Our Team

Leadership Team

Alistair Starling

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Alistair Starling

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Alistair Starling is a former UK Diplomat, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, FCO, where he assisted companies to trade and invest internationally for 10 years. He is multilingual, and levers his 20 year private sector / 10 year government sector, Business Development, Design and Innovation experience to achieve results within 1st, 2nd and 3rd sector organisations. Alistair's native language is English, he is also fluent in Italian and German, plus intermediate French. Alistair worked in the founding teams of other start-ups, in the recruitment sector (The Cambridge Hub), internet design sector (IconMedialab), and therefore understands the pace and focus of the commercial sector. Alistair led complex government sales development across Europe and Africa for a world famous brand - Cambridge. He has two Master degrees (one from the University of Cambridge), and an Undergraduate Degree in the creative industries. Alistair is a confident public speaker, has presented numerous times on TV, and fosters active communities of contacts across Europe.

Email:a.starling@european-diplomats.eu

Anton Lammers

Co-Founder and Projects Lead

Anton Lammers

Co-Founder and Projects Lead

Anton Lammers holds an undergraduate degree in European Politics BA from King's College London and an International Social and Public Policy (Research) MSc from the London School of Economics. His studies have provided him with elaborate insight into the policy machinery of the EU and its member states. He focussed on education policy in Europe and now employs his academic insight for European Diplomats. Anton Lammers has mutlitple years of working experience in the NGO and Edtech and Education Policy sectors, across Europe, working alongside his studies. This way he combines academic expertise and practical working experience for European Diplomats. In London Anton levers the location and his networking abilities to create opportunities and insights for European Diplomats. Along side this, Anton is active volunteer for the Red-Cross and has founded a social initiative tackling educational inequality in his home town. Anton's native language is German and he is fluent in English, speaks Portuguese and basic French.

Email:a.lammers@european-diplomats.eu

Tim Nieminen

Director of Business Development

Tim Nieminen

Director of Business Development

Tim's biography will follow shortly.

Email:t.nieminen@european-diplomats.eu

Kai Takkis

Operations Manager

Kai Takkis

Operations Manager

Kai is a project manager with working experience both in public and private sector. With her qualification in English Philology, Teacher Training and Translation, she has years of experience in operating and managing her own translation company. Her former employment in the government sector in the field of education has left her with a passion for education, pedagogy, and languages. Combined with her detailed knowledge of private sector operations, she proves to be a valuable addition to the team.

Email:k.takkis@european-diplomats.eu

Daniela Abentung

Co-Founder

Daniela Abentung

Co-Founder

Daniela is a trained journalist and a political and communication scientist with a focus on international communication and EU affairs. During her 20 years' professional experience she has been diving deep into the miracles and wonders of political environments. She has a strong international network in politics and journalism, in Brussels but also in Germany, Italy and the Middle East, from previous positions. In her government and stakeholder relations / communication roles for ifo Institute, Allianz SE Europe, Bavarian State Parliament and the European Commission (DG International Cooperation and Development/Joint Research Centre (JRC)), she has developed a strong understanding of outreach communication (internal/external), international change communication, EU affairs, regulatory monitoring and real-life policy-making procedures. Her focus lies on science, international cooperation and development and financial affairs. Daniela has a big appetite for agile and innovative solutions. Her customer orientation and stakeholder rapport building skills are outstanding. She has a Master degree in European Studies from the University of Bologna and loves complex, international environments. Daniela's native language is German and she is also fluent in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch - and Eurospeak. Apart from being an excellent writer, she's a confident public speaker and has physically and virtually addressed a variety of audiences.

Email:d.abentung@european-diplomats.eu

Michal Gawryl

Co-Founder

Michal Gawryl

Co-Founder

Michal Gawryl is qualified in Business Administration with a focus on marketing, planning and innovation management. In his first professional role he worked as Headhunter. Because of this, Michal is well versed in personal and cold calling, as well as negotiating, network building, the care of existing customers and supporting of projects. He knows how to identify the relevant contacts and how contact should be implemented. In his other professional positions, he worked as a Recruiter in the private and public sectors. This means that Michal fully comprehends the inner workings of governments from his first-hand experience and is able to lever that for our clients. Michal speaks German and Polish as native languages and is fluent in English, plus is building up his French language skills. Organisational complexity and the management of multifaceted projects are core competences which Michal also possesses.

Email:m.grawyl@european-diplomats.eu

Léa Bothorel

Government Relations Consultant and Future of Education Consortium Manager

Léa Bothorel

Government Relations Consultant and Future of Education Consortium Manager

Léa is French, has lived in the UK for the last six years, and speaks French and English fluently. She holds an undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Warwick. She recently completed her MSc in Global Prosperity from University College London’s Institute for Global Prosperity. During her studies, she focused on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches with a particular interest in feminism, ethics, participatory designs, and deliberative democracy. She furthered those interests by interviewing participants of the permanent citizen dialogue of the German-speaking community of Belgium in the context of her master’s dissertation. UCL also sponsored her to participate in a workshop organised by CatalyticAction in Lebanon, which focused on the built environment’s impact on gender inequality.

Email:l.bothorel@european-diplomats.eu

Associates

Marina Sgorbati

Associate

Marina Sgorbati

Associate

Marina is an experienced copywriter, text writer and journalist. As a journalist, among others, she managed “Giochi”, a publication for first-level teachers by Editrice Giochi a leading Italian company that produces table games for children and adults. With more than 10 years of experience in managing a call centre for quantitative and qualitative market research, she has outstanding skills when it comes to data collection and analysis. Combining research, language and management skills Marina is an important asset to the team.

