Our Team
Avanzar Association Switzerland
Board of Directors
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Founder & President (Pro Bono)
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Margarita (1971) is Ecuadorian and has been living in Zurich since she got married to Pascal Forster in 1995.Before she had her two children, Nicolas and Nina, she worked in Human Resources and Marketing, both in Ecuador as well as in Switzerland.Margarita is Avanzar's founder, and since its beginning, she has been in charge of fund-raising as well as the coordination of the programs in Ecuador. During her frequent trips to Ecuador to visit her family, Margarita works at AVANZAR’s office and regularly visits the various programs in order to be up-to-date with the work in progress.
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Communication (Pro Bono)
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Monika Kern joined the Advisory Board (now BoD) of AVANZAR in November 2012.
Monika is Swiss and has lived in Switzerland as well as England, the United States, Germany, and Geneva before moving to the Zurich area. She graduated from the Dolmetscherschule Zürich in 1992 with degrees in translation and conference interpretation. Since then, she has worked as a freelance conference interpreter and translator for various companies and organizations from many different sectors.
In addition to Avanzar, she is involved in two other non-profit associations.
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Finances (Pro Bono)
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Elizabeth is Ecuadorian, with Colombian and Swiss roots. She has been living in Zurich since 1986. In 1996, she started working in the compliance departments of several international banks. She currently works at one of the largest Swiss banks.
In her professional life, ethics, analysis, and risk assessment are some of the most important characteristics of performing her work conscientiously.
She has known the Avanzar Foundation and its founders for many years, and that is why she is pleased and honored to be part of their team.
Advisory Board
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Marketing & Sales (Pro Bono)
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Alexandra Shirin Gerecke joined the Advisory Board of AVANZAR in September 2017.
Alexandra holds a degree in business administration from the Fachhochschule Düsseldorf, which she deepened during a further education program at Harvard University. Born in Germany, she lived in France, the U.S., and the U.K. before moving to Switzerland in 2006 with her husband and two daughters.
Alexandra started her career at Karl Lagerfeld in Paris and worked in various marketing roles for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Clinique International in New York and London. Today, she pursues several entrepreneurial opportunities in fashion and works with a range of charitable programs for the Order of Malta (SHOMS). She has actively supported ATELIER AVANZAR in Sales since 2010.
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Foundations & Projects (Pro Bono)
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Naoko joined the Advisory Board of AVANZAR in November 2012.
Naoko is an advisor, lecturer, and author in the areas of impact investments (microfinance, social entrepreneurship), and philanthropy. Her passion lies in promoting innovative social/business models that provide sustainable solutions to tackle poverty and to increase the effectiveness of resources utilized.
Naoko serves on the Board of the Frey Charitable Foundation. Prior to her specialization in impact investments, she worked for 16 years in the financial industry. Born in Japan and raised in El Salvador and Guatemala, Naoko has been living near Zurich since 1988.
Naoko supports AVANZAR in all aspects and in particular by advising on their projects.
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Webdesign & IT (Pro Bono)
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Vivian has been working with AVANZAR as a volunteer almost since its beginning and has been on AVANZAR’s board since 2007. Her main function is the design, programming, and maintenance of AVANZAR’s homepage.
Vivian is half Swiss, half Ecuadorian. After graduating as a graphic designer in Ecuador, she moved to Switzerland in 1991 to work and study to become a multimedia producer. She currently works as a freelancer, is married, and has 3 children.
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Entrepreneurship Programs
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Gia joined the Advisory Board in 2024. As a seasoned, passionate and committed Product Manager she specializes in innovative solutions and digital products and strategies for consumers. Gia is an expert in leading customer-facing ecosystems and delivering high-value services and solutions across various business domains. At Avanzar, she will support us with her consulting expertise for startups on business and innovation strategies and devise courses for our audience in Ecuador.
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Founder & Strategy (Pro Bono)
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Pascal is Margarita’s husband and the co-founder of Avanzar. He is one of Europe’s leading Executive Search Consultants next to recruiting board members and CEOs for his clients Pascal has a passion for supporting and mentoring truly talented entrepreneurs from the early stages of their journeys on, often being the first outside investor. Several companies have successfully excited to strategic investors (eg. to Axel Springer, Klett, Deutsche Börse) as well as achieved unicorn status.
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Volunteers & Members Management
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Melina was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. Her passion for justice and sense of equality has led her to study law at the University of Zurich. In addition to joining the Swiss Army as a medical soldier, Melina has joined the advisory board of Avanzar, striving to take a more active role in achieving gender equality. In 2019, she completed a voluntary service in Ecuador in a hospital, a project created by Avanzar. As her senior thesis in high school, she has developed and funded in collaboration with Avanzar a series of workshops aimed at promoting young women’s empowerment and providing sexual education. The goal was to equip these young individuals with information and skills that would empower them to make informed choices about their bodies and lives. As a member of the advisory board of Avanzar she wants to create an energetic community of young women who support each other and feel empowered.
