I lead the work on building a new European Policy Institute in Vienna—developing its concept, defining its position in the think tank landscape, and designing a democratic governance model. It’s about creating a platform that brings fresh ideas into European policy debates and making them matter. My work combines strategy, diplomacy and a good dose of practical problem-solving to turn an ambitious vision into reality.

Studying EU Studies at Leiden University led me to Brussels, where I worked in civil society, pushing for fairer EU policies. Later, at the European think tank Bruegel, I learned how to bridge academic research and policymaking, building large EU-funded projects and ensuring insights hit Brussels at just the right moment.

What has inspired me lately? Adam Ondra, for pushing human limits in climbing; Tommy Caldwell, for scaling the Dawn Wall with nine fingers; Zweig, for his thoughtful idealism; and Jimi Hendrix, for turning the guitar into poetry. All proof that persistence and creativity break limits—personal or otherwise.