The DaVinci Institute’s extensive network of experts supports the think tank, and offers support to European organisations, projects and collaborations through tailored management, training and dissemination services.
Aileen Lyon
Humanitarian and Civil Society Development Expert (UK)
Aileen has over 20 years’ experience in delivering major humanitarian and development programmes. As Co-Founder of Delta Partnership Solutions, she has used her expertise in monitoring and evaluation, civil society, governance and policy working in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. As a respected senior expert, Aileen’s extensive network in the humanitarian field includes government agencies, NGOs, funding organisations and policy stakeholders around the world.
Andrea Quintino Sardo
Cultural Heritage and Creativity Expert – DaVinci Associate (IT)
With his background in architecture, Andrea is specialising in conservation and cultural heritage projects, acting as representative for UNESCO World heritage list Monuments in the Emilia-Romagna region. Andrea has been teaching lecturing in cultural heritage and conservation for more than 10 years. He acts as expert evaluator for several national and European agencies in both culture and research.
Andrew Ormston
Creative Development Expert – DaVinci Project Partner (UK)
Andrew Ormston is the founder and director of Drew Wylie Ltd. He is a senior creative manager and consultant with extensive experience in project development / delivery across the cultural and creative industries. Specialisms include cultural and regeneration and interdisciplinary project development. His senior management positions included directing Culture for the City of Birmingham, where he established the city’s first screen agency, FILM Birmingham and directed Urban Fusion, the Capital of Culture legacy programme. His operational experience includes directing and managing a range of festivals, theatres, arts centres, concert halls, public art and arts development programmes. Highlights include establishing the award winning Art at the Centre programme and the redevelopment of the Old Town Hall Concert Hall in Reading, a regional artists studio and gallery network in the North East of England, and the Arts Champions scheme in Birmingham.
Bryony Ulyett
Communication Strategist – DaVinci Associate (FR/BE)
Bryony is a communication specialist with over 10 years experience in EU territorial cooperation, science & technology, retail, legal and engineering. Her focus is on providing strategic advice and hands on support in strategic communications, creative project management, social media (including web) and media relations.
Frans Brouwer
Cultural Strategist – DaVinci Project Partner (NL)
Specialised in project development, interdisciplinary and international cultural projects as well as in strategic and executive leadership, Frans Brouwer is active in an extensive international network. Frans serves as a consultant for cultural organisations and has been a board member of many organisations including a museum, music ensembles and festivals in Europe. Previous activities include research at Groningen University, directorships at two academies of music, three (interdisciplinary) arts festivals and two music ensembles. In addition, he has organised many interdisciplinary cultural projects in and outside Europe. He has worked as a project leader at European Cultural Capital Copenhagen 1996.
Javier Galán
Cultural Manager, Audiovisual Arts – DaVinci Associate (ES)
Javier is an experienced manager of local, national and European cultural initiatives and projects. He acts as a curator, artistic director and producer in the areas of media arts and urban creative development. Due to his strong background in cultural project management, he has been working on the European Capital of Culture applications of Zaragoza and Wroclaw. Javier also teaches cultural management and cultural entrepreneurship at university level.
Lars Seeberg
Performing Arts Director – DaVinci Project Partner (DK)
As director of see@rt, Lars Seeberg shares his experience in the international cultural field as an artistic advisor for theatres, multicultural venues and funding initiatives of the European Commission and the Nordic Cultural Foundation. Lars has been working in the international arts and cultural scene for the last 20 years. He is a board member of the Danish Royal Theatre, acts as expert and policy advisor and is supporting a diverse range of performing arts cooperations. Based in Denmark and Berlin and with working relations as far as Beijing, he offers his ideas and network for the creation of new works and the exchange of existing productions around the world.
Leonie Hodkevitch
Cultural Producer and Educator – DaVinci Associate (AT)
Leonie has been working as a cultural producer, author and educator in international contexts for more than 15 years. With her team, she is producing local and international cultural and social projects in the field of innovative theatre, urbanism and social inclusion. She acts as a mentor and lecturer on cultural management at universities and academies in Europe and the USA.
Luca Polizzi
Senior EU Advocacy Policy and Funding Expert – DaVinci Associate (IT/BE)
Luca has been working in European and international affairs since 1999, specialising on advocacy, policy analysis, and programme/award design and management. Over the last years, he secured over $100 million in funding and managed grant programmes worth over $ 200 million. He has built extensive networks in the area of research, education, public health, energy, environment, water, food, and ICT.
Meta Štular
Project- and Network Manager – DaVinci Associate (SI)
Meta focuses on cultural development and project management on the interface of culture, creativity and urban development. She is working with diverse forms of organizations ranging from non-governmental to governmental sectors, intergovernmental institutions, networks and private companies in Slovenia and abroad. Her professional experiences cover the fields of popular music, fine arts, comics, design and performing arts.
Nicholas David Amies
Content Specialist and Editor – DaVinci Associate (UK/BE)
Nick has worked as a freelance journalist and editor for the past 15 years, covering culture and European affairs for publications such as the Economist and the New York Times. He advises European organisaitons and networks – including DG Communication, European Commission – as an external editorial consultant.