s.Pro Team
Angela Schultz-Zehden
Founder and Managing Director
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Angela Schultz-Zehden (MBA, MSc European Studies, BSc Economics) is manager-owner of s.Pro - sustainable-projects GmbH. She is highly experienced in the development and management of complex international cooperation projects and strategic project pipelines covering the whole spectrum of sustainable development. She has been involved in the development of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Maritime Policy since 2001. In this time, she has developed and led a whole string of projects related to MSP and sustainable use of marine resources in the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. She also acts as managing director of the pan-Baltic
SUBMARINER Network, whose secretariat is hosted by s.Pro.
Ivana Lukic
Senior Project Manager
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Ivana is working on the projects related to maritime economies, stakeholder engagement and maritime spatial planning (MSP). Her professional background includes work on the regional offshore renewable energy aspect of the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan. Ivana also has extensive international experience with industry engagement as the leader of the World Ocean Council MSP Working Group. Ivana holds an international master diploma in MSP and quality engineering, and research experience at the Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (Portugal).
Efthalia Arvaniti
Senior Project Manager
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Efthalia is a community builder and curates ideas and concepts with an impact. She develops sustainable blue/green value chains, that can improve people's lives, reduce waste and protect the marine environment.
Efthlia holds a PhD in biorefining for production of chemicals and fuels, an MSc in environmental sciences and a BSc in chemistry. She is also certified expert in Promoting Innovation by Climate-KIC.
In the last 14 years Efthalia has worked with numerous cross-disciplinary and cross-functional teams in 5 EU countries.
Alberto Terenzi
Senior Project Manager
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Alberto Terenzi (MA International Relations, MSc Renewable Energy Management) is a senior project manager experienced in the acquisition and coordination of EU-funded projects, especially in the fields of sustainability and education. Before joining the SUBMARINER network, Alberto worked for EIT RawMaterials, where he coordinated the Cross-KIC Strategic Education Cluster, which aims to position the European Institute of Innovation and Technology at the forefront of digital and entrepreneurial education, supporting the twin green and digital transitions. Furthermore, Alberto worked for ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, where he managed several H2020 projects and consulted cities on climate adaptation and resilience.
Laura Meyer
Finance and Administration Director
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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.
Frederick Bruce
Consultant
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Frederick is involved primarily in the administration of SUBMARINER’s Blue Growth projects such as GRASS, with an avid interest in IMTA, RAS and low-trophic species, particularly macroalgae. Prior to working at s.Pro, Frederick set up his own business to raise awareness for environmental causes and support local SMEs through seaweed-based health foods, cosmetics and artwork. He holds an Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture and is working towards a Master’s degree in the same field. Frederick is fluent in English and German, with basic knowledge of French and Spanish.
Katharina Kurzweil
Consultant
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Katharina applies her communication skills in ocean multi-use projects and supports the development of the Submariner Catalogue listing sustainable businesses in the Baltic Sea Region. Katharina holds a B.A. in Sustainable Business Management and an international Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Economics. She is familiar with economic topics related to coastal and marine ecosystems such as monetary valuation of ecosystem services and blue carbon. She is fluent in German and English, with basic knowledge of Spanish.
Ivana Stojanovic
Consultant
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Ivana is a project manager experienced in the coordination of international projects, especially in the fields of marine environment conservation, including Marine Protected Areas design and management and Marine Spatial Planning. She holds a Master degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Bologna. Before joining the SUBMARINER network, Ivana worked for the Ministry of Sustainable Development/Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism of Montenegro, as Adviser and later on Head of Division dealing with protection and integrated management of marine and coastal ecosystems. She coordinated MSFD transposition and first cycle of implementation in Montenegro, as well as the preparation of the draft MSP, creating, coordinating and implementing national and transboundary projects. Furthermore, Ivana was the country representative in the Mediterranean regional sea convention (Barcelona Convention), EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, UN Environment Programme, as well as in the national Working Group for negotiations in the accession process with the EU on the Environment and Climate Change Chapter.
Maria José de la Pena
Project and Communications Consultant
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Maria is an Environmental Engineer with a MSc in Aquaculture focused on sustainability and food production systems. She has experience and a keen interest in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). She brings field experience with diverse aquaculture species and setups. Before joining s.Pro, Maria worked as a project manager, farm technician, and editorial assistant for aquaculture ventures in Mexico, Spain, and Austria, where she collaborated in market studies, feed trials in commercial conditions, shrimp broodstock management and reproduction, and organising meetings and conferences, among other activities. Maria is fluent in Spanish and English and has a good command of Italian and basic knowledge of German.
Mercedes Ribera Wansart
Project Manager
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Mercedes is a Project Manager at SUBMARINER and S.Pro, and brings with her a background in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy. Besides managing projects, at S.Pro/ SUBMARINER she is in charge for stakeholder engagement, supports the development of policy recommendations and communication work. Before joining S.Pro/SUBMARINER she has been deeply involved in sustainability as a policy advisor in various countries, managing multi-stakeholder processes, leveraging her expertise in research and spearheading international projects across various sectors, including private, public, and non-profit, honing her project management skills along the way. Mercedes' native languages are German and Spanish, she has full professional fluency in English and intermediate knowledge of French.
