What Fellows have gained from LEAD Europe

Introducing recent graduates of the LEAD Europe Fellows Programme

Thomas Dodd

I work for the European Commission, where I am currently responsible for European policy and programmes to promote corporate social responsibility.

I learned a lot about sustainable development from the many inspiring people that we met. But most of all I learned about myself and how I can contribute to a better, sustainable world. What’s more, the learning has certainly not ended. I remain in daily contact with other participants regarding different projects, and I continue to learn from that too.

My experience with LEAD continues to inspire me, and I suspect it will continue to do so for a long time to come. It’s also given me confidence – to consider myself a leader and to argue more strongly for things I believe to be right. And it has greatly broadened my horizons.

I’m exploring how art can be used to communicate about climate change – not something I would have imagined 12 months ago!

Raluca Cibu-Buzac

I am Director for Regional Policy and Internationalisation within the West Regional Development Agency, Romania.

I lead a team of twelve people in charge of the activities for regional planning, development projects, attraction of FDIs, and international relations. I equally supervise the work of two organizations created by our agency – one focused on innovation and technology transfer, while the other focuses on the regional automotive cluster.

LEAD International offered me a perfect environment where I could choose my lessons, as well as explore and bring my leadership to a next level. It allowed me to take ownership of my experience and knowledge, and also proactively use an extensive amount of information regarding the world context today, with the aim of creating practical solutions in my daily work.

It definitely turned me into a more innovative leader…Moreover, sustainability is now a priority on our regional development agenda in terms of policy and project development.

Klaus Niederländer

I am currently working as a programme manager within the EU development cooperation. My work focuses on providing business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises in a number of Sub-Saharan African countries, in order to contribute to increased local valued added and new employment creation.

The LEAD experience was an eye opener to me, where I met many like-minded people from all around the world. I am actually not alone in thinking that fundamental changes are necessary today, in order to reach quality of life for everyone tomorrow. The LEAD training provided me with tools and knowledge on how to get a grip on this complex issue of sustainable development, but most of all, how to get the necessary inspiration. It has probably been just one of those life changing moments.

As you become part of a network, your organization via you will also be able to tap into knowledge and skills, which were not accessible to them before. On top of it, you have become more valuable for your organization.

Sarah Hendel-Blackford

I am a senior consultant on climate change policy, working on projects around the world.

The LEAD course helped me learn about different styles of leadership, but most of all, helped me to develop my own sense of leadership.

Before joining the course, I did not regard myself as a leader in any way, but rather as someone who works with leaders. However, LEAD has enabled me to develop a sense of leadership by providing a stimulating and inspiring journey, surrounded by like- minded people who I can learn from.

The course has exposed me to leaders from different organisations, backgrounds and sectors. As a direct result I have been on an inspiring adventure working directly with those people on different projects around the world, everything from adaptation in developing countries to art and climate change.

The value of the LEAD network cannot be underestimated and I am still realising its full potential.

Other recently graduated LEAD Europe Fellows include:

Dorothea Seebode, Senior Sustainability Officer, Philips Research (Germany)

Wenceslas Gatarabirwa, UK Liason Officer, Albertine Rift Conservation Society (UK)

Mirey Attallah-Auge, Portfolio Manager, UNDP/GEF (Lebanon)

Marcus Morrell, founder and Executive Director Big Picture TV (UK)

Luis Serra-Renobles, Head of Department Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza (Spain)

Violeta Orlovic, Training Coordinator, CHF International (Serbia)