Sara Fedele is a Senior Communications Manager, Public Relations professional, mentor, and co-founder of Impact Hub Ticino. Passionate about innovation and women’s empowerment, she thrives on creating meaningful connections while juggling the challenges of motherhood and leadership.
You have such a dynamic and multifaceted career. Can you walk us through the different roles and responsibilities you currently juggle?
Thank you! My career is multifaceted, driven by enthusiasm and a commitment to creating positive impact across sectors. With a strong foundation in marketing, digital strategy, and ecosystem building, I have embraced each opportunity to grow, approaching new challenges with curiosity, openness, and adaptability.
In my professional life, I’ve held managing roles, immersing myself in the education, entertainment, non-profit and innovation ecosystems, and also consulted independently, supporting businesses on their journey from concept to market, from communication to stakeholders relations. I guide them through each step, offering strategic advice, refining visions, and building roadmaps. Together, we validate ideas, understand market needs, create go-to-market strategies, ethical communications campaigns, building relations and launch. I’ve witnessed embryonic ideas come to life, some projects falter, and unexpected collaborations emerge from simple conversations.
To further this mission, I certified as an Affiliated B Leader from B Lab Switzerland, equipping me to guide businesses toward sustainable, responsible practices that benefit people, communities, and the environment.
My interest in open innovation methodologies led me in 2020, during the pandemic, to collaborate with Impact Hub Switzerland and later co-found Impact Hub Ticino. This work centered on innovation management and community building to support grassroots entrepreneurship and open innovation projects.
Today, as Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communications at Kickstart Innovation, I build on this journey by amplifying the company’s visibility, engaging with partners and clients, fostering new relationships, and developing purpose-driven innovation ecosystems to drive lasting impact across sectors.
Beyond my professional roles, I am deeply committed to volunteering as a way to give back. I actively mentor entrepreneurs and students, collaborating with global and local accelerators and lecturing at the University. I’m particularly passionate about women’s empowerment, and through roles such as coordinating BPW Club Ticino’s Professional Mentoring Program – which has received international recognition – and mentoring with Femme Palette, I help young women develop essential leadership skills.
Balancing these roles is both exciting and challenging, requiring me to wear multiple hats daily and adapt to each role’s unique demands. In marketing alone, I have shifted between digital strategy, communications, ecosystem building, events management, and media relations – especially in small and flat organizations where everyone usually wears multiple hats. Each area demands a unique approach, continually pushing me to stay connected, collaborative, and ahead of trends.
And then, there is my most precious role: being a mother to a young daughter. Motherhood has reshaped my perspective, deepening my patience, empathy, and focus on what truly matters. It has also given me a new vision of the role of women and mothers in society, inspiring me to advocate for greater support and recognition of these roles. This experience has strengthened my commitment to championing women’s empowerment. There are sleepless nights when she needs me, and balancing those exhausting hours with work responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Juggling deadlines, meetings, ideas generation and the unpredictable demands of parenting is not easy, and sometimes it feels like I am pulled in every direction. The challenge grows as I strive to keep learning, stay abreast of trends, and continue to grow professionally. Yet, those moments of struggle fuel my drive to make a positive impact – not only in my career but also in the world she is growing up in.
All these moments build resilience and remind me of the importance of support systems, self-compassion, and, sometimes, the power of saying no to protect my mental health. None of this would be possible without a supportive husband, a listening family, and a network of friends and colleagues who stand by me and from whom I can continually learn. Their perspectives, experiences, and insights help me grow and navigate challenges. Their encouragement and understanding make all the difference, providing a foundation that empowers me to pursue my passions while balancing life’s many demands.
How has your perspective on your career evolved over the past couple of years? And what significant changes have you experienced?
Over the past few years, my perspective has evolved significantly. I have transitioned from operational roles to more strategic ones, placing greater emphasis on leadership and mentorship. Immersing myself in the world of open innovation has significantly changed my approach to work. I have learned the power of collaborative efforts in driving creativity and problem-solving, and to welcome and to adapt to changes swiftly.
