Daniela Addor co-owns and co-manages Addor AG Tiefbau und Transporte, one of the region's leading construction and haulage businesses, with her brother Patrick. Daniela spoke to GstaadLife about leadership, pragmatism and breaking ground for women in the trades.

What's your role and how would you describe what you do?
I lead transport and logistics – fleet management, route planning, cost control, regulatory compliance and client coordination – while Patrick oversees construction. The two divisions are tightly linked, so we share strategic and operational responsibility across both.

What drew you to this industry and how did you learn the craft?
Growing up, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but I was eager to get into working life and do something practical. My father's enthusiasm for the family business shaped me, probably without me fully realising it, and eventually I decided to follow that path instead. I started with a commercial apprenticeship at the municipal administration in Lauenen, then worked in fiduciary services before joining my parents' company, where I later qualified as a Transport and Logistics Operations Manager. A great deal of my practical knowledge came from working closely alongside my father.

What qualities or skills are most important in your line of work?
Transport and construction can be very lively and unpredictable. The most important qualities are organisational ability, the capacity to stay calm in chaotic situations and good improvisational skills. I'm fortunate that these came fairly naturally to me. When things don't go quite to plan, I often tell our team: "As long as there's a night between now and then, almost anything can be sorted."

Do you feel the culture in construction is changing for women today?
Yes, construction is becoming noticeably more open. Women are now recognised far more as skilled professionals rather than being defined primarily by their gender. In many companies, a real shift in mindset has taken place: workplaces are increasingly being shaped to be accessible and attractive for everyone, through better work-life balance, modern working conditions and a more respectful communication culture.

What do you think women bring to construction and the trades, and why do you think countries like Switzerland are seeing more women enter these fields?
Women may bring a particular ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, or perhaps a somewhat more creative approach to problem-solving – though this varies enormously between individuals and can't be generalised. As an employer, I firmly believe every role needs the right person regardless of gender. What matters is ability, personality and motivation. I'm convinced that women today can and should stand confidently at the front in construction and the trades, just as men have always done.What's shifting, I think, is that women in this still male-dominated industry are no longer treated as outsiders. Women have a voice, and in my experience that voice is now listened to and taken seriously. That creates more opportunities and an environment where women feel more confident choosing this path.

What is your favourite thing about working in this region?
Everything about the region appeals to me – the stunning landscape, the locals, the guests we welcome. I particularly appreciate the straightforward, respectful collaboration with the other trades businesses in the area. We are a community.
I love learning about other cultures and places around the world in my free time, but I'm through and through a Heimwehchuehli, someone who always gets pulled back home. The familiar feeling of "über d'Möser i" – that sense of home when driving over Saanenmöser – I clearly experience it every time.

ANNA CHARLES

Addor AG
Tiefbau und Transporte
www.addor-ag.ch