Germaine Siegfried

«The only constant in the universe is change.»

(Heraclitus)

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family in the Bernese Mittelland, I was exposed from an early age to conversations about economic contexts, opportunities, uncertainties, leadership topics and the responsibility for employees. This is why I chose to study business administration and economics at the University of Bern (lic. rer. pol.).

I began my career in 1995 in Zurich at Schweizerische Bankgesellschaft (Union Bank of Switzerland). The 1998 merger that created UBS gave me the opportunity to experience pre-merger, merger and post-merger integration processes at first hand and to help shape them actively.

Today I look back on more than 25 years of national and international leadership experience in financial services, technology and consulting companies, 15 of them in executive search, most recently as a partner at schilling partners ag. As a result, I am familiar both with the strategic, cultural and operational challenges facing companies and with the personal motives, goals and expectations of candidates, and I have a deep understanding of leadership profiles and the mechanisms of dynamic labour markets.

Previously, at a Scandinavian management consultancy in Oslo (today Ramboll Management Consulting), I was responsible for strategic organisational transformations and leadership team development across various countries and cultures. At IBM I was jointly responsible for, among other things, transforming HR into a Center of Excellence, and I designed and implemented leadership development programmes. As Chief of Staff I worked closely with the CEO on strategic company-wide and HR policy initiatives, and finally, as Client Executive, I looked after a large internationally operating bank.

From my own leadership responsibility, my executive search experience and my work advising leadership teams, I know how central clarity, orientation and a shared understanding of culture, values, roles, competencies and responsibility are to lasting effectiveness.

Creating clarity, strengthening impact, shaping the future – I work in a structured and focused way while remaining empathetic, with a fine sense for nuance. I support senior executives, leaders and teams through demanding phases of decision-making and change. I also bring many years of experience in designing and accompanying phases of separation, transition and reorientation, including their organisational, cultural and human aspects. In doing so, I place particular emphasis on sharpening personal identity, on clear and effective positioning, and on using change as an opportunity.

I speak German, English and French. In my free time I enjoy being out in nature, biking or hiking, and I am also interested in art and culture.

I would be glad to speak with you in a confidential and non-binding conversation.