MEET THE FOUNDERS
Anouk Hilti-Zingg (1991) and Nathalie Widmer (1990) are the Zurich-based founders of Assarée.
ANOUK
brings personal and professional experience in accelerating and scaling social and or environmental outcomes, harnessing innovative financial and non financial instruments. She pushes the boundaries of the traditional by identifying high potential individuals on the founders but also funders side, planting an inspirational seed in their head, striving to harness their context and skillset in the most impactful ways – “unlocking their inner chief mission officer” (Myriam Sidibé).
NATHALIE
explores and supports cultural, ecological, and relational transformation beyond conventional structures, redefining value and embracing blended returns.
What is Assarée to you, and how has it shaped you?
A: “Assarée is a movement of like-minded peers who inspire and support each other to unlock our full potential and use our private and professional levers to maximize social and environmental impact. It has shaped the way I live, work, and dream – enabling me to show up as my true self, believe in my influence and skills, and find purpose in being of service to the planet, my peers, and myself.”
N: “Assarée has become a way of life – my way of showing up. It’s a vehicle for positive impact, connecting people and capital in more relational ways. By focusing on my levers for change, I’ve gained space for clarity and creativity. It feels like a gift: to dedicate myself to unlearning old patterns, stepping into direct experience, and engaging more intentionally with the complex systems through which capital flows.”
What do you see as your biggest personal lever for change?
A: “To inspire and support others to act. Doing nothing also has impact – wealth is always invested, often in ways misaligned with our values. I believe engaging those not yet convinced, planting a seed that allows them to discover their own path to impact within their context and skills, is the most effective use of my time.”
N: “My focus is to inspire people to rethink wealth, valuing returns that go beyond money alone. With my time and freedom, I strive to cultivate a worldview that envisions a more just and desirable system, rooted in balance with, and reverence for, nature.
*For a grounded view of reality, I often turn to Nate Hagens’ The Great Simplification, which illuminates how energy, economics, and human behavior intertwine – reminding us that we can’t divorce capital from the natural systems that sustain everything.”