SECRETARIAT

SUBMARINER Network's secretariat

The SUBMARINER Network is managed by a secretariat in Berlin. A team made up of individuals from more than 12 countries, we come from a variety of backgrounds from science to marketing, to governments, yet all share a common passion: our oceans. 

Management Team

Angela Schultz-Zehden

Managing Director

About Angela

Motivated to turn sustainability into reality, Angela has served from the very beginning as SUBMARINER’s strategic, operational, and inspirational head. She rechargers her batteries by singing in a choir, playing tennis, and seeing her kids grow into the next generation.

Contact Angela

Laura Meyer

Director of Finance and Administration

About Laura

Laura is an experienced generalist in the administrative area with a strong focus on finances and a passion for improving processes and developing teams. She brings over 20 years of international experience from the private, non-profit and public sector. Her favourite way to unwind is by cooking and baking for friends and family.

Contact Laura

Efthalia Arvaniti

Senior Project Advisor

About Efthalia

Efthalia puts her innovation management skills forward to promote impactful blue-green tech solutions for society. When she is in the being mode, Efthalia loves swimming in cold Nordic seas and raiding hills on her motorcycle.

Contact Efthalia

Ivana Stojanovic

Team Lead MSP & MPA

About Ivana

Ivana manages projects related to marine conservation and sustainable planning. Growing up in Ulcinj, Montenegro, she continuously drew inspiration from the sea and later became part of a team that established the first national Marine Protected Areas in the country.

Contact Ivana
Ivana Lukic

Ivana Lukic

Team Lead MSP / MPA / MU (Maternity Leave)

About Ivana

Ivana is esteemed for her leadership in executing projects and technical studies, with a particular focus on cross-sectoral conflict and synergies within MSP, multi-use of offshore wind projects, and facilitation of stakeholder processes.

Contact Ivana

Alberto Terenzi

Team Lead Innovation Support & Blue Skills

About Alberto

Alberto is a true all-rounder with 10 years’ experience in sustainability and education, who loves to connect the dots across disciplines, sectors and stakeholders to drive innovation. In his free time, you can find him practicing asanas on the yoga mat.

Contact Alberto

Ferdinand Bulmer

Team Lead Aquatic Value Chains

About Ferdinand

Ferdinand is a project manager with a background in education and sustainability projects. His passion for sustainability stems from his love of the outdoors. He is happiest cycling through the countryside, skiing down a mountain or enjoying the seaside.

Contact Ferdinand

Mariana Mata Lara

Team Lead Communications

About Mariana

Mariana has dedicated her career to coastal management, conservation, and ocean communication. When she’s not at her desk, you can find her doing photography, advocating for the ocean as part of the Surfrider Porto Chapter, or traveling to her beloved Mexico.

Contact Mariana

CEO Office Team

Angela Schultz-Zehden

Managing Director

About Angela

Motivated to turn sustainability into reality, Angela has served from the very beginning as SUBMARINER’s strategic, operational, and inspirational head. She rechargers her batteries by singing in a choir, playing tennis, and seeing her kids grow into the next generation.

Contact Angela

Laura Meyer

Director of Finance and Administration

About Laura

Laura is an experienced generalist in the administrative area with a strong focus on finances and a passion for improving processes and developing teams. She brings over 20 years of international experience from the private, non-profit and public sector. Her favourite way to unwind is by cooking and baking for friends and family.

Contact Laura

Lisa Rebohl

HR Business Partner

About Lisa

As a passionate HR generalist and a certified coach and trainer, Lisa is responsible for all strategic and operational Human Resources topics within the organisation. In her time outside of work, she enjoys traveling, yoga and reading.

Contact Lisa

Jonche Manevski

Project Finance Coordinator

About Jonche

Jonche has been working in the NGO sector over the past 20 years with different organisations in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America with focus on project finance management. In free time he likes biking and exploring the nature in general.

Contact Jonche

Nan Zhang

Finance & Accounting Officer

About Nan

With a background in Economics and Business Management, Nan brings several years of experience in dynamic startup environments. Passionate about sustainability and development, she is always looking for ways to make a positive impact. In her free time, Nan enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring art galleries and museums.

