Secretariat
Our team brings together a variety of professional and cultural perspectives to creatively contribute to a liberal Europe that we all want to live in.
Our team brings together a variety of professional and cultural perspectives to creatively contribute to a liberal Europe that we all want to live in.
Executive Director
Alva (or Ailbhe) is a passionate leader with over twelve years of experience in policy. Prior to joining ELF, Alva was the Secretary General of Social Platform, the largest civil society network working on social and equality issues in Europe. Alva also worked at Save the Children, Mental Health Europe, and the Irish Mission to the UN in Geneva.
Head of Projects
Goran is responsible for coordinating a portfolio of more than 60 member-led and Secretariat-led projects. His professional focus is on management and organisational development. He comes from the International Educational Center, a political foundation from Croatia, where he worked on developing and implementing democracy support projects across Europe together with other partners in the liberal family. A husband and father, in his free time he enjoys watching sci-fi movies and driving.
Project Officer
Holds an MA in International Affairs from the University of Bologna. Worked as Grants and Project Assistant for Lebanese and Italian NGOs. Strong interest in human and women’s rights and environmental topics.
Senior Compliance and Project Officer
For the past 5 years and a half, Bàlint was the Secretary General of LYMEC, leading the organisation as a full-time job. He studied Political Sciences at the Saint-Louis University of Brussels as his bachelor degree and European Studies at the ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) as master degree. In addition, he is the former Secretary General of Stand Up for Europe and co-founded the Jubel festival initiative (European Democracy festival).
Digital Transformation and Project Officer
Holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Wroclaw. Interested in women’s rights and LGBTQI+-related topics. Previously worked as an intern for a Polish NGO, as well as volunteered for an Erasmus Student Network as a Project Manager.
Policy and Research Manager
Maartje is the policy and research manager of ELF. Before joining ELF, she worked as an editor at an economic policy journal, as a researcher at a liberal think tank affiliated to the VVD political party, and as a journalist of a well-known Dutch news weekly. Maartje studied Political Science at Leiden University. She has a broad interest in other disciplines as well, which she combines with a strong knowledge of liberal philosophy.
Head of Communication
Political communication expert with a broad experience in public relations, digital communication, and campaign management. He has worked as a communication consultant in the finance and real estate industry and as the communication director of the Hungarian liberal party, Momentum Movement.
Finance Officer
Nadji brings extensive experience in financial management and operations to his role as Finance Officer at the European Liberal Forum. He is responsible for supporting the financial health of the organisation and enhancing internal processes. Before joining ELF, Nadji worked in banking and private sector roles, building a solid foundation in finance, after completing a Master’s in Economic Engineering with a focus on Finance at the University of Grenoble Alpes.
Accountant
An expert in accounting and administration, she worked for 25 years in the automobile sector, as well as in several other fields. She loves dark chocolate, coffee, and Italian food, and is fond of the science fiction genre.
Professor, University of Florence
Luigi Martino teaches Cyber Security and ICT Policies at the Faculty of Political Science in Florence and is head of the Center for Cyber Security and International Relations Studies (CCSIRS). His PhD thesis focused on the implementation of cybersecurity models.
Visiting Professor and Researcher, University of Helsinki
Takis Pappas (Ph.D., Yale) is a political researcher and analyst currently working at the University of Helsinki and known for his original work on populism, the future of liberalism, and party systems. Besides numerous publications, he has authored five books.
Professor Emeritus of Economics, Paris Graduate School of Engineering
Gérard Pogorel is Professor emeritus of Economics at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris-Telecom, CNRS Interdisciplinary Institute for Innovation. An independent international expert in telecommunications, media, and the digital economy, he has worked with the European Commission, national authorities, scientific committees.
Senior Policy & Research Officer
Francesco is a PhD candidate in Cybersecurity Law at VUB. He holds a MA in International Relations from the University of Florence and MA in World Politics from MGIMO. He is a member of the ‘Center for Cybersecurity’ in Florence and the ‘Cyber and Data Security Lab’ at VUB, where he also was an assistant lecturer in the course of Cyberwarfare, Disinformation and Post-Truth. His research focuses on cybersecurity, digitalisation and the relation between sustainability and technologies.
Policy & Research Officer
Maria holds a PhD in interdisciplinary European Periodical Studies, MA degrees in EU Studies and Political Science, and BA degree in Philosophy from the universities in Belgium, Germany, and Ukraine. She specialises in European cultural, social, and neighbourhood-related affairs and has professional experience in journalism and editorship.
Author and journalist
Mathilde Berger-Perrin is a former activist and president of Les Affranchies – Women for Liberty. A graduate of philosophy & cognitive sciences, she is now an essayist and columnist in the French media specialising in gender issues and free speech advocacy. She’s publishing two books in 2023, an essay on Individualist feminism and a monograph on Ayn Rand.
Director of Studies at GenerationLibre
A graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble and with a doctorate in political science, Kevin Brookes has taught in several higher education institutions and has been a researcher in several think-tanks in France and Canada.
Assistant Professor, University of Zagreb
Kristijan Kotarski has been Assistant Professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Political Science since 2015. His research is focused on the international political economy subjects. He co-edited two prominent books, wrote more than 20 scientific papers and 30 professional articles.
Assistant Professor, University of Lodz
Tomasz Kamiński is a political scientist, professor at the Faculty of International and Political Studies at the University of Lodz. He has a significant experience in the business sector. He is focusing on the topics of paradiplomacy and city diplomacy.
Analyst, Think-tanker and Author
Ricardo Silvestre is the Senior Researcher and International Officer of the Portuguese think-tank Social Liberal Movement. He hosts the Liberal Europe Podcast and is the author of think pieces and scientific articles. Ricardo holds a PhD in Philosophy of Science and a Master’s degree in International Relations.
Researcher and lecturer, Leiden University
Arlinda Rrustemi is a researcher and lecturer on peace and conflict studies. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Leiden University in the Netherlands, an LL.M. degree in Public International Law from Utrecht University, and a B.A. (cum laude) from the University College Roosevelt. She is involved in several research projects uncovering peace infrastructures and countering radicalization. She was a visiting scholar at several universities.
We encourage collaboration among liberals in Europe. Get ready and Join us.
We are open to new ideas and eager to collaborate with you.