The Forum I Sustainable Finance & Investing

The FE+MALE Think Tank believes that gender diversity drives innovation, fuels economic growth, and creates a more equitable society. That’s why we turn cutting-edge research into actionable projects to address these challenges. Join us in shaping a future where diversity isn’t just an option—it’s the standard.

FE+MALE Think Tank

Find solutions for an equitable and sustainable finance ecosystem in Switzerland.

University of Bern

<h3>A Path to Sustainability Forum Event: Together We Can Beat Gender Unconscious Bias</h3><h3> </h3>ATTENTION: Investors, Founders, Compliance Managers, and Stakeholders driving a sustainable future in Switzerland!Join the <a href="https://fe-male-think-tank.com/" title="https://fe-male-think-tank.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">FE+MALE Think Tank</a> for the flagship forum event of the 2025 pre-Biennale program under the Beat Funding Bias Initiative (BFBI). This isn't just a discussion; it's a call to action. We are convening a powerful group of leaders from finance, law, education, and entrepreneurship to forge a bias-free, equitable funding ecosystem.This in-person forum is your opportunity to move beyond recognizing the problem—to actively pilot solutions for systemic change, combat unconscious gender bias, and advance sustainable finance in investing. <h4>About the Initiative and Vision</h4>The Beat Funding Bias Initiative (BFBI), led by the FE+MALE Think Tank, aims to reduce systemic gender bias in entrepreneurship and investment in Switzerland. Our vision is to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives real innovation and sustainable business, where diverse founders have equitable access to funding, networks, and opportunities.This event is a key stepping stone toward the 2026 Biennale, which will serve as the capstone event of this initiative. The objectives of these pre-Biennale events are clear and action-oriented:<ul><li>Awareness: Raise visibility of funding and workplace biases, as well as their economic costs.</li><li>Evidence: Generate actionable insights and best practices to inform the Biennale Outcome Document.</li><li>Action: Pilot solutions (gender-lens investing, compliance checklists, network models).</li><li>Collaboration: Build stakeholder ownership across finance, legal, education, corporate, and public sectors.</li></ul> <h4>Who Should Attend?</h4>This event is essential for individuals ready to commit to measurable change in the Swiss entrepreneurial landscape:<ul><li>Professionals from the Finance and Investing sectors</li><li>Experts in Legal, Education, and Entrepreneurial Networks, including Compliance Managers</li><li>Representatives from the Corporate and Public sectors</li><li>Investors and Founders are dedicated to driving diversity</li><li>Future leaders</li></ul> <h4>Forum Agenda Highlights</h4>This in-person forum, titled "A Path to Sustainability Forum, Together We Can Beat Gender Unconscious Bias", will focus on Sustainable Finance in Investing. <h4>The Agenda</h4><ul><li>Welcome words: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsacallini/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsacallini/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Elsa Callini</a> (On behalf of the University of Bern Innovation Office: Founder of <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/innovation/innovation_guide/events/womxn_who_start_up/index_eng.html" title="https://www.unibe.ch/innovation/innovation_guide/events/womxn_who_start_up/index_eng.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Womxn who start up</a>)</li><li>Presentations: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciammontesinos/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciammontesinos/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Patricia M. Montesinos</a> (President, FE+MALE Think Tank) and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-barbier/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-barbier/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Kaitlin Barbier</a> (Project Manager, FE+MALE Think Tank)</li><li>Panel Discussion: Moderated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjaeinesalo/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjaeinesalo/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Katja Einesalo</a> (Head of Impact, FE+MALE Think Tank)</li><li>Panelists: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-maria-trzicky-4a05747/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-maria-trzicky-4a05747/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Julia Maria Trzicky</a> (Board Member, FE+MALE Think Tank and Member of the Executive Board of Directors, Alternative Bank Schweiz), <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/estie-alessandrini/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/estie-alessandrini/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Estie Alessandrini</a> (Brain Based Leadership Development, Ekanovate), <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/linepillet/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/linepillet/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Line Pillet</a> (Director, Institute Entrepreneurship &amp; Management HES-SO Valais-Wallis). <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/profkarenwendt/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/profkarenwendt/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Karen Wendt </a>(President, <a href="https://swissfintechladies.com/" title="https://swissfintechladies.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">SwissFinTechLadies</a>)</li></ul><ul><li>Interactive Sessions: Engage in three "workout" groups focused on legal, networks, and education as subtopics supporting the main finance and investing theme. You will share ideas, feedback, and best practices to drive systemic change.</li></ul>Insights from this forum will directly feed into the final Roadmap for Bias-Free Decision-Making. <h4>Event Details</h4>Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (18:00-20:00)Location: University of Bern, Room 028 (ground floor), Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern Check Out the Rest of the Pre-Biennale Events!To maximize your contribution to the Roadmap for Bias-Free Decision-Making, we encourage you to attend our other events:<ul><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-1-legal-frameworks-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1793979724649" title="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-1-legal-frameworks-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1793979724649">Online Lab 1: Legal Framework </a>(November 24, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CET):</li><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-2-networks-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1795108711479" title="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-2-networks-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1795108711479">Online Lab 2: Networks </a>(November 27, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CET).</li><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-3-education-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1795435950259" title="https://www.eventbrite.ch/e/lab-3-education-sustainable-finance-investing-tickets-1795435950259">Online Lab 3: Education</a> (November 28, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CET).</li></ul><h4> </h4>