Marko Kovacevic
Junior Project Manager
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Marko is a junior project manager who works on sustainable projects involving ocean multi-use, mussel farming, and blue economy. Marko earned his master's in mechanical engineering from the University of Belgrade in Serbia. He previously worked in marketing, IT support, and project management. Marko gladly works on communication strategy for our projects, builds websites, and creates engaging graphic designs that effectively communicate project goals.
Agnese Cosulich
Project and Communications Consultant
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Agnese Cosulich is an experienced maritime spatial planner and project coordinator with a strong background in sustainable blue growth and ocean conservation. She has collaborated with various international organizations such as UNESCO, CPPS-UNEP-FAO, CNR-ISMAR and NGOs like WWF Italy, WWF Spain, and WWF Ecuador. Currently, Agnese is the Communication lead for the ULTFARMS and UNITED projects.
She holds an MSc in Maritime Spatial Planning from IUAV - University of Venice, with a focus on circular blue economy and marine conservation, and has completed internships at UNESCO in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Agnese is a native Italian speaker and fluent in English and Spanish, with a basic knowledge of Portuguese.
Karolina Granja
Junior Project Manager
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Karolina is a junior project assistant working on sustainable projects involving bio economy and policy coherence and cross-compliance in Europe. Karolina holds a M.Sc. in Economics Public Policy and B.Sc. in Economics. Prior to working at s.Pro she did traineeships at the Cabinet of Commissioner for Environment, Ocean and Fisheries at the European Commission and at the Berlin Innovation Agency. Karolina is fluent in Czech, Lithuanian, English and German, with some knowledge of Spanish.
Irina Zimmermann | Maternity Leave
Project Coordination and Communications
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Irina holds a B.A. in International Relations and an M.A. in Global Politics & Economics. Previously, she gained experience as a consultant on energy policy and communications within German and international entities in sustainability sector. She is currently aspiring a doctoral degree in Environmental Governance at the Free University Berlin. Her research looks into coordination challenges of cross-border environmental projects. Irina is fluent in English, German, Russian and has a basic knowledge of Finnish.
External consulting experts
From studies to technical assistance and interactive project work, s.Pro has a long history of fruitful cooperation with external experts on a freelance basis. You can find here the profiles of a few of our most long-term, trusted partners. Looking for the opportunity to join a dynamic team for concrete assignments, missions and more while keeping the flexibility of self-employment and remote working? We are always happy to add qualified and motivated individuals to our pool of trusted external expert consultants, e.g. in the area of technical assistance. If you have the required skills and experience, please get in touch! Please send your enquiry with your CV attached to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kira Gee
Kira is a project expert who has worked with s.Pro GmbH – sustainable projects since its foundation. Kira has 20 years of experience working in the field of ICZM and MSP in the UK and Germany covering the Baltic and North Sea as well as the European Atlantic. She has been a government consultant in Germany developing a national ICZM strategy and preparing advice on transboundary MSP. She has been involved in numerous MSP projects including PlanCoast, BaltSeaPlan, KnowSeas, PartiSEApate and TPEA (Transboundary Planning in the European Atlantic) and has co-authored a number of key guiding documents such as the PlanCoast MSP handbook, the BaltSeaPlan Vision 2030 and the PartiSEApate recommendations on transboundary MSP governance.
Jacek Zaucha
Professor Jacek Zaucha is a project expert who has worked extensively with s.Pro since its founding. Prof. Zaucha is member of the faculty of the Economics Department of the Gdañsk University (since 1994), and also associated with the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk (since 2007). He served in several public bodies active in the field of his research interests, such as a member of the Committee on the Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region of VASAB (1994 - 2008) and Chair of VASAB (2015-2016), and as member of the Senior Officials Group (SOG) of the Baltic Agenda 21 (1997 - 2007). He is also a member of HELCOM-VASAB MSP Working Group (since 2010).
Prof. Zaucha is currently responsible for drafting the first official maritime spatial plan in Poland. He serves as the Main MSP Expert for the Baltic Sea Region for the EU MSP Platform, and has provided his expertise at multiple MSP conferences and workshops. He has published more than 110 scientific publications and contributed to several MSP related scientific projects: ARCH (FP7), MUSES (HORIZON 2020), BaltSpace (BONUS) and many others. Prof. Zaucha is a native Polish speaker and is fluent in English.
Bernhard Heinrichs
Bernhard Heinrichs is currently the team leader of the s.Pro team in the MARISMA project in Angola, Namibia and South Africa. This GiZ funded project is dealing with the Marine Spatial Management and Governance Programme for the Benguela Current. Bernhard Heinrichs is one of the first maritime spatial planning (MSP) practitioners in Europe. For nearly 20 years he was the General-Director of the State Planning Department (Ministerialdirigent) of Mecklenburg – Vorpommern (Germany), where he introduced MSP on the regional level. Furthermore he was the Lead Partner of 5 transnational projects funded by the EU Community Initiative Interreg - three of them dealing with maritime spatial planning (BaltCoast, PlanCoast, SuPortNet) where he closely worked together with s.Pro.
