Impact Gstaad Expands Its Board
Impact Gstaad has strengthened its board with the appointment of Toni von Grünigen. From 2017 to 2024, he served as mayor of the municipality of Saanen and, during that time, was directly involved in the issues and projects that Impact Gstaad is actively working on today. The board also comprises President Manuel Linder, as well as Ana De Moura, Linda Bach and Livia Michel.
For Manuel Linder, President of Impact Gstaad, the choice was an obvious one: “Toni von Grünigen knows the region, its key players and its challenges from many years of direct experience. That is a real asset for our work.” Von Grünigen himself emphasises the value of Impact Gstaad: “The desire to drive the region forward is unmistakably evident in the Saanenland. What is needed are platforms that bring people with similar interests together so that they can make a difference together.”
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Exclusive events
This commitment is reflected in the programme of events for the second half of the year. On 21 August 2026, Impact Gstaad is hosting a half-day glacier excursion to Glacier 3000. Dr Matthias Huss (GLAMOS / ETH Zurich) will lead participants on a Science Walk and explain what the retreat of the glaciers means for the regional water supply. This will be followed on 9 October by an Impact Circle event on the topic of inheritance and intergenerational responsibility.
In addition to seasonal events, two implementation projects are currently underway: Zukunftswald Saanenland is working on climate-resilient forest restoration and a functioning regional forest-to-timber value chain; Young Impact is using its events for school classes to instil an understanding of sustainability issues in the younger generation.
Four questions for Toni von Grünigen
You were asked to join the board of Impact Gstaad. What made you decide to accept?
I can see some good ideas behind this. Impact Gstaad is an exciting initiative, and in my role as mayor I have repeatedly come into contact with people who want to make a difference in this region. For me, Impact Gstaad provides the right framework for this.
Which issues are of the greatest concern to you regarding the Saanenland?
For local people, the housing situation is a key issue. Sustainability is also crucial: the Saanenland Future Forest is a concrete example of what is possible when you bring the right partners together. And Young Impact – working with young people – is just as important to me. It’s about fostering mutual understanding.
What can you bring to the board?
I know the region; I know the people. Those who have been involved for some time have gained experience and knowledge that they can pass on.
Impact Gstaad positions itself as a platform that brings together various stakeholders. What is needed to achieve this in the Saanenland?
The desire to drive the region forward is undeniably palpable in the Saanenland. What is needed are platforms that bring people with similar interests together so that they can make a difference together. For me, that is the value of Impact Gstaad.