Our team

Frank Kumli has worked at Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2019.

Previously, Frank Kumli worked ten years for Ernst & Young in various global and local functions. Before that, he headed the business development efforts for health ingredients at Lonza and as Director of Marketing & Sales at Carbogen Amcis accompanied its development from start-up to a multinational enterprise.

Frank Kumli completed his PhD in organic chemistry at the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Colorado State University (US), a Sales Management degree at the University of St. Gallen (CH) and an Executive MBA at the University of Rochester (USA/CH).

Lucas Scherdel has been working for Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2021.

Previously, he worked in a number of digital and strategic roles in global and regional functions, including the European and global offices of the World Health Organization and the UK’s National Health Service. He also led the Global Coalition for Value in Healthcare at the World Economic Forum.

Lucas Scherdel completed his BSc in neuroscience in the UK and has a Masters degree in politics, philosophy and economics of health from University College London. In 2020, Lucas Scherdel was named on the Forbes list 30 under 30 for science and healthcare in Europe for his contributions towards healthcare.

Thomas Brenzikofer has been with Basel Area Business & Innovation since 2016.

Prior to that, he was Deputy CEO, Head of Communications and Manager of ICT Technology for i-net innovation networks switzerland.

Thomas Brenzikofer was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Netzwoche IT magazine. He launched the C-level Magazin business journal and was editor of the WerbeWoche trade paper and of the digital lifestyle magazine Smile as well as a freelance journalist for Cash, Facts, Bolero and various daily newspapers. He is involved as a partner with the quality label Swiss Made Software.

Thomas Brenzikofer studied philosophy and German language and literature at the University of Basel, specializing in communication and media studies.

Frédéric Nicolet joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2019. He is responsible for the development and management of technology projects in the Canton of Jura.

Previously, he was Lead Sales Specialist at Bently Nevada, and he held various sales and project management positions at BKW AG in Delémont. He worked as a hardware and firmware developer and as European sales manager in the field of electromagnetic compatibility.

Frédéric Nicolet studied electronic engineering at the Haute Ecole Arc in Saint-Imier and completed his education with a CAS in renewable energies and had further training in coaching.

Thomas Nirnberger started working at Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2019.

He previously worked at MediPaCe as Consultant and Operations Lead in the field of Patient Centricity. Before that, he held various roles at the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Sweden and Germany, including assignments in Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management and Procurement, where he supported functions from Early Research, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs to Market Access.

Thomas Nirnberger studied Molecular Biotechnology at FH Campus Vienna, University of Applied Sciences.

Mariela Salas joined Basel Area Business & Innovation in 2019.

She was previously Director of Marketing at the American University of the Caribbean Medical School and Marketing Manager for Baptist Health South Florida, one of the largest regional hospital systems. Mariela Salas worked in advertising for Saatchi & Saatchi sister agency Conill and prior to that at Hill Holliday. Her clients included Procter & Gamble, Lexus, Cleveland Clinic, CVS/Pharmacy, Dunkin’ Donuts and others.

Mariela Salas studied marketing at the University of Miami (US) where she also earned an MBA in International Business with a specialization in computer information systems. She obtained a diploma in desktop publishing and graphic design from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale (US) and a certification from the Digital Marketing Institute.