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 and waters.
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
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
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
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 IvanaCEO 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
Nicole NeSmith
Senior Communications Manager
About Nicole
Nicole is a communications manager with a background in nonprofit work. She has also been a freelance writer and editor most of her career, focusing on arts and culture. She is originally from the U.S. and spent all of her professional career in Chicago before relocating to Berlin. In her free time, she loves to cook, write, and watch movies.
Contact Nicole
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
Frances Klatt
Project & Events Manager
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
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
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 MariiaAquatic 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Toninio Waelkens
Junior Communications Manager
About Toninio
Toninio is a communications professional with a background in health and sustainability. He crafts impactful messages that drive change, drawing on his experience in digital sustainability and volunteer work for a climate newsletter. In his free time, he enjoys comedy shows, museums, and cultural activities that spark his creativity.
Contact Toninio
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
Intern
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
Greta Lotta Kirstein
Working Student
About Greta
Having lived in coastal or harbor cities all her life, Greta has always felt connected to the ocean. Currently Greta is studying an interdisciplinary masters in Sea and Society at the University of Gothenburg. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing handball and all the cozyness that Swedish culture has to offer.
Contact GretaInnovation 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
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
Konstantinos Madias
Communication Project Manager
About Konstantinos
Konstantinos, originally from Athens, has spent the past six years in Poland, earning a PhD in sustainability and consumer studies. Passionate about impactful communication, he works to make sustainability resonate with broader audiences. In his free time, he explores vintage stores, seeking inspiration for unique furniture and décor ideas.
Contact Konstantinos
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 ÖyküMarine 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
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
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
Natascha Jaspert
Junior Project Manager
About Natascha
Natascha is is an passionate Marine Scientist specialised in marine protection, policy and coastal management. She gained research experience in multiple countries including Germany, the Seychelles, Costa Rica, USA, and the UK, always keen to learn something new. She loves plants, drawing and a nice cup of coffee to start the day.
Contact Natascha