An Interview with Andreas Widmer

by Gordon Nary

Gordon: Tell us about your family when you were growing up.

Andreas: I grew up in a small village in Switzerland, in a family that instilled in me a strong sense of belonging, discipline, and hard work. My father was a trustee and a fundraiser, and my mother managed our household with love, grace, and efficiency. They taught me the value of family, the dignity of work, and the importance of community. We weren’t particularly wealthy, but I still consider my childhood the most idyllic and beautiful experience anyone could wish for. Those early lessons shaped my understanding of what it means to live a life full of wonder and love.

Gordon: When did you attend Benedict Schools Switzerland, and what degree did you earn?

Andreas:  I attended Benedict Schools in Switzerland in the early 1980s, where I pursued a degree in business administration. It was a formative time, combining education with full-time work in the field, laying the foundation for my later endeavors in entrepreneurship and leadership.

Gordon: When did you attend Merrimack College, what degree did you earn, who was your favorite teacher, and why was that teacher your favorite?

Andreas:  I attended Merrimack College in the early 1990s, earning a degree in international business. One of my favorite professors was Dr. Catherine Rich-Duval, who had a rare gift for connecting marketing theory to real-world applications. She pushed us to think critically and view business as more than just numbers and graphs,it’s a tool to improve people’s lives. Her passion and genuine care for us students left a lasting impression, and I’ve carried that with me ever since.

Gordon: When did you attend St. John's Seminary, what degree did you earn, what was your favorite course, and why was it your favorite?

Andreas:  I attended St. John’s Seminary in the early 1990s, pursuing a master’s degree in ministry. My favorite course was on counseling with Father John Grimes, he taught us a profound framework for understanding human development and how outside intervention can either help or hinder it. It was from him that I learned how Catholic Social Teaching could inform not only personal ethics but also business practices. This course laid the groundwork for the framework I later applied to my work in enterprise solutions to poverty.

Gordon: You are Director, The Arthur and Carlyse Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America. What is their mission, and what do you find most rewarding about your work?

Andreas: At the Catholic University of America in general, and at the Ciocca Center in particular, we believe business is more than a means to an economic end, it’s a noble vocation, a path to human flourishing, and a way to co-create with God. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, our mission is to equip a new generation of leaders to build businesses that uphold human dignity, foster relationships, and create enduring value. What I find most rewarding is working with students. There’s something profoundly fulfilling about connecting with a student intellectually and walking alongside them as they find answers to their questions. I do wish I’d started my teaching career earlier in life, but hey, better late than never!

Gordon: Tell us about your work as Director of the Art & Carlyse Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship.

Andreas: As Director, and I’m proud to say founder, I oversee programs that educate and mentor students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the principles of Principled Entrepreneurship. The Center’s strategy is unique because it integrates Catholic Social Teaching, entrepreneurial principles, and a focus on the entrepreneurial life. Our competitive advantage lies in our holistic approach, combining faith, ethics, and market-driven solutions. Through mentorship, a collaborative community, and experiential learning, we empower students to create businesses that not only succeed but also contribute to the common good. We aim to help shape a more purposeful and sustainable future for business and society.

Gordon: When did you serve as Advisor at Magisterium AI, and what were your primary responsibilities?

Andreas:  I still serve as an advisor to Magisterium AI since 2024. My involvement is largely based on my friendship with Matthew Sanders, the founder. I’m not a key member of the organization, but I lend a helping hand by offering strategic guidance here and there. I also help make connections across the larger industry.

Gordon: What are some of the challenges that parishes using AI should address?

Andreas:  One of the main challenges is ensuring AI tools are built and used in ways that respect human dignity. Most importantly, we need to avoid anthropomorphizing the technology. This starts with how we, as users, approach it. How many times have you written "thank you" to an AI prompt? You wouldn’t do that for Google or Excel, would you? Another challenge is ensuring privacy and truth are safeguarded. For parishes, it’s crucial to avoid using free AI tools that could compromise data privacy. If you don’t pay for a service, the data you provide often belongs to the company. The key is using AI as a tool, not as an oracle. I always make sure the core thinking is mine and I only use AI to organize or suggest improvements. It’s a mindset shift, and it’s particularly important when it comes to homilies or pastoral counseling. AI should enhance ministry, not replace human thought or interaction. But if you use AI… use Magisterium AI ;-)

Gordon: You are a Member of the Board of Directors at the Archbridge Institute. What is their mission?

