SIETAR Switzerland 2025 Conference, Lucerne
Katharina Addington-Lefringhausen
Assoc. Prof. Dr Katharina is a cross-cultural and social psychologist and works as an Associate Professor (she/her) in Psychology at Heriot Watt University (Scotland). Her research focusses on multiculturalism and majority members’ acculturation, having extensively published on the latter named including a special issue. Beyond other roles, Katharina acts as current Director of Community Development SIETAR UK, Co-leader of SIETAR UK RAAS project, Co-leader of Special Interest Group Migration SIETAR Europa, and External stakeholder of IncluKIT.
Sodiq Adekunle Adeoye
Sodiq Adekunle Adeoye is an international student pursuing a Master’s degree in Intercultural Management at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon. His research focuses on the impact of cultural differences on workplace dynamics and how organisations can effectively manage intercultural conflicts. He aims to develop practical strategies that promote intercultural understanding and foster harmonious workplace environments.
Ganga Jey Aratnam
Ganga Jey Aratnam, PhD, Social Doctor and Social Scientist, specialises in research on migration, demographics, and wealth-related issues. His current research focuses on the topic: “Shifting Focus to Asylum Seekers in the Swiss Labor Market”.
Amna Ben Amara
Diversophy
Amna Ben Amara is a researcher with the diversophy® project. She holds two master’s degrees: one in Intercultural Management from Slovenia and another in Cultural Studies from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Sousse, Tunisia, her home country. Amna has published several journal articles and participated in numerous national and international conferences. Additionally, she has completed various training programmes offered by Erasmus+ and DAAD. Most recently, she was a visiting researcher at the University of Paris-Est Créteil, France.
Milton Bennett
Dr Milton J. Bennett, Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Intercultural Development Research Institute co-located in Washington State, USA and Milan, Italy, and he is also an adjunct professor of intercultural communication at the University of Milano Bicocca. He is a contributing co-editor of a multi-volume Springer series entitled The New Authoritarianism.
Abiud Maosa Bosire
Abiud Maosa Bosire is a doctoral candidate at the Chair of Education, focusing on Diversity Education and International Education at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. His research explores the determinants (curriculum and teachers) for implementing global education in diverse contexts. His other research interests include intercultural education and comparative educational research.
Sanne Bosma
Hanze University Groningen, Netherlands
Sanne Bosma is a lecturer, researcher, and trainer in intercultural communication, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), and law. As a member of Hanze UAS’s Global Living Research Group, she is particularly interested in the interplay between culture and biology in education.
Geoffrey Bwireh
Northumbria University at Newcastle, U.K.
Geoffrey Bwireh is a PhD student at Northumbria University, UK, and a member of a diverse, internationally experienced faculty of academic experts and practitioners who contribute their subject matter expertise throughout the CAS programme at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts School of Business in Switzerland. He is passionate about sharing his rural experiences and career path in the resource-constrained setting of the Great Lakes region in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Myriam Callegarin
YouMe Global Srl – Empowering Successful Collaborations
Myriam Callegarin is a global executive coach specialising in leadership development and organisational change. With over 30 years of international experience, she empowers leaders to navigate complex environments, enhance team dynamics, and break down barriers, driving sustainable results across organisations.
Ida Castiglioni
Prof. Dr Ida Castiglioni, Ph.D. is a professor of sociology of cultural processes and communication and recent director of the graduate program in Programming and Management of Social Services and Public Policies at the University of Milano Bicocca. She is a member of the board of that university’s PhD program in Strategic Innovation for Sustainable and Smart Ecosystems and in the PhD program in Urban studies. She has been serving for some years as a strategic coach for female researchers awarded with large grants funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Shu-Hsiang Chen
Assoc. Prof. Dr Shu-Hsiang (Ava) Chen is Programme Director of the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Hub (EEH), Entrepreneur College (Taicang) XJTLU, China.
Nanga Désiré Coulibaly
Nanga Désiré Coulibaly is Deputy Director of the Department of Communication Sciences and teacher-researcher at the Information, Communication and Arts Training and Research Unit (UFRICA), Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Gianni D’Amato
Prof. Dr Gianni D’Amato, Professor of Migration and Citizenship Studies and Director of NCCR-on-the-Move, the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) for migration and mobility studies, the University of Neuchatel.
