Award Night

Diversity. Exchange. Gala.

The Swiss Diversity Awards Nights 2023 will be particularly colorful and reflect the diversity of the guests. In addition to the winners of the Swiss Diversity Awards, a live music program with a variety of musicians and artists awaits us.

On
September 09, 2023, Swiss personalities and projects will be honored for the 5th time for their commitment in the areas of diversity and inclusion with the Swiss Diversity Award. In addition to the award ceremony, the event in the Kursaal Bern also offered an extraordinary supporting program.
The categories in which the winners will be awarded are "LGBTQ+", "Gender", "Age", "Impairment", "Education and Social Origin", "Nationality and Ethnic Origin" and "Religion and Worldview" . In addition, two special awards are presented: The "Allianz Lifetime Award" honors a personality for their life's work, and the "Swisscom Entrepreneurship Award" honors a D&I business idea with potential and scalability.

The next Swiss Diversity Award Night will take place on 09 September 2023 at the Kursaal Bern.

Program on 09 September 2023

17:00

Apéro Foyer and Red Carpet

17:45

Doors Open

18:00

Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Opening
Music Act
Award: Gender
Award: Age
Award: LGBTQI+

Appetizer

Music Act
Award: Nationality & Ethnicity
Award: Disability
Award: Religion & Spirituality

Main Course

Music Act
Award: Education & Social Background
Special Award: Development Award

Dessert

Swisscom Entrepreneurship Award
Allianz Lifetime Award
Closing

23:00

Swiss Diversity Lounge, with JTI, Gelati Gasparini and live sounds by pureglowradio.com resident DJs

Secure your tickets now for the Swiss Diversity Award Night on September 09, 2023 !

To the Ticket Shop

Nominations

Tim Meier

LGBTQ+ education for wwwerkschau

What does diversity mean to me?
Diversity means to me that there should be room for everyone in society and that the same opportunities are possible for everyone. Furthermore, diversity means for me an enrichment of society.

What sets me apart from others in the field of diversity?
The will to set something in motion and to give 100% commitment in order to arrive at the best possible solution. In addition, I use my human-centred approach to ensure that this solution is created in such a way that it fits into the social system and also makes sense.

What would it mean to me to win the award?
Winning the award would mean a lot to me because I put a lot of time and effort into the work and it is important to me to raise the issue and get a discussion going.

Tim Meier

LGBTQ+ education for wwwerkschau

What does diversity mean to me?
Diversity means to me that there should be room for everyone in society and that the same opportunities are possible for everyone. Furthermore, diversity means for me an enrichment of society.

What sets me apart from others in the field of diversity?
The will to set something in motion and to give 100% commitment in order to arrive at the best possible solution. In addition, I use my human-centred approach to ensure that this solution is created in such a way that it fits into the social system and also makes sense.

What would it mean to me to win the award?
Winning the award would mean a lot to me because I put a lot of time and effort into the work and it is important to me to raise the issue and get a discussion going.

Music Acts

The Artist in the Background & Guests

At this year's Swiss Diversity Awards, we would like to tell you the story of a woman who has shared the stage with greats such as Celine Dion or Phil Collins, who has co-composed and written the lyrics for the most successful albums, and who has also always supported many Swiss stars musically and vocally. She loves the background and anonymity. For one evening, we turn the spotlight on her and put her and her guests in the spotlight.

Carmen Lopez-Sway

As Aunt Carmen, Carmen Lopes Sway brings a lot of joy and lightness to children's everyday lives with her musical children's theatre. She takes the children on a bus ride with Jimmy Brumm. Among other things, Aunt Carmen's stories deal with the diversity of people. The children are taken on a colourful journey while singing, dancing and playing. The songs as well as the programme "Busfahrt mit de Tante Carmen" are based on an educational background. It conveys diversity and inclusion among the children in a playful way.

Reyn Turner & the Swiss Diversity Band

A born showman, Reyn hails from the sunny shores of South Africa and lights up the stage as a singer and actor, combining his passion for music with his love of entertainment. In 2012, he followed his heart to Switzerland and has quickly established himself in the arts and culture industry. www.reynturner.ch

Moderation

Patricia Boser

Patricia Boser started as a presenter at Radio 24 on 13 March 1989. With her spontaneous manner and her unmistakable voice, she took the hearts of listeners by storm. Patricia Boser became known throughout Switzerland, however, when she joined Tele Züri in 1994. Now her television career began. In the programme "Züri Date" she brought lonely hearts together for eight years - and became the "matchmaker of the nation". Since 1996, Patricia Boser has been visiting national and international celebrities in their own homes as part of "Lifestyle" on Tele Züri, Tele M1, Tele Bärn and Tele 1.Patricia Boser has repeatedly championed the topics of diversity, equity & inclusion not only in her Lifestyle programme. We thank her warmly for this commitment and look forward to welcoming her at this year's Swiss Diversity Awards.

Jury & Nominations 2023

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander

Gudrun Sander is a titular professor of business administration with a special focus on diversity management. She completed her PhD (Dr. oec. HSG) at the University of St. Gallen in 1997. In 1998, she received the recognition award of the Swiss Society for Organization and Management (SGO) for her dissertation. Gudrun Sander is director of the Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) and director of the Research Center for International Management at the University of St. Gallen. For three decades she has been committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in research, practice, teaching and continuing education.

