Gabrielle Wanzenried

Gabrielle Wanzenried is a Professor of Finance and Real Estate at the School of Management and Engineering (HEIG-VD) in Yverdon, part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) since September 2019. She leads the research group Finance, Governance & Sustainability at the Interdisciplinary Institute of Business Development (IIDE). Her academic career includes a previous position as professor of corporate finance at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Wanzenried holds a Dr. rer. pol. and MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. Her educational background also includes studies at the University of Bern and UC Berkeley, providing her with a strong international foundation in economics and finance.

Her research spans several interconnected fields with a strong focus on practical applications. She investigates Corporate Finance, Real Estate Economics, Energy Economics, and the economic implications of an aging population. A significant portion of her recent work examines housing challenges for elderly populations, particularly women baby boomers living alone. Her research on sustainable finance models and corporate social responsibility demonstrates her commitment to addressing contemporary economic challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear trend toward studying demographic shifts and their economic impacts, particularly regarding housing and retirement. Her work frequently combines econometric analysis with policy evaluation, focusing on Swiss contexts but with implications for broader European and global challenges. The interdisciplinary nature of her research bridges finance, real estate, demographics, and social policy.

Wanzenried actively leads multiple research projects funded by various sources including the Federal Office of Housing, Léenaards Foundation, and Innosuisse. Her project "Les femmes baby-boomers vivant seules face à leurs dilemmes de logement" examines housing situations and needs of baby boomer women living alone. The "Smart Komfort" project investigates attractive rental apartments with less space consumption, while "Unlocking the potential" studies energy retrofits among property owners in Vaud canton.

She is actively involved with practical applications of her research, serving as co-founder and co-chair of a housing cooperative specializing in retirement homes (www.zuhauseambielersee.ch) and as president of the board of the Thiébaud-Frey Foundation, which promotes young musicians.