Anna Gräbner | CEO | Genolier Innovation Hub
Anna Gräbner is the CEO of the Genolier Innovation Hub, a role that perfectly blends her passion for both innovation and medicine. Her journey into the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry has been shaped by a diverse background, starting in the hospitality industry. This experience provided her with valuable insights into project management and the startup ecosystem. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to business development and networking initiatives, particularly in the healthcare sector, where she focuses on integrating innovative approaches to enhance patient care. At EliteX, we are proud to have Anna Gräbner as part of the edition: Transformational Women in Healthcare, 2025.
Her inspiration to enter this field stems from a strong belief in the importance of humanizing healthcare. She has always been fascinated by the idea of bringing hospitality standards into the hospital environment, ensuring that patient care is not only about treating diseases but also about addressing emotional well-being. She firmly believes that a holistic approach to healing leads to better patient outcomes and overall satisfaction.
“Success is not just about growth but about creating real solutions that improve lives.”
Throughout her career, Anna has encountered challenges, particularly the stereotypes surrounding age and gender in leadership roles. She has faced situations where she had to prove that competence and ability to innovate are not defined by these factors. Rather than being discouraged, she has used these challenges as opportunities to change perceptions. By leading with authenticity and determination, she has demonstrated that success is driven by passion, vision, and perseverance. Despite working in a demanding industry, Anna maintains her motivation by seeing her work as a passion rather than just a job. This perspective allows her to stay energized and engaged. She also places great importance on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By thoughtfully structuring her schedule and setting clear boundaries between her professional and personal life, she ensures that she remains sharp, creative, and effective in her role.
She is particularly excited about the integration of digital technologies in healthcare. These innovations are transforming the industry by improving diagnostics, personalizing treatments, and optimizing medical data management. Additionally, advancements in biosciences are creating new opportunities for disease prevention and treatment, further pushing the boundaries of modern medicine. Technology plays a key role in accelerating the transition from research to clinical practice, making healthcare more efficient and effective.
One of her proudest achievements is the establishment of the Genolier Innovation Hub. This unique ecosystem is designed to accelerate the transfer of scientific discoveries into clinical applications. Her vision for this project is to bridge the gap between research and patient care by fostering collaboration and breaking down barriers that slow medical advancements. By creating a space where experts from various fields can work together, she is helping to transform the future of medicine. She is also a strong advocate for the role of women in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. She believes that diversity is crucial for innovation and progress. Given that women are still underrepresented in the sector, she is committed to promoting equal opportunities and mentorship programs. She actively works to support young female talent in STEM and healthcare, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement to reach their full potential.
The Genolier Innovation Hub (GIH), inaugurated on September 27, 2024, is a cutting-edge center for health innovation located in Genolier, Switzerland, at the heart of the Swiss Health Valley. Spanning over 25,000 square meters, the Hub offers a unique ecosystem designed to foster collaboration between researchers, clinicians, industry experts, and academic institutions. Developed by Infracore SA and backed by AEVIS VICTORIA SA, the CHF 100 million project features modular office and lab spaces, surgery rooms, radiotherapy bunkers, and an immersive 300-seat auditorium. It also includes a rooftop garden designed to enhance well-being and creativity. The Hub’s mission is to accelerate translational research and the development of real-world healthcare solutions by bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical application. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and interdisciplinary approach, GIH aspires to become a global reference point in medtech, digital health, pharmaceuticals, and biosciences.
Her advice to young women entering the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry is to take risks and not be discouraged by challenges. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and staying determined. Resilience and perseverance are key qualities for success, and she encourages young professionals to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities that ultimately contribute to long-term growth. When faced with setbacks and failures, she sees them as chances to learn and improve. For her, failure is not an endpoint but an opportunity to reassess strategies and explore new approaches. This mindset keeps her agile and continuously innovating, allowing her to adapt to changes and challenges in the industry.
“Innovation cannot happen in isolation—collaboration is key to progress.”
Success in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, according to Anna, is built on three core values: impact, innovation, and integrity. She believes that true success is not just about financial growth but about creating tangible solutions that improve people’s lives. By staying true to these values, she has been able to make a meaningful impact in her field. Collaboration and teamwork are essential components of her work. She strongly believes that innovation cannot happen in isolation. At the Genolier Innovation Hub, she fosters synergies between healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry experts to accelerate progress. By working together, they can bring new medical advancements to patients more efficiently and effectively.
Looking ahead, she identifies several challenges that the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries will face in the next five years. These include the digitalization of healthcare, the ethical and secure handling of health data, rising treatment costs, and the need to speed up access to innovative therapies. She believes that addressing these challenges will require the adoption of new technologies and stronger collaboration between public and private sectors. To stay informed about the latest developments in her field, she relies on a combination of reading scientific literature, attending conferences, and engaging in discussions with experts. She values partnerships with research institutions, as they provide insights into emerging trends and innovations that will shape the future of healthcare.
Anna’s ultimate goal is to contribute to a sustainable transformation of the healthcare sector. She envisions a system that is more human-centered, efficient, and aligned with patient needs. By facilitating access to innovation and improving the overall patient experience, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on the industry. Her mission is to build a healthcare system that not only treats illnesses but also enhances the well-being of every individual it serves.
“Medicine shouldn’t just treat diseases; it should also enhance emotional well-being.”
