Laura Viscovich is replacing Edward Schwarz as Head of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. Edward Schwarz wished to retire in 2022 after more than 30 years of service in the Holcim Group, including the establishment and development of the Foundation since 2003. 

Laura Viscovich joined the Foundation in 2021 and takes the helm of the Foundation well-prepared after several months of induction. The handover of responsibilities will be effective January 1, 2022 and includes adaptations to the Foundation’s future initiatives to enable its continued impact. Edward Schwarz will organize the concluding events of the current 6th international Awards competition before leaving the Foundation.

Laura is a seasoned communications professional who has spent the past decade developing sustainability engagement strategies for global organizations, including several years dedicated to raising global awareness of the importance of vision health. Laura’s work has taken her across continents to collaborate with not-for-profit organizations, academic institutions, and impact investors to drive actions to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She most recently designed and launched the sustainability roadmap for a global automotive technology supplier. She holds a Master of Modern Languages from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom and is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Prior to his current role at the Holcim Foundation, Edward Schwarz was a newspaper journalist, editor-in-chief of a radio station, led Corporate Communications of Holcim Switzerland and served as the global Head of internal and online communications of the Holcim Group. Edi has edited almost 50 publications related to sustainable construction and together with the team of the Foundation conducted six cycles of regional and global Awards competitions including six international expert Forums and more than 50 prize hand-over ceremonies.