People

Mr Yannick Heiniger’s passion is to foster collaboration between disparate ecosystems of innovation to drive social impact. As the senior technology diplomacy adviser at the General Consulate of Switzerland in San Francisco, Yannick is committed to connecting Switzerland and the Bay Area on issues related to technology diplomacy, cybersecurity, digital trust, and the humanitarian implications of digital technologies.

Yannick is an advocate for a world where technology serves humanity and leaves no one behind. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to bring together different networks, skills, and resources to create impactful collaborations and address complex issues. Prior to joining Swissnex in San Francisco in 2020, Yannick spent seven years working on collaboration and digital transformation at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where he demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing systemic issues related to disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and other critical global challenges.

As deputy CEO and acting CEO at Swissnex in San Francisco, Yannick led an organisational transformation during COVID-19, designing innovative projects and events that explored the next frontier of knowledge and empowered next-generation innovators.

Yannick earned a BA from the University of Lausanne and an MA from the University of Geneva. He is an alumnus of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, where he worked for over five years with a team of young leaders to amplify the voice of youth on global key issues. Currently pursuing his Executive MBA at the IMD Business School in Lausanne, Yannick remains dedicated to creating meaningful impact and bridging the gap between disparate ecosystems of innovation.