Teresa Paonessa joined the Basel Institute in July 2017 and is currently the Senior Specialist / Team Lead HR. Leading a team of two other HR Specialists, she supports the Management Group and Heads of Division in a variety of personnel-related affairs and takes care of staff requirements and concerns. She also serves as the Basel Institute's Safeguarding Officer.

Prior to joining the Institute, Teresa gained her HR experience in different industries (IBM, BASF, Bank J. Safra Sarasin). In her roles she has been responsible for a wide range of HR affairs. These ranged from the recruitment and onboarding of new employees to providing support and guidance to the management on sensitive and complex staff issues.

Teresa graduated from the University of Basel with a Master of Science in Psychology in 2010. In addition, she holds a Federal Diploma as Human Resources Specialist with a focus on Swiss labour law.