Social Entrepreneur | Social Impact and Justice Advocate | Harvard and HSG | Passionate about creating a more inclusive, innovative and resilient futur
From Academic Excellence to World-Changing Ventures
Chantal Braunwalder’s journey exemplifies the fusion of academic excellence and a profound impact on the global stage. With a foundation laid at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, Chantal earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in English, with a focus on social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation. Her academic achievements were notably recognized with a summa cum laude distinction for her thesis, “Scaling Social Justice in the Fashion Industry,” paving the way for a career committed to fostering positive change.
Her scholarly pursuits extended to Harvard College as a Visiting Student, where she delved into courses like Entrepreneurship and Creativity Studio labs, Entrepreneurial Solutions in Developing Countries, and Climate Change, Migration, and Human Rights. This transformative experience broadened her knowledge and fueled a passion for catalyzing societal change globally.
Key Takeaways
- Innovative Problem-Solving: Chantal embodies an innovative and creative approach to addressing societal challenges.
- Empathy in Leadership: Her coaching work emphasizes the significance of empathy and emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
- Sustainability as a Core Value: For Chantal, sustainability encompasses not just environmental concerns but also the imperative of being a continuous source of support and creating lasting platforms for impact.
- Strategic Leadership and Execution: Chantal’s knack for strategy and project execution demonstrates her exemplary leadership capabilities.
- Global Perspective and Community Engagement: Her international experiences and community involvement underscore the value of a global perspective and active engagement with societal issues.
Creating Impact through Team Spirit International
Chantal founded Team Spirit International in the nurturing environment of two Harvard incubators. This social venture, based in Uganda, is dedicated to enhancing refugee self-reliance through strategic initiatives, including a successful crowdfunding campaign, educational bootcamps, and the development of innovative impact measurement metrics.
Empowering Transformation: Life and Empowerment Coach
Chantal extends her commitment to personal development into her role as a Life and Empowerment Coach, certified by the Dharma Coaching Institute. This certification equipped her with methodologies to bolster emotional resilience and guide individuals on their journeys toward self-realization and growth. Her coaching philosophy is a testament to her belief in the power of mentorship to transform lives.
Driving Sustainable Solutions at Impl. Project and ETH Zurich
Chantal’s engagement with sustainability and international development is evidenced by her support of the conceptualization of a revenue-generating venture at the impl. project in Washington DC. Additionally, her work with ETH Zurich’s Sustainability in Business Lab showcases her dedication to solving global challenges, with a focus on carbon removal and sustainable packaging.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Chantal continues to inspire future leaders through her involvement in Effective Altruism, constantly learning to maximize her impact and encourage others to do likewise. She is actively building platforms for aspiring leaders with her coaching practice and Team Spirit International. Her teaching experience at Nekacheya School in Zambia, where she covered English, Science, Math, and the integration of climate change and business into the curriculum, reflects her commitment to education and fostering environmental and social responsibility.
Chantal Braunwalder: A Beacon of Hope and Innovation
Chantal Braunwalder’s narrative is a compelling testament to a leader who seamlessly blends academic prowess, entrepreneurial zeal, and a steadfast commitment to social and environmental justice. Her leadership, marked by innovation, empathy, and strategic insight, serves as an inspiration to those aiming to effectuate a positive difference in the world.
Leadership Lessons
- Embrace Diverse Perspectives: The importance of valuing different cultures and experiences in our interconnected society cannot be overstated.
- Lead with Purpose and Heart: Purpose-driven and heart-aligned leadership is essential for achieving meaningful and enduring impacts.
- Foster Innovation: Innovative thinking is crucial for addressing complex challenges.
- Build Resilient Communities: A focus on empowering and strengthening communities is key to sustainable development.
- Continuous Learning and Growth: Seize every opportunity as a chance to learn and encourage continuous growth in others.
Vision for the Future
Chantal aspires to pioneer a new paradigm of human flourishing that lays the groundwork for thriving future generations. She envisions a world where individuals exercise their agency for good, enjoy equal access to opportunities, and participate in supportive ecosystems worldwide. Her global experiences, spanning over 35 countries and diverse fields such as sustainability, development, social entrepreneurship, and innovation, inform her ambition to establish a moonshot incubator for high-impact ventures that integrate personal development with ethical and scalable solutions. She champions the integration of impact-driven endeavors into academic discourse and the necessity of shifting values towards greater societal good.
