Meet the 28 BrainStore partners.
Alenka Bonnard
ZĂĽrich - Switzerland +41 76 776 31 36 Send email
Alenka Bonnard
As a Brainstore partner, I have participated in and organised several innovation workshops and trainings.
My previous work experience includes entrepreneurial projects (a Tea bar in Berlin in 2011) and consulting (I worked for E&Y advising clients in the financial sector to comply with the latest legislation and I helped a travel services company gain a better understanding of how online channels can help them improve their high street presence).
I have a degree in law and in public studies form the Universities of Lausanne, Sciences-Po Paris and Berlin.
In my free time I love to travel and have spent a lot of time in Asia. I have been acting in theater plays and in movies since I was six, I own a full DJ set for electronic music and I design a lot of the clothes I wear.
Alessia Balducci
Bari - Italy +39 392 098 7699 Send email
Alessia Balducci
I'm Alessia and I'm from Italy. My journey started when I first moved to NYC and then followed an unconventional path that led me to Lugano and then Bern. In Switzerland I met BrainStore and was fascinated by their approach around creativity and innovation.
I then joined Seedstars, whose mission is to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through entrepreneurship. In 2017 I relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, where I run Seedstars' operations, managing our innovation hub, delivering startup programs and events, and working with hundreds of entrepreneurs. During this time I also spearheaded the launch of a new hub in Lagos.
More recently I've been working with international media companies, as I deeply believe in the power of representation in shaping society for the better. I am now based in Amsterdam, working as a freelance looking to create a positive impact.
I'm a bit of a nomad. Whenever possible I travel to visit friends around the world and enjoy adventures in nature.
Ann-Cathrin Scheider
Bremerhaven - Deutschland +49 176 2285 08 40 Send email
Ann-Cathrin Scheider
I live in Bremerhaven in Germany and I am a Brainstore partner and Innovation Champ.
In everything I do I profit from my past working and academic experiences. Besides my degree in Tourism & Cruise Management and International Business, I have gained experience in the tourism and media industry. If you want to know more about my working experiences, please check my LinkedIn https://de.linkedin.com/in/ann-cathrin-scheider-2b548731.
What really matters is our character, so I will tell you a bit about me as a person to conclude this short biography.
I am a calm, responsible, diplomatic and stress resistant person, who loves to laugh.
My favourite quote is "There are only two ways to live your life; one is though nothing is a miracle. The other is though everything is a miracle" by Albert Einstein.
I believe in miracles!
Blai Carandell Saladich
Barcelona - Spain +34 661169995 Send email
Blai Carandell Saladich
Welcome to BARCELONA Blai Brainstore, your shop for Barcelona to get it done.
I am also currently co-founder and partner at NOBA Ventures, where we help customers design new businesses customers will care about. I have co-founded two other startups: Musicotec is an event organising platform, going on strong with 25,000 active users and Ôasys with which we raised 350,000€ of seed capital and successfully entered an accelerating phase at Europe's leading accelerator, Startupbootcamp. We have entered and won several pitching competitions.
My passions include music and running. I have co-written music for INDITEX, TV2 and Henkel and have finished 4 marathons in Barcelona, San Francisco and Paris.
Shoot me an email at blai.carandell@brainstore.com and drop by the shop to talk innovation, music, sports or economics, and of course, to Get. It. Done.!
Ella Mettler
Biel/Bienne - Switzerland Send email
Ella Mettler
My name is Ella. I was born in 2002 and I live in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
I spent a good time of my childhood playing in the BrainStore Idea Factory and I join tons of workshops when I knew how walk and talk.
I attended BrainStore trainings in NYC and Switzerland.
I enjoy working with the Idea Machine because every participant can be creative and unique.
I realy enjoy photography, filmmaking and blogging. I love to travel.
I'm interested in joining projects with interesting communities, cool topics and good music.
If you want me on your team: hit me up!
