Our Team

Bernhard joined a-connect in 2004 as an Associate in Zurich, gained business building experience when he helped set up and establish a-connect’s operations in Asia from 2005-2007, was our CFO from 2010-2016 and was appointed Managing Director in 2017 alongside his role as Client Service Partner.

Today, alongside his leadership role, he is also a Client Service Partner with a focus on serving clients in the Life Sciences, Agri, Food, and Private Equity sectors.

Bernhard strongly believes in the power of teamwork and has always enjoyed working with high-performance teams, both professionally and as a sportsman. He is intrigued by the opportunity to build a firm that disrupts the consulting market with an innovative value proposition on the back of the Future of Work megatrend which sees more and more outstanding consultants work independently.

Bernie holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen and an MBA from INSEAD.

Bernhard is at his happiest when in the mountains with his wife and two daughters.

Dan joined our Client Service team in 2013. Dan works with clients in the Private Equity sector across a broad range of industries and high-impact situations from running 100-day and post-merger integration programs to performance improvement projects in pricing, procurement, and LEAN operations as well as complete turnarounds.

Dan is passionate about impact and particularly in a business-building environment dealing with the introduction of new business models catalysed by new technologies and services.

He was able to gain experience in both industry at SEB, Avanza, Payzone, and the Swedish Cancer Society as well as in consulting at McKinsey.

Dan holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Business Administration, Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Dan is happiest when playing soccer at Guincho Beach in Portugal.

Emeric joined our Client Service team in 2013 and has a dual role as LATAM Hub Co-Lead and Client Service Partner to our Agri & Food and Private Equity clients. Emeric has always been fascinated and thrilled by the creative force of entrepreneurship, be it from start-up creators or corporate entrepreneurs in large organizations. This deep passion for driving innovation and transformation initiatives has permeated his whole career. From working at Renault and participating in the implementation of the finance function of the newly created Latam Business unit; through to his time at McKinsey developing new business models in healthcare, media, and internet; or as an Independent Consultant supporting Brazilian agribusiness clients.

Emeric brings an MBA, IBMEC (Rio de Janeiro), and a Master in Economics and Administration from the University Paris Dauphine (France).

Emeric enjoys listening to modern opera and is happiest when running around Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro with his son Arthur biking by his side.

Jasmin joined our Client Service team in 2013 and is also part of our Leadership team and heads up our Global Life Sciences practice. Over the past several years, Jasmin has worked tirelessly to establish a-connect in the US as a pioneer of the networked consulting model at all major pharma and biotech companies, across the Life Sciences value chain. He also selectively serves Financial Services, and Private Equity clients.

Jasmin is a growth evangelist – he delivers impact to clients through his diverse experience from the rapid expansion in his biotech role with Gen-Probe and Chugai in San Diego, building a new business model for Novartis in India, and providing Fidelity’s growth capital to Asian entrepreneurs. He brings strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving from his McKinsey tenure, together with the strategic planning and M&A execution he focused on at Novartis Pharma AG.

Jasmin brings an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, US; PhD, in Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, US; BS, Pharmacy, Bombay University, India.

Jasmin enjoys traveling to new lands and experiencing other cultures; he is at his happiest when solving puzzles of all kinds and has a growing passion for social impact entrepreneurship.

Julia joined a-connect in 2013 and has multiple roles. Julia is part of our Leadership team, Co-Managing Director, US Hub Lead, and Client Service Partner. Julia works with clients across the globe, predominantly in the Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Food Ingredients sectors.

Julia is an entrepreneur and “people-person” at heart. She is passionate about building and working with high-performing teams that drive real impact – which makes a-connect the perfect place to be!

She adds value in challenging environments by combining content expertise with a knack for problem-solving and the ability to connect stakeholders across all levels of the organization.

Having seen poverty first-hand during her time at a high school in India, she co-founded, managed, and expanded a not-for-profit organization in her early career and continues her involvement to date. Prior to joining a-connect Julia also gained experience in asset management while working as a Financial Analyst for the Princeton University Investment Company in the US.

Julia holds a BA in Economics & Political Economy from Princeton University and an MBA from IMD.

Julia is at her happiest when exploring exotic locations with family and friends.

Karim joined the a-connect team in 2024 and brings 20+ years of consulting and client management excellence to our Global Life Sciences practice, marking a meaningful return to his consulting roots.

