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Board of Directors

The Articles of Association of Sonova Holding AG state that the Board of Directors must consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of ten members. The members of the Board of Directors are elected individually by the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting. 

Board of Directors

Gilbert Achermann
Chair, non-executive member

Gilbert Achermann

Nationality: Swiss

Born: 1964

First election: 2024, Chair since 2025

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Biography

Gilbert Achermann (Born 1964, Swiss citizen) has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since June 2025. 

Gilbert Achermann served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Straumann Group from 2010 to 2024. Prior to this, he held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer at Straumann Group, where he spent more than 12 years and played a key role in the company’s development into a global leader in the dental industry. In 2020, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Ypsomed Group and became its Chair in 2022. In the same year, he joined the Board of Directors of Unilabs S.A. and was appointed Chair of the Board in 2023. Since 2019, Gilbert Achermann has been a member of the Foundation Board and Supervisory Board of IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, and was elected Vice Chair in 2026. He has also been a member of the Management Board of Swiss Medtech since 2020 and has served as its Vice President since 2024. From 2012 to 2024, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Julius Baer Group.

Gilbert Achermann holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and an Executive MBA from IMD Lausanne, Switzerland.

Outside mandates

Listed companies:

  • Chair of the Board of Directors of Ypsomed Group

Other mandates:

  • Chair of the Board of Directors of Unilabs S.A.
  • Member of the Board Greenteg AG
  • Member of the Management Board and Vice President of the Swiss Medtech Association
  • Supervisory Board of IMD – International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne

Holdings as of 31.03.2025

  • Shares: 9'771
  • Restricted Shares1): 501
     

1) These shares are subject to a restriction period which varies from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2030 depending on the grant date. For further details see also Note 7.4 in the consolidated financial statements.

Gregory Behar
Non-executive member

Gregory Behar

Nationality: Swiss

Born: 1969

First election: 2021

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Biography

Gregory Behar (Born 1969, Swiss citizen) has served as a non‑executive member of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since 2021.

Since January 2024, Gregory Behar has been Chief Executive Officer of Recipharm AB, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to this, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Health Science from 2014 until 31 December 2023 and became a member of the Nestlé Executive Board in 2017. From 2011 to 2014, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. (USA).

Earlier in his career, he held various leadership positions at Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany), Novartis AG and Nestlé SA. Gregory Behar holds an MBA from INSEAD, France, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing from EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Committee Memberships

He is a member of the Technology and Innovation Committee and the Nomination and Compensation Committee. 

Outside mandates

Listed companies: 

  • n.a.

Other mandates:

  • CEO of Recipharm AB
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Amazentis SA
  • Member of the Board of Directors of New Biologix (mandate held at the direction of Recipharm AB as part of his role as its CEO and thus, shall not be considered as an additional outside mandate)

Holdings as per 31.03.2025

  • Shares: 2,563
  • Restricted Shares1): 2,238

1) These shares are subject to a restriction period which varies from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2030 depending on the grant date. For further details see also Note 7.4 in the consolidated financial statements.

Ingrid Cotoros
Non-executive member

Ingrid Cotoros

Nationality: Romanian and US

Born: 1979

First election: 2026

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Biography

Ingrid Cotoros (Born 1979, Romanian and US citizen) has over two decades of leadership experience in advanced technology and engineering. She currently serves as Chief Development Officer at Mytra, where she leads robotics engineering and development. From 2019 to 2024, she was Vice President of Technology Engineering for Devices at Meta Reality Labs, leading a global team of more than 1,300 engineers and scientists. During this time, she oversaw the development of transformative products including Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Quest headsets, and Orion AR glasses.Prior to Meta, she held senior engineering leadership roles at GoPro and Lockheed Martin, spanning imaging systems, audio technologies, propulsion, and advanced materials R&D.

Ingrid Cotoros holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, USA, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Honours) from the California Institute of Technology, USA.

Committee Memberships

She is a member of the Technology and Innovation Committee.

Outside mandates

Listed companies:

  • n.a.

Other mandates:

  • Member of the Board of Advisors of MIXRIFT
Roland Diggelmann
Non-executive member

Roland Diggelmann

Nationality: Swiss

Born: 1967

First election: 2021

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Biography

Roland Diggelmann (Born 1967, Swiss citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2021.

From 2019 until March 31, 2022, he has been CEO of Smith & Nephew plc, a UK-based leading global medical technology company active in orthopedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound management. From 2008 to 2012 he was managing director for the Asia / Pacific region and from 2012 until 2018 CEO of Roche Diagnostics. He previously held senior management positions in sales and marketing as well as strategic planning at Zimmer Holdings and Sulzer Medica (later known as Centerpulse).

With more than 20 years of executive experience in the medical device industry across many parts of the world and as CEO, Roland Diggelmann provides valuable input to the implementation of Sonova’s strategy. 

Roland Diggelmann studied Business Administration at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Committee Memberships

He serves as member and chair on the Nomination and Compensation Committee. 

Outside mandates

Listed companies: 

  • Chair of the Board of Directors of Mettler Toledo International Inc.

Other mandates:

  • Member of the Board of Directors of Berlin Heals AG
  • Member of the Board of Directors of HeartForce AG
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Navignostics AG
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Osler Diagnostics Ltd.

Holdings as per 31.03.2025

  • Shares: 2,238
  • Restricted Shares1): 2,238

1) These shares are subject to a restriction period which varies from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2030 depending on the grant date. For further details see also Note 7.4 in the consolidated financial statements.

