Marie-Helene Blanchet Zumofen is from Cully/Lurty (VD). She was born and raised in Geneva until she moved to Lausanne for her PhD.

Along her career, she moved to Vancouver, Basel and New York. She came back to Basel 2015 and in January 2021 moved again to New York where she now resides.

Marie-Helene works in Global Access at Hoffmann-La Roche as a Global Access Evidence Lead since January 2019. Prior, she worked for the Swiss affiliate in Reinach, where she worked as a Strategy Project Manager on biosimilars within the sales/marketing team. Marie-Helene’s career in the industry also includes 10 years in Product Development (clinical trials). She holds a PhD from the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) now part of the Swiss Polytechnical School of Lausanne (EPFL) and an MBA from Cornell University, New York.

Besides volunteering for the SSNY, Marie-Helene enjoys contemporary arts, traveling the world, food, dance and yoga.

She lived in Long Island City, NY with her Walliser husband and Basler son.

Tamara who goes by the name Tammy was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to an American mother and Swiss father, and was raised in Rombach, a small village near Aarau in Switzerland. She holds dual citizenship.

Tammy is a corporate associate with the law firm of Wuersch & Gering LLP in New York City. She graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Law from the University of Zurich and a J.D. from Tulane Law School in New Orleans. Upon her graduation from Tulane in 2023, she moved from the “Big Easy” to the “Big Apple”. 

She now lives in Manhattan together with her boyfriend Michel and their two Pomeranians, Poppy and Daisy. She loves exploring the city, walking her dogs in Central Park, visiting family and friends in Switzerland and Louisiana and volunteering for the Swiss Society. The Swiss Society gives her this invaluable opportunity to connect both of her backgrounds and to meet people who are equally interested in upholding the Swiss traditions from back home.

She joined the Swiss Society as Secretary in 2023.

Linda grew up in Amriswil and lived in a small village at the lake of Constance before she moved to New York City in summer 2021 and gained foothold in the US market. She obtained her Bachelor in Business Administration at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. After graduating and working as an Operations Manager on the academia side for a few years, she went to California to expand her expertise and skillset in Event Management and Hospitality through an academic program at SDSU and worked part-time for an Event Agency in San Diego. Back in Switzerland, she was working as a Corporate Sales Manager for an American MNE in the hospitality industry. As she has always worked within highly customer-oriented companies, it lies in her DNA to set highest standards when it comes to developing and fostering valuable long-term relationships. Her professional expertise covers a wide spectrum on the academia, the hospitality as well as the governmental side.

Linda is a people’s person and enjoys connecting with people around the world, has a curious and open mindset and is very passionate about food, wine, hotels & designs. She therefore likes exploring new and hidden gems in New York City’s cultural melting pot.

Linda currently resides in Long Island City and joined the team in November 2022. She has always been interested in Swiss endeavors worldwide and is eager to contribute to SSNY’s future success stories.

Martina was born and raised in a small village near Olten. She studied Human Resources at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern (FHNW), earning a bachelor's degree in HR Management. After over a decade in HR leadership roles, including as Head of HR and a member of the Executive Board, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling the world. This life-changing 13-month journey deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and concluded with a surprise visit to her husband in NYC in 2018.

With a strong people-first mindset and a desire to empower others, Martina transitioned from HR to coaching, founding her own coaching business in 2021. She specializes in leadership and executive coaching, partnering with senior leaders and executives from Fortune 100 and top-tier tech companies to drive transformative personal and professional growth.

Martina is the proud mom of an adorable daughter and loves spending time with her family outdoors. She is passionate about traveling, exploring new cultures, and trying diverse cuisines. Together with her Walliser husband and their daughter, she embraces the incredible adventure of life in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

In 2024, she joined the Swiss Society of New York as an Independent Director. Martina is eager to contribute to the community and support fellow Swiss expats as they navigate their own journeys.

Thierry grew up in a small village near Romont in the canton of Fribourg.
After 10 years in Supply Chain at Cartier in Villars-sur-Glâne, he packed his bags and moved to Munich in 2017, taking on a new adventure as a Merchandising Manager for Northern Europe. In 2021, he made a longtime dream come true—moving to the U.S. to join Cartier North America where he is responsible for Jewelry Supply Chain.
Outside of work, Thierry loves traveling, discovering new cultures (and their food!), catching a Broadway musical or play, and staying active with Les Mills BodyPump classes. Now calling Manhattan home, he joined SSNY in 2022 and is excited to be part of the community, meet new people, and contribute to meaningful initiatives.

