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Core Team
Oliver Akeret
Co-Lead
Co-Lead Oliver joined sus.lab in 2022 and has been co-leading the team since 2023. He has built and led numerous collaborations with business partners, working with corporates, SMEs, and startups on how to integrate sustainability into business strategy. His work focuses how companies set priorities, make decisions, and organize themselves around emerging sustainability frontiers.
Before joining ETH Zurich, Oliver worked at the management consultancy HCM International Ltd., where he advised boards and executives on corporate governance and compensation with the goal of aligning strategy, culture, and leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Co-Lead Oliver joined sus.lab in 2022 and has been co-leading the team since 2023. He has built and led numerous collaborations with business partners, working with corporates, SMEs, and startups on how to integrate sustainability into business strategy. His work focuses how companies set priorities, make decisions, and organize themselves around emerging sustainability frontiers.
Before joining ETH Zurich, Oliver worked at the management consultancy HCM International Ltd., where he advised boards and executives on corporate governance and compensation with the goal of aligning strategy, culture, and leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Dr. Marianne Kuhlmann
Co-Lead
Marianne joined sus.lab in 2025 and took on the role of co-lead in October 2026. She works with companies and industry associations on how circularity reshapes core strategy and business models, in response to regulatory change, geopolitical dependencies, and rising resource costs. A key focus of her work is facilitating collaboration along the value chain, bringing actors together to develop and implement joint solutions.
Before joining sus.lab, Marianne worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and as Head of Sustainability at Grover. She is also a co-founder of Circularity, a do-tank advancing the circular economy in business practice in Germany, and has more than ten years of experience in the field.
She holds a PhD from SusTec at ETH Zurich, an MSc in Management, Organisations and Governance from the London School of Economics (LSE), and a BSc in International Business Administration from European University Viadrina Germany /Universidad Católica de Córdoba Argentina.
Marianne joined sus.lab in 2025 and took on the role of co-lead in October 2026. She works with companies and industry associations on how circularity reshapes core strategy and business models, in response to regulatory change, geopolitical dependencies, and rising resource costs. A key focus of her work is facilitating collaboration along the value chain, bringing actors together to develop and implement joint solutions.
Before joining sus.lab, Marianne worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and as Head of Sustainability at Grover. She is also a co-founder of Circularity, a do-tank advancing the circular economy in business practice in Germany, and has more than ten years of experience in the field.
She holds a PhD from SusTec at ETH Zurich, an MSc in Management, Organisations and Governance from the London School of Economics (LSE), and a BSc in International Business Administration from European University Viadrina Germany /Universidad Católica de Córdoba Argentina.
Sophia Demekas
Senior Project Manager
Sophia joined sus.lab in 2025 as a Senior Project Manager and works primarily on decarbonization projects, with a primary focus on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) initiatives. Before joining sus.lab, Sophia worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, where she specialized in renewable energy use and energy efficiency in agrifood systems, and at S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, an environmental consulting firm focusing on sustainable water resource management and remediation. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from ETH Zürich.
Sophia joined sus.lab in 2025 as a Senior Project Manager and works primarily on decarbonization projects, with a primary focus on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) initiatives. Before joining sus.lab, Sophia worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, where she specialized in renewable energy use and energy efficiency in agrifood systems, and at S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, an environmental consulting firm focusing on sustainable water resource management and remediation. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from ETH Zürich.
Dianne Hondeborg
Senior Project Manager
Dianne joined SusTec in 2019 for her Master thesis in collaboration with Nestlé, analysing the abatement potential and cost of greenhouse gas reduction technologies for dairy farming. Prior to her thesis, she did an internship in management consulting at BCG. Before coming to Switzerland, Dianne finished a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. She focuses on projects related to identifying pathways to reduce emissions to net zero.
Dianne joined SusTec in 2019 for her Master thesis in collaboration with Nestlé, analysing the abatement potential and cost of greenhouse gas reduction technologies for dairy farming. Prior to her thesis, she did an internship in management consulting at BCG. Before coming to Switzerland, Dianne finished a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. She focuses on projects related to identifying pathways to reduce emissions to net zero.
