Manuel P. Nappo

Manuel currently acts as the Director of the NZZ Academy, leading executive programmes that provide CEOs, Board Members and decision-makers with insights into geopolitical, technological, societal, and economic trends.

He also serves as an Independent Board Director for various organisations, bringing over 10 years of board experience to provide strategic guidance in digital leadership, the impact of AI, future capabilities and talent development.

As a pioneer in the digital space, in 2011 Manuel founded and until 2024 headed the Institute of Digital Business, as well as the Master of Advanced Studies in Digital Business and the Executive EMBA in Digital Leadership at HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich.

A recognised keynote speaker and editorial author, Manuel has been influential in shaping forward-thinking strategies in multiple companies. For his contributions, he was awarded the ‘Digital Pioneer of the Year’ by the IAB in 2013, and in 2015, the readers of Marketing & Kommunikation magazine voted him ‘Thought Leader of the Year.’

Manuel holds a master’s degree in International Management from the University of St. Gallen and is an alumnus of Singularity University and INSEAD.