Karim is a Life Sciences strategy and growth leader and a passionate entrepreneur. He has built and ran two Marketing and Strategy consultancies, where he successfully led Early Commercialization, Launch Readiness, Customer Engagement, and other strategic initiatives for a wide range of biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes. Prior to joining a-connect, he spent two years as Chief Business Officer for a daring Digital Health startup looking to revolutionize and democratize the delivery of healthcare. Karim holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a BS in Marketing from Northeastern University in Boston.

Karim enjoys practicing Taekwondo with his son and riding the Bike Bus to school with his younger daughter. He and his wife share a love for travel, cooking and game nights, with the aim of hosting as many friends as possible around any table.  

Konrad joined our Client Service team in 2020 and has a dual role as LATAM Hub Co-Lead and Client Service Partner serving clients across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and agribusiness throughout Latin America. Prior to joining a-connect, Konrad worked at Capgemini, The Berkeley Partnership and Value Partners on projects around the globe.

Konrad has helped to develop strategies and new business models for leading organizations across a wide range of industries. Konrad is passionate about designing and implementing complex transformation programs, where he is able to play out his interpersonal skills. As a result he has brought multi-billion dollar mergers, global acquisitions and strategic divestitures through rigorous execution to success.

Outside of his work, Konrad supports disadvantaged communities through social projects in education and healthcare.

Konrad brings an MSc from Technical University, Berlin.

Konrad enjoys discovering the variety of nature and culture in his new home country – Brazil.

Luis joined our Client Service team in 2023 and is focused on serving clients predominantly in our Life Sciences sector. Prior to working for a-connect Luis worked as an Independent Consultant and brings several years of combined experience in corporate leadership roles (Finance, Strategy, Operations, and People in manufacturing and services) and in management consulting (McKinsey). Luis has focused on turnarounds, transformations, and growth, primarily in the Life Sciences, Retail, and Automotive industries.

Luis brings a BSc in Industrial Engineering from Tec of Monterrey and an MBA from IESE Business School Barcelona.

Luis is enthusiastic about building a better version of this world; he and his wife Fernanda love to travel and get to know new places together with their 6 children.

Martin joined our Client Service team in 2021 and helps clients in Life Sciences and Healthcare industry master the challenges of change, evolution, and disruption.

Martin has always been passionate about the Life Sciences and healthcare ecosystem. He started out with research in neurosciences and after graduation as a Medical Doctor, worked in clinical psychiatry. His passion for innovative treatments brought him into the pharmaceutical industry, where he honed his skills in planning, launching, and commercializing novel therapies on a local, European, and global scale. When he moved on to consulting with EY, he focused on Commercial Excellence, innovative business models, and Digital Therapeutics. As a Systemic Coach, Martin is convinced that innovation will only prosper when tackled as a team.

Martin is a former Medical Doctor (neurosciences, psychiatry), Ludwig-Maximilans-University Munich, Germany.

Martin is at his happiest when discovering – innovative solutions for client challenges or the far corners of the earth.

Michelle joined a-connect in January 2024 as Chief People Officer and Client Service Partner.  As CPO, she leads all of people topics including developing our people, fostering engagement with our Independent Consultant community, and guiding the evolution of our corporate culture.  Simultaneously, in her capacity as Client Service Partner, Michelle collaborates with our Private Equity and corporate clients to drive and implement their strategic objectives, developing solutions with a people-centric perspective.

Prior to a-connect, Michelle honed her expertise by leading Organizational Development at Partners Group. Her professional journey includes holding senior leadership roles in strategy and transformation at Barclays and Tata Consultancy Service. She also founded and successfully operated a Private Equity advisory firm.

Michelle has an MBA from London Business School and an MA in Economics and Finance from Brandeis University in Massachusetts.  

Michelle is happiest hosting people, whatever the setting.  She also loves to explore new places with her husband and two kids.  

Nishit joined a-connect in 2019 and works as a Client Service Partner in our Life Sciences practice. At a-connect, Nishit leverages his project management experience and subject matter expertise to help Life Sciences clients identify and tackle key challenges with innovative and practical solutions. He believes in pushing the envelope with clients to stay ahead of the curve.

Nishit is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovative problem-solving in Life Sciences. Throughout his career, he managed projects across a wide spectrum of Life Sciences R&D and business challenges. He is motivated to cultivate reliable client partnerships built on solid expertise and support, which he also practices in his personal development.

Nishit has worked in multiple areas including intellectual property, publishing, and public health, and has gained a broader understanding of the Life Sciences value chain and key business drivers along the way.

Nishit brings an M.S. in Biotechnology, from Johns Hopkins University, US; an MBA, Strategy & Finance, from NYU Stern School of Business, US.