The pandemic was a pivotal moment, both personally and professionally. Like many, I was suddenly confronted with the uncertainty and complexity of a rapidly changing world. The lockdowns and restrictions created space for reflection and reevaluation, prompting me to deeply consider my priorities, goals, and the values that guide my work and my life in general.
It became clear that I wanted to align my career even more closely with my personal values, and I began exploring how I could focus on meaningful projects that foster collaboration and sustainable growth. After experiencing a couple of professional disappointments with colleagues, I recognized the need to prioritize the human side of work. This shift highlighted for me the importance of surrounding myself with people who value trust, empathy, and open communication, and it reinforced my commitment to building work environments where people are at the heart of every initiative.
Another pivotal moment was in 2022, I discovered I was going to become a mother – a moment that reshaped my career and my entire life in ways I had not fully anticipated. Although I had wanted this deeply, the news brought a new perspective that impacted both my professional and personal worlds.
It introduced a profound shift in my priorities, prompting me to rethink my approach to work, relationships, and even my definition of success. For me, success means creating a positive impact on the lives of others and leaving a meaningful mark on the community and the environment for the future of my daughter. It is about feeling fulfilled and content with what I have, while continually growing and realizing my potential.
Success is living authentically, aligned with my core values, and having the freedom to shape my own path in life – while cherishing the joy and inspiration I find in my family and my daughter, who remind me every day of what truly matters. It is knowing that progress in one area does not mean sacrifice in the other, but rather finding fulfillment that balances both family values and professional aspirations. It is not about settling or giving up on growth, but about living in the present moment, accepting that real success is not about having more money or visibility but going to bed happy with what was accomplished during the day, knowing that something good was done for others as well.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Well, I would give my younger self several pieces of advice 🙂
First, embrace change and uncertainty with confidence, as every challenge and unexpected turn is a valuable opportunity for growth and learning.
Understand the importance of networking and building strong professional relationships, as they are key to long-term success.
Remember to prioritize a healthy work-life balance because personal well-being is the foundation of sustained professional achievement.
As a mother, I’ve learned the importance of embracing a lighter approach to life and finding a reason to smile every day with my child. Even on the toughest days, a smile can ease the stress and help me face challenges with a more open heart and resilient spirit
Trust in the journey, stay connected, and take care of yourself along the way.
Take things more lightly. This is important because approaching life (and work!) with a sense of ease and humor can reduce stress, improve mental health, and help navigate difficult situations. Taking things lightly fosters a more positive outlook, resilience, and a better quality of life.
Last but not least, remember to listen to yourself and your gut feeling; and to ask for help when you need it—there are always people willing to support you.
How do your personal values influence and shape the work you currently do in your various roles?
Integrity, transparent communication, active listening, empathy, genuineness, kindness, optimism, and a commitment to continuous improvement: these are central to my work and life as they guide my approach to building and maintaining a positive company culture and fostering an inclusive environment as well as nurturing healthy relationships with others.
That said, I am no saint – it is challenging for me too, especially when working with people who are very different from myself.
By embodying these values, I aim to encourage those around me to contribute their best and collaborate meaningfully. This approach not only strengthens team dynamics but also drives impactful outcomes in each project I undertake, creating space for growth and mutual understanding.
What aspects of your work are you proudest of?
I am proud of the results I have achieved in the various roles I have held despite the challenges I faced. Knowing that my efforts help bring ideas to life, businesses to grow, create meaningful connections and build purpose-driven ecosystems is deeply rewarding. Reaching both personal and professional goals, even when I doubted my abilities, fills me with pride. My perseverance has been a cornerstone of my journey, and the genuine relationships I have cultivated with my colleagues and the fabulous mentors I encountered have enriched my life and work.
Additionally, I am proud of how motherhood has positively influenced my approach to work. My daughter has taught me to find joy in small moments, which helps me maintain a positive outlook and cultivate authentic and meaningful relationships.
Moreover, my work in mentoring and teaching has been incredibly fulfilling.
What was the most difficult challenge in terms of diversity in your working environment, and how did you overcome it?
