Executive Master HSG Insurance and Financial Services – the Institute

The faculty of the Executive Master HSG Insurance and Financial Services consists of professors from the Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW-HSG) and other institutes of the University of St.Gallen. The interdisciplinary and international approach of the Master's program guarantees first-class continuing education.

I.VW-HSG: Innovative in teaching, research and executive education since 1949

Since its foundation in 1949, the Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW-HSG) has been committed to first-class and contemporary teaching, research and continuing education. As an internationally oriented institute in the field of Risk Management and Insurance Economics, it works in an interdisciplinary manner and cooperates internationally with partners from research and practice.

The modular education and training program at I.VW-HSG is based on the consistent combination of proven management concepts and industry knowledge. It is structured by levels and offers managers various study modules that can be combined and are thus conducive to lifelong learning. The study modules are offered as in-person as well as online modules, enabling a modern, hybrid learning experience with the greatest possible impact.

Professors of the Institute

In this executive program, selected professors from the Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW-HSG) as well as selected professors from the University of St. Gallen will provide you with their insights from research and practice:

  • Prof. Dr. Hato Schmeiser

    Hato Schmeiser holds the Chair of Risk Management and Insurance Economics at the University of St.Gallen and has been Executive Director of I.VW-HSG since 2008. His research has received awards from numerous, prestigious and internationally recognized institutions and faculties. He is also on the editorial board of various well-known professional publications with national and international reputations.

  • Martin Eling

    Prof. Dr. Martin Eling

    Martin Eling conducts empirical research at the intersection of insurance management, actuarial science and economics, as well as asset management, regulation, risk management and performance measurement. Since 2011, he has been Director of I.VW-HSG and holder of the Chair of Insurance Management at the University of St.Gallen (HSG). The chair was established with the support of the Swiss Insurance Economics.

  • Alexander Braun

    Prof. Dr. Alexander Braun

    Alexander Braun is director at I.VW-HSG and leads the research team "Innovation in Risk and Insurance". He holds the Associate Professorship for Insurance and Capital Markets at the University of St.Gallen. His areas of focus include natural catastrophe risk, insurance-linked securities, and digital transformation and sustainability in the Insurance Economics. Alexander Braun looks back on more than 15 years of experience in risk management, insurance and financial markets.

  • Christian Biener

    Prof. Dr. Christian Biener

    Christian Biener is Associate Professor of Behavioral Research and Risk Management and Director at I.VW-HSG, where he leads the research team "Behavioral and Experimental Research in Risk and Insurance". His interests include the role of rational and non-rational behavior in insurance markets, solving incentive and selection problems, the impact of technology on economic behavior, and inclusive insurance solutions.

  • Anastasia Kartasheva

    Prof. Dr. Anastasia Kartasheva

    Anastasia Kartasheva is Associate Professor of Insurance Economics at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). In her research activity, Prof. Anastasia Kartasheva deals with issues related to insurance and finance. She has broad teaching experience in Insurance Economics, financial risk management, contract theory, and game theory at the undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels.

  • Despina Makariou

    Prof. Dr. Despoina Makariou

    Despoina Makariou is Assistant Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Her research interests include extreme events (natural and man-made), their assessment in a risk transfer and insurance context, climate finance, and decision making under uncertainty.

  • Markus Huggenberger

    Prof. Dr. Markus Huggenberger

    Markus Huggenberger is Assistant Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) with research interests in quantitative risk management, insurance and asset pricing. His research includes new techniques for measuring, managing, and assessing the risk of extreme events.

  • Manuel Rach

    Prof. Dr. Manuel Rach

    Manuel Rach is Assistant Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). His research focuses on actuarial science and economics, risk management and finance. Manuel Rach's research contributes primarily to the topics of optimal retirement planning, innovative retirement products, optimal asset allocation and risk sharing.

Interdisciplinary and international

Selected professors from other institutes will teach you in the areas of digital transformation, entrepreneurship, marketing and leadership while you study the Executive Master HSG Insurance and Financial Services. You will additionally benefit from individual teachers of other leading international top universities as well as guest lecturers, that share their insights on a topic-specific basis. Additional guest lecturers from the field are integrated into the program on a topic-specific basis.

Most of the study modules take place on the exclusive Executive Campus of the University of St.Gallen. You will also benefit from SQUARE, the new inspiring Learning Center of the future.