International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board (IAB) serves as a distinguished body of experts, providing strategic guidance, policy advice and fostering cross-border collaboration to advance the mission of ENGAGE.EU. By integrating insights from academia, industry, government, and non-governmental bodies, the IAB supports the alliance in achieving its objectives and enhance its commitment to societal engagement representing the social and economic context of ENGAGE.EU.
The IAB contributes to shaping the long-term vision of ENGAGE.EU by offering high-level advice, facilitating international partnerships, and leading to academic and research excellence. Through their efforts, the board members ensure to strengthen the alliance’s societal impact, financial sustainability, and position as a key player in the fields of education, research and innovation on an international level.
María Cortés Puch
Vice President of Networks at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network
María Cortés Puch is the Vice President of Networks of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). She joined SDSN in 2013 and currently leads its efforts to build a global network of universities, research centres and civil society organisations that pursue sustainable development innovation locally through research, public education, executive training, demonstration projects, convening of social stakeholders and incubation of solutions. Prior to joining the SDSN, María worked for UNESCO at the Science Policy and Sustainable Development Division for two years. Previously, she coordinated the European energy and transport programmes at the Polytechnic University in Madrid and worked for two years as a Scientific Officer at the Spanish Office for Science and Technology in Brussels, analysing EU policies for international cooperation, transport and energy. She began her professional career with the National Institute of Aerospace Technology in Madrid as a Technology Transfer Officer.
Martina Ernst
Founder of FairEqualSolutions
Martina Ernst has more than 20 years of international senior management experience in the financial and service industries, most recently as Head of Human Resources at Erste Bank Austria and as Managing Director and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Berlitz. She works closely with the WU Executive Academy as a Career Partner, a board member of the Female Leaders Network and the International Advisory Board, as director of the People & Culture Management Course and as lecturer in a master’s programme. She was involved in ENGAGE.EU as a former member of the WU Board of Learners and has participated in ENGAGE.EU events at WU. In addition, as the founder of FairEqualSolutions, SalaryNegotiations and ColourfulCareer, she would be able to contribute from a small business perspective with a strong focus on #DiversityEquityInclusion and #FairPay.
Pierroberto Folgiero
CEO Fincantieri
Pierroberto Folgiero earned his degree in Economics from Luiss University in Rome, where he now serves on the Advisory Board and as an Adjunct Professor of Management of Circular Economy in the Law, Digital, Innovation, and Sustainability department. Over the years, he built a reputation for strategic leadership and financial expertise. In May 2022, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri Group, a global leader in the advanced shipbuilding industry. Under his stewardship, the company continues to navigate the complexities of this dynamic sector. He believes in an open innovation approach and osmosis between sectors, he is involved in start-up analyses and selection programmes, with a strong focus on the development of innovative ideas, new business models and the promotion of young talent.
Heidi Humala
Director of Business Environment services at Business Helsinki
Heidi Humala has extensive international experience in managing and advising innovation and entrepreneurship policy and programmes, as well as leading expert teams at key public organisations in Finland and abroad. She currently serves as the Director of Business Environment services and member of the management team at Business Helsinki, the Economic development division at the City of Helsinki Executive Office. In her role, Heidi works closely with universities to enable RDI-driven company development and to create innovation hubs, with a strong focus on cross-campus networking and learning. Prior to joining the City, Heidi worked at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and, for example, facilitated the launch of Finland’s first impact accelerator to help companies and non-profits model and measure their societal impact. Before returning to Finland, Heidi was responsible for various international development assignments for more than ten years at the World Bank Group, managing in particular a global business incubation training programme and growing a global network of business incubators. She holds an MBA and an MA in European Studies with Transatlantic track.
Dr. Peter Kurz
Former Mayor City of Mannheim
Dr. Peter Kurz was mayor of the City of Mannheim from 2007 to 2023. As mayor, he held numerous positions in municipal subsidiaries and various honorary posts in European and international committees. His international engagement was acknowledged by receiving the World Mayor International Award in 2021. Further, he presented Mannheim's strategies for implementation of SDGs to the UN in New York in 2019. From 1999 to 2007, Peter Kurz served as Mannheim’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Culture, Sports, and City Marketing. Peter Kurz was a member of the ENGAGE.EU Advisory Board from 2021 to 2023.
Lars-Henrik Paarup Michelsen
Director of the Norwegian Climate Foundation
Michelsen is the Director of the Norwegian Climate Foundation, an independent green think tank acting to provide knowledge that can help accelerate the transition to a zero-emission future. Michelsen holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Bergen and has substantial experience from both politics and civil society. He has served as the Chair of the ENGAGE.EU Advisory Board from 2021 to 2023.
Rosa Sangiorgio
Impact Investing Advisor – Founder of RSg Impact investing
Rosa Sangiorgio is an Impact Investing Advisor. She supports family offices and foundations as Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer and advises early stage positive impact start-ups (Health, Agriculture, Circular Economy). Previously, during her 25 year career she worked for several European Financial institutions, structuring and managing Investment Solutions for Institutional and Private Investors. In 2012 she started focusing on Sustainability and Impact Investing, both in public and private markets. Before becoming independent, she led the Sustainability efforts first of Credit Suisse Investment Management and most recently of Pictet Wealth Management. Rosa is a CEFA charterholder, TEDx speaker, Angel Investor and Independent Board member (Women’s Brain Foundation, Biova Project, WeGlad).
Jaume Sanllorente
Founder and General Director of Mumbai Smiles
Jaume Sanllorente graduated in Journalism at the Universitat Ramon Llull. In 2013, he was selected by the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School for Strategic Management to study the course for World NGO leaders. He also studied paramedical studies for leprosy patients at the Instituto Fontilles in Alicante (Spain). He is a professor at the Master of Leadership and Personal Development by the University of Barcelona. His methods of leadership and career as an entrepreneur are studied in universities and business schools such as IESE, where in 2011 the case study on Mumbai Smiles was published (currently shared with students of International MBA). Jaume has also published several books, like Bombay Smiles, The trip that changed my life (best seller translated into eight languages with a foreword by Dominique Lapierre). He has won, among others, awards like Axuda 2007, Tierno Galván Prize for Human Values, Gold Medal of the Spanish Association of European Development. The Government of Spain awarded him in 2009 with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.
Dr.-Ing. Katharina Schäfer
Global Head of University Alliances at SAP SE
As Global Head of University Alliances, Dr. Katharina Schäfer is responsible for SAP's global university and research partnerships with schools, universities and research institutions. She is passionate about building a bridge between academia and industry and providing all students worldwide with a high-quality education. Prior to her current role, she worked in academia: at RWTH Aachen University, where she completed her doctorate in aerospace engineering, and at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Katharina Schäfer was member of the of the ENGAGE.EU Advisory Board from 2021 to 2023.