Gudrun Thorsdottir
Senior Project Manager
While pursuing her MSc in Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH Zurich, Gudrun joined SusTec as a thesis candidate and research assistant. After graduating in 2022, she joined sus.lab, where her project topics center around the key factors influencing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) scalability. Gudrun holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland and gained practical experience working as a circular economy and environmental planning specialist in Iceland.
While pursuing her MSc in Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH Zurich, Gudrun joined SusTec as a thesis candidate and research assistant. After graduating in 2022, she joined sus.lab, where her project topics center around the key factors influencing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) scalability. Gudrun holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland and gained practical experience working as a circular economy and environmental planning specialist in Iceland.
Rita Ghilardi
Project Manager
Rita joined sus.lab in April 2025 as an intern, where she supported the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and contributed to a project on household food waste in Switzerland. She also worked on a separate project focused on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Since October 2025, she has been a Project Manager at sus.lab, continuing to focus on the CDR Booster as well as extended producer responsibility for automobile plastics.
She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Management and Technology from E4S (EPFL, IMD, and UNIL) and previously worked as a consulting trainee at Zühlke in the sustainability transformation division, where she wrote her master’s thesis on corporate readiness for the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Rita joined sus.lab in April 2025 as an intern, where she supported the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and contributed to a project on household food waste in Switzerland. She also worked on a separate project focused on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Since October 2025, she has been a Project Manager at sus.lab, continuing to focus on the CDR Booster as well as extended producer responsibility for automobile plastics.
She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Management and Technology from E4S (EPFL, IMD, and UNIL) and previously worked as a consulting trainee at Zühlke in the sustainability transformation division, where she wrote her master’s thesis on corporate readiness for the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Emily Lennon
Project Manager
Emily joined sus.lab in 2024, where she leads a project on household food waste. Since January 2026, she combines this role with a PhD on how circular economy strategies intersect with environmental and human health risks in food value chains.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she gained practical experience working on water policy and plastics pollution for the California Environmental Protection Agency. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a dual bachelor's in Political Science and Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Emily joined sus.lab in 2024, where she leads a project on household food waste. Since January 2026, she combines this role with a PhD on how circular economy strategies intersect with environmental and human health risks in food value chains.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she gained practical experience working on water policy and plastics pollution for the California Environmental Protection Agency. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a dual bachelor's in Political Science and Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Frank Okoth-Menya
Project Manager
Frank joined sus.lab in June 2026 as a Project Manager, where he works on household food waste and Liquid Hydrogen for the Maritime Sector (HyShip) projects.
Frank holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a BA in International Relations and Environmental Studies from USIU-Africa. Prior to joining sus.lab, Frank worked as a Project Manager at REN21 on maritime logistics in scaling the global energy transition and various renewable energy projects in Africa. He also brings experiences from UNEP Finance Initiative, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Iceberg Data Lab, and Easy Solar.
Frank joined sus.lab in June 2026 as a Project Manager, where he works on household food waste and Liquid Hydrogen for the Maritime Sector (HyShip) projects.
Frank holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a BA in International Relations and Environmental Studies from USIU-Africa. Prior to joining sus.lab, Frank worked as a Project Manager at REN21 on maritime logistics in scaling the global energy transition and various renewable energy projects in Africa. He also brings experiences from UNEP Finance Initiative, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Iceberg Data Lab, and Easy Solar.
Maximilian Olmos van Velden
Project Manager
Maximilian joined sus.lab in 2025 as a Project Manager to work on decarbonization, food waste, and supply chain sustainability projects. He holds an MSc in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a dual bachelor’s degree in World Politics and International Justice from Leiden University College the Hague. Prior to joining sus.lab, Maximilian gained practical experience in climate and energy policy at the International Energy Agency as part of the Latin American regional desk.
Maximilian joined sus.lab in 2025 as a Project Manager to work on decarbonization, food waste, and supply chain sustainability projects. He holds an MSc in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po and a dual bachelor’s degree in World Politics and International Justice from Leiden University College the Hague. Prior to joining sus.lab, Maximilian gained practical experience in climate and energy policy at the International Energy Agency as part of the Latin American regional desk.
Julieta Asali Granados
Intern
Julieta joined sus.lab as an intern in September 2026, where she supports the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and the Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with a focus on environment and democracy. Previously, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering at TUM, where she wrote her thesis on the Feasibility Analysis of Industrial Implementation of Carbon Capture in the EU.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she interned at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and at the BayWa Wind Energy Department, gaining technical and political experience in sustainable projects.