Ellen Kocher

Ellen Kocher is an economist and certified workplace wellness consultant with a master's degree in Health & Wellness Coaching. Ellen has been dedicated to workplace wellness for over 20 years. Most recently, Ellen's work has focused on the 50+ age group and the 5-generation workforce, espousing the slogan "Don't grow old waiting!".

Damien Cottier

Damien Cottier is a Swiss politician. He was elected to the National Council in 2019 for the FDP. A former chief of staff to Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, he was a member of the Neuchâtel cantonal parliament from 1997 to 2008, parliamentary group president of the FDP (2001-2005) and vice president of the Neuchâtel FDP (2009-2012). In 2022, he was elected parliamentary group president of the FDP Switzerland.

Vanessa Grand

Vanessa Grand, a name that has long since found its place in the folk music and pop scene. Born with a handicap, it is now a normality for the singer to stand on stage in a wheelchair. Her musical vita is worth reading, which shows successes such as: Countless live performances at home and abroad, open airs, victory to the Musikantenkönigin and production of 6 successful albums.

Bruno Barth

Bruno Barth has been Managing Director/National Director of Special Olympics Switzerland since 2011. Special Olympics creates space for encounters and conveys values of diversity and inclusion.

Hans-Peter Nehmer

Hans-Peter Nehmer is Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability at Allianz Suisse. Communication defines his life: "It is the link between us people, allows us to understand each other," says Hans-Peter Nehmer. His motto: "Use every communication as an opportunity!"

Beatrice Simon

Beatrice Simon was elected to the Bernese Government Council on March 28, 2010 and has headed the Finance Directorate since June 1, 2010. She was elected President of the Bernese Government for the 2016/2017 and 2021/2022 term of office.

Christoph Stuehn

Christoph Stuehn is vice director of the Kunsthaus Zürich. Since its expansion in 2020, the Kunsthaus Zürich is the largest art museum in Switzerland.

Aleks Damchevski

Aleks Damchevski has made it his mission to make the world a better place. The world we live in, the world we work in. The way we lead and the way we are led. As a Diversity & Inclusion executive with more than 10 years of international experience in Digital and HR, Aleks brings a unique, human perspective to create a more inclusive society.

Jury - role in nominations

An independent jury will select the winner of the Swiss Diversity Award from the projects submitted to Swiss Diversity in the categories Gender Equality, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Age Diversity, Disability, Socioeconomic Status and Cultural Inclusion.

Download detailed document (PDF)

Nominate now companies, organizations, NGOs, projects and individuals

Nominations can be submitted until 21.04.2023.

Nominate now

The OC 2023

Sabina Brägger, Design

As a designer, I often find myself in an uncomfortable predicament. On the one hand, I want to realize my visions of new products, on the other hand, I am bothered by the lack of awareness of consumers regarding the origin and the often questionable nature of production. It is a difficult balancing act for me to expand the market with my ideas and at the same time to avoid the wasteful use of resources. How can I still survive as a designer in the market? And what contribution can I make to sustainability? For this reason, I see the solution for me in working with leftover materials. I would like to locate unused materials, which would otherwise no longer find a use, develop them further and make them usable for product design.

Fernanda Wüthrich, Swiss Diversity Ambassador Latin America

Communication scientist, accredited business mediator and expert in intercultural communication.

Simone Müller-Staubli, Food & Beverage

Entrepreneur in gastronomy as well as hotel and communication expert

Stephan Lendi, overall management

Stephan Lendi is a moderator, journalist and speaker. For 20 years he has moderated national and international events, as well as TV formats and podcasts. After a law degree and an MBA in global marketing and global communications, he decided to train as a mediator at Harvard Law School. He has been involved in promoting diversity & inclusion for many years, including through the association Swiss Diversity, which builds bridges between the various diversity & inclusion fields.

More about Stephan Lendi at www.slendi.ch and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/slendi

Reyn Ffoulkes, Entertainment

A born showman, Reyn hails from the sunny shores of South Africa and lights up the stage as a singer and actor, combining his passion for music with his love of entertainment. In 2012, he followed his heart to Switzerland and quickly established himself in the arts and culture industry. Before coming to Switzerland, Reyn performed in several professional musical theatre productions and was an official artist at international events. During his career in Switzerland, he has appeared in several television commercials and local musicals, and was recently a contestant on The Voice of Switzerland.

Thomas Thommen

"Be yourself the change you wish to see in this world" by Mahatma Gandhi

A fitting saying that perfectly describes my life until now. My career has been as colorful and turbulent as this earth is. From confectioner to dramaturge (Theater Basel) and some more, I slipped over the family business quickly into the self-employment of the dipl. med. masseur to the successful founder and managing director of rainbowshop.ch. Private life: Married for years to my husband, with whom I enjoy love and life to the fullest despite my physical limitations and remain curious and open to new things. Live and respect your life. It is short and precious.

Simone Aemmer, Allrounder & Hotels

With my commitment and my work, I would like to contribute to ensuring that every person has a place in our society where they are respected and can develop. I pursue this goal both in my free time for Swiss Diversity and in my intended career field of diversity management and internal communications. I believe that diversity is not only a value in itself, but also a critical success factor for companies and organizations. I strive to ensure that we all have the opportunity to reach our full potential in our society and especially in the workplace, regardless of gender, origin, age, sexual orientation or other characteristics."

Achim Schäpper, live direction

Marketing & Communication Specialist

Review Award Night 2022

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