Secretariat

Stephanie Bätjer
Programme Manager - Communication

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Stephanie Bätjer

Programme Manager - Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11017
stephanie@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.

Eston McKeague
Manager - Communication

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Eston McKeague

Manager - Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11030
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 (USA). Additionally, he has an MSc in Political Science: Public Policy and Governance from the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). He is a member of the his local neighbourhood council in the Wedding district of Berlin.

Alexandros Fakas Kakouris
Manager - Energy and Policy Systems

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Alexandros Fakas Kakouris

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.

Nathália Pimentel
Manager - Communication

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Nathália Pimentel

Manager - Communication

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

Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. 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), mainly involving tasks of project management, event organization and reporting. Nathália studied in the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelors' Degree in International Relations.

Mara Radulescu
Manager - Communication

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Mara Radulescu

Manager - Communication

On leave, alternative contact: communication[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).

Photo taken by fotostudio-charlottenburg.

Iryna Kukuruza
Junior Manager - Communication

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Iryna Kukuruza

Junior Manager - Communication

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

In February 2023, Iryna joined RGI as a Junior Manager in the communications team. Her professional background spans the pharmaceutical and medical insurance sectors. Iryna holds a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv. Relocating to Germany, she pursued her passion for web development, completing a comprehensive course at Wild Code School in Berlin. At RGI, her primary focus centers around design and website development, creating visually appealing digital experiences.

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 Manger 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.

Cristina Simioli
Programme Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Cristina Simioli

Programme Manager - 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.

Ana Miljanović Rusan
Junior Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Ana Miljanović Rusan

Junior 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.

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.

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.

Manon Quetstroey
Manager - Energy and Nature

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Manon Quetstroey

Manager - Energy and Nature

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

Manon joined RGI in July 2022 and is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team. 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 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 management from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.

Liam Innis
Manager - Energy Ecosystems

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Liam Innis

Manager - Energy Ecosystems

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

Liam joined RGI in June 2019 and now works between the Onshore Environment and Communication Teams. 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.

Kendall Cromartie
Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Kendall Cromartie

Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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

Kendall joined RGI in 2023 as Project Manager in the Offshore Energy and Nature team. Prior to joining RGI, she led the sustainable development of international renewable energy projects at a geothermal company in Iceland. She has previous work experience in environmental science, EIA/ESIA, project management, social sustainability, and marketing in Iceland and the United States. Kendall has an MSc. in Sustainable Energy from Reykjavík University and a BA in Ecosystems Science & Policy from the University of Miami.

Madlie Le Bihan
Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

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Madlie Le Bihan

Manager - Offshore Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11033
madlie[at]renewables-grid.eu

Madlie Le Bihan joined RGI in December 2021 as a project manager working on the Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature. She previously worked in the environmental sector on projects related to the energy transition, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. She also conducted policy and advocacy work on topics such as indigenous rights, deforestation and trade. She has a background in law and holds two Masters degrees, in International Relations and Sustainability from Université Paris Sud and Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne respectively.

Roland Lleshi
Manager - Energy and Nature

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Roland Lleshi

Manager - Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11012
roland[at]renewables-grid.eu

Roland joined RGI in March 2021 and now works as a junior project manager. Previously, he worked in the nature conservation sector as project manager for safeguarding endangered avifauna linked to human-induced conflicts in his home country, Albania, and as lecturer assistant at Polis University in Tirana. He has studied Forestry and Urban Environment Management and recently graduated from an M.Sc. in Global Change Management from Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), Germany, focussing on natural resource management under global change.

Andrzej Ceglarz
Programme Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

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Andrzej Ceglarz

Programme Manager - Socio-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 in the INSPIRE-Grid project at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Programme Manager for Socio-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 energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and is completing his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.

Morjana Moreira dos Anjos
Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

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Morjana Moreira dos Anjos

Manager - Socio-Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11000
morjana[at]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.

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.

Ira Shefer
Manager - Energy Systems

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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.

Damiano Ottavi
Manager - Energy Systems

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Damiano Ottavi

Manager - Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11028
damiano[at]renewables-grid.eu

Damiano joined RGI in July 2022 as a Project Manager – Energy Systems. He has a technical background as he has studied Energy Engineering in Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi (Rome, Italy) and he has done an experimental thesis on a research fast nuclear reactor, in collaboration with ENEA, in Rome. He has also worked for several years as a Project Engineer in HVAC systems related field for residential and civil buildings.

Léa Hayez
Manager - Energy Systems

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Léa Hayez

Manager - Energy Systems

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

Léa joined RGI in January 2022 as a Junior Manager, working mostly on the PAC 2.0 project. She studied Electromechanical Engineering (BA) and specialised in energy systems (MA), at École Polytechnique de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium and Royal Institute of Technology KTH, Sweden. Léa dedicated her Master thesis to power system resilience and further continued this research topic in cooperation with the ULB.