Communication — Lea Kusano
Communications & Institutional Partnerships
Transformation and Positioning
For the Swiss Cancer Institute (SCI), 2025 was a year of structural realignment. With a new CEO, a refined strategy, a new name and a revamped visual identity, the foundations have been laid to position clinical cancer research in Switzerland more clearly within the research landscape and to develop it strategically.
The launch of the new brand and the new website marked the visible beginning of a comprehensive transformation process. The aim was to clearly define and consistently communicate the role of the SCI as the national organisation for clinical cancer research – to policymakers, partner institutions, funding bodies and the wider public.
This repositioning was not primarily a rebranding exercise, but rather the expression of a strategic evolution: communication was positioned as an integral component of institutional leadership.
Communication as a Strategic Function
This was the context in which the new Communications and Institutional Partnerships department was established in 2025. The department has been headed by Lea Kusano, who was also appointed to the Executive Management, since September 2025.
By embedding it at executive level, communication was structurally established as a strategic function. The objective is to systematically boost visibility, credibility and political reach, while securing sustainable partnerships over the long term.
Visibility in Public Discourse
The realignment began to show its first effects during the reporting year. The SCI’s media presence increased. Coverage addressed both institutional developments and specific trials, research findings and the work of clinical researchers in Swiss oncology centres.
This increased visibility helps to establish the importance of independent clinical cancer research in public discourse and further consolidate the SCI’s role as a national research organisation.
Political and Institutional Networking
2025 saw the launch of an initial political initiative, aimed at improving the framework conditions for clinical cancer research in the long term. In parallel, relationships with key stakeholders in public administration, academia and the healthcare sector were systematically expanded.
Communication serves not only to provide information, but also to foster strategic networking and represent institutional interests.
Partnerships and Sustainable Funding
To secure research activities in the long term, new fundraising and partnership formats were introduced in 2025. Two scalable instruments were launched for public fundraising (private donations): the SCI funding programme and the SCI Cornèrcard credit card.
The SCI funding programme combines financial support with structured added value for funders. Participants gain deeper insight into current trial projects, are invited to selected events and receive regular background information on clinical cancer research. This creates a transparent and dialogue-oriented form of engagement.
Marianne Ernstberger joined as Philanthropy & Partnership specialist the team in November 2025. Through her proven expertise, she supports the structured development of strategic funding partnerships.
Outlook
The institutional transformation initiated in 2025 forms the basis for the next stages of development. Communication and partnerships are not merely supporting measures, but key management tools for establishing and safeguarding clinical cancer research in the long term.
Communication: Lea Kusano, Chief Communication & Institutional Partnerships Officer