My interest in STEM started already in school when I was very much interested in math and chemistry. Later on I chose European Union Studies and political communication to focus on.
Your organization field and mission:
Schuman Associates is a leading EU funding and public affairs consultancy with an outstanding track-record of securing EU and public sector funding for our clients. Headquartered on the European Commission’s doorstep in Brussels, and a stone’s throw from the EU institutions, we have over three decades of close ties and expertise working with our EU partners, and unrivalled access to high-level EU stakeholders.
Schuman Associates launched the Skills Coalition in response to a major gap in EU-level policy dialogue: the absence of a unified platform bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders with deep expertise in upskilling, training, and reskilling.
The Schuman Associates Skills Coalition successfully brought together 27 organisations including major EU sectoral associations, academic institutions and private sector actors, who are committed to promoting skills and quality jobs and enabling good match between skills and labour market demands essential to underpinning competitiveness across all sectors, taking into account the challenges posed by the Green and Digital transition.
Please tell us briefly about your role in the company / at your organization:
I lead Public Affairs and Communications activities at Schuman Associates, with a strong focus on digital policy and skills development at the European level. I am particularly passionate about contributing to initiatives that foster connectivity, innovation, education and skills, and digital inclusion across Europe.
I also lead the Schuman Associates Skills Coalition that serves as Co-Chair of the Advisory Committee of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe, where I contribute to strategic dialogue and stakeholder engagement on education and skills with focus on the green and digital transitions.
In addition, I am the Communications Manager for the Broadband Competence Offices Network Support Facility, supporting knowledge exchange and capacity building among Member States in the field of digital connectivity. I also act as Project Lead for the 5G for Smart Communities Support Platform, helping to accelerate the deployment of large-scale 5G pilots across Europe.
Your interest in STEM
I have many role models and professors from my University Studies and school years including professors in philosophy, law and literature.
Your studies
My biggest challenges during my studies was achieving depth across all subjects, as my studies spanned a wide range of disciplines, including law, political communication, project management and EU policies.
Don’t be discouraged if your path doesn’t fit neatly into one category – careers at the intersection of policy, technology, and communication are increasingly valuable. Stay curious and build a strong foundation across disciplines, even if it feels challenging at times. Confidence grows with experience, so speak up, take initiative.
You at work
Schuman Associates is a participant in the UN Global Compact and actively supports its principles on diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability. We have also been involved in numerous EU-funded projects and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls.
One of my proudest achievements has been the creation of the Schuman Associates Skills Coalition, as well as supporting the establishment of the first European Parliament Intergroup on the future of education and skills for a Competitive Europe.
Your point of view
Technology helps women access education, build skills, and connect with opportunities no matter where they are. It also opens doors to leadership, entrepreneurship, and having a stronger voice. Technology also helps women connect, learn from each other, and support one another, opening up more opportunities along the way.
Gender disparity is a reality in STEM and especially the tech sector. Seek out mentors and supportive networks – they can open doors, provide guidance, and remind you that you belong in these spaces.
By 2030, I would like diversity, inclusion, and sustainability to be a natural part of how the tech and digital sectors work. This means more women and underrepresented groups in leadership, equal access to digital skills and opportunities, and technologies that are designed to be inclusive from the start. I would like to see more women driving tech in Brussels.
To finish with
Openness, a positive mindset, creativity, and resilience guide my work and approach. I value collaboration, staying curious and solution-oriented, thinking creatively to address challenges, and remaining resilient in the face of complexity and change.
One of my key challenges will be staying adaptable in a fast-changing digital world, especially with the rise of AI, while still creating meaningful impact. I believe that, no matter how advanced technology becomes, it can’t replace creativity, imagination, or real human connections and that’s where the real magic happens.
By 2030, I hope to grow into a stronger leadership role, continuing to build bridges between policy, technology, and people, and contributing to impactful digital and skills initiatives at the European level.
The current activity has been implemented in the framework of the Project: Code4Europe,
GA Number: 101158834. Official project website : https://codeweek.eu/