Andreas:  The Archbridge Institute’s mission is to lift barriers and lift lives. I got involved through my friendship with Gonzalo Schwarz, who’s one of the leading intellectuals on social mobility and the American Dream. Through rigorous research and sound public policy solutions, Archbridge empowers individuals to break through barriers and build better, fuller lives. It’s about fostering aspirations and actions that cultivate human potential. Check out their works. They’re amazing!

Gordon: You also serve as a Member of the Board of Advisors at SENT Ventures. What is their mission?

Andreas:  I love SENT Ventures and what they do. You may not have heard of them, but they’ve incubated companies like Hallow and Exodus90. I became involved through their founder, John Cannon. SENT Ventures supports Catholic entrepreneurs who build businesses and organizations that align with their faith and values. They offer mentorship, resources, and a community for mission-driven leaders who want to integrate their faith into their work. I recommend you send all your entrepreneur friends to check them out!

Gordon: When did you serve as Vice President at FTP Software Worldwide, Inc.? What did you find most rewarding about your work?

Andreas: FTP Software gave me my start in the U.S. I joined the company in the early 1990s while I was still at Merrimack College. What I found most rewarding was being on the cutting edge of technology during the early days of the internet. It was an exciting time of innovation, and collaborating with the tech community was an experience I’ll never forget. Those early lessons still influence the way I approach teaching today.

Gordon: When did you serve as Vice President, International at Dragon Systems, and what were your primary responsibilities?

Andreas: I joined Dragon Systems in the late 1990s, and it was a wild ride. We were bringing speech recognition technology to the world, and I loved working with such a talented group of people. My role was to expand the company’s global presence, build partnerships, and oversee international sales and marketing. It was a role that took me to multiple countries, and the lessons from that time are still relevant to me today.

Gordon: When did you serve as Vice President, International at Eprise, Inc.? What is one of your favorite memories working there?

Andreas:  I served as Vice President, International at Eprise in the early 2000s. One of my favorite memories was launching a project in Europe, where we brought together a diverse team from multiple countries. I remember hosting a key event in a medieval castle in Germany, there we were, bringing the latest internet technology to a setting that once represented the cutting edge of innovation. It was a humbling moment, and the friendships I built during that time have lasted well beyond the professional context.

Gordon: Tell us about your work as CEO of the OTF Group.

Andreas:  As CEO of OTF Group, I led a consulting firm focused on economic development in emerging markets. OTF was a subsidiary of the Monitor Group when I joined, but we eventually spun it out into an independent company. Our work was all about creating strategies that fostered entrepreneurship and sustainable growth to promote prosperity in these regions. It was deeply rewarding to see how our efforts helped communities build pathways out of poverty.

Gordon: Tell us about PACEO LLC.

Andreas:  PACEO LLC is my current coaching and consulting firm. We focus on leadership development, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of innovation. We help businesses and individuals navigate the challenges of growth and change, both personally and organizationally. My approach is best described as “thought partnership”, guiding leaders through one-on-one coaching, presentations, and consulting projects. Contact me if you have any questions, I’d love to work with you!

Gordon: Please provide an overview of your publications.

Andreas:  I can’t believe I’ve authored two books, I  have dyslexia! My first book, The Pope and the CEO, explores leadership lessons and faith from my time serving Pope John Paul II. My second book, The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship, offers a framework for building businesses that create enduring value. Both books reflect my passion for integrating faith, values, and business, and I hope they inspire leaders to pursue excellence and serve the common good. If you get a chance to read them, I’d love your feedback, and even more so, a review at your favorite bookseller!

Gordon: Thank you for an exceptional and fascinating interview.