Dirk Bornschein

Associate

Dirk Bornschein

Associate

Dirk is a political scientist, author, editor of regional publications and communication expert. After his Doctorate Degree, he worked in Guatemala at the Latin American Faculty for Social Science (FLACSO), an inter-governmental institute operating in most countries of the region. Throughout these 10 years Dirk did research on migration and development and facilitated relationship-building between academic institutes, government institutions and civil society organisations, especially in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, the United States and the broader Latin American region. Furthermore, he worked as a consultant for the Japanese Cooperation in Guatemala and currently advises FLASCO in the development of the “Migration and Development” programme. Dirk’s regional expertise, communication experience and strong analytical skills make him an invaluable addition to the team.

Carol Scandolara

Associate

Carol Scandolara

Associate

Meet our Consortium Facilitator: A skilled and dedicated professional who brings harmony and effectiveness to collaborative efforts. With their exceptional communication and organization skills, they ensure seamless coordination, encourage active participation, and drive meaningful outcomes. Trust this experienced facilitator to guide your consortium towards success on the day.

Eliza Raduca

Associate

Eliza Raduca

Associate

With a strong background in teaching and assessing English as a second language and a passion for professional development, Eliza has honed her skills as an ESL teacher, international speaker, and teacher trainer. Her diverse educational background, including a BA in Philology and a MSc in Political Science, combined with her CELTA certification, affiliations with reputable organizations and a certificate from the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education and Oxford University Press, demonstrate her dedication to continuous learning and growth in the field. Through her participation in the Oxford Teachers’ Academy Masterclass and her affiliation with BETA and TESOLGreece, she has demonstrated a commitment to staying at the forefront of educational trends and techniques. With a keen interest in the integration of technology and effective teaching methods, she is determined to make a significant impact on the future of education by continuously seeking improvement and innovation in her professional practice.

Policy Researchers

Gwendia Li

Policy Researcher

Gwendia Li

Policy Researcher

Gwendia is currently a second-year student at Loughborough University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Driven by a fervent passion to serve the community, she actively engages in leadership roles and seeks academic experiences that contribute to creating an informed, equal world for all. Her academic journey is directed toward a future in policy analysis and development economics, with plans to advance her education through a Master’s degree in these fields. Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, Gwendia is also expanding her linguistic capabilities by studying Japanese, French, and German. This linguistic proficiency underscores her dedication to fostering communication and understanding across diverse cultural landscapes.

Email:g.li@european-diplomats.eu

Shantanu Sharma

Digital Marketer

Shantanu Sharma

Digital Marketer

Shantanu is a postgraduate student pursuing MSc Management, Strategy and Leadership at the University of Dundee. He is currently specialising in Strategic Management and is driven by his passion for Sustainability and managing multi-dimensional teams and projects. His work within various government bodies has led to tremendous growth in outreach by about 5x leading to increased awareness and engagement from the media. His academic background coupled with work experience has equipped him with the ability to work teams whilst paying attention to detail. Originally from India, he is proficient in English and Hindi. After his postgraduate studies, he intends to dig deeper into the field of Sustainability and contribute to integrate it with business and technology.

Email:s.sharma@european-diplomats.eu

Arwen Godingen

Policy Researcher

Arwen Godingen

Policy Researcher

Arwen has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from the University of Cambridge and will start her Master’s of Science in Global Politics specialising in Quantitative Analysis and Public Policy at the London School of Economics in September. Arwen has experience in diplomacy, public policy research and trend analysis. She is also fluent in French, English, and Spanish, as well as being conversant in Mandarin. Arwen hopes to pursue a career in international relations and economic development.

Email:a.godingen@european-diplomats.eu

Alessandra Costa

Policy Researcher

Alessandra Costa

Policy Researcher

Alessandra Costa, originally from Italy, is pursuing her Master's degree in Public Health and Policy at the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, having previously completed her Bachelor's studies in International Relations at the University of Geneva. Her academic journey has been guided by a sincere passion for understanding global health inequities, planetary health, and social justice, with the hope of making a positive impact in these areas. She is fluent in Italian, French, English, and Spanish. She’s also taken on the challenge of learning Chinese during her undergraduate years and is currently dedicated to mastering Catalan and German. Alessandra deeply values the intercultural experiences she encounters, finding joy in connecting with people from different backgrounds. With humility and dedication, she aspires to contribute meaningfully to the field of public health, aiming to address pressing global challenges with compassion and understanding.

Email:a.costa@european-diplomats.eu

Mathews Abraham

Policy Researcher

Mathews Abraham

Policy Researcher

Mathews Abraham is a recent graduate from Tallinn University in international relations MA. He has previous research experience in the field of European energy security. His interests range from migration studies, policy studies to psychohistory.

Email:m.abraham@european-diplomats.eu

Ashray Nambiar

Policy Researcher

Ashray Nambiar

Policy Researcher

Ashray is a first-year master’s student pursuing a programme in ‘International Governance and Diplomacy’ from Sciences Po Paris. Having also completed his undergraduate studies in political science from Sciences Po, Ashray aims to pursue a career in political and public affairs.

Email:a.nambiar@european-diplomats.eu