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Women in Leadership 2026: How Gi Group Switzerland anchors gender equality and what three female leaders say about it
Gender equality is not a short-term CSR project or a communication opportunity for International Women’s Day. At Gi Group Holding, it is part of a global sustainability strategy within a framework called “Sustainable Work,” built on four pillars: Decent & Safe Work, Employability & Satisfaction, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Safeguarding Resources for the Future. Within this model, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion form the core of our social sustainability.
Our global strategy follows the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. This means that equality is not only an internal responsibility but also a contribution to a fairer, more transparent global labor market. Our global guidelines and standards, including our ethics, diversity and conduct codes, form the foundation of this approach. In Switzerland, we apply these principles in our programs, HR processes and everyday decisions.
With 57 percent women in our workforce, we are above the Swiss average. However, our focus is not the number itself but how we support it. Leadership coaching, mentoring, flexible working models, Parents@Work and equitable career and compensation structures do not create isolated outcomes but drive long-term structural change.
For International Women’s Day 2026, we asked three of our leaders, Angela, Kathrin and Paola, to share how they experience equality inside the company.
Three women, three perspectives on equality
Angela Dies, HR Director
Why is International Women’s Day important for Gi Group Switzerland?
“It gives us a chance to make our commitment visible while deepening internal dialogue. We do not treat it as a symbolic ritual but as a moment to reflect on our progress and what we still need to improve. It helps us strengthen our culture based on equal opportunities.”
Where do we stand today on Women in Leadership?
“Our culture shows that we develop people regardless of gender, origin or age. For women, we offer clear development tools such as leadership coaching, the Parents@Work return-to-work program and external training. We offer flexible work models and extended parental leave. And to be clear, in Switzerland it is far from common for a pregnant woman to be appointed to a leadership role. Here, it happens, and it is one of the reasons I work with Gi Group.”
Which initiatives have you implemented?
“Objective HR processes, Equal Pay analysis, mentoring, development programs, skills-based recruitment and structured career paths. All aligned with our global DEI standards and the Sustainable Work model.”
Do you see measurable progress?
“Our share of women has been consistently high for years, including in leadership roles. This is the result of structured work. Our Equal Pay analysis also shows that the gender pay gap is below the 5 percent threshold recommended by the Swiss government.”
What challenges remain?
“We need to maintain momentum and ensure that gender balance reaches all areas, including technical and specialized roles. The market for experienced female leaders is very competitive. But when we hire them, they stay and grow with us.”
Kathrin Gasser, Director Corporate Sales & Marketing
What does leadership mean to you?
“Creating an environment where people can fully express their potential. Leadership means space, safety and clarity.”
Which experiences shaped you?
“Those outside my comfort zone, such as international assignments, failed projects and new roles. They made me more resilient and helped me refine my leadership style.”
How does a culture where women can grow come to life?
“Through psychological safety. Women and all underrepresented groups need an environment where they can admit mistakes, take risks and speak freely without fear. Studies clearly confirm this. Communication, clear values and consistent leadership are essential.”
What barriers do you see in the industry?
“Women are present in the Swiss HR services sector, but often in support roles. In strategic business decisions, especially from middle management upward, they remain underrepresented. That is where the strongest leverage for change lies.”
How is equality reflected in everyday work?
“In my case, very concretely. I was promoted during my first pregnancy and offered a new role during maternity leave with my second child. This shows more than any program that equality here is lived.”
Paola Giardini, Branch Manager Grafton Mendrisio
How did your path toward leadership evolve?
“With honesty, it was not something I planned at all costs. My career grew naturally through results, increasing responsibility and trust. I started as a consultant, developed a client base and delivered consistent outcomes. Leadership came when others recognized I could take on more.”
What motivates you in your role?
“I am motivated by seeing people strengthen, learn and bring new ideas that also enrich me. I feel effective when I can support my team through clarity, organization or simply by being present. Seeing people grow motivates me every day.”
Which skills have helped you most?
“Perseverance, the willingness to keep going even without immediate results and the desire to improve daily. Empathy, adaptability, resilience and the ability to get back up again. And of course, passion for what I do.”
How do you promote diversity in your team?
“I try to build a daily culture based on respect, collaboration and freedom of expression. I believe that leading without imposing and showing strength without raising your voice is one of the most concrete ways to create an inclusive environment.”
Are there challenges that affect women in particular?
“Yes, often subtle but real. At times, I have felt on the margins, not due to competence but because of social dynamics. Emotional reactions are sometimes judged differently when coming from a woman. Motherhood is another challenge, beautiful but complex, requiring balance, energy and the ability to juggle responsibilities. These experiences have made me a more empathetic and aware leader.”
How DEI and CSR work together and why Women in Leadership remains a strategic mission
The perspectives of Angela, Kathrin and Paola show much more than the usual messages surrounding International Women’s Day. They demonstrate that equality emerges when a company does not simply offer programs but aligns its structure to this goal, from global guidelines to HR processes and daily decisions.
