Biography
Education and Training
1994-1997 lic.rer.publ. HSG (Master of Arts in International Affairs and Governance: Business Administration and Economics, Political Science, Law, Journalism, University of St. Gallen)
1992-1994 Certificat d'études préparatoires ès sciences économiques, politiques et sociales (University of Neuchâtel)
1990-1992 Environmental engineering, ETH Zurich (without degree)
Various further training courses, e.g. on leadership, change management, consulting, conflict management, facilitation, agile didactics, large group moderation, communication, decision making, project management, marketing, press relations, sponsoring, knowledge management, flow team design, training as CH-Q trainer (Swiss Qualification Book)
Working experience and functions at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - School of Business
since 2019 Co-Head International Office
since 2012 Co-Head of Research and Consulting Programme Public Health Management
since 2003 Lecturer and Head of research, development and consulting projects at IBR Lucerne, Lucerne School of Business, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (since 2021 Professor for Public & Nonprofit Management)
2006-2020 Head of the Competence Center Public and Nonprofit Management at the Institute of Management and Regional Economics, Lucerne School of Business, member of the Institute Executive Board
2004-2020 Co-Head of the MAS Master of Advanced Studies Social Services and Healthcare Management
since 2002 Kessler Research & Consulting (free-lance projects as researcher, organisational consultant and coach: strategy and organisational development, team development, leadership coaching, concepts, evaluations) e.g. participation in the evaluation of the “Zürcher Chancen Modell” (Competence Centre for Social Services, Evaluation and Social Statistics, Social Department of the City of Zurich), co-author of the Report on Sustainable Development of the Canton of Aargau (Sustainability Department of the Canton of Aargau), development of a planning and financial tool (Supplementary Labour Market (EAM), Social Department Zurich)
2000-2001 Assistant to the Director of the Supplementary Labour Market EAM, Social Department Zurich, member of the EAM management board (including development of the "Zurich Opportunity Model: Incentives and Compensations in Social Assistance" (concept, moderation, networking, editing, training)
1998-2000 Co-Head of the Think Tank “Arbeit”, EAM, Social Department Zurich (Co-management and further development of the Denkfabrik Arbeit, an educational and project workshop for well-qualified unemployed people, coaching, project management, further education manager)
1990-1997 Various employments and mandates (among others: human resources development (Swiss Bank Corporation), course and exhibition supervisor for Swiss Society for Environmental Protection, temporary employee in emergency dormitory and youth centre, teacher for accounting and sports at Neuchâtel boarding school, river guide on rafting and canoe tours, tour guide in the USA, base leader for Eurotrek adventure trips (management, rafting, canoe tours, event management), gastronomy, organisation of concerts and events)
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Gemeinnützige Frauen Zürich (GFZ Foundation), President of the Association of Lecturers and Scientific Staff of the Lucerne School of Business, member of various scientific organisations and political societies
