Aana Sharma
Spatial Strategy | Urban Transformation | Real Estate Governance
potenzialraum@gmail.com | +41 78 836 39 38
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Executive Profile
Senior spatial strategist and urban transformation leader with 25 years of experience across municipal, regional, and cantonal levels in Switzerland. Proven track record in steering complex development processes, leading interdisciplinary teams, and aligning political, administrative, and private-sector stakeholders.
Combining expertise in spatial planning, architecture, real estate management, and governance, I translate complexity into strategic clarity and implementable roadmaps. My leadership is grounded in systems thinking, financial and risk awareness, and participatory legitimacy.
Core Board-Relevant Competencies
Strategic Spatial & Urban Governance
- Long-term territorial development strategies
- Municipal and regional positioning
- Policy-to-implementation alignment
- Smart City and sustainability integration
Real Estate & Asset Perspective
- DAS in Real Estate Management (MBA framework)
- Portfolio awareness and site positioning
- Resource allocation based on impact, risk, and cost
- Public-private interface competence
Leadership & Organizational Steering
- Department Head, Chief of Staff functions
- Management of interdisciplinary and international teams
- Process governance and stakeholder alignment
- Change and transformation management
Decision Architecture & Process Design
- Structuring complex decision environments
- Combining analytical and systemic methodologies
- Large-group and political facilitation
- Mediation and conflict navigation
Innovation & Transformation
- Smart City and digital integration (VR, GIS)
- Cross-sector innovation processes
- Futures-oriented development since the 1990s
Executive Experience
Municipal Planner & Head of Department
Municipality of Köniz (2025–2026)
Leadership of 13 staff (incl. 2 division heads); strategic planning and spatial governance
Head of Urban Development / Urban Planning
City of Arbon (2023–2025)
Chief of Staff Office; strategic city development and planning oversight
Research Associate Sustainability & Smart City
ZHAW Institute for Sustainable Development (2018–2019)
Project Lead Spatial & Environmental Planning
LEP Consultants AG (ETH Spin-Off) (2014–2017)
Projects in Switzerland and China; acquisition responsibilities
Visiting Professor Urban Management
School of Planning and Architecture, India (2011–2012)
Founder and Managing Director of entrepreneurial ventures in music, mediation and organizational development (2010–2023).
Education
- DAS Real Estate Management (MBA framework), ZHAW
- MAS / Postgraduate Degree in Municipal, Urban & Regional Development
- Degree in Settlement Planning (HTL equivalent to BSc)
- Studies in Architecture, ETH Zurich
Awards
- Smart City Innovation Award (Audience Award), Swiss Federal Office of Energy
- International Urban Design Competition Awards (1st & 4th rank)
- Academic Award for Diploma Thesis
Languages
Italian (C1) | French (B2) | English (professional fluency; 5 years abroad)
Passive understanding: Hindi, Spanish
