Michael Stähli

Technology & Transformation Consultant | Environmental Impact

Born
10.04.1991
Nationality
Swiss
Location
Lachen, Switzerland

I am a Technology & Transformation Consultant with 15 years of experience, including 7 years transforming financial services through enterprise architecture and digital innovation while leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders across all organizational levels. Now channeling this expertise toward social-, economic- and ecological value generation, and supporting organizations to achieve net-zero profitability. On a strategic career break to pivot from fintech to purpose-driven work, pursuing a Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources with major in Ecological Engineering and Renewable Energy to build foundational knowledge for lasting impact. I excel at untangling complex systems and translating technical depth into actionable clarity—communicating effectively across four languages (German, English, Spanish, French) and collaborating with diverse, multidisciplinary teams. Seeking organizations where rigorous problem-solving drives meaningful environmental change.

Work Experience

08.2025 – Current
Sabbatical
Working in different Surfcamps, Ericeira, Portugal
Preparing career transition to meaningful, sustainable work
01.2023 – 07.2025
(Senior) Technology Advisor, 100%
Synpulse8, Zurich
  • Led architecture transformation initiatives for Swiss Private Bank, designing transition from monolithic to microservice-driven architecture across international operations
  • Served as stream lead for Swiss API security standards, collaborating with SFTI and SIX to develop national financial services framework while leading community initiatives focusing on FAPI and OAuth 2.0
  • Delivered end-to-end CRM implementations and marketing automation solutions for external asset managers and major health insurers, from requirements analysis through production deployment
  • Established reusable architecture frameworks and governance assets including microservices review methodology, information security KPIs, and technology assessment approaches
  • Shaped tech advisory strategy and provided pre-sales expertise on information security management, IT strategy reviews, and e-ID development across RFP processes
04.2022 – 12.2022
Entrepreneur in Residence, 90%
VNTR Innovation Lab, PostFinance AG, Bern
  • Designed, configured and operated the team's innovation management system across Gartner's 3 Horizons framework, including trend radar, opportunity templates, and VC investment tracking
  • Co-designed a sustainable retirement investment app with Paris Agreement-aligned portfolio screening, carbon footprint tracking, and impact measurement
  • Coached ESG-focused startup on go-to-market strategy, value proposition, and partnership models for connecting sustainable startups with established corporations
09.2020 – 03.2022
IT Requirements Engineer, 90%
PostFinance AG, Bern
  • Orchestrated and maintained a sustainable Requirements Management lifecycle, including elicitation, specification, implementation, and incident resolution
  • Engineered requirements for the continuous development of PostFinance's Payment Order Management System
  • Supported incident management and bug resolution
09.2019 – 08.2020
Junior IT Project Manager, 80%
VZ Depotbank, Zug
  • Led the creation of an RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Competence Center, enhancing operational efficiency
  • Drove process optimization across Core Banking Systems and eBanking platforms
  • Served as a Finnova Payment Module Specialist, leading the successful implementation of the QR Bill project
  • Managed and maintained Change Management protocols for Core Banking Payment Systems, ensuring seamless transitions

Education

02.2026 – Expected 2028
MSc Environment and Natural Resources
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Major in Ecological Engineering and Renewable Energy
08.2019 – 08.2021
MSc Business Information Systems
University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
08.2016 – 02.2019
BSc International Management (full and part time)
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Including an Exchange year at University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam (08.2017 – 07.2018) which also included a one month cultural exchange at Donghua University, Shanghai
08.2013 – 06.2014
Vocational Baccalaureate
Kaufmännische Berufsschule Lachen
08.2008 – 07.2011
Commercial Apprenticeship, 100%
ARVEST Privatbank AG, Pfäffikon SZ

Languages

German Native
English Proficiency
Spanish Intermediate
French Intermediate

Certificates

2025
Green Software Practitioner
Green Software Foundation
2024
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
ISACA (accreditation pending)
2024
Ethical Hacking Fundamentals
EC-Council
2024
Network Defense Fundamentals
EC-Council
2024
Digital Forensics Essentials
EC-Council
2021
Scrum Product Owner
Scrum.org
2020
Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering
IREB

Hobbies & Interests

🏄‍♂️ Surfing
🏂 Snowboarding
⛰️ Mountaineering
🍳 Cooking
🏺 Pottery
✈️ Travel
🌍 Subcultures
📚 Continuous Learning

Volunteering

Volunteer
rehkitzrettung.ch
Active volunteer engagement in fawn rescue operations, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts

Objectives

I aim to leverage my technical and transformation expertise to accelerate environmental solutions with measurable ecological impact. I seek to bridge complex environmental challenges with scalable technological implementations, enabling organizations to achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Through my combination of financial services transformation experience and emerging environmental knowledge, I can help organizations navigate sustainable business models, green finance innovations, and net-zero strategies.

Key Achievements

Built IT Architecture & Strategy Department

Established reusable frameworks at Synpulse8 for microservices, information security KPIs, and technology assessments

Co-developed Swiss FAPI 2.0 Standards

Stream lead for API security, collaborating with SFTI and SIX to create national framework for financial services

Designed Sustainable Investment Innovation

Co-created retirement app at PostFinance with Paris Agreement-aligned portfolio screening and carbon tracking

Led End-to-End CRM Implementation

From requirements through deployment for asset managers and health insurers with process digitalization

Coached ESG-Focused Startups

Provided guidance on go-to-market strategy and partnership models for sustainable business ventures

Key Competencies

Technical

  • Enterprise Architecture & Digital Transformation
  • Systems Integration from Complex Financial Services
  • Information Security (CISM, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect)
  • Requirements Engineering & Business Analysis
  • Green Software & Sustainable Technology Design
  • Innovation Management & Trend Analysis

Methodical

  • Strategic Problem-Solving
  • Rapid Learning & Knowledge Synthesis
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Structured Innovation
  • Change Management
  • Effective Prioritization Under Pressure

Social

  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Multilingual Communication
  • Community Leadership
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Team-Oriented & Solution-Focused
  • Collaborative & Reliable

Personal

  • Entrepreneurial Thinking
  • Sustainability Perspective Aligned with UN SDGs
  • High Resilience & Adaptability
  • Values-Driven
  • Continuous Learner
Welcome,
I'm Michael!
Willkommen,
ich bin Michael!