Secretariat

Stephanie Bätjer
Director - Communication

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Stephanie Bätjer

Director - Communication

On leave, please contact
communication[at]renewables-grid.eu

Stephanie Bätjer is leading the Renewables Grid Initiative's communication and event activities as Programme Manager – Communication. She is also heavily involved in RGI's policy work and all activities that look at social engagement around grids. She previously worked in the communications team of the European Climate Foundation.
Stephanie has studied at the Universities of Marburg and Hamburg, Germany, and the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She holds degrees in political science and journalism.

Nathália Pimentel
Manager - Communication & Energy Systems

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Nathália Pimentel

Manager - Communication & Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11035
nathalia[at]renewables-grid.eu

Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. Currently, she works as Manager - Communication & Energy Systems. She is responsible for communication-related tasks, while also co-leading different activities within the Grids & Energy Systems Dimension in RGI. Her main work topics are circularity and stakeholder engagement, as well as permitting and acceleration of renewables and grid infrastructure.

Previously, she worked for the private sector, as well as GIZ Brazil and the European Union's International Urban Cooperation Program in Latin America and the Caribbeans (IUC-LAC). Nathália studied at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations.

Mara Zainea
Manager - Communication

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Mara Zainea

Manager - Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11031
mara[at]renewables-grid.eu

Mara joined the Renewables Grid Initiative in 2021. Her main responsibilities at RGI encompass communications and media work as well as event management. She previously worked as a training coordinator at the Center for International Peace Operations in Berlin and at the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) within the European University Institute. At the FSR she was also responsible for donor relations and policy events. Mara studied in Sibiu (Romania), Salzburg (Austria) and Berlin (Germany) and holds degrees in German and English Philology (BA) and Arts and Media Administration (MA).

Mihaela Popescu
Manager - Communication

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Mihaela Popescu

Manager - Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11054
mihaela[at]renewables-grid.eu

Mihaela joined RGI in January 2025 as a Manager in the communications team. She previously worked in various forms of communication, from international relations for the Romanian Ministry of Health and public relations for Conan PR agency, to content writing for various websites and copywriting for Zalando in Berlin. She holds degrees in Banking and Finances (BA), International Relations (BA), and Public Relations and Communication (MA) from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest.
She loves foreign languages and speaks English, Italian, Spanish, French, German and Romanian.

Eston McKeague
Manager - Communication

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Eston McKeague

Manager - Communication

t: +49 157 3461 9264
eston[at]renewables-grid.eu

Eston joined RGI in April 2022 as a Junior Manager - Communication. His primary responsibilities are strategic communications and design. Previously, he worked as a freelancer helping NGOs and social enterprises design communications and public affairs strategies. Eston has a BA in Global Affairs with minors in Economics and Religion & Culture from Western Washington University. Additionally, he has an MSc in Political Science: Public Policy and Governance from the University of Amsterdam. He loves photography, travel, museums, and history.

Wilm Lindenblatt
Junior Manager – Communication

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Wilm Lindenblatt

Junior Manager – Communication

t: +49 30 7677194 55
wilm[at]renewables-grid.eu

Wilm joined RGI in October 2024 as Junior Manager in the Communication team where he works as a graphic designer part time. If he isn’t working at RGI, he is creating children’s books and working as a freelance illustrator.
Wilm studied graphic design and illustration at the FH Design in Münster.

Charlotte Mueller
Manager - Communication

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Charlotte Mueller

Manager - Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11026
charlotte[at]renewables-grid.eu

Charlotte joined RGI in April 2022 as a Junior Manager with the communications team. Prior to joining RGI, Charlotte completed internships with the GIZ and Canadian agricultural ministry working on topics including energy, agriculture and water security, trade policy and climate communication. Charlotte studied History and Economics at Carleton University in Canada and she holds a Master’s degree in Politics and Public Administration from the University of Konstanz in Germany.

Noodle
Junior Manager – Cuddles and Wellbeing

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Noodle

Junior Manager – Cuddles and Wellbeing

Noodle became an integral part of our team in September 2023 bringing enthusiasm and a keen sense of companionship. A proud graduate of the esteemed School of Good Boys, he specialises in team engagement, stress reduction, and expert-level fetch retrieval. When he's not boosting office morale, you’ll find him perfecting his signature greeting—enthusiastic tail wags paired with an unexpected (but endearing) foot-lick. Noodle’s dedication to workplace happiness makes him a valued member of our team.

Cristina Simioli
Director - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Cristina Simioli

Director - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11023
cristina[at]renewables-grid.eu

Cristina Simioli is responsible for RGI's portfolio of offshore activities, which have the objective of finding solutions to reconcile energy and nature in renewable and grid infrastructure development. She has extensive experience in the instigation and coordination of national, regional and European cross-sectoral collaborations and in participatory and stakeholder engagement techniques. Before joining RGI, she worked on climate and nature protection for an environmental NGO, a UN agency and an engineering consultancy.