Fabian Reuteler
Gamprin - Liechtenstein +423 791 44 11 Send email
Fabian Reuteler
Fabian war von Kindesbeinen an fasziniert davon, Menschen zusammen zu bringen, um eine gute Zeit zu haben. So war es früh klar, dass er irgendwo im Dunstkreis von Events und Kulturveranstaltungen landen würde und „irgendwas mit Medien“ zu machen, war von da auch nicht weit.
Verschiedene Stationen auf seiner Reise haben ihn zu Aufgaben als Konzepter, Produktionsleiter, Regisseur, Produzent und Aufnahmeleiter bei Events, TV-Shows und in Kulturbetrieben gefĂĽhrt. Auch hat er diverse Eventprojekte im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit beraten und ist Nachhaltigkeitsverantwortlicher bei seinem aktuellen Arbeitgeber.
Als Gesamtprojektleiter der Feierlichkeiten zu 300 Jahre Fürstentum Liechtenstein durfte er gemeinsam mit hunderten Freiwilligen im Rahmen der Reihe „Mein Liechtenstein 2039“ mit der Brainstore Ideenmaschine zukunftsträchtige Ideen für das Land suchen. Dies hat ihn so überzeugt, dass er 2020 mit Freude Teil des Partnernetzwerkes geworden ist.
Florence Croizier
Teufen - Schweiz +41 77 415 53 45 Send email
Florence Croizier
Florence Croizier, born in 1981, studied the German language and literature, Nordic studies, and environmental sciences in Zurich, Basel, and ReykjavĂk.
Passionate about unconventional ways to work successfully in teams and discovering unknown-unknowns together with other people.
As BrainStore partner, she has carried out more than 30 innovation projects in various industries over the last 3 years. She has also worked as a tour guide and translator.
Florence likes to let the wind blow through her hair – preferably on a sailing boat– and is not afraid of nights in tents at -20° Celsius.
Julia Kuhn
Biel - Schweiz +41 79 443 07 79 Send email
Julia Kuhn
Mein Name ist Julia ich bin bald 37 Jahre alt und ich lebe in Biel in der Schweiz.
Studiert habe ich Industrial Design und gearbeitet habe ich bisher als Design Berater für Ingenieure, als Idea Producer in über 250 Ideen Projekten, als Querdenker in über 100 Ideenprojekten, als Human Centered Design Consultant für die Swisscom im Bereich Privatkunden, als Designer in mehrere Upcycling Projekten und jetzt bin ich selbständig als Innovationskuratorin.
FĂĽr BrainStore arbeite ich seid 2004 als Freelancer, Festangestellte und jetzt als BrainStore Partner.
Kristian Austin
Buffalo NY - USA +1 347-571-3745 Send email
Kristian Austin
Kristian Austin has been working in film and video since the early 90's. Educated at Tisch School of the Arts; he subsequently worked a series of internships into a career in advertising and film/video production.
Kristian has been a BrainStore Partner since 2014 and is currently developing a new branch of BrainStore in Buffalo, NY.
As Co-Director of Z Collective Kristian's video art has been featured at the Festival for Ideas for the New City at the New Museum, Queens Museum of Art, Flavorpill's One Step Beyond at the Museum of Natural History, ABC No Rio's annual Idea of March Exhibition, the Contemporary Art Center in Naples, Italy, as a part of Periferias 2008 in Huesca, Spain, Art Tech Media 2008 in Cordoba, Spain and the Sonic Self Series at the Chelsea Art Museum, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the National Art Gallery ...
Luca Weber
Bern - Schweiz +41 79 540 19 20 Send email
Luca Weber
Raised in the beautiful Malcantone region of Ticino, Switzerland, Luca moved to Bern to study cultural psychology. In 2000, he took his first steps in innovation with BrainStore and, perhaps more importantly for him, got to know the Brompton folding bike. After BrainStore, Luca worked for Sunrise and Health Promotion Switzerland in the field of health at work. However, he has not forgotten BrainStore. In 2013, he even became Swiss champion in the Brompton folding competition. Today Luca has his own company Smiling and works as a partner of BrainStore.
