Fontanellaz Barbara, Dr.

Fontanellaz Barbara, Dr.
Phone:
+41 58 458 28 98
E-Mail:
Function:
Director General
Division:
Workplace:
National
Dr. Barbara Fontanellaz is Director General of the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training SFIVET. She took office on 1 March 2020. Having obtained her PhD from the University of Zurich in 2008, she was Head of the Department of Social Work of the University of Applied Sciences of St. Gallen from 2014 until early 2020. Barbara Fontanellaz was a member of the Foundation Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and chaired the Swiss Specialised Conference on Social Work of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (SASSA) until 2020.
Work experience
- Since March 2020: Director General of the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training SFIVET
- 2014–2020: Head of the Social Work Faculty of the University of Applied Sciences of St. Gallen (FHSG)
- 2008–2014: Member of the Executive Committee of the ZHAW School of Social Work, Department Head and Director of Studies for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Social Work
- 2001–2008: Teaching/Research Assistant at the Institute of Education, University of Zurich
- 1996–2004: Social Educator and Group Leader at the Rötel Centre (social education for children and families)
- 1989–1996: Application Programmer at Credit Suisse in Zurich and Lausanne
Mandates/Memberships
- Member of the Board of Directors of covai AG
Publications
Education
- 2018–2019: CAS in Leadership and Governance at Higher Education Institutions, University of Zurich
- 2012–2013: HEM Executive Programme: Higher Education Management
- 2008: PhD in Social Education, Social Psychology and Philosophy, University of Zurich
- 2000: Master’s degree from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Zurich
- 1993–2000: Studies in Education Science, Social Psychology and Philosophy, University of Zurich
- 1989–1990: Training to become an Application Programmer at the IT School of Credit Suisse Zurich