Letter from the Chairman - Justin R Fogarty
The Pivotas AG “Meeting of the Minds” event took place at the Swiss House in Andermatt on January 23, 2025. We had over 80 people from all over the world attending. It was a fantastic gathering, and the atmosphere was electric. The Andermatt event took the topic of international business against the climate of geopolitical uncertainty to the next level. We wanted an honest place to discuss important issues and make great connections to solve real problems. Before the start of the evening, on the 23rd, participants had the chance to experience skiing in Andermatt, facilitated by the Flow Performance Club, to open their minds to new ways of thinking about sport and business. This atmosphere of the fusion of sport and business set up the dialogue for the amazing evening.
As a new person to Switzerland (I came just at the beginning of the COVID crisis), I learned over time as we created Pivotas AG that Switzerland was a truly remarkable country for innovation. I have given a few speeches recently, and am happy to share those remarks with you if you are interested.
During COVID, I discovered Andermatt, and for one season I was a ski instructor there. The time in the mountains and starting a new business caused me to reflect that since the world is undergoing so much uncertainty and change, we too must navigate a new approach to business, innovation and wellness. Needless to say, the world has not gotten any easier since the COVID situation. The list of issues facing all of us is daunting.
It was after attending the international board program at INSEAD and meeting the amazing people in my class that I realized that diversity of thinking can lead to great ideas. Then I went to Harvard Business School and took the Leadership Program. I learned about the fear we have as individuals to embrace change, and how to overcome psychological fear to move ahead. Finally, with sport and my skiing, I started working with top athletes, PSIC and PSIE, and realized that to be the best we can be on the mountain, we have to open our minds to new ways of thinking, live in the moment, and overcome psychological challenges to embrace our best self.
BOOM. It was obvious to me that this intersection of business, sport, and environment needed to be shared with others. So, I convinced Jemima Cooper to join me on the journey to make this reality.