Welcome to the EMRC Team page

Idit is the pulse of EMRC. She was among the first of EMRC's founding members to recognise the importance of international business networking. Idit dedicates her knowledge and experience to organising international business events, meetings and conferences - from the conception, planning and marketing strategy through to execution and successful completion of each top-level project. Idit has a Master in Physical Chemistry from the Brussels University, a Master in Sciences of Management from Boston University and studied in the Tel-Aviv and Bar-Ilan Universities (Israel). Idit's mother tongue is Hebrew, but she also speaks English and French. Her hobbies include traveling and meeting new people, mainly in Africa, gymnastics, cinema and theatre. One of her favorite quotes is "It is not the impossible which gives cause for despair, but the failure to achieve the possible." - Louis Michel

Caterina joined EMRC in March 2007. She previously worked for the Brussels Office of the Italian Region Emilia Romagnaand CNA, the Italian Confederation for small and medium-sized enterprises. Her working experience includes expertise in corporate social responsability projects as well as in environmental, food safety and agricultural law. Caterina has a MA in "International Law", Alma Mater Studorium University of Bologna, Italy and a Law Degree from the University of Siena. Her mother tongue is Italian, but she also speaks Spanish, French and English. Her hobbies include Capoeira and Organising cultural events.

Inês joined EMRC in 2007. She has always worked in the private sector; first in Lisbon, Portugal and then in Brussels where she worked for a Portuguese Financial Institution – CGD (Caixa Geral de Depósitos). In CGD she developed her expertise in banking and finance covering both Belgian and Dutch markets. Prior to moving to Brussels she worked for Hay Group, a multinational consultancy company and had marketing and communication responsibilities. She also has a strong experience in Training and Events Management. In EMRC Inês is responsible for the development of projects with Portuguese speaking African countries. Ines has a Master in International Politics, from the CERIS Institute (Brussels) and a University Degree in Business Administration Communication from ISCEM University. Her mother tongue is Portuguese, but Ines also speaks English, French and Spanish. Her hobbies include painting and drawing. She was a student of the Portuguese National Art Society from 2002 to 2005.

Maria joined EMRC in December 2008, bringing in her expertise in office, budget and events management. Apart from the administrative follow-up of our key customer events, Maria ensures a consistent and positive work flow throughout the organization. She is also the primary point of contact for all EMRC suppliers and negotiates the terms and conditions of any of our supply partners. Maria has a DESS in Cross-Cultural Management, ICHEC (Brussels Management School ) and a MA Degree in Applied Foreign Languages for Business from the University of Paris III. Her mother tongue is Bulgarian and she also speaks French, English, Russian and Chinese. Maria's hobbies include travelling, dancing, and reading.

François is firmly devoted to peace and development in Africa. He gained skills in event organising and is passionate for international politics and development policies. Before joining EMRC, he took part in organising several events, such as the Conference on Arms Control at the European Parliament (Colloque sur la Paix et la Citoyenneté). He also gained work experience from an internship at ‘Search for Common Ground’, the main NGO aiming at resolving conflicts and reconciling divided communities throughout the world. François has a MA in International Politics and a Graduates Degree in Political Science from the ULB, Belgium. His monther tongue is French but he also speaks English and has a good understanding of Dutch. His hobbies include fencing, photography, sailing and trekking. One of François's favorite quotes is "The only thing that is permanent is change."- core Buddhist belief

Sarah started off her career in the events side of the communications industry in Johannesburg, working with the mediums of industrial theatre, video and interactive events to assist companies in communicating effectively and creatively. Sarah ran her own communications business in Johannesburg, "SoulProviders", which included her "Represent Urban Culture" brand, before moving to Belgium where she published her social innovation and trend report and website "JOVA". She later focussed on cultural trends, brand strategy and digital communications, before joining the EMRC team where she feels at home bridging communications between Europe and Africa. Sarah has an Honours in Media and Cultural Studies and a Bachelor of Arts from the Universtity of Kwazulu-Natal. Sarah speaks English, French and Afrikaans. She enjoys to read and travel and also enjoys multi-culturalism, managing her urban culture website in Johannesburg and social media. She also likes to sing and look after her baby! Her favorite quote: "Be the change you wish to see." Mahatma Gandhi

Prody joined EMRC in February 2009. Before EMRC, she worked as a volunteer at AIESEC - an international student run NGO based throughout the world. She has always had an interest in multiculturalism, international development and governance. Prody has a BA in Communications from Vesalius College, Belgium. She speaks French, English and basic Swahili and Lingala Her favorite quote is "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr. Her hobbies and talents include music (piano and choir), dancing, travelling and the movies.

Philippe is in charge of publishing our quarterly magazine, "Dialogues", which circulates 20,000 copies worldwide among our high-profile members: EU officials, embassies, top-level entrepreneurs and professional organisations. Possessing an extensive know-how in the sectors of marketing and publishing, Philippe founded "ECCO consult", a company aiming to offer consulting services in the areas of communications and media solutions. Philippe has a Master in European Politics from the ULB at the Institut d'Etudes Européennes (Brussels) and a University Degree in International Relations, Louvain-La-Neuve University. He also has an Undergraduate Degree in Law from F.U. St-Louis (Brussels). Philippe speaks French, English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese. His hobbies include strategy games, acting, and travelling. His favorite quote: "Don't dream your life... Live your dreams!"

Nicky strongly believes in a modern Africa so working daily for the continent’s development is very much a self fulfillment. Before joining EMRC, she gained a varied experience in Sales working with an international client base in the UK where she spent time working as an Account Executive for a property company. She also briefly worked as an International Business Development Executive for a legal directory publisher before moving to Brussels. Nicky has a BA (Hons) in Language Studies and speaks English, French and Lingala. Her hobbies include travelling, fashion, photography, shopping and music. Her favorite Quote: “The proof is in the pudding!” - English Proverb.

Lina joined EMRC in June 2010. Before joining EMRC she gained international professional experience as an intern at the European Parliament. She also gained experience in the private sector while doing an internship in a corporation of reference in the Azores Region, Bensaude Group, as part of the Marketing and Communications Department. Furthermore, her contribution in the Azorean Regional Government (Portugal), while working as an officer to the European Affairs and International Cooperation Office, gave her a strong work experience base. Lina has a MA in International Politics, from the CERIS Institute (Brussels) and a University Degree in European Studies and International Politics from the Azores University, Portugal. Her mother tongue is Portuguese but she also speaks English, French and has a good understanding of Spanish and Italian. She is passionate about travelling, an activity that allows her to meet new places, people and different cultures.