Bjørn Z. Ekelund
Human Factors AS
Bjørn Z. Ekelund holds a degree in psychology (1983), an MBA (1997), and studied International Governance (2007). He is the founder of consultation company Human Factors AS (1992) and the Diversity Icebreaker concept (2005). He has researched and published in the cross-cultural field for the last 25 years.
Jillaine Farrar
Prof. Jillaine Farrar is a lecturer, co-head CAS Leading Global Teams and Projects, and Co-Head MAS International Management. Her research area is intercultural leadership. She is the Associate Editor of The Swiss Journal of Intercultural Education Training and Research and Co- President SIETAR Switzerland.
Sibylle Ganz-Koechlin
TripleT trainingthetrainers
Sibylle Ganz-Koechlin, MEd, MPhil (Linguistics), MAS in Intercultural Communication & Leadership, is a teacher, lecturer, linguist, curriculum developer, and teacher trainer specialising in Eastern and Southern Africa. She conducts training on intercultural competence in Switzerland, working with educational institutions, public administration, and the migration sector. Sibylle is an active member of the SIETAR Switzerland Refugee Support Initiative, a co-presenter at the SIETAR Switzerland 2022 Congress, and a founding member of the Special Interest Group (SIG) on Africa.
Anastasiia Grynko
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Business, Switzerland
Dr Anastasiia Grynko teaches intercultural communication and competence. Her recent research focuses on corporate and crisis communication in the Swiss context. Before starting teaching and research in Switzerland in 2016, Anastasiia worked at the Mohyla School of Journalism (Kyiv), Columbia University (New York), and the University of Göttingen (Germany). Before engaging in academic research and teaching, she worked in global corporate communication at Weber Shandwick Group and the Open Society Institute.
Edwin Hagenbeek
Institute of Nursing Studies, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Edwin Hagenbeek is a nurse and medical anthropologist, currently serving as the International Relations Coordinator at the Institute of Nursing Studies, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. With work experience in Switzerland, Indonesia, and the Netherlands, he lectures on intercultural nursing and is a co-author of Intercultural Competence in Health Care.
Gabor Holch
East-West Leadership
Gabor Holch is an intercultural leadership consultant, coach, author, and speaker who has served over 100 clients in 30+ countries. Based in China since 2002 and working globally, Gabor is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) in Mandarin and is licensed in major assessment tools including DISC, the Predictive Index, NeuroColor, and MBTI. His latest book, Dragon Suit: The Golden Age of Expatriate Executives in China, was published in summer 2023.
Tebuho Winnie Kanyimba
Centre for African Studies Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland
Tebuho Winnie Kanyimba is a PhD candidate and project assistant on the SNSF Sinergia project “Reversing the Gaze: Towards Post-Comparative Area Studies” (2020–2024). Her research focuses on progressive tribalism in Switzerland, which she is currently completing as part of her dissertation. In May 2022, she presented at the SIETAR Switzerland Congress on “Interculturality for a Sustainable Future.”
Kyriaki Koukouraki
King’s College London, UK
Dr Kyriaki Koukouraki holds a PhD in Intercultural Relations from Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. She is a lecturer in Cultural Competency at King’s College London, UK, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She is the STAR Scholars Network Country Director for the UK and an active member of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence.
Anne-Claude Lambelet
Anne-Claude Lambelet is a seasoned intercultural trainer and coach with in-depth knowledge of various cultures. She is a founding board member and past president of SIETAR Switzerland. Her current focus is Refugee Support Initiatives.
Dorian Maarse
Maarsen en Mensen, Goirle, Netherlands
Dutch-born Dorian Maarse, Organisational Psychologist, is an expert in teamwork, intercultural communication, and diversity competence. She lectured at Utrecht University of Applied Arts and is a qualified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) administrator. Alongside Charlie Obihara, she coauthored the textbooks Intercultural Competence in Health Care: Embracing Diversity in Patient-Centered Care (also available in Dutch) and Towards an Inclusive Training in Health Care: Improving Diversity Among Doctors (Naar Een Inclusieve Opleiding in de Zorg). Together, they developed the Intercultural Competence for Health Care Professionals training programme.
Vincent Merk
Merk4Cs
Vincent Merk was a university lecturer in intercultural management and trainer in professional skills before he retired. He still works in these areas and focuses on DEI issues and their impact on leadership practices. He regularly presents at academic conferences and is a former president of SIETAR Europa.
Papa Balla Ndong
Master in International Migration Universidad Valencia, DEIB Strategist, Founder of AICOSMO, President of SIETAR Europa.
