Swiss American Chamber of Commerce - Avantgarde Award Gala 2025

Event Information

Saturday, Nov 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM PST

The Jonathan Club Los Angeles, 545 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, 90071, United States.

Once a year, the Swiss-American (Business) community from San Diego to Santa Barbara, from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, is coming together with their partners, clients, staff and executives. This to spend an amazing evening with like-minded, energized and driving leaders & entrepreneurs, with forward-thinkers, enthusiasts and innovators. With opinion leaders and entertainers. To maintain friendships, create new relationships and recognize the most impactful amongst us!

One of the evening's highlights is the Avantgarde Award, together with his "Challenger Sibling", the Stewardship Award, which focuses on Life Sciences & Medical Technology this year. Together with our strategic partners, we recognize and award to most impactful organization or private individual in the United States.

If you and your company want to throw your hat into the ring, MORE INFORMATION & SUBMISSION HERE.

Doing business with Switzerland's enterprises and its executives means quality, reliability and innovation. This is the signature event to bring this all together in a wonderfull gala environment, with inspiring key note speeches, exellent food, entertaining music, paired with red carpet & tons of memories on photographs or in your mind.

Agenda

5pm - VIP Reception (Sponsors & Invitation only)

6pm - The Vontobel Cocktail Reception

7pm - Award Gala Dinner & Ceremony

9pm - Dance the Night Away & Midnight Bar

11pm - Farewell

Dress Code

Black-Tie Optional

Join us for an unforgettable gala night with wonderful and fun people, photo ops left & right with step and repeat for your personal memories, excellent cuisine & service; food & drinks as much as you like, valet parking & red carpet welcome, and the unrivaled atmosphere of the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles.

See you on November 15th!

Event Location

The Jonathan Club Los Angeles

About Organizer

Swiss American Chamber of Commerce Southern California Organizer name

www.saccla.org

Contact the Organizer

Frequently Asked Questions

Speakers

Danielle Fragalla, MSE, serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), bringing to the role a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial nonprofit leadership, strategic development acumen, and a heartfelt commitment to advancing childhood-cancer research. She stepped into the CEO position in March 2024 after a career marked by innovative constituent engagement, board development, and fundraising excellence.

Billy Obregón is the Chief Executive Officer of Vontobel SFA (Swiss Financial Advisers) and Managing Director & Head of Private Clients Americas for the broader Vontobel Group.

With a robust background in investment management, client-service leadership, and cross-border wealth-advisory operations, Billy brings strategic vision and global perspective to the role. He is focused on expanding Vontobel SFA’s footprint in the Americas, strengthening trust-based relationships with high-net-worth clients, and leveraging the Swiss heritage of Vontobel alongside local market insight to deliver bespoke advice.

Christopher Thornberg has been called many things throughout his career – “Dr. Doom,” a contrarian, even an optimist – but his favorite thing to be called, is correct. A renowned economist and public speaker with deep expertise in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets, Dr. Thornberg has consulted globally for private industry, cities, counties, and public agencies. As a speaker, he has appeared in front of hundreds of business, government, and nonprofit audiences.

Francis Bellido is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience spanning cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance, currently serving as President & CEO of Quantum eMotion. He holds a PhD in sciences from the University of Geneva and an MBA from the University of Montréal, and has previously led executive roles at SoundBite Medical, Eli Lilly, and as a manager of a $300 million life sciences investment fund.