Afsaneh HEYAT
Biographical Data
Children at Ecolint: La Grande Boissière Secondary
Born in Iran, I left my country as a 9 year-old in 1978. After living in London for a year, my family moved to the US, residing in Los Angeles, followed by Washington DC where I graduated from high school. I then attended Princeton University, majoring in Political Science and Economics, followed by an MBA in Finance & Media/Communications and Information Technology from Columbia Business School.
From 1995 to 2009, I worked as an investment banker (Debt Capital Markets) in New York and London, before moving to Geneva and re-inventing myself as a private banker, Chief Risk Officer / Head of Compliance, and cryptocurrency expert. I currently work with crypto projects both as Administrator / Board Member, Compliance Advisor as well as CFO. From 2022-2024, I was President of the Board of Toucan Protocol Association, as well as being the Administrator of Arianee SA (2022-Present) and Genative SA (Mar-Nov 2024).
Outside of work, I am a Year11 PTA rep, an active member of Tennis Club de Genève (representing the club in interclub tournaments), and very involved with the school and the Geneva community. I speak English, French, and Farsi fluently and am conversant in Italian.
What does Ecolint mean to you?
Ecolint, in many ways, reflects my own educational experience globally, first in Tehran, then Vienna, London, Los Angeles, and finally Washington DC, via French and American educational programs and it is why I chose the school for my own children at the high school level. The school provides an environment rich with students from diverse backgrounds, both socially and culturally, which enriches the experience for each student. The inclusive and open environment at the school allows students to express themselves without fear, to explore and learn, and create deep bonds of friendship.
Ecolint is the birthplace of academic innovation with the creation and establishment of the IB diploma over 100 years ago, and which today is being taught globally in over 5'900 schools and 160 countries. Ecolint continues, and will need, to innovate its program and approach to teaching in order to maintain this leadership position for years to come.
The academic program at Ecolint is rich in breadth and depth, and unlike French and Swiss programs that are more memorization-based, promotes critical thinking, real world experience, and community service, all core to any student's long-term development.
While having only been at Ecolint since September 2023, I feel more connected to the school, its staff, teachers than this short time can reflect.
What skills/expertise would you bring to the Governing Board?
- Governance
- Fundraising
- Financial management and oversight
- International pedagogy
- Architectural design and planning
- Strong relationships with the local community
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion
How would you support the mission of the Foundation if you are elected to the Governing Board? Emphasizing the skills/expertise that were highlighted in the previous question, and other leadership and soft skills you would bring to the Board.
If elected to the Governing Board, I will dedicate my time and experience to support the Foundation and the school in solidifying their financial footing, finding new ways of increasing its revenue streams, while streamlining expenses where possible. I would support the Director of Finance and the Governing Board in fundraising activities, using my network to generate new sources of funds.
I would also provide guidance on governance matters, given my background in governance in Switzerland and would strongly support growing and expanding Ecolint's international education program.
As a team player who is focused, detail-oriented, with strong communication skills, I will strive to achieve consensus where necessary on difficult matters in order to build commitment towards the same goals across the Board, teachers, and staff, even during difficult discussions.
In summary, I will be fully committed to supporting the continued success of the Foundation with my time, experience, and knowledge.