Luc Schindelholz
Vendlincourt - Switzerland +41 79 201 92 65 Send email
Luc Schindelholz
Journaliste, coproducteur de courts métrages avec le Québec, enseignant, formateur, directeur des services culture/sport/jeunesse/affaires sociales/fondateur d'une académie de Dj's et d'un magasin de jeux vidéos entre autres, conseiller en crowdfunding et passionné par l'innovation je parle français, allemand, anglais, italien et un tout peu polonais.
Journalist, DJ, canadian short movies producer, Teacher, primary School Chairman, Head of Sports+Culture+Social Affairs+Youth, video games shop founder, DJ Academy founder, guitarist and drummer. Speak french, italian, English, deutsch and a little polish.
Marc (mäk) Segmüller
Bern - Switzerland +41 79 936 74 08 Send email
Marc (mäk) Segmüller
FrĂĽhling 2016
Praktikum DwarfsandGiants, Wien
Unternehmensberatung im Bereich Selbstorganisation und selbstverwaltung
FrĂĽhling 2015
Kaospilots, Kapstadt
FĂĽhrung der Outpost Organisation (50 Ma)
September 2009 – Juni 2013
Abraxas Informatik AG, St. Gallen
Systemadministrator
September 2011 – Juni 2012
Teamwork Schweiz AG, Bern
Subcontractor bei der IT Post
CCC SAP, SAP Junior Consultant
AUSBILDUNG
September 2013 - 2016
KaosPilots Schweiz, Bern
sozial Entrepreneurship
• Creative Business Design
• Creative Leadership Design
• Creative Project Design
• Creative Process Design
2005 -2009
Lernzentren LfW, Heerbrugg SG
Ausbildung zum Informatiker bei
Leica Geosystems AG
Marcus Selzer
Gunten - Schweiz +41797982954 Send email
Marcus Selzer
Sales is in my DNA. 17 years in different sales functions in the insurance industry.
I have gained my experience in the SME, as well as in the international environment.
For me, selling means figuring out what my customers really want and then tailoring my solution exactly to that. Close to the customer and their needs - far away from pure product sales.
In 2018, there was a turning point in my life. I decided to be a consultant and sales coach and since then I have been addressing the topics of "purpose, values and mindset" in sales.
Which event in Cambodia in 2018 turned my life upside down? Feel free to ask me. Preferably over an espresso :)
Follow the link for further information about me:
www.linkedin.com/in/marcusselzer
Mark Strähl
Zurich - Switzerland +41 79 826 18 68 Send email
Mark Strähl
Mark, born 1972, grew up in Biel Bienne Switzerland. He graduated with a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management from Hotel School of Lausanne in 2000 and specialized in Project- and Eventmanagement since.
He worked in the BrainStore in 2001 in the Idea-production team and freelanced as a facilitator for the creative workshops and think-tanks for many years all over the world.
He speaks german, french, english and spanish, is known for his open spirit and his fast comprehension of complex situations. He also stands for a service oriented mindset and for always energizing the team involved.
Today Mark manages his own agency KomVent GmbH in ZĂĽrich, which is specialized in offering services and coaching in the field of communication and events.
In the close future Mark will focus again more on coaching individuals and companies, on escorting innovation processes as well as on enhancing creative culture and producing fresh and brilliant ideas within the BrainStore.
Markus Mettler
Biel/Bienne - Switzerland +41 79 400 5220 Send email
Markus Mettler
BrainStore's founder Markus was born in 1966 and grew up in Switzerland's Eastern part. In 1989 he successfully discontinued his economics studies at the University of Geneva and became an entrepreneur.
His vision: decipher the DNA of innovation and develop scalable, robust, replicable processes to produce and implement ideas.
Markus has worked on more than 1'000 innovation projects - his customer list includes BMW, Unilever, the Swiss Government, BASF, Greenpeace, the National Academy, and many start-up companies.
Markus has lectured at Cornell University, Creative Mornings, IBM, the University of Geneva, etc.
