About us
Ideas, people, purpose - this The people behind ESI, the mission that drives us,
01 01 Why ESI?
The missing voice at the table For more than two decades, Central and Eastern Europe has been one of Europe's strongest engines of economic growth, innovation and industrial development. Yet the region remains significantly under-represented in Brussels, where European policies and regulations are shaped.
ESI was established to help close this gap.
We provide a trusted platform where business, government, academia and experts can engage in strategic dialogue, develop evidence-based solutions and contribute to shaping Europe's future economic and regulatory agenda.
02 02 Who We Are
A European Platform for Dialogue & Action Independent. Brussels-based. Designed for long-term impact.
The European Strategy Institute (ESI) is established as an ASBL (Association Sans But Lucratif) under Belgian law, headquartered in Brussels. This structure provides the credibility, independence and European standing required to operate as a trusted policy and engagement platform at the heart of Europe.
Founders
The founding members of ESI, responsible for its establishment and continued governance.
+ × Agnieszka Sitek-Kobosko Co-Founder & CEO
Founding President and CEO of The European Strategy Institute, an independent Brussels-based think tank dedicated to advancing strategic dialogue and developing forward-looking solutions for Europe's most pressing political, economic and societal challenges. Under her leadership, The European Strategy Institute brings together leaders from policy, business, academia and civil society to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, resilience and global influence. The Institute serves as a platform for expert analysis, cross-sector collaboration and high-level dialogue on the future of Europe. Agnieszka is a strategic communications and public affairs executive with more than 15 years of international experience spanning corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management and organisational transformation. Throughout her career, she has advised senior executives and leadership teams across Europe and Asia, helping organisations navigate change, build trust and communicate effectively in complex and rapidly evolving environments. Prior to establishing The European Strategy Institute, she held senior leadership roles within global organisations. At InPost Group, she led international brand communications and sponsorship integration across multiple European markets. At Citi, she served as Communications & Employee Engagement Manager and Chief of Staff for Global Consumer Technology, overseeing communication and engagement initiatives for a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals across EMEA and Asia. Earlier in her career, she held positions in marketing, corporate communications, retail development and brand strategy at Levi Strauss & Co., Momentum Worldwide, Brand Designers Planet, PepsiCo and Ogilvy, contributing to initiatives that strengthened organisational reputation, stakeholder engagement and business growth. Based in Brussels, at the heart of European decision-making, Agnieszka is committed to fostering trusted leadership, strategic foresight and meaningful dialogue that contributes to a stronger and more competitive Europe.
Žygimantas Vaičiūnas Former Minister of Energy of Lithuania; former Energy Attaché to the European Union
+ × Žygimantas Vaičiūnas Former Minister of Energy of Lithuania; former Energy Attaché to the European Union
An energy policy expert and former Lithuanian Minister of Energy, with more than 20 years of experience shaping national and European energy policy, advancing strategic energy infrastructure, and strengthening energy security. As Lithuania’s Minister of Energy across three governments, he led and contributed to key initiatives at the intersection of energy security, the energy transition, and European energy policy. He has also served as Acting Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Economy and Innovation, and Acting Minister of Environment. His career spans senior positions in the Lithuanian government, the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union, and the European Solar Manufacturing Council in Brussels, where he focused on European industrial policy for solar PV manufacturing. He has been closely involved in major strategic energy initiatives, including the synchronisation of the Baltic States’ electricity grids with Continental Europe, the development of renewable energy, and the deployment of battery energy storage systems. Žygimantas holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and European Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vilnius University.
TBD Founding member profile pending
+ × TBD Founding member profile pending
Bio coming soon.
Matteo Maggiore Founding member profile pending
+ × Matteo Maggiore Founding member profile pending
Senior Adviser at the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, where he previously served as Director of Communications from 2014 to 2025. With an extensive career in journalism, media and communications management, he has held senior positions across leading international organisations. Before joining the EIB Group, he served as Deputy Director of Communication and Public Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Earlier in his career, he spent over two decades at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), holding various roles spanning journalism, policy and strategy, with a focus on global communications, policy and media. His professional experience also includes working at the European Broadcasting Union in Geneva, serving as a senior consultant in media, telecommunications and technology in Brussels, and holding positions at the European Parliament and the European Commission. Matteo holds a master’s degree in international relations and is the author of both fiction and non-fiction works.
Board of Directors
Responsible for ESI's long-term strategy and governance, ensuring the Institute operates with independence and integrity.
