In this capacity, Alice Nichita oversees the company’s sustainability commitments, already embedded in all operational aspects of the business, and the implementation of the strategic communication and government relations strategy. Alice is involved in building and maintaining relationship with the central and local authorities and the public affairs strategy of the company, developing and implementing, with cross-function support, the advocacy agenda to achieve the objectives of Coca-Cola HBC Romania. She coordinates the relationship with external stakeholders (authorities, various professional associations, business partners) and opinion leaders, contributing to the development of strategic initiatives regarding packaging waste management, taxation or commercial legislation. Apart from her role at Coca-Cola HBC Romania, Alice is currently the President of ANBR (Romanian Soft-Drinks Association), member of the Concordia Federation’ Board of Directors and Vice-President of APEMIN (Association of Mineral Waters in Romania). Alice is actively involved in the implementation of the Deposit-Return System in Romania, the largest circular economy project in Romania, as the President of the Association of Soft Drink Producers for Sustainability (APBRS), a shareholder of the RetuRO SGR. Alice Nichita was also part of the board of directors of several business associations: President of ARAM (Romanian Association for Packaging and Environment), in which Coca-Cola HBC is a member, constantly representing the company and the industry before the authorities in Romania. Previously, she worked for over 8 years in consulting in public affairs and government relations, communication, event management and corporate social responsibility, coordinating projects in different industries, including the area of European funds. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology at the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (S.N.S.P.A.) and a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Communication at the Bucharest University.

Mihnea Jurca is a professional with over 13 years of experience in assisting clients from various industries in developing strategies and competencies related to sustainable business development across the entire value chain. Mihnea holds a GRI Sustainability certification and has extensive experience in voluntary sustainability reporting (GRI, SASB, TCFD) as well as mandatory reporting (CSRD/ESRS, EU Taxonomy) and in calculating carbon footprints in accordance with the GHG Protocol.

Alexandru Laibăr, Executive Director of the Circular Economy Coalition – CERC, is a professional with sustainability studies and experience in various organizations, focused on sustainable businesses in the circular and social economy sector, who uses his knowledge and experience gained from the corporate and NGO sectors to develop within CERC a community of specialists and companies that want to make the transition to the circular economy by implementing the principles and good practices of circularity in Romania. He also carries out consultancy and training activities in circular economy, organizational sustainability and ESG. He believes that an organization can only be as strong as the weakest of its members, and bottom-up change, through people putting into practice the ideas they support, is the most effective method of economic and social progress.

Teodora Preoteasa, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Cohesion Policy in Romania and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). With extensive experience in managing European funds and a deep understanding of international financing mechanisms, Teodora is a key player in developing and negotiating essential strategic programs for Romania’s development. A visionary and dedicated leader, Teodora has successfully negotiated with representatives of the European Commission, facilitating the integration of REPowerEU measures, which include €1.4 billion in investments for green transition, energy efficiency, and workforce reskilling. Through the implementation of these programs, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to create synergies among various stakeholders – from national authorities to non-governmental organizations and private sector partners. During her mandate, Teodora has coordinated programs totaling over €31 billion, including those under the Cohesion Policy for the 2021-2027 period, contributing to infrastructure modernization, supporting digitalization, and promoting research and innovation. She has also played a major role in developing and promoting Romania’s portfolio within the STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform), dedicated to investments in critical technologies such as biotechnology, advanced medicine, and artificial intelligence, with a value of €1.5 billion. Another significant achievement was coordinating the establishment of the Social Climate Fund, estimated at €5-6 billion, aimed at reducing energy poverty in Romania through smart and efficient investments. Beyond her remarkable professional achievements, Teodora is known for her commitment to female empowerment, being a fervent advocate for women in leadership and entrepreneurship. As a mother of three boys, she successfully balances a career in the public sector with family life, inspiring women everywhere to pursue their dreams and take an active role in transforming society. In all she does, Teodora Preoteasa conveys not only professionalism and competence but also an unwavering dedication to Romania’s progress and the promotion of European values, having a major impact on sustainable development and social inclusion at the national level.

Grațiela Georgiana Noja, BEc, MSc, and PhD in Economics (West University of Timișoara, Romania), is a Full Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at West University of Timișoara, Romania. Her research focuses on European economic integration, international migration, digital transformation, and sustainable development, with over 100 papers published in top academic journals and volumes. She also contributed to multiple books published by Emerald, including Digital Transformation (2023) and Green Wealth (forthcoming 2024). Dr. Noja has managed numerous national and international projects, including the Erasmus+ project “Coordinated Higher Education Institutions Responses to Digitalisation” (2019–2021). She regularly serves as a reviewer and co-editor for several international journals. In addition, she is actively involved in academic networks, including the International Strategic Management Association. Also, dr. Noja serves on the Steering Committee of the East-European Centre for Research in Economics and Business.

Donatella Privitera graduated with honors in Economics and Commerce, with an MSc in Agri-food Economics, is a full professor of Geography. She teaches economic geography with implications for tourism, environmental changes, and urbanization processes at the University of Catania (Department of Educational Sciences). Currently, she is the coordinator of the Tourism Sciences degree course; a member of the university research center “Geographical Design and Research Center – Progeo” and of Cutgana “University Center for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agro-ecosystems”. Her research focuses primarily on topics in economic geography, food and tourism. In particular, she deals with: territorial valorization for tourism purposes with a focus on gastronomic tourism; sustainability and sustainable urban mobility; technological innovation in tourism. Currently, she is the head of the local unit in Catania for the “Emplacing Food. Narratives, policies and spaces in Italy” research project supported by the Italian National Research Programme 2020.

Alecsandra Rusu is a dedicated rural development professional working within the Management Authority for the National Rural Development Program (PNDR) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. She currently leads the implementation of the LEADER DR 36 intervention as part of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and coordinates LEADER Measure 19 under the PNDR 2014-2020. Previously, she served as a Senior Consultant at the Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments, focusing on the technical implementation and monitoring of LEADER measures. Alecsandra is pursuing a doctorate at the Academy of Economic Studies, researching Active and inclusive partnerships to strengthen market relations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Internal Audit in Agricultural Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science.

Achim Irimescu, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representation of Romania to the European Union. Experienced Minister with a proven track record of working in the government administration industry. He has knowledge in non-profit organizations, politics, policy analysis, policy analysis, event planning and governance. Also, he is a recognized professional at the European level in community and social services. Is a graduate of the Doctoral School of Economics II within the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and over time he held management positions not only at the European level, but also at the national level within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Florin Stegariu is a highly successful farmer from the north-east of the country, currently managing 2,700 hectares of arable crops (wheat, rapeseed, corn, and sunflower) on his family farm, AGROCOM STRUNGA SRL. Driven by a passion for viticulture, Florin established a vineyard in 2013, spanning approximately 86.6 hectares, which gave rise to the Strunga wine brand, launched in 2018. Florin believes that innovation, together with a healthy organizational culture, are the foundations for the resilience of agricultural businesses, given the high degree of uncertainty of a business that depends on weather and environmental conditions.

Răzvan Prelipcean has a strong academic background in Law and Business Administration, along with a Master’s degree in advanced studies. He currently co-owns FERMA NATURLEG, a family business that manages around 500 hectares for growing vegetables and grains in Ialomița and Brăila counties. In addition to his work on the farm, he runs his own legal and business consultancy, where he helps entrepreneurs with strategic advice based on his extensive industry experience. Also, as a founding member and president of Agrinnovator, an agribusiness think-tank, he is involved in projects that encourage innovation in the sector and trains farmers in entrepreneurial law, taxation, and financing.