Liam Innis
Senior Manager - Energy Ecosystems

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Liam Innis

Senior Manager - Energy Ecosystems

+49 30 2332 11015
liam[at]renewables-grid.eu

Liam joined RGI in June 2019 and now works on the Onshore Environment Team. As of 2021, he is responsible for the coordination of three national TSO/NGO collaboration projects in Germany and Ireland. He is also the contact person for topics relating to nature protection and ecosystem restoration. He has previously worked in public relations, research, teaching and sustainable development. Liam holds degrees in Modern Languages (BA - German, Spanish and French with Dutch) and Environment, Development and Policy (MA) from the Universities of Newcastle and Sussex (UK) respectively.

Anna Barbanti
Marine Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Anna Barbanti

Marine Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 233211055
anna.barbanti[at]renewables-grid.eu

Anna joined RGI in February 2025 as Marine Manager. She is working as an internal consultant in the Offshore Energy and Nature team. Prior to RGI, Anna was working at WWF Mediterranean managing multiple international projects across the Med. She has a strong scientific background in environmental and biodiversity conservation, especially in the marine ecosystem. She studied Natural Sciences at the University of Bologna, holds two Master’s degrees in applied Ecology and Biodiversity from the University of Exeter and the University of Barcelona respectively, and a PhD in Conservation Genetics from the University of Barcelona.

Dení Aguilar Bellamy
Coordinator - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Dení Aguilar Bellamy

Coordinator - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11029
deni[at]renewables-grid.eu

Dení joined the Renewables Grid Initiative in 2018. She is currently coordinating the work of the ‘Offshore Energy and Nature’ team, and previously was responsible for RGI's Business Plan and fundraising strategies. Prior to RGI, Deni worked as a consultant, managing and implementing international projects between the EU, Asia-Pacific and Latin-America in diverse sectors. She studied Sociology and Political Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and La Trobe University in Australia, and she holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Xiamen University in China.

Matilde Doni
Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Matilde Doni

Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11000
matilde.doni[at]renewables-grid.eu

Matilde Doni joined RGI in July 2024 as a manager working on the Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature. Previously, Matilde worked at RGI as Personal Assistant to the CEO from 2017 to 2020. Following this role, she gained experience in various organizations in the cultural sector in Berlin, focusing on communication and coordination roles. Matilde holds a Master's degree in International Economics from the Berlin School of Economics and Law and a Bachelor's degree in International Economy from the University of Trieste, Italy.

Jessica Higgins
Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

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Jessica Higgins

Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11049
jessica[at]renewables-grid.eu

Jessica joined RGI in November 2023 as a Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature. She has a background in stakeholder engagement and policy analysis with a focus on land management and sustainable development. She previously worked in the United States on policy education. Jessica has a Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin and a BA in International Affairs and Political Science from Morningside University.

Annika Lilliestam
Coordinator – GINGR

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Annika Lilliestam

Coordinator – GINGR

t: +49 30 2332 11032
annika[at]renewables-grid.eu

Annika Lilliestam joined RGI in April 2024 as the Coordinator for the Global Initiative for Nature, Grids and Renewables (GINGR). She has more than 15 years of professional experience and has worked in various institutions, whereby her focus has always been on sustainability topics and stakeholder management. Before joining RGI, among others, she worked for WWF Germany, Swiss Church Aid HEKS/EPER, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
Annika holds a Master degree in International Economics from the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)
Manager - Energy and Nature

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Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)

Manager - Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11034
manon[at]renewables-grid.eu

Manon joined RGI in 2022. She is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team and is in charge of the SafeLines4Birds project. Prior to RGI, Manon worked as an ecologist in a consulting office in Berlin, engaged in the protection of bat populations in Europe in the context of onshore wind energy projects. She also worked on diverse projects in Africa, particularly in the protection and conservation of African mammals. Manon holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity conservation from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.

Oyeshi Ganguly
Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

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Oyeshi Ganguly

Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11057
oyeshi[at]renewables-grid.eu

Oyeshi joined RGI in April 2025. She is currently working as a Junior Manager in the Energy and Nature team. Prior to joining RGI, she worked as a policy and regulations consultant at the Berlin office of THEMA Consulting Group. Her previous experiences include working as a research assistant in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategies Team at Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), Potsdam and as a core intern at Greenpeace. She has completed her master’s in International Affairs with a specialization in climate and energy policy from the Hertie School, Berlin. She is also a recipient of the Indo-German Young Leader’s Forum Scholarship. She holds a BA in Political Science from Jadavpur University, India.

Adrián Maté
Environmental Coordinator

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Adrián Maté

Environmental Coordinator

t: +49 30 2332 11000
adrian[at]renewables-grid.eu

Adrian Mate joined RGI in November 2024 as Environmental Coordinator for the Global Initiative for Nature, Grids and Renewables (GINGR). Adrian has more than 20 years of professional experience in the solar energy sector, and has worked for solar developers, contractors and investors. With a strong technical background in project development, construction and financial structuring, recently he has been involved in agrivoltaics, conservoltaics and in the development of nature-integrated solar projects using Nature-based Solutions as an adaptation to climate change risk. Before joining RGI, among others, he worked for Sunco Capital, Global Solar Fund, Grupo Gransolar and Romag Holdings.
Adrian holds a Master degree in Renewable Energy by EUREC Agency and a Bachelor Science in Ecological Science by Edinburgh University.

