OUR TEAM
The SwissABILITY operational team has many years of experience in the field of development cooperation and, more specifically, in physical rehabilitation in developing countries.
SwissABILITY can count on a highly qualified Board of Directors and Advisory Board whose experience and commitment make valuable contributions to the association.
The members of these two Boards offer their services and time for free, as do the more than 70 volunteers that SwissABILITY can rely on.
THE OPERATIONAL TEAM
Roberto Agosta
Executive Director
In the more than 3 decades Roberto Agosta has been involved in International Cooperation and Development, his work has taken to him to more than 20 African nations, 12 of which he lived on the continent.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies from the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii and a Masters in Humanitarian Management from the Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) and a certificate in Advanced Studies from SUPSI in Cooperation and Development.
In 2012, he created the social enterprise SwissLeg to promote an innovative prosthetic solution introduced in the Middle East and Africa, which in 2016 became the non-profit association, SwissLimbs, of which Roberto was it’s Executive Director. In 2022, he founded the SwissABILITY Association with the aim of expanding its work in rehabilitation, cooperation and development
Roberto is also a board member of “Soccorso d’Inverno Ticino”, that offers practical help to the poor in Switzerland who are usually unrecognized.
Nicole Rossi
Regional director
Nicole holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Geneva. In addition, she obtained a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Cooperation and Development and a CAS in Project Management from SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland).
After working in politics and journalism, she began working in the field of Cooperation and Development for Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Association as Communications and Events Officer, and for SwissLimbs Association as Operations Officer, focusing on fundraising, communications and events.
In 2022 Nicole became the Regional Director of SwissABILITY. Her responsibilities include the creation and planning of new projects as well as the implementation and management of these and other projects in the field. She is also responsible for fundraising, events and media relations and communications.
Alessandra Aries
Program Manager
Alessandra holds a Bachelor’s in Linguistic Sciences for International Relations from UCSC in Milan and a Master’s in International Organization from Leiden University, in the Netherlands She also holds a postgraduate Diploma in Design for International Cooperation, a CAS in Cooperation and Development at SUPSI and has completed several courses in the humanitarian and gender equality fields.
In 2019, she participated as a volunteer on a humanitarian mission to Zanzibar, Tanzania. In 2020 Alessandra wrote her thesis to obtain her degree from the Centro di Accoglienza Straordinaria di migranti in Varese,Italy.
In 2021, Alessandra began working in the field of International Cooperation first as an intern and then as a Project Manager at the SwissLimbs Association. In October 2022, she started a new path as Program Manager at SwissABILITY.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tomislav Matiević
President
Tomislav Matiević is a manager and consultant with over 35 years of experience gained during his work in universities and companies in Switzerland, Germany and Italy. For 20 years he headed the technical and production departments of Swiss companies specializing in the development and production of machinery and production plants. Over the past 15 years, his focus has shifted to technical documentation, communication and CE certification. As CEO, department head and consultant, his experience is sought after by small and large companies alike.
Tomislav holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from the ETH Zurich. He is also a CE certified specialist.
For over ten years, Tomislav has been contributing to humanitarian projects in which he repeatedly took advantage of his resources and technical skills.
Dr. Julian Lair
Vice-president
Dr. Lair is an orthopedic surgeon. Originally from Austria, he now lives in Italy. He began his career as an orthopedic technician, before pursuing medical studies in Innsbruck, becoming a specialist surgeon in the sector. He currently collaborates with private and public facilities in South Tyrol, with a particular focus on pediatric orthopedic surgery and hip and knee prostheses.
Julian has been actively involved in Africa for several years, collaborating as a volunteer with various orthopedic centers and offering his skills as a technical consultant and trainer of professionals on site.
Paolo Rossi
Member of the Board of Directors
Paolo Rossi was a corporate executive for many years, among others CEO of the Ticinese Electric Company (1999-2007) and of the Massagno Electric Company (2015-2021). Paolo trained at the Università Statale of Milan and attended numerous postgraduate courses in energy and economics, in particular at the London Business School. Paolo has extensive experience both in Switzerland and abroad in the management of companies as well as consultance and business strategies, especially in the energy sector.
Currently Paolo is a business consultant, principally to investors and companies with regards to energy transition, sustainability and smart grids.
THE ADVISORY BOARD
Augusto Zambaldo
Physiotherapist
Augusto Zambaldo is a physiotherapist with more than thirty years of experience in International Cooperation & Development. His academic background includes studies in law, physiotherapy and a course in Program Planning and Management.
He started his professional experience as a physiotherapist with people with severe disabilities in Ghana and then moved to Kenya and Malawi. Since 1995 he has held positions of responsibility and management for healthcare facilities in Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, country where he has been living permanently for almost ten years and where he holds the role of Project Coordinator at the Iringa Regional Referral Hospital.
Izzy Cumming-Bruce
Director of Development
Izzy has 10 years of experience in fundraising, and programme design and delivery in the UK and overseas for people with disabilities, women and girls. She has extensive experience of working in Central America, East Africa and India. She is the Director of Development of a UK women and girls education charity, WONDER Foundation. She also acts as a Trustee for an international health and disability care charity, Hope Health Action.