The most difficult challenge in terms of diversity in my working environment was facing gender bias and navigating team dynamics in male-dominated and all-female teams but also strongly diverse teams.
I have worked in environments predominantly occupied by men mostly older than me at that time – in tech that happens quite often.
Conversely, working in all-female teams presented its own set of challenges as well. We are often competitive and this leads to rivalries and gossip, making the work environment less collaborative. Surprisingly, I found these dynamics more difficult to manage than in mixed-gender teams. I have also worked in environments with great diversity in terms of ethnicity, religion, and age. While this diversity was enriching and broadened my understanding, it was equally challenging because there was often no mediation and this sometimes led to misunderstandings.
Overcoming these challenges required resilience, adaptability, and a firm belief in the value of my contributions: I learned to assert myself confidently, regardless of the team’s composition and to advocate for better communication strategies and training to bridge gaps. Though, if I am honest, I am still not entirely sure I have overcome them. It is an ongoing journey, one that continually tests my strengths and encourages growth, reminding me that challenges can evolve just as much as I do.
Naturally, we tend to gravitate towards others similar to us and shy away from those who are different. Therefore, fostering an inclusive environment requires intentional effort and preparation.
How have you contributed to creating such an environment in your roles?
First and foremost, I trained myself in impact coaching and practiced giving and receiving feedback, along with mastering collaborative tools. I contributed as part of a team effort, by implementing listening practices and company-wide processes for sharing different perspectives so that everyone felt heard and safe.
However, creating an environment where open dialogue and psychological safety were the norms didn’t happen overnight. There were times when sharing feedback was challenging, especially when people (including myself) felt initially hesitant to share openly, fearing they might offend others or feel vulnerable themselves. It took persistent effort to foster a culture where people felt comfortable being honest and constructive. But this depends a lot on the personality of each individual and how open or flexible they are in this regard. Also, on the personalities in the team and how well they connect to each other. It takes a lot of work, and resilience to work in this direction.
In my team we organized feedback sessions based on open innovation methodologies, which allowed me to gather valuable insights from team members, clients, partners, and colleagues. These sessions provided everyone with structured tools to express their ideas and concerns effectively. Yet, there was a struggle to keep sessions productive and focused—sometimes conversations would veer off topic, or certain voices would dominate, making it difficult to ensure everyone’s input was valued equally. Through trial and error, I learned to set clear boundaries and guide discussions so that the sessions became a powerful way for everyone to contribute meaningfully to our shared goals.
Additionally, I trained myself to use inclusive and neutral language. As a native Italian speaker, I leveraged the versatility of Italian, which, though often gendered in the masculine form, allows for neutral expressions. This effort may seem subtle, but it made a tangible difference in helping create a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all team members.
What advice in this regard would you like to pass on?
My advice would be to make diversity and inclusion integral to your organizational strategy, not just a checkbox exercise.
Start by actively educating yourself and your team about unconscious biases, then take concrete actions to address them, such as participating in training courses or engaging facilitators or experts in the field.
Pursuing certifications in Diversity and Inclusion can also be invaluable, as these provide structured learning paths and set standards for fostering an inclusive culture. Certifications demonstrate a commitment to best practices and help keep your team updated on the latest strategies in creating equitable workplaces.
Hiring plays a crucial role here – prioritize candidates with the right attitude, not just a strong CV. Selecting people who value collaboration and empathy helps emphasize the human side of work and builds a team that is both strong and open to listening. While it is natural that not everyone will connect perfectly, you can cultivate the right environment for mutual respect and growth.
Foster a culture where people feel safe to express their authentic selves, which may be supported through the guidance of professionals with expertise in people development.
A truly diverse team brings immense value, enhancing creativity, enabling better decision-making, and driving overall success. By laying this groundwork, you’re setting up an organization that’s resilient, dynamic, and ready to embrace the power of different perspectives.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast?
I have several favorite books, but the most recent one I’ve read and really enjoyed is Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono. De Bono’s concept of using different “hats” to represent different perspectives and thinking styles has helped me to tackle complex issues more effectively. It encourages looking at problems from multiple angles, which leads to more innovative and well-rounded solutions.
