Andreas Schenker, MAS in Sustainable Finance

Andreas Schenker is a Product Manager for Investments & Pension Solutions at Aargauische Kantonalbank. Prior to joining the bank in 2024, he spent almost 18 years at UBS, where he held a range of leadership and specialist roles within Wealth Management. His career included international Business Management positions in London, Zurich, and Basel, providing him with extensive experience in private banking, business and project management, transformation, as well as process and product innovation.

Driven by the growing importance of sustainability in the financial sector, Andreas began expanding his expertise in Sustainable Finance in 2023. He completed the part-time Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sustainable Finance at the University of Zurich between 2023 and 2026. The program's combination of academically rigorous foundations and practical applications – covering ESG, sustainable investment strategies, regulation, and impact investing – was particularly valuable to him.

Today, Andreas applies this knowledge directly in his role at Aargauische Kantonalbank where he contributes to the strategic development of sustainable investment and pension solutions. He also serves as an internal point of contact for sustainability-related topics in investments and pension provision and supports the implementation of evolving regulatory requirements through concrete initiatives and cross-functional collaboration.

I deliberately chose the MAS in Sustainable Finance at the University of Zurich because the program offers an ideal balance of academic excellence and practical relevance. The University of Zurich enjoys an outstanding reputation both nationally and internationally, and I was convinced by the breadth and timeliness of the curriculum. I was particularly attracted to the interdisciplinary approach, which brings together financial, regulatory, economic, and societal aspects of sustainability. It was important to me to pursue a program that not only provides up-to-date expertise but also sharpens perspectives on future developments and long-term trends.

The MAS in Sustainable Finance provided me with a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping sustainable financial markets. What I found particularly valuable was its combination of academically grounded concepts and practical applications. I was able to deepen my knowledge in ESG, sustainable investment strategies, regulation, impact investing and risk management, while learning to view these topics within the broader context of the financial system. The program also helped me better understand current developments and make informed decisions in a dynamic environment. I can directly apply the knowledge I gained in my professional work and contribute to both strategic and operational sustainable finance initiatives.

The program has significantly strengthened my expertise in sustainable finance and equipped me with the knowledge and practical tools to actively advance sustainability initiatives at Aargauische Kantonalbank. As a result, I have increasingly become an internal point of contact for sustainability-related questions in the areas of investments and pension solutions. The program has also enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for our business. This allows me to provide well-informed recommendations, advise stakeholders across the organization, and contribute to the successful implementation of sustainability-related initiatives. By combining academic insights with practical applications, the program has empowered me to play a more active role in integrating sustainability into our products, processes, and strategic priorities.

I was particularly impressed by the high quality of the lecturers and the strong connection between research and practice. Many of the speakers brought not only academic expertise but also many years of experience in the financial industry, enabling them to illustrate current developments through concrete examples from practice. Equally enriching was the exchange with fellow participants, who contributed diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives. This led to engaging discussions that went beyond the formal curriculum. Overall, the program fostered an inspiring learning atmosphere that strongly supported the transfer of knowledge into professional practice. Looking back, the program was a highly valuable experience for me, both professionally and personally.

Yes, I would wholeheartedly recommend the MAS in Sustainable Finance. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the key topics in Sustainable Finance and successfully combines theoretical foundations with practical case studies and discussions. I particularly appreciated the strong focus on current challenges and developments in the financial industry. In addition, participants benefit from the opportunity to exchange ideas with experienced lecturers and fellow students from a wide range of companies and professional backgrounds. This diversity of perspectives enriched the discussions and broadened my own outlook. For professionals and leaders who want to understand sustainability as an integral part of the financial sector and actively contribute to its development, the MAS offers an excellent foundation.

Further information on the MAS in Sustainable Finance can be found here.