Shows
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZAnat Bar-Gera on Becoming a Serial Entrepreneur, Tech Investor and Board MemberToday’s guest is Anat Bar-Gera. She has co-founded and successfully exited multiple telecom and internet companies, including Airpage, SurfEU, and YooMeeAfrica. She’s an investor in unicorns like Revolut and Fireblocks, with notable exits such as CyberX (Microsoft) and IntSights (Rapid7). A member of the World Economic Forum’s European Digital Leaders and UNICEF Switzerland delegate, she’s held board roles at the Bank of Cyprus and INSEAD Entrepreneurship Council.
In this episode, we explore:
Anat Bar-Gera’s shift to entrepreneurship and overcoming bias.
What is it like to co-found f...2025-01-0631 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZUnlocking Passion: Chloe Macintosh on Embracing Sexuality for Conscious EntrepreneurshipChloe Macintosh, founder and CEO of the sexual wellness app Kama, began her career in architecture, quickly rising to prominence as an associate partner at age 26 with Norman Foster. She co-founded made.com, a trailblazing homeware retail business, and later took on the role of Chief Creative Officer at Soho House. Chloe is now passionately focused on redefining conversations around sexuality and well-being, blending her innovative spirit with a quest for societal change.
In this episode, we explore:
Working full-time at Norman Foster while still a student and becoming an associate partner...2024-12-2029 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZLukas Weber and Steffen Wagner on Venture Capital, Investing and The Investor’s MindsetLukas Weber and Steffen Wagner are the co-founders of Verve Ventures, a cutting-edge venture capital firm focused on leveraging technology to solve global challenges. Lukas and Steffen's journey began in a small consulting firm in 2007, which was later acquired by PwC, solidifying their partnership and shared vision.
In this episode of Path | Passion | Purpose, host Elena Zafirova dives into the intricacies of sustainable investments, the growing interest among diverse investor profiles, and the exciting frontier of technology-driven solutions. Lukas and Steffen’s insights promise to both challenge and inspire upcoming investors and anyone passionate about impactful finance.
...2024-12-0639 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZKate Bright on Your Secure Lifestyle and Security MindsetKate Bright is the founder and CEO of UMBRA International, a unique Security Concierge and Secure Lifestyle services business. Under Kate’s leadership, UMBRA is on a mission to make security and the industry more accessible – she kickstarted the UMBRA Academy to underscore the impact and sustainability commitments of the business. She was shortlisted as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year in the Citywealth Awards in 2019. Kate joins Path | Passion | Purpose to share her remarkable career journey, from unexpected university paths and high-pressure roles at Disney, to carving out a niche in private security.
In this...2024-11-2537 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZMike Chang on Transforming Your Mind, Body, and EmotionsMike Chang is a fitness industry pioneer and YouTube sensation with over 4 million followers. Mike shares his compelling journey of achieving the American dream and then realising it wasn’t fulfilling. We delve into key moments of his life that led to profound changes, from battling anxiety and fear to discovering inner peace and true happiness.
In this episode, we explore:
Detaching from fears and anxieties
Transition from fitness focus to holistic well-being
Incorporating daily relaxation, meditation, and exercise
Challenges of maintaining balance and self-acceptance
...2024-11-1928 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZRaja Skogland on Entrepreneurship: Building Communities and CompaniesRaja Skogland shares her unique journey from growing up between Morocco and Switzerland to navigating the entrepreneurial landscape in Norway. She is now the Founder and Chair of The Visionary Company, Board and VC. She joins Path | Passion | Purpose to delve into her passion for community building, human connections, and empowering others through knowledge.
In this episode, we explore:
Starting over in a new country
Tapping into your “entrepreneurial spark”
Empowering individuals through straightforward and practical knowledge
Creating a safe space for overachievers
How a Fac...2024-11-0415 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZThomas Ermacora on Creativity Hacks and Bridging Design with PurposeThomas Ermacora is a Futurist, Architect and Impact Entrepreneur. He has worked with global players such as the X-Prize, the World Economic Forum, the Vatican, the UN, and the G7. His work is informed by three lenses: the geopolitical forces shaping our world, the trend towards nurturing the self, and a shift towards distributive infrastructures and digital society. He joins Path | Passion | Purpose to unpack the importance of maintaining playfulness, embracing failure, and pursuing purpose-driven work. The interview took place at Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
In this episode, we explore:
Public transportation's...2024-10-1426 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZCamilla Hagen Sørli on Family Business, Impact and Finding Your Authentic PathCamilla Hagen Sørli holds 20 years of experience within strategy, management, consumer behaviour, marketing, business development, and sustainability - for both her family’s business and also as an independent board member. Camilla is the founder of Akoya Publishing, an independent publishing house in the UK, dedicated to publishing exceptional literature from all over the world. She is the mother of four children and lives in London with her family. Camilla joins Path | Passion | Purpose to discuss values, responsible ownership, and Camilla’s vision for a better world.
