Dr. Verity Elston, FLP Coach
With a taste for exploring the world and all that it offers, and a love of understanding a little better how its people find their way, I bring it all together to help people figure out that gnarly question asked of historians, physicists, biologists and philosophers: sure it’s fascinating, but what’ll you do with that PhD?
I build on my knowledge and experience to advise, train and coach doctoral candidates and postdocs on their career path. I lead and develop professional training programmes with an eye to the tools a PhD needs and how best they’ll learn. And because the learning is never done, I continue to research, manage and analyse the qualitative and quantitative data, building effective advice based on real practice.
Dr. Maddalena Fumagalli, FLP Trainer
For over 15 years, I have worked in interdisciplinary research, advocacy and policy relating to marine conservation in Europe, North Africa and New Zealand.
Since 2021, drawing on my expertise in personal development coaching, mental health first aid and personal writing, I have been providing early-career researchers with safe individual and collective spaces to reflect on their professional and personal journeys, with particular focus on personal wellbeing and career management.
Having experienced first-hand the challenges of toxic workplace cultures, mobility, parenthood and non-linear career paths, I aim to support others in uncovering, affirming and celebrating their own resources, visions and actionable solutions for healthier, more balanced and fulfilling professional experiences.
Magda Kern, FLP Trainer
Psychologist, public speaking trainer for Fortune 500 companies, PCC ICF coach, and TEDx speakers coach. A graduate of psychology, the economics university, and postgraduate studies in life and business coaching. She has extensive stage experience- for many years, she has performed in the Cuban musical, won song festivals, and sang at concerts and conferences.
In 2021, she was selected as one of the world’s 11 best public speaking coaches. She also has extensive media experience – through her professional activity, she has given more than 100 interviews in the press, on television, and on radio. From childhood, she performed on stage, studying at the 1st and 2nd degree of a music school (jazz vocal and cello). She is a lecturer of public speaking at Swiss universities, e.g., at ETH.
Afi Sika Kuzeawu, FLP Trainer
Economics Msc, Certified systemic Coach, Music B.A., Psychology Msc (trng)
With a passion for creation, and a motivation for true fulfilment in life, I help people figure out what would be the right ingredients for them to experience an inspired and brilliant professional life. I draw on my knowledge and my personal experience to coach students, doctoral candidates and professionals in the course of their career decisions. As a creative consultant, I also work with entrepreneurs and public institutions to help them design and develop concepts out of their ideas, so that these can be implemented in the real world.
Dr. Ingrid Le Duc, FLP Coach
I am committed and passionate for furthering Academic Development as a profession that intersects current educational standards with researchers’ and teachers’ real concerns.
Being exposed to a variety of academic cultures in Latin America and Europe, I grew a particular interest in understanding learning and its behavior taking into consideration how learning may be influenced by external and societal factors.
My Bachelor is in Psychology, from UNAM in Mexico City, my PhD is in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. I also trained in brief counselling.
For over 15 years, I have worked in Higher Education as a consultant doing personal and group coaching and training for academics. I am a Pedagogical Advisor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Teaching Support Centre (CAPE) and a Lecturer at the University of Bern in Switzerland.
Recently, I built on the courage to take on the leadership of what I believe, are key initiatives to improve STEM education. My current projects themes are: mental health and well-being in the workplace as well as inclusion, diversity and masculinities.
I am a mother of two, and am fluent in Spanish, English and French.
Dr. Catherine Marselli Pasquier, FLP Trainer
Dr. Catherine Marselli has worked in project management and training in both corporate and academic environments.
She graduated from EPFL and holds a PhD in Science from the University of Neuchâtel, as well as an MBA from the Neuchâtel School of Management.
For several years, she has been interested in social cognitive neuroscience and behavioral economics. She uses the latest insights about how the brain works in her training programs, coaching activities, and management practice.