Markus is the author of the book “The Innovator's Handbook.” Markus lives in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, and enjoys time in Brooklyn hanging out in nice cafés, thinking about life, meeting interesting people, and preparing for new adventures.
Phone +41 79 400 5220
Marnie Knorr
Bremerhaven - Germany +49 176 456 834 29 Send email
Marnie Knorr
Most of the time I love my life and am passionate about exploring creative universes.
I am selfemployed in collective creativity facilitation under the working name OroMorO, where I also use brainstore methods.
In the past I opened www.ichlehe.es – a local community platform for ideas for public spaces + workshops where we use and invent creative methods to build up a database of solutions and involving habitants in urban planning. Thus I am into public participation.
I am also interested in Scrum, Agile and Design Thinking. I used to work for an IT incubator in Spain, where I first got into touch with these principles.
Other key words: motivating people, creativity, intuition, giving new impulses, team dynamics, stamina, empathy, Innovation Management (MSc), scrum certified, travelling, startups, startup weekend
Happy to hear from you! <3
Milena Rutz
Thun - Switzerland +41 78 743 21 78 Send email
Milena Rutz
Born in 1986 in Switzerland's Wild East I grew up with an insatiable sense of curiosity and a lot of questions. Later on, as a graduated psychologist, I began a journey that eventually led me to a first encounter with BrainStore in 2007. After three years of full-time work in the idea production on more than 60 different topics I continued my liaison with the idea factory on a freelance basis located at the lake of Thun. Since then I have been working there as idea accomplice (Ideenkomplizin) in various roles and projects. Furthermore, I research and teach at the FHNW in the field of applied psychology and innovation and, as a UX Researcher, I bring this knowledge to digital product development at Apps with love and to the classrooms of the ZHdK and the Schule fĂĽr Gestaltung in Bern. And now, let's play the idea game together!
Millie Smith
Brooklyn - USA +1 (646) 875-1628 Send email
Millie Smith
Millie joined BrainStore in 2015. Prior to joining BrainStore, she led a career as a Strategic Planner and Project Manager. She has over 15 years of operations experience and has led the implementation of small to large-scale projects ranging from service delivery design, system administration, metrics design, and compliance.
One day in a cafe, a stranger asked her to describe my ideal job and she responded that she helps people find exciting ideas everyday. He introduced her to BrainStore and she joined the network of awesome entrepreneurs.
Nadja Schnetzler
Biel/Bienne - Schweiz +41792511156 Send email
Nadja Schnetzler
Nadja is one of BrainStore's co-founders and a BrainStore partner. She has been involved with BrainStore since 1989 and has conducted or participated in over 2'000 projects for companies around the globe.
Nadja's purpose:
I clear the path to create impact that will move us all forward. To grow something big I start with a small seed.
I am passionate about the following:
- facilitating meaningful conversations
- enabling robust decision-making processes
- making purpose work for individuals, teams and organisations.
I get to know these topics like a new language, practice them with others and, with the emerging practice, enable people in different settings to work together in a way that includes everyone, generates joy, mutual understanding, and results that everyone supports.
Nemo Mettler
Biel/Bienne - Schweiz Send email
Nemo Mettler
I wasn't born at the expected day
They wanted me early, but I came late.
I grew up in Biel/Bienne City.
And my favourite animals, are black kitties.
I played the violine to gain some cash,
But the songs I played then, sounded like trash.
Now I'm more in to jazz and rap,
But that could change one day perhaps.
I'm producing music for cool people,
Rappers, Radio, we could go deeper.
If you need ideas or a nice chilled jingle,
Or a cool beat for an upoming single.
Come by :)
Rajen Parekh
Philadelphia - United States +1 973 796-6572 Send email
Rajen Parekh
I am an artist/writer/filmmaker/humanitarian aid worker who aspires to create beauty without creating ugliness.
I served with the United Nations in the South Caucasus, with the International Organization for Migration in Iraq and Afghanistan, with FEMA after several natural disasters, and with several small ngos after the tsunami.