In this episode, we explore:
The...2024-10-0721 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZReto Ringger on Converting the Banking Industry to Focus on Impact and SustainabilityReto Ringger is the founder of Globalance Bank, an owner-managed Swiss private bank which invests in future movers. Before starting Globalance Bank in 2011, Reto founded SAM Group (Sustainable Asset Management) in 1995. In collaboration with Dow Jones, SAM launched the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. He joins Path | Passion | Purpose to discuss the path towards founding Globalance Bank and his vision for the future of the financial industry and sustainability.
In this episode, we explore:
Pioneering sustainability in finance since the mid-90s
Working with visionary entrepreneurs and cautious investors
The psychological theory of ‘The Fo...2024-09-3022 minPath Passion Purpose by DIONZEzgi Cinar on Creating Sustainable Fashion and Confidence for WomenEzgi Cinar is a Turkish-Swiss fashion designer, creative director, and entrepreneur who is the visionary behind her eponymous brand, founded in 2016 and based in Zurich. She joins Elena Zafirova on the podcast to unpack her insights on creativity, the fashion industry, and the importance of sustainability. Ezgi also discusses her unique approach to fashion, emphasizing made-to-order practices to reduce waste and the importance of having fun in the creative process.
In this episode, we explore:
Reducing environmental impact in fashion
Can creativity be taught?
How to balance motherhood...2024-09-2326 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZPrincess Alia al-Senussi Phd on Making A Difference. the World of Art & Female Board MembershipPrincess Alia Al-Senussi, PhD, is a globally renowned member of the contemporary art world with a focus on cultural strategy and patronage systems. She is an active cultural strategist, writer, patron, public speaker and academic recognized for her deep knowledge of the global art world and its systems and members. Considered one of the foremost figures in contemporary art of her generation, Dr Alia has spent her entire career in the global art world. Dr Alia has served as Art Basel's UK and MENA Representative for over a decade, and is also currently Senior Advisor, International Outreach f...2024-06-0322 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZStefan von Bartha on Transforming the Art Industry, Family Business Innovation and Empowering ChangeStefan von Bartha (b. 1981) is the Director and owner of von Bartha. He is, with his wife Hester Koper, bringing the gallery into a new era with its dynamic art program at its two locations in Basel and Copenhagen, alongside its dedicated online presence. He became Director of the gallery in 2008 and has been responsible for keeping the DNA of one of the longest-running galleries while pushing it into the future. Now in its second generation, his vision for von Bartha is to be a space for inspiration and dialogue that values art for its critical and cultural importance...2024-05-2725 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZMaria Sukkar on Personal HealingBorn and raised in Lebanon, Maria relocated to London with her husband Malek and their three children in 2004. Their art collection named ISelf looks at identity with particular reference to the human condition. ISelf was shown at the Whitechapel Gallery in 2017 and 2018 and received over 350,000 visitors. Maria is a member of the International Council at Tate. She co-chairs their Middle Eastern Acquisitions Committee (MENAAC) and sits on their Photography Acquisitions Committee (PAC). Maria is a trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) and is a member of the Contemporary and Modern Middle Eastern Art (CaMMEA) acquisition group...2024-05-2020 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZAlisee de Tonnac on Female Entrepreneurship, Motherhood & ConfidenceAlisée de Tonnac's journey begins at the International School, first in Singapore, then in Silicon Valley, before returning to France. She obtained a Bachelor in Management and Economics from the HEC faculty of UNIL. Subsequently, she continued with a Master in International Management at the Università Bocconi. From 2011, she immersed herself in the field of marketing by joining the L'Oréal group in Milan. After two years, she made the decision to resign to join the founding committee of the Seedstars organization, whose mission is to support promising start-ups in emerging countries. Under Alisée's leadership, Seedst...2024-05-1319 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZChris Luebkeman on Being a Futurist & What's Humanity's OutlookChris Luebkeman’s career to date has spanned professions and geographies. His personal learning journey, encouraged by a family of entrepreneurs and educators, took him from his midwestern birthplace of Cincinnati, Ohio to Vanderbilt, Cornell and eventually to the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. His multidisciplinary education (geology, civil engineering, structural engineering, and a Doctorate in Architecture) led him to became an academic gypsy teaching courses in Design and in Technology at the University of Oregon, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and at the MIT. His research at that point focused on th...2024-05-0627 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZDr. Anna Erat on Longevity & Its Significance for Individuals and SocietyAnna completed her medical studies at the University of Zurich Medical School in Switzerland and Harvard Medical School in the USA. After graduating, she conducted