Meet The Team

Mark Donaldson is a recognised authority in active noise control and a proven business leader with over 20 years of experience in audio technology and embedded systems. As founder and CEO of SoundChip SA, he pioneered advanced ANC solutions across silicon, software, and acoustics, growing the company into a global leader before its acquisition by DSP Group, now part of Synaptics. At Sonexos, Mark sets the company’s strategic direction and leads its growth, driving the commercialisation of its groundbreaking Plasmapanel® technology for advanced noise control in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. He holds First Class Honours and Master’s degrees (with Distinction) in Mechanical Engineering and Digital Signal Processing from the University of Auckland. His contributions to the technology sector have earned him several accolades, including recognition by Unlimited and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Technology.

Andrea Onetti is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the audio semiconductor and MEMS industries, combining deep technical expertise with proven leadership in global operations and supply chains. As Executive Vice President and General Manager at STMicroelectronics, he led the company’s global business in audio ICs, MEMS microphones, sensor platforms, and audio signal processing. His expertise spans low-power analog and digital signal processing, MEMS sensors, RF, and digital audio amplification. At Sonexos, Andrea serves as Chief Operating Officer, leading global manufacturing and commercialization, driving the industrialization of Plasmapanel® technology, and expanding production through advanced manufacturing processes and strategic partnerships. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pavia, Italy.

Dr. Stanislav Sergeev is a leading expert in advanced acoustics and plasma physics. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), focusing on cold atmospheric plasma applications. He began his career at Schlumberger, working on acoustics-based oil well monitoring technologies. Stanislav earned his PhD at EPFL in Switzerland, where he introduced the concept of plasmacoustic metalayers—a novel approach to sound control using ionised air interactions. His pioneering work, recognised by the ABB Research Award, has been published in leading journals, including the Nature portfolio. In 2023, he joined Sonexos to lead the development of plasmacoustic sound control technologies and holds multiple patents in the field.

Dr. Ben Skelton is an experienced technology leader with over 25 years in the automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors. He specialises in commercialising emerging technologies, with a strong focus on strategic product development and operational excellence. As co-founder of SoundChip SA, Ben helped develop advanced audio solutions and production systems for global markets, leading to the company’s acquisition by DSP Group. He later served as Chief Applications Architect at DSP Group, aligning software development with next-generation audio product strategies. At Sonexos, Ben provides strategic guidance on product innovation, software engineering, and product industrialisation. He holds a doctorate in engineering and is known for his hands-on approach to driving sustainable commercial success through data-driven decision-making and technology integration.

Jonathan Beuchat is a Swiss finance and investment professional specialising in the strategic growth and financial structuring of high-potential startups. He is the founder of Close Ventures, a firm dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in fundraising, financial planning, and strategic exits. Jonathan also co-founded DYN Group, a leading provider of accounting, finance, tax, and insurance services, helping startups implement lean financial management solutions. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, he brings a global perspective and a pragmatic, results-driven approach. At Sonexos, Jonathan applies his expertise in finance, investment strategy, and corporate governance to support the company’s growth and long-term success.

Dr. Hervé Lissek has been leading the Acoustics Research Group at EPFL for two decades, focusing on electroacoustics, active noise control, and signal processing. His innovations include the “electroacoustic absorber,” which turns loudspeakers into low-frequency absorbers, the “electroacoustic metamaterial,” which redefines acoustic physics with small speaker arrays, and the “plasmacoustic metalayer,” using ionized air to absorb sound. Dr. Lissek has collaborated with industry leaders like Safran Group, Stellantis, PSI Audio, Sonova, and Logitech. He has published approximately 100 scientific papers and holds 10 patent families.

Dr. Duleepa J. Thrimawithana earned his BE in Electrical Engineering (First Class Honors) in 2005 and his Ph.D. in Power Electronics in 2009 from the University of Auckland. From 2005 to 2008, he worked as a Research Engineer with Tru-Test Ltd., focusing on power converters and high-voltage pulse generators. Since 2009, he has been an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland. Dr. Thrimawithana has co-authored over 100 publications and holds 25 patent families in wireless power transfer. In 2014, he received the Jim and Hazel D. Lord Fellowship for his contributions as an early-career researcher. His research areas include wireless power transfer, power electronics, cryogenic electronics, and renewable energy.