Ladina Heimgartner Takes Over as Chief Operating Officer of EqualVoice

Ladina Heimgartner Takes Over as EqualVoice Lead from Annabella Bassler

Ringier’s EqualVoice initiative is undergoing a leadership transition: Ladina Heimgartner, Head of Media and CEO of Ringier Medien Schweiz, will take over operational leadership from founder and Ringier CFO Annabella Bassler effective September 1, 2026. The change comes in response to the steady growth EqualVoice has experienced in recent years. The new appointment is intended to anchor the initiative even more firmly within the company’s day-to-day media operations and core business.

Annabella Bassler will remain closely connected to EqualVoice: She will assume the chairmanship of both the national and international advisory boards. «EqualVoice has evolved from an idea into a powerful movement,» says Bassler. «With the tremendous growth of recent years, now is the perfect time to embed the initiative even more deeply into day-to-day media operations. Ladina Heimgartner is the ideal person to take EqualVoice to the next level.»

For her part, Ladina Heimgartner pays tribute to her predecessor’s pioneering work: «With EqualVoice, Annabella Bassler has firmly established the issue of gender equality in the media in a fact-based and pragmatic way. Our goal is to expand the existing EqualVoice initiatives, set new priorities in terms of content, and harness the power of our media brands even more effectively to promote equality and diversity.»

AI-Based EqualVoice Assistant for Businesses

Alongside the leadership change, EqualVoice is taking a technological step forward: In September 2026, the initiative plans to publicly launch the EqualVoice Assistant. According to the press release, the AI solution has already proven itself in newsrooms, processing more than 32,000 articles per month. The tool is now also aimed at companies and organizations. As a web-based writing environment, it is designed to detect unconscious gender biases and stereotypes directly as texts are being written and to provide real-time alternatives for balanced communication.

In addition, EqualVoice is continuing to expand its EqualVoice United partner network and is developing an exclusive masterclass for executives in collaboration with the IMD Business School.

Advisory Board Strengthened with Two New Members

As Annabella Bassler assumes the chairmanship, EqualVoice’s national advisory board is gaining two high-profile new members: Tatjana Haenni and Deniz Kayadelen are joining the board.

Tatjana Haenni is a pioneer of international women’s soccer and can look back on an impressive career as a Swiss national team player as well as a leader at UEFA, FIFA, and the Swiss Football Association. As the first woman on the SFV’s executive board, she played a decisive role in shaping the professionalization and gender equality of the sport. After serving as sporting director of the U.S. NWSL, she took on the role of CEO at RB Leipzig in early 2026.

Deniz Kayadelen is an extreme swimmer, business psychologist, bestselling author, and speaker with 15 years of Big Four experience, including as head of Talent Management Consulting at EY Switzerland. As a multiple world champion in ice swimming, a Guinness World Record holder, and a Triple Crown conqueror, she swam at the North Pole in 2026. As the founder of «Out of Comfort Zone» and developer of the Peak Flow Method®, she helps executives overcome fears and build mental resilience.

EqualVoice was launched in November 2019 by Annabella Bassler and is chaired by publisher Michael Ringier and CEO Marc Walder. The initiative is now active in seven countries and across more than 32 media brands, reaching more than 50 million users. It is supported by the EqualVoice United network, which includes more than 20 companies.

The EqualVoice Assistant is now available at: https://www.equalvoice.ch/equalvoice-assistant/