Gi Group Holding sees CSR and Diversity not as separate areas but as an interconnected system. Our Sustainable Work approach shows that fair working conditions, equal opportunities, inclusion and sustainable development are inseparable. DEI is not a communication element but a central pillar of our responsibility as a global labor market actor. In Switzerland, programs such as coaching, mentoring, Parents@Work, flexible models and equitable HR processes reflect this strategy.
At the same time, the everyday work of our leaders shows that guidelines only matter when they are lived. The culture Kathrin describes, the structural decisions guided by Angela and the leadership style of Paola demonstrate how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion become a true value, not a slogan. International Women’s Day reminds us that Switzerland still has work to do. But it also shows that progress is possible when companies take full responsibility.
For us, Women in Leadership is not an annual commitment but a long-term mission. Women should not be an exception in leadership roles but a natural part of them. We will continue working toward this goal with structure, consistency and the conviction that sustainable work must always be fair work.
Learn more about career opportunities at Gi Group Holding
Learn more about our social commitment
Are you looking for a new job? Explore the open positions offered by our recruitment brands:
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Gi Group Holding expands in Switzerland: introducing Grafton and Enginium
January 2026 marks a major milestone for Gi Group Holding in Switzerland. We are proud to announce the launch of two global brands in the Swiss market: Grafton and Enginium. This expansion strengthens our multi-brand strategy and enhances our ability to deliver specialized HR and technology consulting solutions tailored to the Swiss market.
The benefit of a multi-brand approach
Gi Group opened its first branch in Switzerland in 2016 and has continued to grow. In 2022, we acquired Eupro, and in 2024, Kelly Services. These steps created the new Gi Group Switzerland. Our focus now shifts to the market and the rollout of our global brands. “A multi-brand approach allows us to serve different market segments with specialized services, increasing client satisfaction and credibility. It also strengthens our competitive position by offering tailored solutions, as many clients prefer working with specialized partners” says Balz M. Villiger, President of the Board & Country Manager Switzerland "We can already see this in our successful Gi Life Sciences business, which is one of the leading staffing brands in Switzerland for life sciences talent, and in our Gi Medical business, where we support hospitals and institutions in finding skilled personnel who help them care for their patients."
Grafton: Global Expertise, Local Specialization
Grafton operates in 27 countries and is recognized as a global leader in Search and Selection. With over 40 years of experience and deep local expertise, Grafton connects companies with the talent they need to grow – and helps professionals find careers that truly fit them. In Switzerland, Grafton started in 2022 with one branch in Ticino and is now expanding with an office in Zurich for the German-speaking region and an office in Geneva for the French-speaking region. The brand focuses on a profile-driven approach, connecting experts in the following professions: IT & Engineering, Finance & Accounting, and Fashion & Luxury.
Meet our new Leaders in Grafton
Our expansion is powered by exceptional people. Here are the professionals leading the way:
Paola Giardini: Branch Manager Mendrisio and Division Manager Fashion & Luxury
Paola has been instrumental in building our Grafton branch in Mendrisio since 2022. Her expertise ensures we deliver top-tier talent for some of Switzerland’s most dynamic sectors, such as Fashion & Luxury.
“As Branch Manager of Grafton Mendrisio, I am responsible for business development and, together with my consultants, for providing tailor-made solutions to our clients. We create valuable connections between businesses and professionals in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Nationally, we specialize in the retail sector with a strong focus on Fashion & Luxury. As Division Manager, I drive business growth and create impactful opportunities for our partners.”
Anita Mondelli: Branch Manager Zurich and Division Manager
Anita joined Grafton on 1 January 2026 and brings extensive experience in the staffing industry.
“As Division Manager at Grafton, I am responsible for the Search & Selection business and for shaping a sustainable and successful future. Additionally, I will proudly serve as Branch Manager, guiding the future team of Grafton Zurich, which is responsible for the German-speaking part of Switzerland. My goal is to bring people and organizations together successfully and sustainably: not only in terms of skills but also regarding attitude, values, and cultural fit.”
Richard Yanez: Senior Consultant Finance & Accounting, Geneva
Richard started on 1 January 2026 and brings over then years of experience in the Swiss staffing industry.
“With extensive recruitment experience, particularly in Finance & Accounting roles, I will strengthen our ability to attract specialized profiles in Western Switzerland. My network will be a valuable asset to our entire organization.”
Enginium: Driving Technology Consulting
Enginium brings end-to-end engineering consulting services to Switzerland. From research and development to product development, Enginium supports clients in industries such as Automotive, Telecommunications, Banking & Finance, Aerospace & Defence, and many more.
Lorenzo Nitoglia, Operations Manager for Enginium Switzerland, explains: “I am responsible for introducing to Switzerland the operating model that has driven Enginium’s success in Italy for the past eight years. With a background in Electronic Engineering, I have built and scaled technical IT and engineering consulting services throughout my career. Based in our Zurich office, I will lead business development across the country.”
What this means for you
For companies: We offer specialized recruitment and consulting services backed by global expertise and local insight.
We invite you to reach out today and start the conversation.
For candidates: Explore exciting career opportunities and discover roles that match your skills and ambitions.
Explore our open positions today.
Would you like to be part of our growth? We are currently hiring for Grafton.
Discover our open internal positions on our career page
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Holding News - 13/01/2026