Susanne Matuschek, FLP Trainer
Susanne Matuschek on her way through different countries and jobs (e.g. University of Konstanz, Germany; Private Industry, worldwide; Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland; Programme Manager, Career Division, SNSF). She has decades of expertise in networking, research funding and career development, e.g. Chair of two European Working Groups on “Conditions of a Research Career in Europe” and “Gender Issues”.
Since 2010, she is active in her own company MATUSCHEK CONSULTING: Coaching and Workshops.
Susanne Matuschek can be considered as an outstanding expert in research funding, career, and successful networking.
As a molecular scientist with over 15 years of experience in academic research, I am passionate about training early career scientists to develop their full potential. After holding a group leader position at the ETH Zurich, I’ve started a career as a medical writer and strategy manager in non-profit organizations. I have a wide experience in organizing workshops and training programs that help researchers to improve their scientific communication and leadership skills. Another important part of my work involves supporting scientists to translate research projects into innovative solutions that address the needs of the industry market. My interventions combine lectures and hands-on activities where participants can reflect on their own needs and find practical solutions that can guide them in their future career steps.
Dr. Sarah Shephard, FLP Coach and Trainer
My coaching approach: transformational coaching. The goal is empowerment, to help people lead lives that are more authentic and rewarding. Offering practical skills and insights to help clients yet beyond places where they are “stuck”. I embody a holistic approach to coaching, valuing the interconnections between mind, body, emotions and spirit in our well being.
My background: Dr. sc. nat. ETH, toxicologist, 20 years academic research, also classically trained singer. Organizational developer (BSO certified), continuing education in mindfulness, trauma healing, systemic constellations. Since 2011, faculty developer for ETH Zurich professors. Private practice as coach and seminar leader, involved in mentoring programs for women at all levels of academia, especially in STEM. Specialty “soft skills for hard scientists” – questions on all facets of surviving and thriving in academia are most welcome.
Dr. Beatrice Sigrist, FLP Coach
I am skilled in creating stimulating, trusting, and insightful relationships with women leaders at all levels to help them unleash their potential with more energy, confidence, and courage.
I earned my PhD in Business Administration from the University
of Basel and Geneva. And I also hold a Master’s degree in Sociology from the
Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris.
I am a certified professional coach by the
International Coach Federation (ICF) and a member of ICF Switzerland as well as
a board member of the Swiss Expert Network on Burnout. Further, I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner after Dr. Peter Levine and trained to work somatically, too. Last but not least, I am a Team Coach with Diploma and help leaders to develop their teams.
Dr. Lille Springall, FLP Coach and Trainer
Work & Organizational Psychologist, ICF Certified Coach, Board Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Naturopath, Yoga therapist & Ayurvedic Practitioner. American & Swiss trained.
I am one of the founding coaches of the FLP Program and bring over 20 years of experience as a coach, having supported thousands of scientists, people and teams since 2003. My background includes 12 years as a scientist, six as a Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as well as earlier roles as a professor at two private universities.
I help individuals develop a meaningful and sustainable life and career vision aligned with their core values, create strategic paths to realise it, and navigate obstacles with clarity and resilience using a unique holistic approach. As a mother, I bring empathy and experience of how to build a fulfilling and balanced life.
Nir Zalts, FLP Trainer
Passionate about learning, I have been coaching individuals and groups since 1992. My experience in Switzerland and abroad, combined with my university training in business psychology, enables me to adopt a pragmatic approach that helps my clients to make rapid progress. From 2013, I shifted my focus to the field of education. I now work partly at the HEP in Lausanne, while maintaining my independent practice. I’m currently co-director of the DAS coaching course.
What’s dearest to my heart is helping individuals and groups to unleash their potential, giving them a new impetus to face up to challenges and unblock complex situations. This approach gives meaning to my professional life. I also draw on my experience as a sportsman, basketball coach and sports club manager.
I’ve been going through the mid-life transition for around ten years now. In-depth reflection on myself and my relationships with others has led me to make some fundamental changes in my life. I now want to build on the richness of these experiences to offer ‘mid-life coaching’.