The Lausanne Guide is a collective project shared with our team of volunteers, each with a unique voice and perspective of our city. We all have 'day jobs' but volunteer our time and energy to keep this independent resource a vibrant and relevant guide for those who live in or just love Lausanne.
Meet the Team
Tanya
Tanya is one of the two co-founders of The Lausanne Guide and will forever call herself Lausannoise (despite her unmistakably American accent when speaking French). Born in Japan, raised in California and Ohio, and half Chilean, she’s proof that the world is smaller than we think—and that a love for good food, good wine, and good company is a universal language. Originally a trained teacher of English language and literature, Tanya somehow found herself in the world of storytelling, turning brands into narratives people actually want to read. When she’s not writing, she’s running (usually toward an aperitif), soaking up nature, plotting her next trip to Italy, or deep in the kind of book that demands a second read.
Valentina
Valentina moved to Lausanne in 2016 after a work experience in Wales and quickly fell in love with this city and its views. She’s a scientist at CHUV, involved in the development of new immunotherapies for cancer treatment. In her spare time, she hikes, goes for long walks in Lavaux, and being Italian will never say no to a glass of wine with friends.
Nicola
Originating from Yorkshire, Nicola (Nix) landed in Lausanne in 2010 thinking it would be for a couple of years. After falling in love with Lavaux (and the rest of Switzerland), building a community of friends, and discovering the endless opportunities to get outside, she adopted Lausanne as her home. She works in HR for a humanitarian organisation and spends the rest of her time delighting in the adventures that life has to offer.
Clara
Clara is from California and grew up in Florence, Italy. After completing a BA and MA in the US, she returned to Europe. While living in Paris and managing private collections of contemporary art, she met a Frenchman and followed him to Switzerland. Wife of one (the aforementioned Frenchman) and mother of two, she has been happy to call Lausanne her home for over a decade, and never plans on leaving. Clara is a journalist and event coordinator for the home interiors magazine Espaces contemporains.
Marc
A long-time inhabitant of Lausanne, Marc is originally from Finland and lived in several other European countries prior to finding this small paradise. Working mainly in the startup ecosystem, he also conducts in-person workshops in Lausanne. Curious about the hidden treasures of the Lemanic region, drawn to the mountains and a geek for history, he enjoys discovering the natural wonders that this area offers.
Lama
Lama is originally from Lebanon but moved around a lot growing up. She arrived in Lausanne in 2018 with her three kids and husband. She used to be a teacher by profession before her son was born, which is when she picked up lettering and its joys. Lama is a multi-passionate creative and loves to letter on everything and anything she can get her hands on. You’ll see her work on Lausanne’s windows, murals, chalkboards, and more. When she isn’t holding a pen in her hand, or a cup of coffee, you will usually find her outdoors getting inspiration from nature and all its seasons
Sophie
Sophie is a Chinese-American marketer and community builder with a full-circle connection to out city — born in Lausanne, raised in the Midwest, and drawn back by serendipity in 2018. With a background in marketing and brand strategy, she helps businesses craft compelling stories while fostering connections within the local community. In addition to being on The Lausanne Guide team, she hosts the Lausanne chapter of CreativeMornings. A lifelong learner drawn to adventure and the arts, she finds inspiration in travel, photography, music, museums, and discovering new experiences.