post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School in biomedicine and genetics. In parallel, Anna received a PhD in epidemiology and health systems management from University of Basel (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute). Subsequently she specialized in internal and sports medicine in Switzerland. Before her role as a medical director in Klinik Hirslanden, she attended courses at Harvard Business School and graduated from the INSEAD Directors Program. Anna has been a c...2024-04-2923 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZDhani Harrison on Spirituality & Family LegacyMulti-Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, and artist Dhani Harrison's long career has been anything but ordinary. Originally stepping onto the global stage with his band thenewno2, a musical collective that seamlessly fused alternative rock, electronica, and blues, the band earned critical acclaim for its innovative sound and performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and on multiple late-night T.V. shows. However, it was as a solo artist that Harrison truly demonstrated his creative autonomy. His debut solo album, IN///PARALLEL, served as a testament to his evolution as a musician, which Rolling Stone dubbed, "A psychedelia-tinged journey into modern-day disconnect."...2024-04-2226 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZMimi Ikonn on Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth & ChangeMimi Ikonn is a serial entrepreneur, a social media influencer and an angel investor. She has co-founded several successful businesses. Luxy Hair was her first start-up, which became one of the largest Direct-to-Consumer beauty e-commerce brands online (acquired Dec. 2018). Currently, Mimi is mostly focusing on Intelligent Change, which she also co-founded. Intelligent Change has created the best-selling Five Minute Journal (2M+ units sold) and Productivity Planner (750k+ sold). Mimi is passionate about self-growth and sharing her personal findings with the world through her social media accounts. 2024-04-1525 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZProf. Dr. Philippe Schucht, MD on Neurosurgery, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy & Having a Healthy BrainBorn in Aix-en-Provence, Philippe Schucht grew up on Lake Zürich where he studied mmedicine. He focused his professional life on the brain, became a neurosurgeon, and studied and worked in South Africa, the USA and France. Today, he is responsible for research and education, pediatric neurosurgery and brain tumor surgery, and the translational HORAO Lab at the Inselspital, the University of Bern. He initiated several projects alongside his true north: He founded the Swiss Young Neurosurgeons Society, the main national educative organisation for neurosurgery in Switzerland. He created an NGO for building neurosurgical capacity in Myanmar, where only 4 c...2024-04-0821 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZMarina Cvetkovic on Leadership, Coaching & Finding Your PurposeMarina is an award-winning CEO Coach and Board Advisor, guiding boards, executives and top teams on the journey to extraordinary leadership beyond profit. With her rich business background in financial services, she personally advised and coached hundreds of executives across the globe. Marina is a sought-after keynote speaker on boardroom-related topics as well as a TEDx speaker. She serves on the board of Boardstrong NYC, an organisation committed to fostering a better board governance and a higher quality dialogue in boardrooms across the NY state. She is also on the board of Charterpath, a UK based organization dedicated to con...2024-04-0121 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZBenjamin Firmenich on the Intersection of Legacy, Purpose and ImpactBenjamin has 13 years’ experience in impact investing. His firm, Impact Finance, has disbursed, since October 2011, $360 million in high impact food value chains. Benjamin is head of impact and is a member of the investment committee. He developed Kharmax Impact Monitoring System, the company’s proprietary tool to enable portfolio companies to report on impact. Benjamin serves on the board of Stellar Impact, the private equity impact investing arm of a Belgian family and is member of the jury of IMD-Pictet Sustainability in Family Business Award. Following the merger of his family business Firmenich with the Dutch listed company DSM in 2...2024-03-2523 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZAngelica Morrone on Life-Changing Events & Giving BackAngelica’s career includes tenure at Fiat USA as Director of Investor relations, sales and trading at Morgan Stanley, followed by her co-founding her own asset management company which to date has invested and managed a compounded usd 2 billion. Angelica has been an Angel Investor for the past 20 years. Her vision of creating positive legacy that transcends generations by accelerating impactful capital is evident in her investments to date. While managing these venture, she built a private real estate portfolio worth usd 90 million. Angelica became an Olympian in 2014, is a published author, speaks 5 languages and has lived in...2024-03-1821 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZProfessor Stuart Russell on AI, AGI, Education, Consciousness & The Future of HumanityStuart J. Russell is professor (and formerly chair) of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California at Berkeley. He is holder of the Smith-Zadeh Chair in Engineering and director of the Centre for Human-Compatible AI. His book Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach