Technologies of the State of Geneva. Rolf holds a degree in law (Lausanne).
Luca Merlini
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“What we do is only a drop of the ocean, but if we didn’t do it then the ocean would have a drop less”. Mother Teresa
Why did I get involved in the foundation:
Co-create a space for humanity.
Bio:
Luca is the CEO of the Regional Hospital ‘La Carità’, Locarno (Ti) since 2002. Prior to that, he covered a number of line-management functions such as HR, QM and Communication in both the public and private sector. He is Associated Scientific Researcher at the ‘Istituto di Microeconomia e Economia Pubblica’ of the Swiss Italian University and member of the board of the ‘Centro di Ricerche in Management Sanitario of the University Cattolica’ of Milan. Luca holds a degree in Economics and Social science and a master in Health Care Management as well as in Human Capital Management.
Jane Royston
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“ quotation: If you think you are too small to make a difference, try to sleep in a closed room with a mosquito” African proverb
Why did I get involved in the foundation:
great concept and great leadership, fighting social injustice is one of my core values
Jane is a successful high tech entrepreneur (IT), professor of entrepreneurship and innovation (EPFL), experienced non exec director, and very involved in a number of not for profit organisations in Europe and the US. She worked for DuPont in Geneva, and later as head of IT for DuPont France in Paris. She then went on to found her own IT services company. At the time she sold the company, it was 120 people strong.
Jane then became Switzerland’s first professor of entrepreneurship & innovation, at the EPFL. She started the entrepreneurship education program at most Swiss universities, and designed the Swiss national entrepreneurship program, before returning to the private sector where she currently serves on the board of a number of companies and charities. Jane obtained the Swiss Business Woman of the Year Award and her company the Best Managed SME in Switzerland Award.
She has worked in the non-profit making sector for a number of years, both in the US and Europe. She focuses on health and women’s issues. Jane studied pure mathematics at the London School of Economics.
Faris Sabeti
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“We should be self-sacrificing and should serve the human race.” Abdu’l-Baha
Why did I get involved in the foundation:
I like to be able to contribute to projects that promote the well being of humanity. There are many projects out there but I have been reluctant to this date until I heard from Gianluigi Berini the founder about this foundation. My reluctance has been due to two key questions: 1) how much value do I really create 2) how sustainable will the outcome of the project be.
More Than A Drop foundation addresses these points for me and most importantly I have trust in the people who are behind this organization. They are individuals who bring their practical experience that is essential for the successful implementation and their core values are in line with mine.
Bio:
Faris Sabeti spent his first 12 years managing international projects in a number of multinational companies after which he decided to leave the corporate world and launch his first company. After 4 years he moved on in co-investing in other technology companies and got engaged in the ramp-up of a dozen of Swiss companies. In 2001 in parallel to his engagements he joined the Federal Commission of Technology as head of business coaching. Currently, he is the vice president of Swiss Federal Commission of Technology and board member of a number of technology companies in the Western part of Switzerland.
In 2007, he co-founded a private equity boutique for private investors. Faris served as a board member to an international foundation, which managed financial assets. He holds a degree in computer science (London) with an MBA (Geneva). He has expertise is in strategic business development, complex project Management, organization and General Management.
Pierre Strübin
A quotation that I like and suits to me:
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant “. Robert Louis Stevenson
Why did I get involved in the foundation:
To contribute by more than a drop to the welfare of women and men showing willingness to progress.
Bio:
Pierre, 1950, started his career in 1975 at ABB Sécheron where he developed and commissioned, equipment for rail and other transportation systems. In 1988, he joined the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). From 1994 on, he was the managing director of the main division of LEM, and since 2000 the managing director of Fongit, the Geneva High-Tech Business Incubator. In addition, he is member of more than 10 boards of directors of SMEs.
Pierre completed his studies at EPFL as electrical engineer and holds a Master in Finance and a MBA with a specialization in management. He is also involved in the political activities of the Canton of Geneva.