Eliya Lee WEISS
Biography
Parent, La Grande Boissière Primary
Eliya Weiss is the mother of Alice and has been part of the Ecolint community since 2022. Becoming a parent inspired her deep commitment to education and to understanding how schools can best support children’s human potential in a rapidly changing world.
She is a business technology leader and entrepreneur based in Geneva, with over 22 years of experience in global technology and international organizations, including HP, technology corporations, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). She holds an MBA in International Organizations from the University of Geneva. Her work has focused on technology strategy, digital transformation, and building innovative platforms that create positive societal impact.
She is the founder of PEACE OS, an AI-based sustainability platform connecting workers, communities, and education systems worldwide. Her current work focuses on how education must evolve in response to AI, strengthening children’s emotional intelligence, cognitive development, independence, and authenticity, and supporting schools in adapting to a historic shift where access to knowledge is no longer limited to traditional classrooms.
She is passionate about education, child development, and the responsible role of technology in shaping the future of learning. She brings a global perspective, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to supporting the school’s mission and long-term development.
She arrived in Geneva in 2013 and holds Israeli and Portuguese nationalities and is currently in the process of obtaining Swiss citizenship.
What are your main motivations for becoming a Board member?
My primary motivation for becoming a Board member stems from my deep belief that education is the most important foundation we give our children—not only in knowledge, but in shaping their identity, resilience, and values.
We are living through a historic turning point. For the first time, children no longer depend on schools as their primary source of information, as digital technologies and AI have fundamentally transformed access to knowledge. This shift elevates the role of schools beyond knowledge transmission, toward fostering emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, ethical judgment, and resilience.
As both a parent and a technology leader, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to this transition in a thoughtful and balanced way. My professional experience, combined with my current work developing new approaches to support children’s cognitive and emotional development in the age of AI, gives me a perspective that I believe can be valuable in helping the school navigate this transformation.
I am motivated to support Ecolint in continuing to lead as an institution that not only delivers academic excellence, but also prepares students to thrive as confident, thoughtful, and responsible individuals in a rapidly changing world.
What skills/expertise would you bring to the Governing Board?
- Governance
- Financial management and oversight
- Sustainability
- Use of technology and data as a mean to drive transformational change
- Strong relationships with the local community
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion
In light of the Ecolint Governing Board’s interest in primarily seeking individuals with skills/expertise/experience in financial management, governance, and fundraising, please share concrete examples of how your experience would be relevant, and how this could benefit Ecolint.
Throughout my career, I have held senior business and operations leadership roles in global technology organizations, with direct responsibility for financial management, governance, and operational performance at scale.
I have managed business units with P&L responsibility exceeding USD 300 million, with accountability for financial planning, revenue growth, cost optimization, and long-term sustainability. This included leading restructuring and efficiency programs to improve financial performance and ensure resources were aligned with strategic priorities.
I have also led complex global contract negotiations with major institutional and enterprise partners, strengthening my ability to assess financial risk and support sound, data-driven decision-making. In addition, my work at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) included risk management responsibilities within an operational environment exceeding CHF 1 billion in scope.
My experience includes strategic planning, operational oversight, and managing international teams, requiring strong governance discipline, accountability, and long-term thinking.
I believe this background would enable me to contribute effectively to the Ecolint Governing Board, particularly in supporting financial oversight, strategic planning, and ensuring the school’s long-term sustainability in alignment with its mission and values.
How would you support the mission of the Foundation if you are elected to the Governing Board? Emphasising the skills/expertise that were highlighted above, and other leadership and soft skills you would bring to the Board Governing.
If elected to the Governing Board, I would support the Foundation’s mission by contributing to responsible governance, sound financial stewardship, and long-term strategic thinking, ensuring the school continues to thrive while remaining aligned with its educational values.
I would approach Board responsibilities with independence, objectivity, and a strong sense of accountability, carefully reviewing financial and strategic matters, asking thoughtful questions, and contributing to balanced and informed decision-making.
Given my background in technology and digital transformation, I would also support the Board in navigating the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies, ensuring their thoughtful and responsible integration in ways that strengthen educational outcomes while protecting students’ well-being and development.
Equally important, I would bring a collaborative leadership style, grounded in listening, respect, and constructive dialogue. I believe effective governance depends on collective responsibility, diverse perspectives, and maintaining focus on the long-term interests of the school and its community.
As a parent, I am deeply committed to supporting Ecolint’s continued excellence and its mission to prepare students not only academically, but as responsible and capable global citizens.
Finally, could you describe your understanding of relationships within the Governing Board and your approach to the Governing Board culture? How do you imagine the collaboration between the Board members with other stakeholders such as staff, other parents and the local community?
I understand that effective Board governance relies on mutual trust, respect, independence, and collective responsibility. While Board members bring diverse perspectives and expertise, their role is to work collaboratively toward the shared mission of the Foundation, exercising sound judgment, maintaining confidentiality, and prioritizing the long-term interests of the school.
My approach to Board culture would be grounded in listening, thoughtful dialogue, and constructive contribution. I believe strong Boards foster an environment where members can ask questions openly, challenge ideas respectfully, and work together to reach balanced and well-informed decisions.
I also understand that the Board’s role is distinct from operational management, and that its effectiveness depends on maintaining a clear and respectful relationship with school leadership. I deeply respect the expertise of educators and believe the Board’s role is to support and empower school leadership and teachers, ensuring they have the stability, resources, and governance framework needed to continue their essential work.
As a parent, I have been actively involved in the school community, volunteering in my daughter’s classroom and supporting class activities since her first year. This experience has given me great appreciation and respect for the teachers, staff, and the broader community that contribute to the school’s environment.
I believe the Board plays an important role in representing and serving the interests of the wider community, and that maintaining open, respectful, and transparent relationships with stakeholders—including staff, parents, alumni, and the local community—is essential to sustaining trust and supporting the school’s continued success.