Nishit is at his happiest when biking along the scenic Hudson Valley in New York, and cooking a delicious meal for family and friends.

Philippe joined our Client Service team in 2022 and is an accomplished Life Sciences Professional. Philippe started out his career in the specialty chemical industry as a process research engineer and then transitioned to consulting for the biopharmaceutical industry. Over the years, he took on increasing responsibilities with Gemini Consulting, Bristol-Myers Squibb, IBM, and Tunnell. Philippe has always focused on the evolving and complex needs of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in the areas of GMP, Quality and Compliance, Product and Process Development, Manufacturing Science and Technology, Supply Chain, and OPEX.

Philippe is a recognized subject matter expert for the Life Sciences industry on the topic of Process Understanding, Process Control, Quality by Design, and related biopharmaceutical manufacturing process subjects.

Philippe earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Philippe loves to travel with family and friends around the world discovering new landscapes and cultures.

Sara joined our Client Service team in 2012 and holds a dual role as a Client Service Partner focusing on Life Sciences clients and is also part of our Leadership team focusing on strategy and innovation. Sara made her career to date turning problems into projects and projects into new opportunities. She started her journey in South America, focused her studies in Microeconomics and Game Theory, trained her consulting skills at McKinsey, and gained “boots on the ground” experience in diverse strategy and business development roles as part of the management team of Ferrovial.

Three continents and countless projects later, Sara works with a-connect’s clients and Independent Consultants across industries with a focus on Life Sciences. Being a true believer that energy multiplies among people and being passionate about talent development, Sara is the engine behind the training efforts at a-connect.

Sara holds an MA in Economics, from ILADES, Georgetown University and a BA in Economics from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador.

Sara is at her happiest and most fulfilled when hiking in the mountains with her husband and their dog Olaf and working and learning together with our Independent Consultants.

Elisabeth joined our Talent Service team in 2007, her role at a-connect revolves around recruiting, interviewing, and matching Independent Consultants on critical strategic projects in the Private Equity and Life Sciences industry.

Elisabeth really gets a kick out of developing clients and finding the exact right fit professional for a tough tough-to-staff project – this gives her a huge amount of satisfaction. She spent the first 6 years of her career in sales, working in the IT contract recruitment industry in Switzerland, before finding a happy home at a-connect.

Elisabeth brings a BA in Business Studies from Westminster University, London.

Elisabeth is happiest when spending time with family, running (very slowly), flower arranging and perfecting a pavlova!

Leanne joined our Talent Service team in 2015 and has a dual role as a Talent Service Partner and Talent Recruiting Partner responsible for recruiting all our internal roles. Leanne has always understood that it’s the people that make the company, and that an innovative and cohesive approach to getting the right people is critical to success. With this in mind, she joined a boutique executive search firm, where she sharpened her talent-hunting skills for an array of large multinational clients around the world. She now spearheads our internal recruiting efforts, making sure that the a-connect team continues to establish itself as a world-class company of innovators, who are expertly equipped to anticipate and exceed our client and Independent Consultant’s needs.

Leanne brings a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Nottingham.

Leanne is at her happiest underwater, diving and exploring the worlds’ coral reefs and shipwrecks.

Niki joined our Talent Service team in 2020 and focuses on getting to know Independent Consultants across Europe and matching their unique skills and experience with client needs.

Niki has always believed that people make a company successful. This is the reason why she focused on the HR field after completing her engineering studies. Her previous experience in PwC HR consulting and line HR roles has given her a holistic approach in identifying and implementing the best practices to attract, retain, and develop people.

Niki brings an MSc Engineering Business Management, University of Warwick, UK and an MEng, Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece.

Niki is at her happiest when traveling with my family, dancing, and spending time at the beach.

Akanksha joined a-connect as an Associate in November 2023. She is passionate about life sciences & healthcare industry; she thrives in a fast-paced environment, helping clients identify challenges & solve business problems in a structured way. Previously, she was a Healthcare Research Analyst at Boston Consulting Group, acting as a thought partner to clients globally in the provider, payer, pharma, medtech, digital health and animal health space. She also spent two years post her MBA at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLP working as a management consultant where she carried out project management & implementation for a global petrochemicals giant.

She holds a Bachelors in Biotechnology Engineering from NSIT, India and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, India.

In her free time, she can be found exploring new genres of music, solving sudoku & crossword puzzles.

Alex is a Project Manager in our Zurich office, bringing over 6 years of experience helping pharmaceutical and life sciences clients commercialize their asset portfolios. His expertise includes launch strategies, go-to-market execution, and market access initiatives across Europe. Beyond commercial excellence, Alex brings corporate strategic management experience transforming business models, organizational designs and innovation strategies.In his engagements, Alex fosters collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups to deliver end-to-end solutions, from strategy development to hands-on execution. 

