Interview
Anna Grabner
Hello Anna,
Today, we are privileged to speak with Anna Gräbner, an alumna of the Ecole Hôtelière de Genève (EHG), who has forged an impressive path in the healthcare industry.
How have these experiences influenced your professional journey?
As CEO of the Genolier Innovation Hub and recently named among the “10 Inspiring Businesswomen to Watch in 2024” by CIO Views magazine, Anna’s career is a source of inspiration for many, especially for women in leadership positions.
Anna, congratulations on your recent recognition. Let’s start from the beginning. How did your time at EHG shape the early stages of your career?
My experience as Project Manager for Communication at the Swiss Medical Network was highly enriching and significantly broadened my understanding of communication needs, especially across the entire Swiss Medical Network group. Additionally, this role taught me the importance of transparency and credibility, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like patient health and well-being. Working within such a large medical network allowed me to develop a strategic and adaptable approach, which proved useful for the Genolier Innovation Hub, already in the pipeline of my career at the time.
As co-founder of Eyecap’, you developed an innovative device to enhance swimming for visually impaired and blind individuals. Could you share with us the inspiration behind this project and the challenges you faced in its development?
The inspiration behind Eyecap’ stemmed from a deep desire to make sports and physical activity accessible to all, particularly the visually impaired and blind. Swimming is not only a favorite sport in Switzerland, but also one of the few sports recommended for all, including across generations and for those with obesity or joint issues. My two co-founders and I wanted to create a device that would not only help blind swimmers navigate the water safely but also provide a more enjoyable and fully autonomous experience. Thus, Eyecap’ is a connected swimming cap equipped with sensors that alert swimmers when they need to turn at the pool’s edge.
One of the main challenges was designing a product that was both functional and comfortable to wear in an aquatic environment. Additionally, it was essential to work closely with visually impaired users to understand their specific needs and adjust our product accordingly. Despite these challenges, the determination and passion of our team allowed us to overcome obstacles and develop a product that truly makes a difference. Eyecap’ embodies our commitment to inclusivity and innovation, and we are proud to help make swimming accessible to everyone.
Just five years after being named Valedictorian at EHG, you are now CEO of the Genolier Innovation Hub. Your career path, from hospitality to leading a health innovation hub, is fascinating. What motivated this transition, and how does the hospitality world influence the healthcare sector?
Even before enrolling at Ecole Hôtelière, I knew I wanted to build my career in the medical field. Thus, the transition from hospitality to leading the Genolier Innovation Hub was driven by a combination of passion for innovation and the desire to contribute meaningfully to improving healthcare services.
Hospitality and healthcare share fundamental values: attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and the need to prioritize clients or patients. In hospitality, the goal is to create memorable experiences and provide exceptional service. In healthcare, these principles translate into personalized care and constant attention to patient well-being.
The Genolier Innovation Hub is not only a medical and scientific platform open to all types of medical innovations, research, and medical training but also serves as a “business hotel” offering top-tier hospitality services, including event management, concierge services, and catering.
In your role, what are your top priorities and goals for the future, and how do you plan to continue fostering innovation in your field?
To promote and accelerate innovation in healthcare, my main priorities and future goals focus on several strategic areas:
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: The goal is to establish and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders in the healthcare industry, startups, academic institutions, and public and private hospitals. These collaborations are essential to creating a dynamic ecosystem where ideas can turn into concrete and effective solutions. Fostering Translational Research: One of the priorities is to facilitate translational research, moving swiftly and efficiently from scientific discovery to clinical application. Promoting Continuing Education: Education and ongoing training are essential to maintaining a high level of innovation. The Hub offers and provides a technical platform for training programs for healthcare professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs to help them stay at the forefront of the latest scientific and technological advances. Enhancing the Patient Experience: Finally, a key priority is to always put the patient at the center of initiatives and to develop solutions that improve both patient comfort and clinical outcomes.
Creating an environment conducive to innovation and fostering a culture of collaboration not only addresses the current challenges in healthcare but also anticipates future needs. The future of the Genolier Innovation Hub lies in the ability to turn innovative ideas into tangible clinical realities while continuously improving care standards and contributing meaningfully to advancing medicine and healthcare technologies.
You have held positions in areas as diverse as finance, sales, event management, and many others. Could you tell us about your ability to navigate these different fields and how these diverse experiences have shaped your career path?
Navigating between these different fields has enriched my career path in significant ways. Each sector has provided me with unique and complementary skills, allowing me to develop a holistic vision of business and innovation while strengthening my ability to quickly adapt to new environments and tackle varied challenges. These experiences have also given me a unique perspective on the potential synergies between different industries, which is a considerable asset in leading the Genolier Innovation Hub and promoting healthcare innovation.
As a woman in a leadership role, you are an inspiration to many. What challenges have you encountered, and what advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership positions?
As a woman in a leadership role, I view every situation as an opportunity for learning and growth rather than a challenge. One of the major opportunities has been demonstrating my competence and determination in environments that are sometimes male-dominated. Another aspect has been balancing my professional and personal responsibilities. Managing this dual commitment requires rigorous organization and strong prioritization skills.
My advice to young women aspiring to leadership positions is to believe in themselves and their abilities. Develop strong self-confidence and do not let circumstances discourage you. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone, as that is often where the greatest growth opportunities lie. Lastly, stay authentic and true to your values, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
What advice would you give to students and young professionals aspiring to follow a career similar to yours, particularly in innovation and project management?
Cultivate curiosity and continuous learning, as innovation depends on the ability to learn and adapt constantly. Develop versatile skills across various fields such as management, finance, technology, and communication to better manage complex projects.
Don’t be afraid to take risks and innovate by exploring new ideas and testing novel approaches. Be persistent and resilient, as these paths can be demanding and require overcoming various challenges. Adopt a holistic vision to understand the interconnections between different aspects of a project or organization, which will help you make strategic decisions.
Finally, stay authentic and ethical, maintaining your integrity and staying true to your values, as sustainable success is built on trust and respect for others.
A memorable moment to share from your studies at EHG?
A particularly memorable moment was standing in the beautiful hall of the United Nations Palace as a first-year student, welcoming students about to receive their diplomas. I remember looking at them with admiration, imagining all that I would learn over the next three years of training. It was all the more emotional to receive my own diploma on stage after gaining valuable knowledge and to see the new first-year students in the back of the room, sharing a knowing wink with them.
Anna, your journey from EHG to leading innovation in healthcare is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming alumni meetings and invite our readers to learn more about the Genolier Innovation Hub.
