Nicholas C. Niggli
Nicholas C. Niggli is a distinguished leader in economics, trade, finance, and science diplomacy, renowned for his innovative strategies and impactful initiatives. With over two decades of experience, he has focused on partnerships, conflict resolution, sustainable development, and navigating complex geopolitical landscapes. Nicholas excels in systems change, working at the nexus of diplomacy, geoeconomics, regeneration, and technology to create transformative outcomes.
At NatureFinance, Nicholas aligns financial systems with climate change and biodiversity efforts, developing innovative responses for a warming world. He builds multistakeholder alliances across various challenges, using strategic foresight and unconventional thinking. He also coaches high-impact ventures and is a Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
As a senior Swiss diplomat and negotiator at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Nicholas led critical negotiations, including the $1.7 trillion Government Procurement Agreement, and played a key role in mediating complex geopolitical issues. He also oversaw institutional finance reform and the WTO Pension Plan transformation.
In academia, Nicholas is a Senior Visiting Lecturer and Professor of Practice at top institutions like the Geneva Graduate Institute. He has guest lectured at Harvard and LSE, integrating insights from multiple disciplines into his approach to negotiation and conflict resolution.
During his tenure in Geneva, Nicholas led the creation of a Directorate General integrating economic development, research, and innovation. He co-founded the Building Bridges initiative, bringing together over 150 major institutions to focus on impact, blended, and peace finance. His efforts also positioned Switzerland as a leader in digital trust and governance, exemplified by the Cyber Peace Institute and the Trust Valley platform.
Nicholas holds master’s degrees in international relations and economic and social history. He has a passion for positively impacting the planet and humanity, and has also engaged in competitive sports, performance coaching, and mindfulness photography, dedicating himself to personal and professional growth.