Switzerland has established itself as a leading hub for artificial intelligence (AI), ranking first in Europe in AI startup density in relation to population, and first in AI patents per one million inhabitants, according to Switzerland Global Enterprise, the country’s official organization for export and investment promotion.

This burgeoning scene is further reflected by the growing volume of AI-related funding. In 2023, one in ten of all recorded funding rounds in Swiss startups was allocated to AI-related ventures, according to the EY Startup Barometer Switzerland 2025. This figure has doubled over the past year. In 2024, more than one in five funding rounds (22%) was invested in startups that operate in the AI field or use the new technology as an essential part of their offerings.

Switzerland’s strength in AI is underpinned by the country’s world-renowned universities and research institutions in the field, including Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), the University of St. Gallen, and the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research (IDSIA) in Lugano.

Top-tier research and talent have attracted the world’s tech giants, including Google, IBM, and Microsoft, which have all set up AI hubs in the country, further fueling Switzerland’s AI scene.

Women have been at the forefront of this progress, driving AI innovation across academia, research, and the overall industry. They design strategies, write algorithms, and lead teams, helping shape the future of the field. To honor these leaders, the Greater Zurich Area, in collaboration with ETH AI Center at the ETH Zurich, released in September 2025 their top 100+ women in AI and data in Switzerland.

Among these, eight women are standing out for their remarkable expertise and contributions to the finance sector, recognized for their leadership, vision, and ingenuity.

Eleni Verteouri, Founder of Financier Labs, GenAI Tech Lead and Director at UBS

Eleni Verteouri is the founder of Financier Labs, an initiative aimed at democratizing access to high finance through the responsible use of AI. She also serves as generative AI (genAI) tech lead and director of conversational banking at UBS; a AI instructor at both ETH Zürich and ZHAW School of Management and Law; and a coach and mentor at Tenity, a fintech early-stage investor.

A recognized leader in responsible AI, Verteouri has over a decade of impactful work in model development. She has made significant contributions to shaping modern fintech innovations as an acclaimed AI guest lecturer and advisor and a recipient of the Forbes Cyprus 20 Women in Tech Award 2024. She holds an MSc in quantitative finance from ETH Zurich and an MEng in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Patras.

Dr. Sina Wulfmeyer, Chief Data Officer at Unique AI

Dr. Sina Wulfmeyer is the chief data officer at Unique AI, a European venture-backed business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) company pioneering advanced, responsible AI solutions for the financial services industry. At Unique, she oversees the development of FinanceGPT, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance customer relationships and increase productivity in the financial sector.

With over 15 years of experience in AI and data strategy, Sina has held significant roles, including leading data-related projects at Credit Suisse and consulting at Accenture in Germany and the US. She is also an active lecturer and expert in fields such as General AI, Ecosystem Technology, and Data Protection, contributing to academia and industry conferences across Europe.

Wulfmeyer has been honored as one of ETH’s Top 100 Women in Data and AI in 2025, a recipient of the GenAI Zürich Visionary Catalyst Award, and the winner of the Handelsblatt Diamond Star Award in 2024 as the First Woman in Banking and Fintech in Germany.

Alicja Basta, Head Trading Data Science at Vontobel

Alicja Basta is the head of trading data science at Vontobel. With over a decade of experience at Vontobel, she has played a central role in developing the bank’s data-driven trading platform, optimizing execution analytics, and advancing automation across the trading value chain.

Prior to joining Vontobel, she held roles at CERN, OMV, mBank, and Citi, where she built a strong foundation in data analysis, finance, and operational innovation.

Sarah Gadd, Chief Data Officer, Head of Data Platform and Process Automation at Julius Bär

Sarah Gadd is the chief data officer, head of data platform and process automation at Julius Bär. She has more than 20 years of experience in driving digital innovation and implementing change in the financial service industry.

Before joining Julius Bär, Gadd spent more than two decades at Credit Suisse, where she held several senior leadership roles, including global head of data and AI solutions and head of semantic technology, analytics, and ML. In these positions, she pioneered the adoption of advanced analytics, ML, and automation technologies across the bank’s global operations.

Dr. Julinda Gllavata, Head GCRG Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation at UBS

Dr. Julinda Gllavata is the head of the GCRG Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation at UBS. As a senior technology executive with deep expertise in data analytics, ML, and AI, she specializes in delivering business outcomes through cutting-edge, data-driven innovations.

Prior to joining UBS, Gllavata spent over a decade at SIX, leading the data analytics and AI business area in banking services, driving the execution and continuous alignment of the organization’s data and AI strategy, and ensuring the data roadmap delivers measurable business value. Projects included optimization and forecasting services, and payment enrichment services.

Prior to that, she was a senior consultant at Accenture, leading small to mid-sized projects in the financial industry, managing deliverables and translating complex business needs into functional requirements.

Claire Corish, Managing Director, Head of Data Analytics and AI for GWM, S&I and P&C Technology at UBS

Claire Corish is the managing director and head of data analytics and AI for GWM, S&I, and P&C Technology at UBS, where she leads large-scale data and AI transformations across the bank’s global business units. With over 20 years of experience in technology and digital innovation, she is a strategic technology leader with a track record of delivering large‑scale business and technology transformations in the financial services sector.

Prior to joining UBS, Corish led digital banking capabilities for Credit Suisse in Zürich, supporting the Swiss universal bank and group applications within IT. She managed a team of about 450 IT resources, and worked closely with the business to create innovative solutions for clients.

Prior to that, Corish was the head of strategic programs at Bank of Ireland where she ran key change programs across the bank, including programs on digital transformation, end-to-end customer journeys, regulatory compliance, and cost transformation.

She is also an experienced technology consultant at PwC and EY, helping multiple organizations with digital transformation, platform implementation, regulatory compliance and navigating their agile transformation journey.

Fabienne Zwingli, Head Risk Data and Analytics at Raiffeisen Schweiz

Fabienne Zwingli is the head of risk data and analytics at Raiffeisen Schweiz, where she leads the bank’s data-driven risk management strategy, integrating advanced analytics, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance frameworks. With over 15 years of experience in financial services, she has a proven track record of building robust data infrastructures that enhance transparency, optimize risk control, and support strategic decision-making across the organization.

Prior to joining Raiffeisen Schweiz, Zwingli held senior positions at Vadian Bank, where she served as deputy head of the corporate center, overseeing regulatory and risk reporting, capital planning, and treasury operations.

Earlier in her career, she managed IT operations and processes at Centrum Bank, and worked as a senior consultant at ifb International (EY ifb), specializing in SAP banking analytics, Basel II, and financial risk management systems.

Denise Wipfli, Head of Reporting and Data Analytics, Technical Center Non-Life at Generali

Denise Wipfli is the head of reporting and data analytics for the technical center non-life at Generali Switzerland, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance financial transparency, optimize data-driven decision-making, and strengthen business performance across the organization.

Wipfli is a senior finance professional with a 20 year track record in the general insurance and reinsurance industry, with broad functional expertise and extensive experience in financial analysis, reporting and controlling, audit, project and risk management, as well as strategy and planning.

Prior to joining Generali, Wipfli held senior leadership roles at Infrassure, including deputy CFO and head of audit and risk profiling. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade at Zurich Insurance Group, where she supported global and European leadership teams in strategic and financial management roles.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by michelangeloop via Freepik