is the standard text in AI; it has been translated into 14 languages and is used in over 1,400 universities in 128 countries. Stuart also works for the United Nations, developing a new global seismic monitoring system for the nuclear-test-ban treaty. He is an honorary fellow of Wadham College, Oxford; distinguished fellow of the...2024-03-1144 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZJennifer Robinson on Human & Women Rights, the Law & Need for ChangeJen has been instructed in domestic and international cases involving media law, public law and international law. She advises media organisations, journalists, whistle-blowers and high-profile individuals on all aspects of media law and reputation management. She has also been instructed in human rights related judicial review cases and has given expert evidence in Parliament and at the United Nations. Jen advises individual and state clients on a wide range of international law issues, has appeared before the International Court of Justice and regularly engages with UN Special Mechanisms. Many of her cases and clients are high-profile and...2024-03-0425 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZSir David King on Climate Research & ActionSir David King was the permanent Special Representative for Climate Change from September 2013 until March 2017. Sir David was previously the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor from 2000 to 2007, during which time he raised awareness of the need for governments to act on climate change and was instrumental in creating the Energy Technologies Institute. He also served as the Founding Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at Oxford; was Head of the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge University 1993-2000 and Master of Downing College at Cambridge 1995 -2000. Sir David has published over 500 papers on sc...2024-02-2621 min
Path Passion Purpose by DIONZWelcome to Path | Passion | Purpose by DIONZ by Elena ZafirovaPath | Passion | Purpose, a podcast presented by DIONZ, aims to inspire and empower its audience by interviewing conscious and impactful global leaders, NextGens, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Through candid conversations, guests delve into their self-realisation path, the discovery of their passion, and how they transformed these passions into impactful endeavours. DIONZ is a diverse member community of value-driven, multi-generational, interdisciplinary, and conscious individuals who include change-makers, entrepreneurs, NextGens, investors, leaders, experts, coaches, creatives, and life-long learners who want to co-create a better world. What ties us together is our value system. Through diverse event types and the DIONZ...2024-02-2601 min
Embracing Change with Feisal AlibhaiThe Future of the World: Bridging the Educational NextGen GapIn this episode, Feisal and Elena discuss the future of next gens, how to bridge the educational next gen gap, identifying important life lessons and experiences for next gens to develop and the importance of having an ecosystem.About Elena Zafirova: Elena is the founder & CEO of DIONZ. Designed for NextGens by NextGens, DIONZ provides unique educational experiences and a values-aligned community. Through the DIONZ app & online platform, the next generation of change-makers and impact seekers meet and interact with each other and with distinguished advisors, coaches, mentors, leaders and eminent organisations to learn how to prosper...2022-09-051h 05
Safe Space with Francesco LombardoPart 3: What We Practice We Become with Elena ZafirovaIn this the third of a three part interview, Elena Zafirova and Francesco discuss the future of NxtGen education and the importance of creating a uniquely tailored learning experience to each individual. Francesco also reminded us of the three pillars of "preparedness" and Elena shared her views that the future of NextGen education will be human-centered, meaning being built for NxtGen by NxtGen. Elena role models by being the example of what preparedness is by sharing her individual journey, which lead to starting DIONZ, a NextGen members community offering unique learning experiences.This was due to lack...2021-12-2122 minSafe Space with Francesco LombardoPart 2: Preparedness, What Is It and How to Become the Best Version of Oneself to Succeed in LifeIn part two of three, Elena and Francesco discuss what is currently working in the education system and what is lacking to better equip and prepare the NxtGen for their future. What are the three pillars of preparedness and why do they matter to ensure an individual is properly equipped for their future? Elena's shares her own lessons learned from the journey of building DIONZ and the importance of letting go of control. Francesco discussed the transition of evolving from being a gladiator to a samurai and the choice of allowing things, situations to...2021-11-3034 minSafe Space with Francesco LombardoPart 1: NextGen Education Is About Building One’s Ecosystem with Elena ZafirovaElena Zafirova, a nxtgen herself, shares her journey from graduating from a top boarding school to becoming a UK & US qualified lawyer advising her friends’ parents on wealth management and tax matters, to joining the leadership team of a tech unicorn, to becoming the founder and CEO of DIONZ, a nxtgen education start-up. Elena and Francesco discuss the lessons and opportunities that lie in having “dark days” and the importance of building a strong value-aligned “personal advisory board” to remind us of who we truly are and what our purpose is. In Elena’s case, it is co-creating a...2021-11-2327 min