Contact Nan

Frances Klatt

Junior Project Manager & Communications Officer

About Frances

In her work, Franny combines a knack for communications and passion for improving international governance with a love of research and writing. In her time outside of work, Franny can be found outside in the sun, exploring with her bike, and playing the clarinet.

Contact Frances

Marko Kovacevic

Junior Project Manager & Communications Officer

About Marko

Marko’s engineering background and skills in tech put him in a unique position to support projects in multi-use and aquaculture. Since Marko was a kid, he’s been interested in living with less - which aptly led him to a career in sustainability!

Contact Marko

Mariia Pospelova

Working Student

About Mariia

Mariia has experience in project administration and seeks to master skills in data visualization. She has learnt to cherish the nature of the Baltic Sea while studying sustainable development in Sweden, which also fueled her interest in international cooperation for the cause.

Contact Mariia

Aquatic Value Chain Team

Ferdinand Bulmer

Team Lead Aquatic Value Chains

About Ferdinand

Ferdinand is a project manager with a background in education and sustainability projects. His passion for sustainability stems from his love of the outdoors. He is happiest cycling through the countryside, skiing down a mountain or enjoying the seaside.

Contact Ferdinand

Frederick Bruce

Senior Project Manager

About Frederick

A native Brit and wannabe Viking, Frederick manages projects related to regenerative aquaculture, with a special interest in community-supported business models. In his spare time, he likes making music, building things and cooking with seafood.

Contact Frederick
Maria Jose de la Peña

Maria Jose de la Peña

Project Manager & Communications Officer (Maternity Leave)

About Maria

Maria is passionate about sustainability, with a keen interest in fostering resource-efficient aquaculture. Two things Maria loves, eating and nature. When she’s not at her desk, Maria is experimenting with new recipes or enjoying nature, in the Alps or her native Mexico.

Contact Maria

Annika Steele

Project Manager

About Annika

Annika manages projects related to sustainable fishing and EU policy. Originally from the Swedish Baltic Sea coast, she’ll take any opportunity to leave the urban jungle for a cold dip in the sea.

Contact Annika

Maya Miltell

Project Manager

About Maya

Originally from Sweden, Maya has a degree in Marine Biology and has worked with project management in marine conservation, monitoring, water management and digital innovation. In her free time she's found at the climbing or thaiboxning gym, or winding down at home cooking.

Contact Maya

Lidia Lins Pereira

Project Manager

About Lidia

With a background in Marine Sciences and Project Management for over 15 years, Lidia is passionate about sustainability and the ocean. Besides managing projects, Lidia is a stress and burnout mentor, singer and songwriter, helping others in finding purpose and work-life balance.

Contact Lidia

Tina Maria Seligmann

Project Manager

About Tina

Tina is a project manager with a background in food technology and regulatory affairs. She also works in public education, where she combines the topic of nutrition and food production with sustainability. In her free time, she loves to go hiking in the woods, rock climbing or to get lost in a new book.

Contact Tina

Freya Robinson

Project Manager

About Freya

Hailing from New Zealand, Freya’s life revolves around the ocean. She has knowledge and experience across a variety of species and aquaculture techniques and is passionate about influencing the change towards a more sustainable sector. She is happiest when she is on, around, or under the sea.

Contact Freya

Mārtiņš Lastovskis

Project Manager

About Mārtiņš

Originally from Latvia, Mārtiņš has always lived close to the Baltic Sea. He thrives in sustainable projects that foster innovation. Outside of work, you can find him happily caring for his orchard or diving into a good book.

Contact Mārtiņš

Lotta Torvelainen

Junior Project Manager & Communications Officer

About Lotta

For a Helsinki native like Lotta, sea means nothing less than home. Working with communications and social media, her passion is fueled by curiosity to understand consumer culture. Beyond work, she can be found exploring Berlin's vibrant cultural scene.

Contact Lotta

Isabel Romero

Junior Project Manager

About Isa

Isabel from the south of Spain, has always lived close to the sea, so protecting it is not only a job but a purpose. She is a biologist specialized in circular bioeconomy and sustainability with special interest in algae. She loves being in contact with nature, traveling and doing sports.

Contact Isa

Tushi Agarwal

Working Student

About Tushi

Next to a passion for policy, Tushi enjoys research, analyzing data and writing. When she can get away from her desk, she enjoys chasing sunsets at Berlin’s lakes, or being mesmerized by the sound of waves hitting the rocks on Marine Drive in Mumbai.