Maria is from a small village near Aarau. Upon graduating with her Matura, she moved to New York to work full-time as a professional fashion model, where she walked New York Fashion Week for several seasons. After a few years in the city, she returned to Switzerland to pursue her academic interests and graduated from the University of Zurich with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Mathematics. She eventually moved back to New York to complete her Master's degree at Columbia University. Today, she works in risk management at a joint venture between a tech firm and a hedge fund.

In her private life, Maria enjoys traveling, speaks five languages and is currently learning Spanish. She plays tennis, practices yoga and enjoys skiing in the winter. She has been part of the organizing committee of a charity ball in New York City for the past couple of years and volunteers for an organization that helps people in the city who are at risk of social vulnerability.

She joined the Swiss Society as an Independent Director in 2023, and took on the role of Treasurer mid 2025.

Gretchen Mathews joined The Swiss Society in March 2025 as the Vice President of Sponsorship where she is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with corporate and individual sponsors to secure financial and in-kind support for the Society’s programs and events.

Currently she is the chief executive officer at Apa Aesthetic, leading the organization through a pivotal phase of growth and organizational.

Before her time at Apa Aesthetic, Gretchen amassed more than two decades of experience in human resources, retail, and talent management. She held senior leadership roles at Tourneau | Bucherer, including Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Retail, where she served as part of the executive team under Leonard Green & Partners’ ownership. In that capacity, she helped guide the company through a significant period of transformation and played an integral role in the successful transaction and sale of the business. Earlier, she was with Camuto Group, where she led talent management for the Vince Camuto brand, and she also served as Director of Human Resources at Michael Kors. Her early career included talent acquisition, organizational development, visual merchandising, buying and allocations roles at Caleres, Inc. and American Eagle Outfitters, providing a strong foundation in people operations across diverse business models and growth stages.

Gretchen brings that same drive for purpose to her past and current board work. She also serves on the Board of the New York Center for Children, contributing to governance and strategic planning for child protection and support services.

Nicolas is a native of Zurich who moved to New York in 2025. By joining the Swiss Society, he is continuing a long family tradition: his grandparents were members of the Swiss Club in Madrid, his great-grandparents belonged to the Swiss community in Paris, and as far back as the 1850s, his ancestors were active in London’s Ticinese society.

With family roots in several regions of Switzerland, Nicolas is fluent in German, French, and English, and also speaks some Italian and Spanish.

Before moving to New York, he spent most of his life in Erlenbach, just outside Zurich. He studied mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich and began his career working in software startups.

Outside of work, Nicolas is an avid sailor, skier, and cyclist.

If there is one thing he would bring from Zurich to New York, it would be the clean water that makes it possible to jump in for a swim whenever the weather turns hot.

Sarah Malli holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from FHNW and a Master’s in Marketing from ZHAW. Before becoming self-employed, she gained valuable experience working for various national and international companies in Switzerland and spent time living and working in Paris, further enriching her global perspective. Today, she helps startups and small to medium-sized businesses navigate the world of marketing, from strategy to execution.

An avid explorer, Sarah enjoys discovering the hidden gems of Manhattan and embracing the city's endless diversity. Her curiosity and openness to new experiences have led her to travel across the globe, from India to China and Australia, broadening her cultural perspective along the way.

As an Independent Director of the Swiss Society of New York, she is excited to contribute her expertise and network to strengthen the bond within the Swiss community in New York.

Samuel is a hospitality professional with a genuine passion for the hotel industry and community. He is from a Swiss family rooted in Lutry. He graduated from Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration in 2021, where he developed a deep interest in the business side of hospitality.

Along his career, Samuel has worked in New York across hospitality and real estate, gaining experience in analyzing acquisitions and supporting hotel operations. He is currently based in New York, where he works as a Revenue Analyst at HHM Hotels. Beyond his day job, Samuel is deeply committed to giving back—he mentors young people at Camp Chateaugay, serves as Treasurer of the Swiss Society of New York, and co-chairs the Cornell Hotel Society's Young Alumni group, staying connected to the hospitality community he loves.

