About Us

Our Approach

 

In 2017, a small group of international female professionals launched The Klosters Forum, driven by a shared belief in the power of collaboration to drive systemic change and a mutual love of the mountains.

The Swiss Alps provide a serene and breathtaking backdrop for The Klosters Forum, offering an ideal environment for our participants to reconnect with nature and each other as well as find grounding and energy amidst the stunning natural beauty.

Over time, The Klosters Forum has transformed into a community of experts committed to addressing the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

As a neutral forum, we pivot our focus biannually, tackling issues such as plastic pollution, food systems and biodiversity regeneration, and, the built environment.

Our efforts include hosting an annual forum in the Swiss Alps, producing informative and educational content through our podcast series, videos, and social media channels, and running a series of TKF Talks.

Team

We’re proud to have a dedicated team of passionate professionals who share a deep commitment to advancing the mission of The Klosters Forum.
Together, we’re working to build a more flourishing future for our planet.

Stephanie von Meiss Co-Founder / Executive Director
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Stephanie has a diverse background in sustainability consulting, business consulting, and media. She holds an MA in Sustainability from EOI in Madrid (2008), alongside an MA in Business Studies from Edinburgh University (2006).

Before starting TKF, Stephanie also orchestrated the Nexus Youth Summit in London, curated a series of impactful ethical fashion events, and ventured into entrepreneurship by launching her sustainable shirt company.
Noëmi Staehelin Director
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Noëmi is co-founder of Residently, a property-tech start-up based in London. Since April 2020 she has changed direction and started building an FBA e-commerce business, scaling a home decor brand. Noemi holds a Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University.
Clare Heaton Director
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Clare was the Legal Advisor at the White Cube gallery having previously trained at Norton Rose Fulbright. Clare received a BA Honors in English Literature from the University of Newcastle and attained both her Graduate Diploma in Law and completed the Legal Practice Course at BBP Law School, London.
Peter Flynn Director
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Pete is a Director at PwC and specialises in career transition for senior executives, coaching and wellbeing. Prior to PwC, Pete spent over 20 years as an officer in the Parachute Regiment, latterly joining the Royal Household, as Equerry to the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall; a role akin to a Chief of Staff in HM The King and HM Queen's Private Office.

Pete is Chair of the Royal National College for the Blind, a trustee of the suicide prevention charity James's Place and is on the steering committee of the PwC Foundation. He also remains involved with a number of other charities, including Supporting Wounded Veterans and the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.
Lalie Jacout Head of Events
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Lalie has spent many years in event management, hospitality and interior design. She is one of the founding owners and the interior designer for the renowned cocktail bars The Little Yellow Door, The Little Blue Door, and The Little Orange Door in London.

As an avid believer that an extraordinary surrounding, setting and meal can engender greater outcomes, Lalie has come onboard with TKF to bring some of her dynamic energy to the forum. As a life-long skier and Klosters lover she can think of no better or more beautiful place to host such a forum.
Hannah MacInnes TKF Podcast Host
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Hannah MacInnes is a broadcaster and journalist. She presents on Times Radio and hosts the How To Academy’s Live Programmes and Podcast where her interviewees include Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall, Melinda Gates and Sean Penn. She has written for the Radio Times, the Evening Standard and TLS. Before going freelance she worked for 8 years at BBC Newsnight, as Planning Editor and as a Producer / Filmmaker.
Hannah Sowerby-Hill Social Media
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Hannah is a social media and content specialist committed to helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable future through impactful storytelling. With previous experience at an electric vehicle startup championing clean air initiatives, she now seeks to promote sustainability more holistically. Hannah envisions a world where everyone has access to clean air and a more sustainable environment, with a keen interest in circular economy, regenerative farming, eco-friendly building practices, and greener solutions for transportation. She firmly believes that community and collaboration is key to building a brighter future for all.

The TKF team is further supported Philip Reuchlin who acts as sustainability advisor.

Board of Trustees

Camilla ter Haar Co-Founder / Chair of the Board
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Camilla received an MA in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh, attained her CPE Graduate Diploma in Law from City University London, and holds an MA in Advanced International Studies from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.
Dr. Susanne von der Becke Board Member
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https://www.vdbinsights.com/about-susanne/
Sarah Ichioka Board Member
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https://www.sarahichioka.com/
Sally O'Brien Board Member
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dWUWj87zGKQOyGX3W-pU95EBf7R9OMCA/view?usp=sharing
Jessica Altenburger Board Member / Treasurer
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Jessica Altenburger has been working in the field of sustainable development for the past 15 years. She is currently co-leading an education project at myclimate in Zurich, focusing on the systemic integration of climate protection into vocational training.
As founder of Sanima in Lima, Peru, she pioneered a sustainable sanitation service for families in structurally disadvantaged communities. She later joined WATER FOR WATER where she led the organisation's impact business development in Mozambique. In addition, she was instrumental in the organisation's efforts to build capacity in the water sector in Zambia. Until 2023, she served as Interim Chair of the Integrated Sustainable Development Foundation in Switzerland, which implements inclusive, sustainable urban development. Her academic background includes a BFA in Product Design from Parsons School for Design in New York. She is a mother, a passionate painter, an untalented cross-country skier and has a deep love of nature and mountains.
Susanne von Meiss Founding Board Member
Beatrice Langloh Founding Board Member
Christine Labes Founding Board Member

TKF Support

As a small non-profit organisation, The Klosters Forum relies on donations to sustain its operations and achieve its mission. Donations allow us to support those change makers who could otherwise not attend TKF, to organise events, and to support our team of experts and staff. Without the generous contributions of individuals and organisations who share our values and goals, we would not be able to pursue our mission of accelerating the much needed systemic change to protect our natural environment.
Therefore, donations are crucial to the success and sustainability of The Klosters Forum.
If you’d like to support us, please get in touch.

TKF Carbon Reduction Strategy

We believe that every individual and organisation has a responsibility to take action to reduce their impact on the environment. By pursuing a carbon reduction strategy, we are taking a critical step towards reducing our carbon footprint. To achieve this, we will be using Climeet to accurately measure our carbon footprint and identify areas where we can make improvements. We believe that this effort will not only benefit the environment, but hopefully also set an example for others to follow. Find out more about our carbon reduction strategy here.