Contact Tushi

Innovation Support & Blue Skills Team

Alberto Terenzi

Team Lead Innovation Support & Blue Skills

About Alberto

Alberto is a true all-rounder with 10 years’ experience in sustainability and education, who loves to connect the dots across disciplines, sectors and stakeholders to drive innovation. In his free time, you can find him practicing asanas on the yoga mat.

Contact Alberto

Katharina Kurzweil

Project Manager & Communications Officer

About Katharina

Katy manages projects with expertise in sustainable business and resource economics with a passion for science communication and design. The sea is her beloved paradise, where the water sports enthusiast revitalises her soul and finds boundless joy.

Contact Katharina

Sarah Tamulski

Project Manager

About Sarah

Sarah is a project manager with a knack for writing and a love for strategic thinking. When she’s not working, you can find her bird watching on the Baltic Sea coast or hopping across the pond to California in the hope of catching the annual grey whale migration.

Contact Sarah
Irina Zimmermann

Irina Zimmermann

Project Manager (Maternity Leave)

About Irina

Irina’s background is in environmental governance and political science with experience as a consultant on energy policy and communications. Irina enjoys exploring the world's diverse cultures, driven by her belief in the transformative power of being open-minded.

Contact Irina

Silvia Tosatto

Junior Project Manager & Communications Officer

About Silvia

Silvia is a project and communications expert with a passion for fostering inclusive EU policy that empowers communities. Hailing from a small town in the northeast of Italy, she now loves exploring Berlin's unique history and diverse world cuisines.

Contact Silvia

Öykü Özmakinacı

Working Student

About Öykü

Born and raised in Istanbul, Öykü’s life has always revolved around the sea. Her main drives are her never-ending curiosity and the desire to bring sustainability to the foreground of business. In her free time, you can catch her engrossed in a book in one of Berlin’s beautiful parks or further exploring the city.

Contact Öykü

Marine Spatial Planning / Marine Protected Areas/ Multi-Use Team

Ivana Stojanovic

Team Lead MSP & MPA

About Ivana

Ivana manages projects related to marine conservation and sustainable planning. Growing up in Ulcinj, Montenegro, she continuously drew inspiration from the sea and later became part of a team that established the first national Marine Protected Areas in the country.

Contact Ivana
Ivana Lukic

Ivana Lukic

Team Lead MSP & MPA (Maternity Leave)

About Ivana

Ivana is esteemed for her leadership in executing projects and technical studies, with a particular focus on cross-sectoral conflict and synergies within MSP, multi-use of offshore wind projects, and facilitation of stakeholder processes.

Contact Ivana

Mariana Mata Lara

Senior Project Manager

About Mariana

Mariana has dedicated her career to coastal management, conservation, and ocean communication. When she’s not at her desk, you can find her doing photography, advocating for the ocean as part of the Surfrider Porto Chapter, or traveling to her beloved Mexico.

Contact Mariana

Maria del Camino Troya

Project Manager

About Maria

Maria has worked in the public sector, research, and consulting in Ecuador, Germany, and Ireland, and she holds a BA in International Relations, MSc in International Security and MSc in Maritime Spatial Planning. When not at the office you can find her cooking, traveling and visiting family.

Contact Maria

Mercedes Ribera Wansart

Project Manager

About Mercedes

Mercedes is a political scientist turned sustainability enthusiast. Originally from Buenos Aires, she made Berlin her home in 2021 and fell under its spell. When not managing projects, shaping policy or engaging stakeholders, she finds solace in the great outdoors, whether hiking, skiing, or diving into a good book.

Contact Mercedes

Agnese Cosulich

Project Communications Officer

About Agnese

Agnese Cosulich is an experienced maritime spatial planner and project coordinator with a strong background in sustainable blue growth and ocean conservation.

Contact Agnese

Franziska Drews-von Ruckteschell

Junior Project Manager

About Franziska

Franziska works as Junior Project Manager with a background in sea-human relations, international ocean governance and maritime spatial planning. She's especially drawn to the sea on stormy days as the sea’s restlessness has a calming effect on her.

Contact Franziska

Want to make a difference in the blue economy?