Paula Nestea
Paula Nestea, PhD, is a researcher, SIETAR Switzerland board member, and a member of SIETAR Switzerland’s Refugee Initiatives. She led a study focused on the role of volunteers in the inclusion of refugees from an intercultural perspective.
Stefanie Neumann
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Steffi Neumann is an experienced lecturer and consultant in leadership and coaching at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences’ Institute of Applied Psychology. She holds a master’s degree in political and Japanese studies. Having lived and worked in diverse cultural contexts, she is dedicated to bridging different cultural perspectives, helping individuals recognise and realise their potential, and fostering purpose-driven, lasting relationships.
Carlos Nunez
Intercultural Consultants, Netherlands
Carlos Nunez is Colombian and co-author of Intercultural Competence in Health Care. He studied Architecture and Urban Planning at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Carlos lectured Culture and Operations Management at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Bremerhaven University of A.S., Normandy Business School, and Sorbonne University in Paris.
Raya Nunez Mahdi
Intercultural Consultants, Netherlands
Raya Nunez-Mahdi is an Indonesian Cultural and Medical Anthropologist and author of Intercultural Competence in Health Care. She teaches intercultural competence at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and lectured intercultural communication at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, École de Management de Normandie, and Sorbonne University in Paris.
Charles Obihara
Elizabeth Hospital Tilburg, Netherlands
Charlie Obihara is a Nigerian-born consultant paediatrician specialising in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in the Netherlands. He is also a trainer in diversity competence in health care. Alongside Dorian Maarse, he coauthored the textbooks Intercultural Competence in Health Care: Embracing Diversity in Patient-Centered Care (also available in Dutch) and Towards an Inclusive Training in Health Care: Improving Diversity Among Doctors (Naar Een Inclusieve Opleiding in de Zorg). Together, they developed the Intercultural Competence for Health Care Professionals training programme.
Oluwayemisi Ojo
Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
Yemisi works at the intersection of education, inclusion, and peacebuilding and has experience supporting such programmes within the UN system in Geneva, Switzerland. She is a recent doctoral student at UCP, Portugal, focusing on education in international development. Her research interest is in intercultural competency with a focus on Africa.
Glene Ribeiro
HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland
Glene Ribeiro works independently as a Speaking Communication coach and trainer. She is also a lecturer at HES-SO School of Management, Sierre, with expertise in intercultural communication. Specialising in paraverbal communication techniques, Glene guides professionals and students in adapting their style to multicultural settings, building clarity and respect within diverse teams. Ultimately, Glene is a Cambridge English Speaking Assessment Specialist.
Catherine Roche
SUNY Rockland Community College, USA
Awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013. Business faculty member who has served as COIL Coordinator while developing many virtual exchanges with institutions in several countries. Advocate for global experiential learning as evidenced by numerous co-presentations at international conferences and several co-authored articles.
Claus Schreier
Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University, Thailand
Assoc. Prof. Dr Claus Schreier, Mahidol University MUIC (Thailand), Assistant Dean for Research and Academic Services and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences – Business (Switzerland), Faculty Member.
Mary Gene Saudelli
University of New Brunswick, Canada
Dr Saudelli: Dean and Professor at University of New Brunswick. Dr Saudelli is a distinguished leader, educator and researcher with over 35 years of experience, specializing in international education, intercultural studies and worldviews, signature pedagogies, and high-impact practices. Her career has taken her to various countries, including Canada, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Hong Kong China, and Turkey, where she has taught, led, and engaged in research. With a PhD in Education from Brock University, Mary holds an impressive academic background, including an MA, MEd, BEd, and a BA. Her dedication to scholarly pursuits is evident through numerous awarded grants, peer-reviewed journal publications, and collaborations across institutions.
Almash Seidikenova
Almash Seidikenova- PHD, prof. Al Farabi KazNU, post doc University of Fribourg, Switzerland 2012-2014, Visiting Scholar University of Birmingham, UK, 2022.
Kevalin Puangyokeaw Setthakorn
Thammasat Business School, Thailand
Asst. Prof. Dr Kevalin Setthakorn, Thammasat Business School (Thailand), Faculty Member, Department of International Business, Logistics and Transport.