Malina Man Lin Ngai
Non-executive member

Malina Man Lin Ngai

Nationality: Hong Kong Chinese

Born: 1969

First election: 2026

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Biography

Malina Man Lin Ngai (Born 1969, Hong Kong Chinese citizen) serves as Group CEO of AS Watson, the largest global health and beauty retailer with more than 17,000 stores across 31 markets. She previously held a range of senior leadership roles including Group Chief Operating Officer from 2013 and CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe) from 2019. In these roles, she was responsible for operations, brand development, communications, digital and organizational transformation. In addition to her executive career, she has held non-executive roles including at InterContinental Hotels Group and has served on multiple advisory boards and public committees in Hong Kong. 

Malina Man Lin Ngai holds a Master’s degree from the National University of Ireland, an MBA from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Sports Management from the University of Canberra, Australia.

Committee Memberships

She is a member of the Nomination and Compensation Committee

Outside mandates

Listed companies:

  • n.a.

Other mandates:

  • Member of the Advisory Committee for Hong Kong SAR Government
  • Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association
Laura Stoltenberg
Non-Executive member

Laura Stoltenberg

Nationality: USA

Born: 1973

First election: June 2025

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Biography 

Laura Stoltenberg (Born 1973, US citizen) has served as a non‑executive member of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since 2025.

Laura Stoltenberg currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cryosa, a clinical‑stage medical device company developing a novel therapeutic solution for obstructive sleep apnea. Prior to her current role, she held various senior leadership positions at Halma plc, Medtronic and GE Healthcare, with responsibilities spanning global operations, business development and technology‑driven healthcare solutions. She brings extensive executive experience in the medical technology sector, including leadership in growth initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and business development, as well as in operational improvement and cost management within regulated healthcare environments.

Laura Stoltenberg holds a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, USA, and Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Management from Bucknell University, USA.

Committee Memberships

 She is a member of the Technology and Innovation Committee.

Outside mandates

Listed companies:

  • n.a.

Other mandates:

  • President and CEO of Cryosa
Hooi Ling Tan
Non-executive member

Hooi Ling Tan

Nationality: Singaporean

Born: 1983

First election: 2026

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Biography

Hooi Ling Tan (Born 1983, Singapore citizen) serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Wise Ltd. as well as of Endeavor, a non-profit organization supporting entrepreneurs globally. She is co-founder of Grab, which she established during her MBA at Harvard Business School and developed into a leading technology platform offering deliveries, mobility, financial, and other services across Southeast Asia. Earlier in her career she held roles at McKinsey & Company and Salesforce, focusing on corporate strategy and operations. She has also served on the boards of the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board.

Hooi Ling Tan holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, USA, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. 

Committee Memberships 

She is a member and Chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee

Outside Mandates

Listed companies:

  • Member of the Advisory Board Director of Grab
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Wise

Other mandates:

  • Member of the Global Board of Endeavor
Julie Tay
Non-executive member

Julie Tay

Nationality: Singaporean

Born: 1966

First election: 2022

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Biography 

Julie Tay (Born 1966, Singapore citizen) has served as a non‑executive member of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since 2022. 

From 2013 to 2022, Julie Tay served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, at Align Technology, Inc., and was a member of the company’s global Executive Management Committee. Align Technology is a global medical device company specializing in digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, including the Invisalign system, iTero intraoral scanners and exocad CAD/CAM software. In this role, she was responsible for the Asia Pacific region, overseeing commercial operations, market development and organizational leadership across multiple markets.
Prior to Align Technology, Julie Tay held various management positions at Bayer Healthcare, JohnsonDiversey and Johnson & Johnson Medical, with responsibilities across commercial, operational and regional leadership functions.

Julie Tay holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Business Administration in International Marketing from Curtin University of Technology, Australia.

Committee Memberships

She is a member of the Nomination and Compensation Committee.

External mandates

Listed companies: 

  • Member of the Board of Directors of EBOS Group Ltd.

Other mandates:

  • n.a.

Holdings as per 31.03.2025

  • Shares:  1,759
  • Restricted Shares1): 1,759

1) These shares are subject to a restriction period which varies from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2030 depending on the grant date. For further details see also Note 7.4 in the consolidated financial statements.

Adrian Widmer
Non-executive member

Adrian Widmer

Nationality: Swiss

Born: 1968

First election: 2020

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Biography

Adrian Widmer (Born 1968, Swiss citizen) has served as a non‑executive member of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since 2020. 

Since 2014, Adrian Widmer has served as Group Chief Financial Officer of Sika AG, a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Switzerland. In this role, he is responsible for the Group’s finance, controlling and reporting functions. Prior to this, he was Head of Group Controlling and Mergers & Acquisitions at Sika from 2007 to 2014. Before joining Sika, he held various management positions at BASF, Degussa and Textron Inc., with responsibilities across finance and controlling, business development and general management. Adrian Widmer has more than 25 years of executive experience in finance, controlling, business development and M&A, including long‑standing service as Group Chief Financial Officer of a listed industrial company.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Business and Economics from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

Committee Memberships

He is a member and Chair of the Audit Committee.

Outside mandates

Listed companies:

  • Group CFO of Sika AG

Other mandates:

  • n.a.

Holdings as per 31.03.2025

  • Shares: 2,969
  • Restricted Shares1): 2,969

1) These shares are subject to a restriction period which varies from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2030 depending on the grant date. For further details see also Note 7.4 in the consolidated financial statements.