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Innovation (Pro Bono)
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Angelika is a multilingual entrepreneur and global executive with extensive experience in over 20 countries in wealth management, business development, fundraising, and impact investing at top financial institutions including UBS and Credit Suisse. Her passion to use “Finance as a Force For Good” and the sustainable development goals, including SDG4 and SDG17, is evident through her frequent appearances as a speaker and moderator on these topics including CNN and BBC. Her commitment to empower women in Latin America has led her to launch Women International Network (WIN) at Credit Suisse, as well as found a non-profit Misses4peace.
Her dedication to unleashing the “Force for Good” in Business aligns with organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact. With an MBA and advanced education from top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and YALE University, she’s also a PhD candidate and brings a unique perspective. As an experienced advisory board member, she provides an extensive network, strategic guidance and helps drive successful outcomes.
Audit
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Audit (Pro Bono)
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Thomas is a passionate builder of meaningful partnerships and an experienced business facilitator in corporate development and management across various sectors. He has worked in consulting and entrepreneurship for private companies, non-profit organizations, and foundations in Switzerland and on a global scale. With a notable track record in governmental affairs and social entrepreneurship, Thomas Foerst has supported international endeavors to and for Latin America throughout his entire career. He has lived and worked in Latin America for over 25 years.
Fundación Avanzar Ecuador
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Founder & President
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Rosa is Margarita’s mum and lives in Cuenca. She is the legal representative of AVANZAR in Ecuador as well as the local administrator of AVANZAR’s funds.
Since her retirement from her former activities in 2015, she meets with AVANZAR’s team several times a week and visits regularly the people involved in the programs.
Rosa is married, has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She works for AVANZAR as a volunteer and has supported several charity projects and initiatives in the past.
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Director
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Marcela started working for AVANZAR in August 2012 as Director of AVANZAR Ecuador. She runs the foundation, creates and executes project work plans, and manages the day-to-day operational aspects of the several projects AVANZAR has initiated.
Marcela is a good example of a woman who manages to combine motherhood and a professional career. She successfully balances her responsibilities with a high level of commitment, effectiveness, and warmth.
After graduating with a degree in clinical psychology in 2005, Marcela was active in promoting social and human development projects. She worked for various social projects focusing on the protection of children, adolescents, and their families. She is convinced that a more equitable society requires the commitment of all. Her efforts are aimed at changing social and cultural patterns to eliminate any kind of marginalization that occurs merely due to factors such as gender, economic status, or other circumstances depriving disadvantaged people.
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Atelier Coordination & Design
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Lali started working for AVANZAR in April 2019. In her words: "I feel happy because it allows me to work with female entrepreneurs who are incredibly talented and have become the source of income for their families. These weavers and I share a productive relationship where we develop designs and create products that are recognized in both local and international markets. I love working with crafts as they are a source of inspiration to further develop my own creativity."
Lili graduated from the University of Azuay in 1997, she has a certificate in Marketing Management, UTPL. She is a seasoned designer working in the crafts industry, in areas such as Toquilla straw, looms, embroidery and weaving, as well as with organizations such as the OEA-Cidap, Tejemujeres and Non-Profit organizations dedicated to promoting women's entrepreneurship.
In addition to her job at AVANZAR, she teaches Basic Design, Technical Drawing, and Graphic Design Projects courses to High School and university students.
She also has a small business of her own that has been growing over time consisting of a sewing and fabric printing workshop.
Other skills include management of production systems under quality standards and striving for a final product that truly stands out.
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Accounting
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My name is Catalina Morocho, and I have worked with FUNDACION AVANZAR since January 2016. I am in charge of accounting and tax matters. I have been working in this profession for 21 years; I like it and am passionate about it. Along the way, I have been accompanied by my husband and my three children, whom I love very much. For me, to work with the Foundation is not only a professional challenge, but it also gives me great satisfaction to see how this institution and the people working for it contribute to helping so many women achieve their own economic and personal goals through their work.
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Accounting & Management Assistant
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I graduated from school with a degree in Accounting and Auditing in 2011 and have been working at the FUNDACION AVANZAR since June 2017. Previously, I worked for a private company active in the field of marketing.
I have a 9-year-old daughter, her name is Melanie and she is my motivation and guide to move on in life.
Working for FUNDACION AVANZAR is a challenge and a great opportunity for me to enlarge my know-how in the profession. Being able to help people makes me very happy.
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Communication & Social Media
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I have a degree in communication and audiovisual production.
I am an entrepreneur and have experienced from the inside the fears, anxieties, and challenges that women entrepreneurs face every day.
With Fundación Avanzar, our challenge is to help women overcome these fears that paralyze them. We work together with the teachers so that, in addition to providing technical knowledge, the students develop their communication and sales skills and all the soft skills they need to overcome their fears and become entrepreneurs.
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Atelier Assistant
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I came to the Atelier in 2011 to learn to knit. I was looking for a trade to help me work while taking care of my 3 children and I was expecting my fourth.
I had tried to start several businesses, such as beauty, bakery, etc., but because of a lack of money, I failed several times.
At the Foundation, in addition to a trade, I learned to manage my finances, generate savings, and be able to reinvest in my business.
In the Atelier, I am in charge of keeping control of the weavings that are assigned to the ladies to make sure that the work complies with the production standards and to guarantee that the handbags are sent in optimal conditions to Switzerland. With the weavers, we are one big family; we share beautiful moments and also hard moments, which, at the end of the day, help us to be better human beings.