Prior to joining a-connect, Alex was a Manager at PwC Strategy& specializing in commercial strategies for pharmaceutical clients, and began his career as a Market Access and Pricing specialist at Simon-Kucher. 

He holds a dual M.Sc. in International Management from Università Bocconi and ESADE Business School, along with a dual B.Sc. in Business and Management from EBS University and the University of Exeter. 

In his free time, Alex enjoys hiking and skiing in the Swiss mountains, finding tranquility in nature. 

Alicia joined a-connect as an Associate in October 2024. Bringing strong technical expertise with an MSc in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology and a BSc in Applied Medical Sciences, Alicia supports our Life Sciences and Agri & Food clients. She is passionate about accelerating innovation in Women’s Health and thrives on applying her scientific knowledge to drive impactful solutions.

Alicia speaks four languages and has lived across Spain, the US, Morocco, Singapore, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK. She is always eager to learn and is excited to contribute her unique perspective to her projects.

In her free time, Alicia can be found running along the Thames, hiking through the Swiss Alps, or discovering local cuisine while traveling.

Christoph joined our Associate team in 2023. Since joining a-connect Christoph has worked closely with our Life Science and Private Equity clients supporting them with go-to-market strategies, post-merger integrations, and business transformations.

Christoph has experience as a PMO, Project Manager, and Scrum Master and has worked and lived across Germany, Austria, Canada, the US, and the UK.

Christoph thrives when problem-solving and is continuously learning. His approach is to balance the pursuit of simple yet effective solutions with the importance of nurturing healthy relationships.

Christoph brings an M.Sc. General Management, HHL Leipzig Graduate School and B.Sc. Business and Management Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Europe Christoph is at his happiest when spending time skiing on fresh powder or playing football with friends.

Ezinne joined a-connect in 2024 as a Project Manager in the Princeton office, where she supports global clients in the broader Life Sciences space. Ezinne brings consulting experience from BCG, where she served private sector clients. She has also worked extensively in the public health sector, where she lead national quality improvement initiatives and capacity development for frontline workers. Ezinne brings a Doctorate in Healthcare Management and Leadership from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, an MPH in Health Policy & Management from Harvard School of Public Health, and a Medical Degree from Igbinedion University Nigeria.

As a Project Manager at a-connect, she drives critical, complex client initiatives, leveraging her extensive experience in strategy development, new product launches, change management, and large-scale transformations. Some results from her project work include delivering a $50M+ in CSR through a new product launch, generating over $600K+ in annual savings with an innovative client issue resolution strategy, and crafting a transformation playbook that has been implemented across more than 90 global offices.

To relax, you can find her enjoying a peloton workout or exploring nearby trails. She recently learned to swim and looks forward to stepping in Micheal Phelps’ footsteps!

Yuan-Heng (Henry) joined a-connect as an Associate in July 2024. Henry brings technical experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, where he has previously focused on optimizing resource utilization, enhancing research portfolio management, and driving cross-functional communication. Henry’s track record includes initiatives that significantly improved operational efficiencies for major organizations. Prior to his consulting career, he held strategic and technical roles in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D), chemical manufacturing control (CMC), business intelligence, and operations management.

Henry holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from National Yang Ming University.

In his free time, he enjoys playing softball with the local community and finding the best recipe of hand-made Mocha.

Jan joined our Associate team in 2022 and delivers value to clients across industries.

Prior to joining a-connect, Jan worked for EY in Poland and Germany where he supported clients from a variety of sectors in M&A transactions, creating business cases, identifying value-creation levers, and performing commercial due diligence. Additionally, Jan gathered experience in corporate venture creation and consulting while advising one of the largest automotive companies on their global IT business reorganization.

Jan is passionate about being part of the international environment of a-connect and strives to work together with Independent Consultants to generate value-add for a-connect clients from across the globe.

Jan brings a CEMS Master in International Management in Warsaw (WSE) and Dublin (UCD).

Jan is a keen hiking and winter sports enthusiast who enjoys spending his weekends in the Swiss Alps.

Pedro joined a-connect in 2022 and is a Project Manager serving global clients across industries including Agri and Food. Prior to joining a-connect, Pedro was an Associate at PwC with assignments in various industries such as oil & gas, broadcast media, sports, and real estate.