I joined the Brainstore Team because I am passionate about problem solving, innovation and delighting customers.
I live in Philadelphia with the Imaginator and two cats named Pig & Hope. I also have a flat in Pondicherry in South India.
Reto Nägelin
- Switzerland Send email
Reto Nägelin
For heaven's sake! It is time to make the world a better place!
Christians should believe freely, people should live relevantly,
churches should encourage and organizations should make sense!
This is my mission.I train heavenly do-gooders, help people believe liberated and support churches to become relevant:
As a speaker I broaden horizons and open new perspectives.
As a trainer I develop your potential and help you to overcome your hurdles.
As a change manager I support churches to develop a culture of innovation and to be a relevant church.
www.himmelnochmal.ch
Saeid Khak Rah Ale Mohammad
Tehran - Iran +989356676861 Send email
Saeid Khak Rah Ale Mohammad
I am a BrainStore partner with more than 20 years of global professional & facilitation experience helping individual and businesses unlock their potential through co-creating & executing fresh ideas that enrich personal and company life.
Education:business administration
Degree:B.A,M.A,Doctorate
Universities:Isfahan,Tehran,Jochi,Keio,Takachiho
Teaching:human resources management,strategic management
Positions:system developer,business developer,HR executive
Industries:automative,steel,retail,financial services,telecommunication,toys
Companies:Saipa,Zobe-ahan,BIC,Daiei,NEC,MTN,Lego
Projects:myIlab,InnoStation,KnowledgeCafe,InnoGallery,TalkTime,InnoPortal,COS,TopIdea,CustomerVoice,BrickApp
Associations:ISPIM,LSP Pro,AIN,IKMS
Facilitation:leading change/innovation/happiness, advantage/LegoSeriousPlay/team building
Countries:Iran,Japan,South Africa,China,Denmark
Languages:Persian,Japanese,English
Hobby:Kyudo,ecotourism
I strongly believe in happiness first then success!
Samuel Aschwanden
Biel - CH +41 77 225 75 88 Send email
Samuel Aschwanden
In 2014, at the age of 14, I participated in a BrainStore workshop for the first time. Since then, BrainStore has never quite let me go. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to participate in and contribute to a wide variety of projects.
Today I study medicine at the University of Bern. For more than a year now, I’ve been also working particularly close with Markus Mettler. The spectrum of the activities ranging from preparation and support in workshops to PA work and the conception of new tools and processes. When I'm not engaging with BrainStore or investigating the mysteries of the human body, you'll probably find me by the lake with a good book or sipping a flat white or chai latte in my favourite coffee shop.
Sara Hofmann
Biel - Schweiz +41 79 225 16 93 Send email
Sara Hofmann
Grew up on the shores of Lake Biel and has always been a passionate water sportswoman. Attended the bilingual high school Alpenstrasse in Biel, studied sports science and business administration in Bern, further education in association management and later she has worked as an NPO consultant. Today she is professionally involved in the promotion of pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the city of Bern, and is also a BrainStore Partner for "projects of the heart". In addition: Curiosity and the joy of discovery draw me into the outdoors, ice flowers and snow stars into the cold.
Stefan Einig
koblenz/germany - +4917653136398 Send email
Stefan Einig
I am working as a changemanager in germany and a curently trying to become a brainstore partner.
Stefan Hugenmatter
Zurich - Switzerland +41 76 502 27 67 Send email
Stefan Hugenmatter
Hi, I am Stefan.
I was born close to Zurich in 1986. After completing my studies in Economics I was working several years for a various of multinational companies as customer relations manager and sales representative.
I mostly liked interactions with the team and customers. To understand the person sitting in front of you is satisfactory and get people connected. Then finding new solutions is much more fun, successful and gives a positive feeling of creating together.
I am interested in working with groups of people, discovering and striking out in new directions.
Between 2020 and 2022 I travelled around the world and EU with my family and was running out of regular structures for a while - certainly a very inspiring period of time. At BrainStore and with the team I feel having the power not only to creat new innovations but also turn meaningful ideas into reality.