Ana Miljanović Rusan
Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Ana Miljanović Rusan

Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11024
ana[at]renewables-grid.eu

Ana joined RGI in June 2022 as a Junior Project Manager in the Offshore Energy and Nature team. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a research student assistant at Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. She studied Environmental Sciences (BSc) at Faculty of Science in Zagreb and Environmental Planning (MSc) at the Technical University in Berlin.

Achille Pedespan
Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

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Achille Pedespan

Junior Manager - Onshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11508
achille[at]renewables-grid.eu

Achille joined RGI in May 2025 as a Junior Manager in the Onshore Energy and Nature team.
Before joining RGI, he worked at RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité) in Paris, where he held roles in environmental project management and biodiversity research. His responsibilities included coordinating the company’s national Avifauna Policy, managing the EU-funded SafeLines4Birds project, and working closely with both regional coordinators and international stakeholders to enhance biodiversity outcomes in grid infrastructure. He also contributed to academic collaborations with institutions including CNRS and the Natural History Museum.
Achille holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Geography with a specialisation in Biodiversity from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and an MLitt in International Relations – International Political Theory from the University of St Andrews, with a focus on ecology, globalisation, and activism.

Maya
Junior Happiness Distribution Officer

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Maya

Junior Happiness Distribution Officer

Maya joined RGI in 2022 and quickly became an essential part of the team. A graduate of the renowned University of Canine Cheerfulness, she holds a degree in Tail Wagging with a focus on Belly Rub Diplomacy.
Known for her enthusiastic and almost melodic greetings, Maya ensures every visitor to the office feels welcomed and joyful. When not on duty, she dedicates herself to the fine art of napping, recharging her energy for her vital happiness distribution role.

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz
Director - Energy Systems

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Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director - Energy Systems

t: +49 30 233211014
andrzej[at]renewables-grid.eu

Andrzej has been working at RGI since May 2017, having previously cooperated with RGI as researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Director for Energy Systems, being responsible for projects and activities under the RGI’s Technical Dimension addressing the questions how to plan, design and implement a carbon-free and optimised energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and completed his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.

Dr. Ira Shefer
Manager - Energy Systems

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Dr. Ira Shefer

Manager - Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11000
ira[at]renewables-grid.eu

Ira joined the Technical Team at RGI in July 2023. Previously he worked in the BMBF-funded research project Ariadne on local acceptance of wind energy in Germany. Ira holds a Ph.d. from the Technical University of Munich, researching transnational collaborations and their impacts on local climate governance and policy making. He has a MA of Environmental Studies at Nagoya University (Japan) and has a joint Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Asian Studies from Haifa University (Israel. Ira was engaged in several research initiatives that addressed, among others, urban climate governance (at RIFS, Germany) and green building (ILGBC, Israel). He was also a reporter and sections editor at an Israeli magazine for seven years, covering environmental and development issues.

Amanda Schibline
Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

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Amanda Schibline

Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11022
amanda[at]renewables-grid.eu

Amanda joined RGI in October 2020 and is a Manager - Socio-energy systems. Her work on several Horizon Europe projects focuses on stakeholder engagement in energy system modelling and the just transition. She brings expertise in energy efficiency and energy justice, along with additional past experience in teaching, advocacy, and research. Amanda has an MBA in Building Sustainability from Technische Universität Berlin, a BA in Political Science and Environmental Policy from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire in the United States and spent time studying environmental governance at Linnaeus University in Växjo, Sweden.

Anaïs Picart
Junior Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

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Anaïs Picart

Junior Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 211053
anais@renewables-grid.eu

Anaïs joined RGI in January 2025 as Junior Manager – Socio-Energy Systems. She previously gained professional experience as an intern in a Spanish environmental NGO, eco-union and in a Paris-based think-tank, Iddri, researching on energy transition. In Berlin, and prior to joining RGI, she worked at the French-German Forum for the Future. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris University.

Alexandros Fakas Kakouris
Senior Manager - Energy and Policy Systems

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Alexandros Fakas Kakouris

Senior Manager - Energy and Policy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11021
alexandros[at]renewables-grid.eu

Alexandros joined RGI in March 2021 to support its Advocacy team. He is a fully qualified lawyer in Greece and prior to RGI worked as legal counsel in law firms and corporate environments in Greece and Germany. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and he is currently pursuing a Master of Business Law (MBL) with a focus on European and International Energy Law at the Technical University of Berlin.

Morjana Moreira dos Anjos
Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

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Morjana Moreira dos Anjos

Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

t: On leave, please contact
techno@renewables-grid.eu

Morjana joined RGI in 2023 as a Manager - Socio-Energy Systems. She is a seasoned energy engineer with a master’s degree in Energy Systems Analysis and Planning and an MBA in Project Management, backed by various certifications. She has extensive professional experience in the energy, climate change, and sustainability domains, excelling in designing, coordinating, and implementing projects to foster sustainable energy systems and address the climate crisis. Moreover, she has a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, fostering robust collaborations and partnerships to drive meaningful progress.