Alumni Spotlight: Nathalie Widmer (Exeter, 2008)

Guided by the belief "YOU ARE WHAT YOU INVEST IN,” alumna Nathalie Widmer (Exeter, 2008) and her business partner Anouk Hilti-Zingg co-founded Assarée, a next-gen impact platform that connects investors and businesses to drive real impact. As entrepreneurs and purpose-driven investors, they also co-founded the Female Wealth Owners (FWO) Empowerment for Impact Initiative, which fosters knowledge sharing and empowers women to take agency over their wealth and invest more impactfully. Both actively engage with various for-profit and non-profit organizations. Nathalie is dedicated to protecting the natural world and fostering reconnection with it, serving on the board of Naia Trust to advance a more balanced and sustainable global system. Anouk, with a background in business management from St. Gallen and experience at a Swiss private bank, co-funds impact ventures through The Rheinest Family Office and serves on the boards of The System Change Foundation and the We Share Forward Foundation.

What did you learn from your time at Aiglon that has shaped your career?

''My experience at Aiglon during my adolescence, surrounded by a close-knit community and nature, undoubtedly influenced my path. Appreciating the value of community eventually led to the creation of Assarée. Exposure to nature and the challenges of expeditions instilled in me a sense of awe and dedication. These experiences have inspired me to focus on harnessing our innate abilities to support and preserve the natural world on which we all depend''.

What led you to launching your business?

''After working in finance, I realized that traditional corporate structures weren’t for me. My subsequent experience in fashion design, while creative, felt disconnected in a world of over-consumption. Inspired by my business partner, Anouk, I came to understand that “there is an impact in doing nothing”—others might invest on your behalf in ways that don’t support a holistic worldview. This realization drove me to take control of my impact by aligning my finances with my values. Together with Anouk, we built a community of like-minded individuals and companies. Through curated experiences, our goal is to make investing more tangible and purposeful, inspiring our community to act upon their lever for change''.

How did you structure your team? 

''We have a small, agile core team that adapts to various impact topics and industry contexts, complemented by a broader network of Assarée ecosystem partners, including both for-profit and non-profit organizations. These partners provide access to relevant networks and expertise, enabling the Assarée community to invest in, accelerate, and inspire social and environmental outcomes''.

Anything you want to share with us right now?

We are currently focused on gathering and empowering women, as 70% of global wealth will be inherited by women in the next two generations. This presents a unique opportunity to (re)direct capital towards social and environmental outcomes. If this statement resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you at [email protected].

What is the best way to connect with ASSARÉE?

You can connect with us through the following channels:

- Website: www.assaree.com

- LinkedIn: rb.gy/m84fce

- Instagram: @x_assaree

Quick fire questions about your time at Aiglon

- Favourite part of the campus? It was the tuck shop, no contest. RIP to everyone's pocket money.

- Most special memory of your time at Aiglon? Growing up in a community with kids from all over the world, set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. That blend of lifelong friendships and epic scenery is hard to top.

- Toughest expedition? Speaking of tops… It’s a close call between the Dents du Midi and Dents de Morcles, with enough bite to remind me why I started training back in BPF 2.