Suzan Snaggs-Wilson
Zanary Global Partners, Canada
Dr Snaggs-Wilson: Co-founder Zanary Global Partners. Dr Snaggs-Wilson is a seasoned finance professional with 35 years of experience, excelling in leadership engagement, change management, sales effectiveness, and leading diverse and inclusive teams. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she migrated to Canada and has since dedicated herself to people development, team engagement, philanthropy, and making a positive impact. With a PhD in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto and an MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University – Halifax, Suzan holds a Personal Financial and Retirement Planning Designation and is a Certified Executive Coach with Certified Coaches Federation. An accomplished author and speaker, Suzan actively contributes to community service, demonstrating her commitment to empowering and uplifting others.
Pia Stalder
Bern University of Applied Sciences’ Business School, Switzerland
Pia Stalder is Professor for Intercultural Management at Bern University of Applied Sciences’ Business School, Institute for Marketing & Global Management.
Maria Stergiou
Movetia
Maria Stergiou graduated at the University of Zurich in arts and humanities. She earned a Master of Advanced Studies degree in cultural management from the University of Basel and has a further specialisation and lectures in ontological inquiry and leadership education. She is programme coordinator at the Swiss national agency Movetia.
Michael Sullivan
Mike Sullivan, author of Building Bridges: Can We Love & Relate in a Polarized World?, is the host of Where Are You From? A TCK Podcast. He is an intercultural consultant and researcher, engaged in U.S. government-funded research on the cultural lenses of global powers’ narratives in the Asia Pacific region.
Martina Suter
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Business
30 years of practical experience in global organisations including 4 years of leadership in Asia Pacific based in China Master of Advanced Studies in Service Marketing & Management, HSLU CAS of International Leadership & CAS of International Management, HSLU Doctor of Business Administration, HSLU & Silpakorn University (in progress)
Patricia Szobonya
SUNY Rockland Community College, USA
Program Director, faculty of Legal Studies, and the SUNY COIL Campus Coordinator. She has participated in virtual collaborations with China, Mexico, Morocco, Columbia, Dominican Republic, and South Africa. She has co-authored several publications on virtual exchange and has presented at numerous national and international conferences regarding virtual exchange collaborations.
Nuntana Udomkit
Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University, Thailand
Assoc. Prof. Dr Nuntana Udomkit, Mahidol University MUIC (Thailand), Faculty Member, International Business
Marcel van der Poel
Hanze University Groningen, Netherlands
Marcel van der Poel is a sociologist by training and currently serves as a senior lecturer and researcher in higher education. His work primarily focuses on learning about interculturality, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Yaprak Dalat Ward
Fort Hays State University, USA
Yaprak is an Associate Professor at Fort Hays State University and teaches Cultural Diversity and Educational Research. Previously, Yaprak worked at the Fulbright Commission in Türkiye, and at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy. Her research interests include cultural diversity, digital inequity and internationalisation.
Angela Weinberger
GlobalPeopleTransitions
Angela Weinberger is an entrepreneur and author with a former career in HR and is considered an expert in “Global Mobility.” To help her clients achieve their career goals, she writes self-help books based on her experience in leadership coaching, deep psychology, intercultural theory, and modern management books.
Lynn Williams
Bern University of Teacher Education, Switzerland
Lynn Williams is an experienced teacher of upper-secondary English and holds postgraduate qualifications in literature, education, assessment and tertiary education. She has been a practitioner-researcher in teacher education for nearly 15 years. Lynn’s professional interests include literary and (inter-)cultural topics in education as well as bilingualism, assessment and differentiated instruction.
Beth Yoder
University of Groningen, Netherlands
Beth Yoder’s passion is helping local talent succeed in the global arena and building inclusive organisations that benefit from their diversity. She has been doing it in some form for 30 years. Currently she works as a Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the University of Groningen and globally as a Learning and Development consultant and coach. She is a MAIR graduate and an Association for Talent Development Master Trainer and Master Instructional Designer.
Amani Charles Yokoli
Amani Charles Yokoli is a consultant-trainer and teacher-researcher. Amani runs the NGO Agir, Innover pour le Développement Durable (AIDD) in Côte d’Ivoire.
Syed Zafar
Cultural Diversity Group
Syed Zafar, author of “Crossing Cultures with Grace and Humor”, has dedicated over three decades to fostering intercultural understanding. Through 600+ presentations, spanning corporate, academic, and nonprofit realms across 11 countries. Holding an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of North Texas, Syed brings a blend of academic rigor and practical insight to his work.