We would like to introduce the team members who make up the driving force behind our initiative. Each team member brings a unique blend of expertise, passion, and dedication that collectively fuels our project's success.
Project Lead Green Deal Ukraїna at HZB
Susanne holds a PhD and a habilitation in Political sciences, Slavistics and Romanistics. She is an expert on international energy and climate policy, with a focus on electricity, EU and Central- and Eastern Europe. Previous roles include Heinrich Boell Foundation, FU Berlin, Ifri, EURELECTRIC, ENTSO-E and Smart Wires. She teaches at TU Berlin and published widely on energy matters.
Scientific Lead Green Deal Ukraїna at HZB
Georg holds a PhD in economic sciences and is a well-known economist co-leading the energy- and climate area at Bruegel, Europe’s top economic think tank. He is publishing widely on European, German and Ukrainian energy matters. He led the Low Carbon Ukraine project from 2018 to 2021 and worked extensively on Ukraine.
Data and Modelling Lead Green Deal Ukraїna at HZB
Frank holds a PhD in economic sciences and has been working on research and consultancy projects since 2008, focusing on socioeconomic aspects of the energy system transformation and energy efficiency investments. Previous roles include Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), University of Potsdam, and DIW Econ.
Senior Energy Policy Officer Green Deal Ukraїna at HZB
Olha holds a Master´s degree in Economics and a Master´s degree in Commercial Law. She is the Senior Energy Policy Officer of the Strategy Department Energy and Information of the HZB. Previously, Olha Bondarenko had been working in the energy industry of Ukraine, within the Ministry of Energy, industrial companies, and NGO, with a focus on energy policy.
Energy Policy Advisor at HZB
Alexander holds an M.Sc. in Politics and Technology from the Technical University of Munich and a B.A. in Political Science & Economics from LMU Munich. His expertise lies in the sustainable governance of energy transitions in fragile & conflict-affected regions. He previously worked as a trainee in the Energy & Transport unit of the European Economic and Social Committee, contributed to hydrogen consultancy projects at Ludwig-Bölkow Systemtechnik, and interned at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Data Modelling Officer Green Deal Ukraїna at HZB
Robert holds a masters in natural resource management. His expertise lies in the fields of resource economics, statistics, data analysis and visualization, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Prior, Robert worked as an assistant researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) for several years, contributing to publications on the impacts of climate change on regional economies, and developing a global, sub-national database of economic output.
Energy and Climate Policy Advisor at HZB
Rouven holds an M.Sc. in Economics with a specialisation in Environmental Policy and Energy Economics from Toulouse School of Economics. His expertise lies at the intersection of techno-economic modelling and policy advice, with experience in electricity system modelling, energy market reform, carbon pricing, residential energy efficiency, as well as fiscal and distributional impact assessments of energy policies. He previously worked as a consultant at Berlin Economics where he took a leading role within the Low Carbon Ukraine project and led the modelling work for Kosovo’s NECP and NDC.
Project assistant Green Deal Ukraïna project, HZB
Iryna holds a master’s degree in Economics and Human Resource Management with expertise in finance, insurance and logistics. She has over five years of experience as a financial analyst in Ukraine and has also worked in logistics in Germany.
Project Assistant Green Deal Ukraïna project, HZB
Taisiia supports the Green Deal Ukraїna project as a Project Assistant. She studied International Forest Ecosystem Management at the University for Sustainable Development in Eberswalde, focusing on sustainability and climate change. With hands-on experience in project coordination and a strong interest in environmental policy, she enjoys working in international teams and helping to move energy and climate reform forward in Ukraine.
Vladyslav holds an Honours Master's Degree in Energy Systems, a Master's Degree in Data Science, and a Europhotonics Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Aix-Marseille University. His expertise is showcased with broad research experience spanning the EU and Ukraine, where he has contributed to renewable energy projects and energy efficiency advancements. Vladyslav is deeply committed to addressing Ukrainian energy challenges through innovative solutions and data-driven insights.
Founder and President of Forum Energii
Joanna specializes in European energy and climate regulation, energy markets, renewable energy and the challenges of energy transition. She previously worked for the Danish group DONG Energy (now Orsted) and in public administration: as State Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment she was responsible for climate and environmental negotiations and - as Head of Cabinet of the Minister of the Environment and President Prof. Maciej Nowicki - for climate negotiations during the COP 14 conference in Poznań. Author and co-author of numerous publications on energy, energy markets and energy modernization.
Analyst for Energy Cooperation with Ukraine at Forum Energii
He focuses on analysing the prospects for the modernisation of Ukraine’s energy sector, energy market reforms in Ukraine, and its integration with the EU, as well as cooperation with Ukrainian energy experts and industry organisations. Previously, he worked at the Polish Development Bank in the Department of Economic and Geopolitical Risk Analysis, conducting research on cross-border energy cooperation between Poland and Ukraine. He also completed internships at the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Energy Community, supporting the Deputy Minister for European Integration’s team in harmonising Ukrainian energy legislation with EU standards.
President of DiXi Group
Olena is Chair of the PWYP Global Council and President of the DiXi Group, a Kyiv-based think-tank specialising in research and consultations in the energy sphere. Olena works in the energy sector for more than 17 years, dealing with such issues as energy security, energy transparency, oil and gas market liberalisation, EU-Ukraine-Russian energy relations, hydrocarbon development issues. Olena has served as not-on-staff Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2019) and to the Minister of Energy (2015-2016).
Vice President of the DiXi Group
Energy Policy Expert. Master of Political Science, National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”.
Executive director of Ecoaction
Olexi holds a Master’s in Environmental Management (University of Amsterdam) and a Specialist degree in Analytical Chemistry (Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv). He began his career at Greenpeace Ukraine, leading the energy campaign, and later worked on EU-funded projects while teaching Environmental Impact Assessment at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. He has over 20 years of experience with the CEE Bankwatch Network, focusing on international finance, nuclear decommissioning, and human rights across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.