Keynote speakers

  • Prof. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger
    Prof. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger
    Prof. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger

    Curriculum Vitae

    Prof. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger
    Head of the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Medical University of Vienna

    Markus Hengstschläger was awarded a doctorate in genetics at the tender age of 24 years after a shortened study course. He then worked at Yale University in the USA where he was appointed associate professor at the age of 29 years, and full university professor at only 35 years. Today he heads the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Medical University of Vienna and is also active as an entrepreneur in the fields of genetic diagnostics, research and development, as well as innovation consultancy. What’s more, Dr Hengstschläger is a science presenter on ORF Radio Ö1 and the author of bestsellers such as "Die Macht der Gene" (The Power of Genes), "Endlich unendlich" (Immortal at Last) and "Die Durchschnittsfalle" (The Mediocrity Trap). 

    Keynote presentation 1
    How should I manage (my) talent?" 

    In today's world, commercial environments are subject to ongoing and difficult to predict changes. To be prepared for a market that is developing ever more rapidly, innovations will continually need to open up a slew of new paths. Whoever wishes to walk a new path will need to harness his or her talent in order to break away from yesterday's path. But what in actual fact comprises talent and how can it be nourished? Every single person is born with entirely individual genetic-given skill and ability predispositions. These need to be discovered through hard work and translated into outstanding performances through ‘extra miles’. Concentrating excessively on countering individual shortcomings in all of this will only diminish the time required to focus on one's natural strengths. And it also results in mediocrity, the greatest thwart to innovation. 

  • Micheline Calmy-Rey
    Micheline Calmy-Rey
    Micheline Calmy-Rey

    Curriculum Vitae

    Micheline Calmy-Rey
    Former Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister

    Micheline Calmy-Rey was Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2011 and officiated as President of the Swiss Confederation from 2007 to 2011. She has held numerous further important positions on Swiss and foreign committees. In her book "Die Schweiz, die ich uns wünsche" (The Switzerland that I wish for all of us) she links her political standpoints to the key outcomes achieved during her time on the Swiss Federal Council.

    Keynote 2
    Image as a synthesis of person and content

    She always appears dressed fashionably. She can sing. And she speaks in plain, understandable language. The former Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey ranks among the most prominent political personalities that Switzerland has ever had. She coined the term 'active neutrality'. She has conversed with dictators and rulers. Practically each of her appearances on the world stage has resulted in headlines. That fact that Micheline Calmy-Rey has also divided opinions will most likely have raised her public profile significantly. In any event she has consummately mastered the skill of combining personality and content in a way that always allows her to come across in a genuine manner. And remain true to herself.

  • Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Bronfen
    Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Bronfen
    Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Bronfen

    Curriculum Vitae

    Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Bronfen
    Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Zurich and the New Yorker University (NYU)

    The cultural and literary scholar and author is a Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Zurich and the New Yorker University (NYU). The German-American has published numerous articles in the fields of psychoanalysis, literature, film and cultural studies as well as several highly acclaimed books (including cookbooks). Her advanced doctoral dissertation entitled "Over Her Dead Body" describes how the female body and the female corpse frequently form the storyline in our culture and has served to make her name known far beyond academic and specialist circles. 

    Keynote presentation 3
    Stronger than imagined

    Women have long been solely portrayed in relation to men on and beyond the screen and reduced to two stereotypes: the housewife or the femme fatale. Female characters on the silver screen are now more complex, profound and challenging – as they also are in professional posts. Elisabeth Bronfen explores the changed female role models in various aspects and avenues of life. She has analysed and written about her observations on the changed image of women over recent decades – be it by example of the 'Bond Girls' or by example of the Presidential wife Claire Underwood in the legendary US television series House of Cards.

  • Anton Mosimann
    Anton Mosimann
    Anton Mosimann

    Keynote 4
    The Swiss who has cooked for the world's movers and shakers

    Anton Mosimann is arguably the most famous Swiss chef ever. His first forays into cooking were made as the son of a restaurateur in the Bernese commune of Nidau. Having finished his training as a head chef, he gained further professional experience in various hotels and restaurants in Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Sweden and aboard a cruise ship. In 1975, not yet 30 years of age, he was appointed Maître Chef de Cuisines at the renowned Dorchester Hotel in London. From 1988 he has helmed the “Belfry” private dining club in London which enjoys international renown. Anton Mosimann has cooked for people like Muhammad Ali, Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II, four generations of the British Royal Family, many presidents and prime ministers – and written over 6,000 recipes and cookbooks, complete with anecdotes from his encounters with famous people. What does he think about today's cooking? Which cooking trends in his opinion will prevail in the future? Find out the answers to these questions and more during Anton Mosimann's exclusive presentation at the Curaviva conference.

    Life is a Circus - Anton Mosimann

  • Prof. Dr. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann
    Prof. Dr. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann
    Prof. Dr. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann

    Curriculum Vitae

    Prof. Dr. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann
    Director MIRALab, University of Geneva
    Director IMI, NTU, Singapore

    Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Media Innovation at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She is also the founder and head of the MIRALab interdisciplinary human animation research laboratory at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Her areas of research include social robots, virtual and augmented realities and medical simulation. In her illustrious career she has published over 600 scientific articles and received numerous artistic and scientific awards.

    Keynote presentation 5
    Social robots: our future companions in old age

    Social robots are designed to look and act like real people. For example, our social robot Nadine welcomes visitors to Singapore’s Nanyang University with a friendly greeting, direct eye contact and a handshake. In her presentation, Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann talks mainly about existing models of social robots, how Nadine was made, what she can do and what she will be able to do in the future. We will discuss how social robots can become our companions in misfortune, tirelessly working to meet our needs day in day out and become an essential complement to those who care for the elderly.

  • Dr. Gottfried Locher
    Dr. Gottfried Locher
    Dr. Gottfried Locher

    Curriculum Vitae

    Dr. Gottfried Locher
    President of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

    Gottfried Locher is President of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches. The doctor of theology has an MBA from the prestigious London Business School. He currently chairs the Swiss Council of Religions. Locher is known for speaking plainly and not beating about the bush. In the book "Gottfried Locher. The Reformed Bishop" (2014), the author Josef Hochstrasser writes the following about him: "Locher is the highest-ranking protestant in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the positions of office he holds and the privileges he enjoys have neither changed his ways nor his manner. He stands up and speaks frankly, understandably, and without smug parish grandeur. He moves amongst ordinary folk and is able to understand what drives and concerns them." 

    Keynote presentation 6
    Seven pious sayings for prominent and upcoming bosses. Almost heavenly closing remarks to dwell on during your journey home.

    From the narrative of exodus from Egypt directly to Switzerland's demanding healthcare landscape ... this is a fairly unconventional sermon with helpful tips for prominent and upcoming bosses. Allow yourself to be surprised at the close of the congress!