Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi

Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi
Respectively Chair of Trustees and Co-Founder
Chance for Childhood and Applied Sustainability GmbH

I first came to ETH Zurich in the mid-1980s to pursue a PhD in polymer chemistry and catalysis. My research group was truly international, and ETH gave me the foundation for a global career. Looking back, I realise how much those connections shaped my path.

After ETH, I spent many years at Dow, where I worked on advanced materials and innovation projects. That experience taught me the importance of collaboration across disciplines and industries; something I believe ETH alumni can do brilliantly if we have the right platforms.

Today, my focus is on sustainability. It’s not just a trend; it’s a necessity. Alumni networks can play a huge role here by sharing expertise, driving partnerships, and accelerating solutions. We should be doing more to connect alumni across industries and geographies, not just for social reasons but for professional collaboration and knowledge sharing. There’s so much expertise in our network—why not make it easier to access?

I see initiatives like the ETH Circle as a great start, but we need to go further. Structured networking, mentorship programmes, and tailored co-creation opportunities are key. Alumni want to contribute, but they need visibility and opportunities to engage meaningfully.

ETH’s strength isn’t only in its academic excellence; it’s in the global community of innovators who began their journey here. Let’s make those connections thrive.