In the cover interview of the October edition, Dr. Daniela Frau (ZHAW Zurich Center for Sustainability Leadership) emphasizes that while progress in gender equality and equal opportunities is visible, major challenges remain—particularly with regard to the inclusion of employees over 50 and the risk of a political backlash against diversity programs. According to Frau, diversity remains ineffective without inclusive leadership.

Dr. Frau particularly highlights the need to anchor diversity strategically and systematically throughout the entire employee life cycle—from recruitment to staff development, through to promotion and reward systems. She also reports on how the ZHAW School of Management and Law integrates diversity and inclusion into teaching, research, and continuing education, and how this has led to measurable progress, for example in increasing the share of women in leadership positions and professorships.