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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).
Julia Bachmann
Co-Lead
Julia joined sus.lab in 2018 and has been co-leading sus.lab since 2022.
Prior to sus.lab, she completed her MSc in Management, Technology and Economics at ETH, preceded by a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. She previously worked on process optimization and digitalization projects across supply chains at Airbus Helicopters and procurement teams within Siemens.
Julia joined sus.lab in 2018 and has been co-leading sus.lab since 2022.
Prior to sus.lab, she completed her MSc in Management, Technology and Economics at ETH, preceded by a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. She previously worked on process optimization and digitalization projects across supply chains at Airbus Helicopters and procurement teams within Siemens.
Dr. Marianne Kuhlmann
Senior Circular Economy Advisor
Marianne Kuhlmann is the Senior Circular Economy Advisor at sus.lab, where she contributes to industry projects with a focus on implementing circular strategies and business models in resource-intensive sectors. She is also Co-Founder & Managing Director of Circularity, a do-tank and boutique consultancy advancing the implementation of CE strategies in industry practice.
Marianne Kuhlmann is the Senior Circular Economy Advisor at sus.lab, where she contributes to industry projects with a focus on implementing circular strategies and business models in resource-intensive sectors. She is also Co-Founder & Managing Director of Circularity, a do-tank and boutique consultancy advancing the implementation of CE strategies in industry practice.
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.
Ricarda Fieber
Project Manager
Ricarda joined sus.lab in January 2023 as a project manager to work on circular economy projects, focusing specifically on food waste reduction, packaging, and safe and sustainable plastics recycling. In January 2024, Ricarda started her PhD studies on the impacts of chemicals on the transition towards a safe and sustainable circular economy for plastics, and how to effectively manage them.
Ricarda holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. She studied at University of Augsburg, Carleton University in Ottawa and University of Berkeley in California. She has gained practical experiences from internships and working student positions at Fraunhofer Institute, Institute for Materials Resource Management, KUKA AG, and Siemens Energy Middle East.
Ricarda joined sus.lab in January 2023 as a project manager to work on circular economy projects, focusing specifically on food waste reduction, packaging, and safe and sustainable plastics recycling. In January 2024, Ricarda started her PhD studies on the impacts of chemicals on the transition towards a safe and sustainable circular economy for plastics, and how to effectively manage them.
Ricarda holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. She studied at University of Augsburg, Carleton University in Ottawa and University of Berkeley in California. She has gained practical experiences from internships and working student positions at Fraunhofer Institute, Institute for Materials Resource Management, KUKA AG, and Siemens Energy Middle East.
Sophie Führer
Project Manager
After writing her MSc thesis on the integrated environmental and economic assessment of circular and linear furniture products under the TACLE project at SusTec, Sophie joined sus.lab in June 2022 as a project manager. Since June 2023, she combines this role with a PhD on the transition to a sustainable circular economy.
Sophie completed a master’s degree in Sustainable Technology from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Apart from her studies, she gained practical experiences during internships at the BASF Applied Sustainability Department and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits. At sus.lab, she is primarily working on circular economy projects, focusing specifically on circularity in the building industry through the CBI Innovation Booster.
After writing her MSc thesis on the integrated environmental and economic assessment of circular and linear furniture products under the TACLE project at SusTec, Sophie joined sus.lab in June 2022 as a project manager. Since June 2023, she combines this role with a PhD on the transition to a sustainable circular economy.
Sophie completed a master’s degree in Sustainable Technology from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Apart from her studies, she gained practical experiences during internships at the BASF Applied Sustainability Department and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits. At sus.lab, she is primarily working on circular economy projects, focusing specifically on circularity in the building industry through the CBI Innovation Booster.
Emily Lennon
Project Manager
Emily joined sus.lab in 2024 having completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Policy at the Paris School of International Affairs (Sciences Po) and a dual bachelor's in Political Science and Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. At sus.lab, 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.
Emily joined sus.lab in 2024 having completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Policy at the Paris School of International Affairs (Sciences Po) and a dual bachelor's in Political Science and Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. At sus.lab, 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.
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.
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 and CCS.
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 and CCS.
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).
Alexander Haag
Intern
Alexander joined sus.lab as an intern 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 as an intern 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.
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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