The Geneva Connection

Welcome to The Geneva Connection! Season 1—"Building Bridges 5th Edition: Pushing Boundaries, Inspiring Change"—dives into the future of finance in collaboration with the Building Bridges Foundation. Across five thought-provoking episodes, we explore key themes like nature finance, impact investing, transition finance, and the social and equity dimensions of finance.
Get exclusive insights from the latest Building Bridges Summit (December 2024) as leading experts share bold ideas, innovative strategies, and actionable solutions to drive meaningful change. Tune in and be part of the conversation shaping the finance of tomorrow!

Guests: Patrick Odier, Karen Hitschke, August Benz. In this first episode, we explore the latest Building Bridges Summit in Geneva, featuring insights from key leaders driving the initiative and shaping the future of Sustainable Finance: 
 
PART 1 Building Bridges as a Catalyst for Change
Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Building Bridges Foundation, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lombard Odier Group, and President of Swiss Sustainable Finance. 
 
PART 2 Building Bridges as a Platform for Action
Karen Hitschke, CEO of the Building Bridges Foundation. 
 
PART 3 Switzerland’s Role in Driving Sustainable Finance and Innovation
August Benz, Board Member of Building Bridges and Deputy CEO & Head of International & Transformation at the Swiss Bankers Association.  
Timestamps:
(02:31) Patrick Odier (16:53) Karen Hitschke(26:02) August Benz
 
Season 1 is hosted by Luka Biernacki.  
 
Season 1 has been recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 
 

Guests: André Hoffmann, Mark Halle, Xiye Bastida. This episode explores nature finance and its expanding role in business and investment. From rethinking accounting frameworks to embedding biodiversity in corporate strategies and scaling nature-positive solutions, our guests explore the systemic shifts needed to integrate nature into financial systems for long-term resilience. We also examine the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge and youth activism in shaping a more inclusive and effective nature finance system.
 
PART 1 Building the Business Case for NatureMark Halle, Senior Advisor, NatureFinance.
PART 2 The Private Sector’s Role in Valuing NatureAndré Hoffmann, Vice Chairman, Roche Holding AG & Co-Founder, InTent.
PART 3 Funding for Nature: An Indigenous PerspectiveXiye Bastida, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Re-Earth Initiative.
 
Timestamps:
(01:26) Mark Halle(12:30) André Hoffmann(30:24) Xiye Bastida
 
Hosted by Luka Biernacki.
Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 
 

Guests: Delilah Rothenberg, James Mwangi, Jean Pesme. In this episode we examine how finance can become a tool for closing wealth gaps, empowering marginalised communities, and ensuring that sustainable development is truly inclusive. From rethinking investment frameworks to designing financial systems that work for all, our guests provide insights into how finance can shape a better future
 
PART 1: The Role of Finance in Addressing Systemic Inequalities
Delilah Rothenberg, Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Predistribution Initiative
 
PART 2: Financial Inclusion and Equity
James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Group Holdings
 
PART 3: Global Financial Systems and Development Goals
Jean Pesme, Global Director, Finance, World Bank
Timestamps:(01:15) Delilah Rothenberg(20:47) James Mwangi(28:31) Jean Pesme
 
Hosted by Luka Biernacki.
Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 

Guests: Adrian Schatzmann, Anja Hannerz, Helena Viñes Fiestas. In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of transition finance and how financial institutions, businesses, and policymakers are working together to bridge today’s economy with a low-carbon future. With trillions needed annually to stay on track, we ask: Where is capital most needed? Which approaches are delivering results? And how can we make transition finance both effective and equitable?
 
 
PART 1: The Role of Financial Institutions in Transition Finance
Adrian Schatzmann, CEO, Asset Management Association Switzerland
 
PART 2: Real Economy Impact and Scaling Transition Finance
Anja Hannerz, Group Head of Sustainability, Nordea
 
PART 3: Policy Frameworks and the EU Perspective
Helena Viñes Fiestas, Chair, EU Platform on Sustainable Finance & Co-Chair, UN Taskforce on Net-Zero Policy
 
Timestamps:
Adrian Schatzmann (00:56)Anja Hannerz (18:52)Helena Viñes Fiestas (27:56)
Hosted by Luka Biernacki.
Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 
 
 

Guests: Dimple Sahni, Yuko Takano, Kostis Tselenis. This episode explores the evolution of impact investing once seen as a niche, now emerging as a powerful strategy to reshape how capital is allocated, measured, and scaled across financial systems. Through three grounded conversations, we examine how investors across asset classes from institutional portfolios to early-stage startups are embedding impact into core decision-making.
 
PART 1 From Values to Value — Embedding Impact into Investing
Dimple Sahni, Managing Director, Multi Asset Impact Investing, Anthos Fund & Asset Management
PART 2 Transparency, Data, and Strategy in Impact Investing
Yuko Takano, Co-Lead Investment Manager, Pictet Group
PART 3 Fuel for the Future — Scaling Impact Through Venture Capital
Kostis Tselenis, Managing Partner, Swiss Impact Office
 
Timestamps:
Dimple Sahni (1:32)
Yuko Takano (13:28)
Kostis Tselenis (25:29)
Hosted by Luka Biernacki.
Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva.