About
Winn Chelini. An independent view from outside.
Mechanical engineer, over ten years in industrial engineering and IT projects – as project lead, team lead and technical architect. Now an independent confidant and sparring partner. This is where my perspective comes from – and where its limits are.
“I don’t know your situation from the inside. I see it from the outside.”
My path
Looking closely. First at systems, then at myself.
I’m an engineer. I learned my trade on demanding projects – and found that the hardest questions are rarely technical ones.
After studying mechanical engineering at a university of applied sciences in Zürich, I worked as a development engineer, latterly in aviation, and led my first projects. I then moved into IT – as project lead and consultant for PLM and CAD systems, as senior IT engineer and team lead at an aircraft manufacturer, and today as technical architect.
That work taught me to take in a complicated situation quickly: many people involved, conflicting interests, not much time. And it taught me to notice what doesn’t fit – even when nobody says it out loud.
Then came a break that forced me to look closely – this time at myself. Since then I know how long one can keep functioning on the outside while, inside, things no longer fit. Since then, two things have been at the centre of my work: really listening, and being honest.
Later I set up on my own as a trainer and educator and trained as a coach. In sparring I use some of its questioning techniques, not its method. Alongside, I work part-time in industry. When I need clarity myself, I go for a walk, without distractions. It’s no coincidence that I offer conversations on foot as well.
Why Chelini
Why this work
Because people surrounded by others who each have a role rarely get honest feedback from someone who wants nothing from them. The more that hangs on you – family, inheritance, business – the more careful the people around you become – out of respect, out of dependence or out of self-interest. I know this from the other side: as a project manager I went years without anyone openly disagreeing with me – and for a long time I spoke to no one about what had knocked me off course. Since then I have known that things like that are best talked through with a counterpart who has nothing to gain.
How I listen
I listen until I have understood what it is really about – not just what you say first. Then I ask questions, test assumptions and tell you what I notice. Including the uncomfortable parts. I don’t take sides – not even yours.
What stays with me
What you tell me stays with me. I do not record conversations. I keep only brief notes, store them securely and destroy them no later than 12 months after we finish. My calendar shows initials, not names. You always talk to me: no team, no handover, no stand-in. And I talk to no one about you – not even the person who referred you. We agree confidentiality in writing; where it has limits, I tell you so beforehand. I can’t promise you professional secrecy of the kind lawyers and doctors have – I say that openly. The details are on the Sparring page.
What qualifies me
I spent over ten years on projects where engineering, IT and the business had competing interests – that is where you learn to see who is not saying what. What I lack: I have never sat on a board, never sold a company and never inherited a fortune. I don’t know your situation from the inside – but I can see it from the outside. That is exactly what I’m here for. Since 2024 I have also held private one-to-one conversations as a life coach – on personal questions, strain and life transitions. Many of the people I talk to have run, built and lost more than I have. So I won’t explain your company or your family to you – you know them better. I listen, ask, and tell you where your reasoning doesn’t add up for me.
In all honesty
What I bring – and what I don’t.
Trust starts with not promising more than I can deliver.
What I bring
- StructuringI bring order to tangled situations quickly: what is fact, what is assumption – and what is the real question?
- Logic and common senseI think things through like an engineer, and pay just as much attention to what sits between the lines.
- Calm listeningI let you finish. I listen without interrupting and without rushing to judgement.
- IndependenceNo mandate, no commission. I gain nothing from the decision you make.
What I don’t bring
- Boardroom experienceI have led projects and a team. I have no experience on boards or in corporate executive teams.
- Specialist legal, tax or financial knowledgeI do not give legal, tax, financial or investment advice.
- Psychotherapy or medical adviceSparring is not psychotherapy or medical counselling and does not replace them. I do not diagnose.
Where expertise is needed, I say so and point you to the right person.
Transparency
Chelini is operated by CHW-Services GmbH in Wetzikon.
47° N
Zürich, the Gold Coast and Zug lie on the 47th parallel – hence the line and the number.
“When I need clarity myself, I walk. Without distraction.”
Background
Career and training
Career
- 2014–2017 · Development engineerDesign, calculation and simulation, latterly in aviation; led projects, CAD course instructor.
- 2018–2019 · Project lead and PLM/CAD consultantIntroducing PLM and CAD systems at industrial clients, with training and support.
- 2019–2024 · Senior IT engineer, team lead from 2023Responsible for the PLM and CAD landscape of an aircraft manufacturer, between engineering, IT and the business.
- Since 2024 · Technical architect and PLM specialistArchitecture of PLM systems; requirements worked out with the business.
- Since 2024 · Self-employedPrivate one-to-one life coaching on personal questions and life transitions; today independent sparring. Alongside, part-time in industry.
- Today: CheliniIndependent sparring for what you can’t talk about with just anyone.
Education and training
- BSc in Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of applied sciences, Zürich
- Coaching training (2024)Three certificates; I use some of its questioning techniques.
Languages: English and German
The confidential conversation. No obligation.
Twenty minutes by phone or video. You don’t need to prepare or explain anything. Afterwards you will know whether my way of working suits you. I read every enquiry myself – from the first contact to the last conversation, you deal with the same person.
or call directly:Call: +41 78 239 12 12
