Candidates announced for the Switzerland Chapter Chair elections

Dear members of the MCAA Switzerland Chapter,

As you know, your chapter is running elections for the Chair position. Please find below the eligible candidates in alphabetical order:

• Maria Jose Mendieta Jara
• Maya Harris

You can read about each candidate's manifesto below.

What happens next?

The election poll will open for voting on 1st August at 00:01 CEST, and remain open until the 4th of August 2024 at 23:59 CEST. During this time, candidates are asked to refrain from campaigning. 

Information about voting will be emailed to members  and published on the Chapter page. 

Candidates’ manifestos

• Maria Jose Mendieta Jara

I am eager to serve as Chair of the Switzerland Chapter because I believe in the transformative potential of the MCAA community for current and former fellows. My primary goal is to ensure that every member can fully benefit from the opportunities and resources available within this vibrant network.

By fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, I aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, professional development, and networking among MCAA fellows in Switzerland. I am particularly interested in organizing regular events, workshops, and meetings that address the specific needs and interests of our community, ensuring that the Switzerland Chapter remains a dynamic and supportive space for all members. By strengthening the connections between fellows and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, I believe we can collectively advance our research and professional endeavors.
 

• Maya Harris

I am Maya Harris, a MSCA alumni and Sustainability Specialist/Project Manager at Sika Technology Ag. Since my studies, I have been passionate about the turning of ideas into reality—the bridging of innovation to application. To me, this starts at home: being present in a space that fosters discussion and the building of networks. I’m applying to be the MCAA Switzerland Chair to bring people together, whether this is through a convivial dinner or through more constructive activities. I’ve had the pleasure to plan many types of events—a community carnival evening, a food pantry collection (coupled with ice skating), and multiple murder mystery dinners. Additionally, given my proactive spirit, I’ve enjoyed being a leader in various university-level honor societies in addition to being the PhD representative for my MSCA research group. 

As the MCAA Switzerland chair, I would channel my energy into further bringing the alumni together, strengthening our network, and putting together events which suit the group and the goals.