Welcome Lesley Spiegel

Lesley Spiegel is the new Managing Director at D-GESS. Her first weeks at ETH have been intense, marked by a many new impressions and responsibilities. Lesley began her professional journey at EY, where she supported the development of business plans for high-tech startups. She later took on the role of managing director at Technopark Zurich, a position she held from 2004 to 2009. This role came with significant responsibilities at a young age, since the center hosts over 250 startups and SMEs and included developing support programs, engaging in fundraising as well as outreach activities. After becoming a mother, Lesley shifted to more flexible roles, including serving as a startup coach for Innosuisse and a lecturer at ETH Zurich’s Department of Management, Technology, and Economics (D-MTEC). Her course, "Success Factors for High-Tech Startups," combined theory, practical examples, and case studies to guide over 70 Master's and PhD students.
Lesley's career trajectory then took her to the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she served as Head of the Institute for Design Research from 2015 to 2019. During this time, she built an integrative institute encompassing seven subject areas, increased third-party funding to 50%, and cultivated partnerships with NGOs and industry stakeholders. Most recently, she served as Managing Director of the Digitalisierungsinitiative der Zürcher Hochschulen (DIZH), a joint venture of Zurich’s cantonal universities funded with 300 million CHF by the Canton of Zurich and the universities. Her work focused on promoting interdisciplinary digital research and innovation, establishing robust structures and processes, and fostering dialogue and outreach.
In addition to her professional achievements, Lesley is convinced of the importance of voluntarily dedicating time to the public and especially to young talents. She has contributed as a founding board member of the Impact Hub Zurich, Go!Zielselbständig (a microfinance vehicle for young entrepreneurs), and a founding board member of the ETH Entrepreneur Club. Her additional engagements extend to serving on the expert panel of BRIDGE, a joint initiative of the SNSF and Innosuisse, where she evaluates early-stage innovation proposals, with a particular focus on social innovation.
When asked about her motivations and the role at D-GESS, Lesley shared her long-standing connection to ETH through various roles, including her work at Technopark and Innosuisse, as well as her 8 years as a lecturer. She views ETH as an outstanding institution and sees D-GESS as uniquely positioned to foster reflective skills and contextual knowledge across disciplines. Her vision for the role includes fostering outreach to female students and researchers, encouraging alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals in research, addressing ethical questions related to AI, and promoting social innovation projects. Lesley is particularly enthusiastic about contributing to initiatives like PAKETH, a project launched by Rector Günther Dissertori to enhance teaching and provide students with greater academic flexibility.
The themes of well-being, inclusivity, diversity, and equity have been central to Lesley’s career. Her work at Impact Hub Zurich and Innosuisse emphasized sustainable entrepreneurship and social innovation. She has also been a dedicated advocate for female entrepreneurship, striving to increase the presence of women in male-dominated fields and supporting female talent across all her positions.
Outside of work, Lesley values Zurich for its unique combination of urban vibrancy and natural beauty. She enjoys the university town atmosphere and its proximity to recreational areas, particularly the mountains. She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys endurance sports like running, trail running, hiking, cross-country skiing, and sailing, as well as calmer activities like reading and cooking. Since Zurich is surrounded by incredible nearby destinations, Lesley highlights that she prefers local travel to minimize her carbon footprint.
Lesley’s diverse experiences and forward-looking vision promise to bring fresh perspectives and strategic insights to her role at D-GESS. With her remarkable background, she is prepared to make a significant impact at ETH Zurich and beyond.