Pedro is passionate about entrepreneurship and has experience working with startups from his time at BET – Bring Entrepreneurs Together, where he was the Head of the Matching Team. Pedro brings a strategic, entrepreneurial, and financially driven approach to help solve the needs of our global network of clients.

Pedro brings an MSc in Accounting, Valuation & Financial Management from the Stockholm School of Economics and a BSc in Economics, from Catolica Lisbon SBE.

Pedro is at his happiest when supporting his favorite football team, the Vitoria Sport Club, at UEFA competitions.

Simon Pannatier has joined our firm in February 2024. In his role as Project Manager he serves Life Sciences clients in Europe, leading project teams as well as helping us grow the Life Sciences practice in the DACH region. Simon brings a unique mix of consulting and operational experience to the table. A former BCG consultant, Simon honed his expertise in driving impactful change within organizations. His track record includes executing transformations for Fortune 500 companies in the Life Sciences and healthcare industries and beyond. Prior to his consulting career, Simon held commercial roles at P&G and in various scale-up companies in Western Europe and Africa.

Simon’s entrepreneurial mindset and passion for teaming up with client teams to deliver positive and collective change will help shape a-connect’s future.

Simon has an MBA from INSEAD Business School and a Master in Management from the ESCP Europe.

Andrea joined our Global Functions team in 2009, she is our Head of Legal & Privacy Contact and manages all legal and data privacy matters while also supporting quality management as well as our ESG initiative. 

Andrea has always been passionate about working internationally and with people from across the world. She started her career in the tourism industry and was continuously looking for new challenges in her work life. Prior to joining a-connect, Andrea gained experience across several industries, including IT and other service-oriented industries. 

Andrea holds a degree in tourism, and marketing and is a certified Paralegal. 

Andrea is at her happiest when spending time with her daughter and taking her motorbike out for a ride (when she’s not on the field playing Volleyball). 

Loredana joined the a-connect team in September 2024 as a Business Manager, where she focuses on driving the firm’s marketing strategy and strengthening engagement with Independent Consultants (IC). By streamlining processes and ensuring more effective collaboration, she aims to enhance the value and impact of our network.

With her entrepreneurial and solution-oriented approach, Loredana brings a structured yet dynamic mindset that benefits both internal and external stakeholders. Her experience at the private equity firm Partners Group, where she worked across different departments, including serving as a business manager for an executive team member, positions her well to support a-connect’s growth and operational excellence.

In her free time, Loredana enjoys outdoor activities with friends and family and takes pride in organizing an annual summer camp for children and teenagers.

Poonam joined a-connect in 2023 as Commercial and Admin Support for our Life Sciences Practice. While being based in Mumbai, India, Poonam supports our commercial efforts globally with a focus in Asia and the US. She is a dedicated and results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in administrative operations, fostering a productive work environment. Her background spans both the life sciences industry and software sectors.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Stefanie joined our Global Functions as an Office Manager in 2014. Having worked as an assistant at a law firm for five years prior to joining the a-connect team. Stefanie has well-honed organizational skills, she observes and maintains a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism, is proficient, detail-oriented, and accurate to assist in running a smooth office environment. Stefanie demonstrates creativity, flexibility, foresight, and mature judgment in anticipating and solving problems, as well as in managing various situations.

Stefanie is a certified Executive Assistant.

Stefanie is at her happiest when spending time with her family and exploring new places with them.

Susana joined our a-connect in 2009 and holds a dual role as CFO and also part of the Leadership team. Susana oversees the group’s international tax compliance, IFRS audit, and systems implementations (e.g. SAP, Salesforce). She is also our Independent Consultants and global offices’ go-to person for their tax challenges.

Susana knew she wanted to work in an international company where she could use her combination of talents for both numbers and languages. She has worked in finance roles in the Netherlands and Switzerland supporting several European countries, and in Brazil – building local control systems for a global company before returning to Switzerland.

Susana brings a Masters in Economics from Porto, Portugal and Siena, Italy.

Has a passion for nature, particularly hiking. Fun fact, she climbed the Kilimanjaro during her honeymoon.

Towanda joined our Global Functions team as an Office Manager in November 2023. She is dedicated and results driven with a proven track record in overseeing administrative operations and fostering a productive work environment. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for efficiency she has streamlined processes to enhance organizational effectiveness. Bringing 15+ years of experience in office management, her background includes proficiencies in front and back-office software/tools. She has worked across Pharma and Communications where she has honed her skills in business management. Continuous learning is a value she embraces to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

Towanda obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from The New Jersey Institute of Technology.

In her spare time she can be found drawing or wandering museums with her family.