Samuel is driven by meaningful work, building connections, and supporting others in the hospitality world. Whether through his professional roles or volunteer work, he brings genuine care and enthusiasm to everything he does.

Samuel Willy is a Swiss-born hospitality and advocacy leader with a genuine passion for experiential marketing, premium spirits, and human connection.

His career has taken him from luxury hotels and award-winning bars across South Africa, London, and New York to leading national advocacy programs for some of the world's most respected spirits companies. Known for his energy, creativity, and collaborative leadership style, Samuel is passionate about transforming bold ideas into memorable experiences that inspire both the trade and consumers. Whether developing innovative programs, mentoring teams, or sharing stories about tequila, he believes the most meaningful moments happen when unforgettable experiences bring brands and communities together.

Fluent in French and English, with working proficiency in German, Samuel is driven by community, culture, and storytelling. He has built his career on creating authentic connections and turning ambitious ideas into lasting memories.

Sandro grew up in the suburbs of Zurich, but still insists that no skyline can compete with the Swiss Alps.

He studied in Winterthur, Tallinn, Bangkok, and New York and has built a career spanning more than 20 years in corporate banking and investment management. Having travelled extensively and lived abroad, he returned to New York in early 2026 and now calls Brooklyn home. 

When he's not working with numbers or taking care of his clients, you'll likely find him exploring the outdoors, playing soccer with the Swiss Soccer Club of New York City, or sipping an ice-cold martini in a low-lit Manhattan bar. He's happiest when he's active, discovering new places, and surrounded by great people.

As Treasurer of the Swiss Society of New York, Sandro is delighted to once again be part of the city's vibrant Swiss community. He looks forward to supporting the Society's mission and helping strengthen the Swiss community throughout the Greater New York area.

Ambassador Niculin Jäger, Consul General of Switzerland was born in Chur, canton of Grisons. He entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2002, where he worked first at the Integration Office, which is in charge of the relations with the European Union, followed by a posting as attaché in Mexico City.

In 2004, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Head of Mission to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, with residence in Tbilisi. Back in Switzerland he led the Section for Cultural Foreign Policy in Bern, followed by an assignment as Deputy Head of Mission in Maputo, Mozambique. He was nominated Deputy Head of Mission to Brazil with the title of Minister. From 2018-2022 he served as the Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Malawi, in 2020 he became also the Swiss Ambassador to Zambia. Ambassador Jäger assumed the position of Consul General of Switzerland in New York on September 1, 2022.

Gion Treichler was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

He began his professional dance training at the Zurich Dance Academy and the Ballet School of the Opera House Zurich before moving to New York in 2021 to join Graham 2, the second company of the Martha Graham Dance Company. Since then, he has performed with companies in both the United States and Switzerland, including Dance Kaleidoscope and Hudson Ballet Theatre, where he continues to expand his international artistic career.

Beyond his artistic work, Gion is passionate about fostering cultural exchange and strengthening the bonds between Switzerland and the United States. He enjoys hiking, attending performances across New York City, discovering new food spots, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. He is excited to serve as an Independent Director of the Swiss Society of New York and looks forward to contributing his energy and international perspective to support the Society’s mission and community.

Floria is a Swiss lawyer with a passion for art, the law, and international work. She completed her legal education in Zurich and Geneva, with an LL.M. from UCLA School of Law, where she received Dean's Tuition Fellowship honors.

Along her career, Floria has lived and worked across Switzerland and internationally—in Stockholm, Los Angeles, and New York. She is currently based in Zurich, where she works as Legal Counsel at Bank Vontobel, advising on corporate governance and regulatory matters. Prior roles have taken her through leading Swiss law firms, Credit Suisse Asset Management, and the Swiss Embassy in Stockholm. Her interest in entertainment and the arts deepened during a legal externship at the Writers Guild of America West.

Floria is fluent in Swiss-German, Dutch, and English, with fluent French and limited Italian. She is admitted to the New York Bar and volunteers with "Defending Artists" Avant-Garde Lawyers. Outside of work, Floria is an avid sailor, diver, snowboarder, and tennis player.