Julieta joined sus.lab as an intern in September 2026, where she supports the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and the Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with a focus on environment and democracy. Previously, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering at TUM, where she wrote her thesis on the Feasibility Analysis of Industrial Implementation of Carbon Capture in the EU.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she interned at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and at the BayWa Wind Energy Department, gaining technical and political experience in sustainable projects.
Clara Gausepohl
Intern
Clara joined sus.lab as an intern in September 2026, supporting the ACHIEVE and BKV projects, as well as the CE in Action series. She's currently pursuing a Master’s in Chemistry at TU Munich and holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from LMU.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she gained practical experience working on smart farming at Fraunhofer EMFT and on solid-state battery development at TUM’s Professorship for Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials. She was also a product development intern at NitroCapt AB, a Swedish startup electrifying and decarbonizing fertilizer production.
Clara joined sus.lab as an intern in September 2026, supporting the ACHIEVE and BKV projects, as well as the CE in Action series. She's currently pursuing a Master’s in Chemistry at TU Munich and holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from LMU.
Prior to joining sus.lab, she gained practical experience working on smart farming at Fraunhofer EMFT and on solid-state battery development at TUM’s Professorship for Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials. She was also a product development intern at NitroCapt AB, a Swedish startup electrifying and decarbonizing fertilizer production.
Alexander Haag
Research Assistant
Alexander joined sus.lab in March 2026, where he primarily supports the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and assists with a project on the future of stainless steel.
He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Management, Technology and Economics at ETH Zurich, with a focus on sustainability and technology. Previously, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, alongside supplementary studies in Sustainable Development. Prior to joining sus.lab, he interned at Mercedes-Benz AG in the Strategic Project Lead team for the electric vehicle platform EVA2, gaining first-hand experience implementing sustainability measures in a cross-functional environment.
Alexander joined sus.lab in March 2026, where he primarily supports the Carbon Removal Innovation Booster and assists with a project on the future of stainless steel.
He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Management, Technology and Economics at ETH Zurich, with a focus on sustainability and technology. Previously, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, alongside supplementary studies in Sustainable Development. Prior to joining sus.lab, he interned at Mercedes-Benz AG in the Strategic Project Lead team for the electric vehicle platform EVA2, gaining first-hand experience implementing sustainability measures in a cross-functional environment.
Helen Koch
Research Assistant
Helen joined sus.lab in April 2026, where she primarily supports the KTT role within the ACHIEVE project as well as the BKV project which focuses on automotive plastics.
She is currently pursuing a Masters at ETH in Science, Technology and Policy where she focuses on climate policy, biodiversity and ecological economics. Previously, she completed a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering and a B.Sc. in Business Administration at Leuphana University Lüneburg. Prior to joining sus.lab, she did an internship at Fraunhofer Italia, working on resilient water management in cities.
Helen joined sus.lab in April 2026, where she primarily supports the KTT role within the ACHIEVE project as well as the BKV project which focuses on automotive plastics.
She is currently pursuing a Masters at ETH in Science, Technology and Policy where she focuses on climate policy, biodiversity and ecological economics. Previously, she completed a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering and a B.Sc. in Business Administration at Leuphana University Lüneburg. Prior to joining sus.lab, she did an internship at Fraunhofer Italia, working on resilient water management in cities.
Steering Committee
Prof. Dr. Catharina
Bening
Steering Committee
Catharina Bening co-chairs the Group for Sustainability and Technology. She is responsible for the group’s research and practice activities in the area of sustainable circular economy.
Catharina Bening co-chairs the Group for Sustainability and Technology. She is responsible for the group’s research and practice activities in the area of sustainable circular economy.
Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann
Steering Committee
Volker Hoffmann is Professor for sustainability and technology at ETH Zurich and co-chairs the Group for Sustainability and Technology. His research at ETH Zurich centers on corporate strategies with respect to climate change and the energy transition.
Volker Hoffmann is Professor for sustainability and technology at ETH Zurich and co-chairs the Group for Sustainability and Technology. His research at ETH Zurich centers on corporate strategies with respect to climate change and the energy transition.
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