Succession Planning at SWA: Yvonne Baumgartner Takes on the Role of Co-Director
The SWA is pleased to welcome Yvonne Baumgartner as the association’s new co-director. Following a joint onboarding period with the long-serving director, Roland Ehrler, she will take over as executive director effective January 1, 2027.
As previously announced at the SWA SUMMIT in March 2026, Yvonne Baumgartner has now assumed her position at the association in September. Through the end of the year, Roland Ehrler will gradually introduce her to all of the association’s responsibilities. This joint onboarding period ensures a smooth transition at the office, and the two will be able to tackle important matters—such as the next SWA SUMMIT on March 11, 2027—together right away. As a result, Yvonne Baumgartner will already be connecting with many members and partners in the Swiss advertising market over the next few weeks.
Yvonne Baumgartner brings more than 18 years of experience in marketing and leadership roles at national and international companies and is thoroughly familiar with the advertising, media, and communications industries. Since 2024, she has served as Global Brand Director at Capri-Sun, where she was responsible for the beverage brand’s global brand strategy, innovation, communications, and media across more than 100 markets. Prior to that, she spent ten years at the Emmi Group, most recently as Global Marketing Head for the Emmi CAFFÈ LATTE brand. Earlier in her career, she worked at Johnson & Johnson and Swiss public television SRF. She earned her degrees from the University of Fribourg in media and communication studies, business administration, and sociology. Since then, she has continued to pursue professional development in marketing and leadership.
Back in June 2026, Yvonne Baumgartner was elected on behalf of the SWA to the Board of Directors of WEMF AG for Advertising Media Research and to the Executive Board of Digital Ad Trust Switzerland. She will assume additional positions and represent the SWA in the coming months.
Until his early retirement at the end of 2026, Roland Ehrler will remain responsible for the management of the SWA in his capacity as director. After that, he will continue to serve in specific, temporary capacities for the association. These include representing the SWA on the executive boards of KS/CS and Mediapulse AG, as well as serving on the board of trustees of the Swiss Fair Trading Commission.
More info at www.swa-asa.ch
