It is a challenge Sandra-Stella Triebl has been exploring for almost two decades – as the founder and CEO of Swiss Ladies Drive, publisher, entrepreneur and initiator of the League of Leading Ladies.
Now, Vision Magazine has dedicated a multi-page cover story to Sandra-Stella and her approach to community, leadership and storytelling. Titled "Building Meaningful Connections Through Storytelling", the interview explores what makes communities last – and why trust may be far more valuable than reach.
More Than a Network
One of the central ideas of the interview is that a meaningful network is not built by collecting contacts. It grows over time through listening, trust and the willingness to connect people without expecting an immediate return.
Sandra-Stella compares a strong network to the mycelium beneath a forest: largely invisible, yet constantly connecting and supporting the ecosystem around it. The same principle applies to Ladies Drive. The magazine, events, conferences, collaborations and friendships are the visible results. What really matters is the network of trusted relationships underneath.
An important part of this is cross-generational exchange. A senior executive or experienced board member brings a different perspective from a young founder – but knowledge does not flow in only one direction. Reverse mentoring allows experience to meet fresh thinking, creating opportunities for both generations to learn from each other.
From Networking to the Kindness Economy
The interview also explores an idea that has long shaped Sandra-Stella’s philosophy: the Kindness Economy – putting people first, then the planet, and only then profit.
Kindness, however, is not a business strategy. It is about paying attention, listening, opening doors and introducing people who might benefit from knowing one another – without calculating the return.
Perhaps one simple question captures this philosophy best: What can I do for you?
Instead of asking what a connection might offer us, it shifts the focus towards what we can contribute to someone else’s journey.
Ultimately, the Vision Magazine cover story is about more than networking. It is about a form of leadership rooted in trust, collaboration and genuine human connection – and about creating spaces where people can grow together rather than compete for the spotlight.
Read the full interview “Sandra-Stella: Building Meaningful Connections Through Storytelling” on Vision Magazine.