+ × Agnieszka Sitek-Kobosko Co-Founder & CEO
Founding President and CEO of The European Strategy Institute, an independent Brussels-based think tank dedicated to advancing strategic dialogue and developing forward-looking solutions for Europe's most pressing political, economic and societal challenges. Under her leadership, The European Strategy Institute brings together leaders from policy, business, academia and civil society to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, resilience and global influence. The Institute serves as a platform for expert analysis, cross-sector collaboration and high-level dialogue on the future of Europe. Agnieszka is a strategic communications and public affairs executive with more than 15 years of international experience spanning corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management and organisational transformation. Throughout her career, she has advised senior executives and leadership teams across Europe and Asia, helping organisations navigate change, build trust and communicate effectively in complex and rapidly evolving environments. Prior to establishing The European Strategy Institute, she held senior leadership roles within global organisations. At InPost Group, she led international brand communications and sponsorship integration across multiple European markets. At Citi, she served as Communications & Employee Engagement Manager and Chief of Staff for Global Consumer Technology, overseeing communication and engagement initiatives for a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals across EMEA and Asia. Earlier in her career, she held positions in marketing, corporate communications, retail development and brand strategy at Levi Strauss & Co., Momentum Worldwide, Brand Designers Planet, PepsiCo and Ogilvy, contributing to initiatives that strengthened organisational reputation, stakeholder engagement and business growth. Based in Brussels, at the heart of European decision-making, Agnieszka is committed to fostering trusted leadership, strategic foresight and meaningful dialogue that contributes to a stronger and more competitive Europe.
Dominika Bettman Former President of Microsoft Poland; former head of the Siemens group in Poland
+ × Dominika Bettman Former President of Microsoft Poland; former head of the Siemens group in Poland
Manager with many years of experience; CFO and CEO of international technological corporations. Leader, mentor, and speaker. Author of the books "Technological Magnolias" and "When No One's Watching: Ethical Dilemmas in Business" (December 2025). Connects the worlds of technology and business with an ethical approach, arguing that progress only makes sense when it serves people and the environment. She promotes leadership based on values, empathy, and trust. Graduate of the Faculty of International Trade at the Warsaw School of Economics and the Advanced Management Program at IESE in Barcelona. Member of supervisory boards, academic committees, and the program boards of congresses and business initiatives.
Piotr Wielgomas Founder and President of BIGRAM
+ × Piotr Wielgomas Founder and President of BIGRAM
Born in Warsaw, he is married and has three adult children. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Warsaw and has participated in international business scholarship programmes in the United Kingdom, including at Nottingham Trent University, and in the United States. He is the founder and President of BIGRAM, a human resources consultancy that has been successfully operating on the Polish market for more than 30 years. The company specialises in executive recruitment and HR advisory services, including management audits, 360-degree assessments and outplacement. BIGRAM is also the exclusive Polish partner of two renowned global networks: IIC Partners Executive Search, where Piotr Wielgomas served for several years as a member of the Global Board, and Career Star Group. For many years, BIGRAM has also been running Enactus Poland, part of the international Enactus student entrepreneurship initiative, which operates across 40 countries and 1,700 universities worldwide. Piotr Wielgomas also has extensive corporate governance experience, having served for many years on the supervisory boards of a number of companies. Beyond his professional activities, he has served for many years as Vice President of the Association of Collectors of Historical Securities. He is also a co-creator of a unique project reconstructing pre-war Warsaw in the form of a detailed scale model, developed together with the renowned Polish actor and director Emilian Kamiński.
Daria Smolarek Communication & Programme Director
+ × Daria Smolarek Communication & Programme Director
Communications and programme management professional with over 20 years of experience spanning media, public institutions, non-profit organisations and the creative sector. Prior to joining ESI, she worked at the Chancellery of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, within the Office of the Marshal of the Sejm, where she was responsible for communications and public engagement activities for “Sejm Otwarty”, an initiative designed to strengthen connections between the Polish Parliament and citizens through social, cultural and educational programmes. She also developed and coordinated a range of projects aimed at increasing civic participation and public engagement. Earlier in her career, Daria spent more than twelve years at TVN, one of Poland's leading television broadcasters, contributing to a wide range of programmes and editorial projects. Her responsibilities included content development, production coordination and team management. She later joined Next Film, where she coordinated a team of project managers responsible for artist relations, communication strategies and budget oversight. Throughout her career, she has led multidisciplinary teams and delivered projects across the media, public and creative sectors, combining expertise in strategic communications, programme development and stakeholder engagement. At ESI, she leads the Institute's communications activities and supports the development and delivery of strategic programmes, partnerships and public engagement initiatives. She is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science with a specialisation in Communication and Public Relations at Vizja University in Warsaw.
TBD Board member profile pending
+ × TBD Board member profile pending
Bio coming soon.
Executive team
Makes ESI's mission happen through daily engagement across Central and Eastern Europe.
+ × Agnieszka Sitek-Kobosko Co-Founder & CEO
Founding President and CEO of The European Strategy Institute, an independent Brussels-based think tank dedicated to advancing strategic dialogue and developing forward-looking solutions for Europe's most pressing political, economic and societal challenges. Under her leadership, The European Strategy Institute brings together leaders from policy, business, academia and civil society to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, resilience and global influence. The Institute serves as a platform for expert analysis, cross-sector collaboration and high-level dialogue on the future of Europe. Agnieszka is a strategic communications and public affairs executive with more than 15 years of international experience spanning corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management and organisational transformation. Throughout her career, she has advised senior executives and leadership teams across Europe and Asia, helping organisations navigate change, build trust and communicate effectively in complex and rapidly evolving environments. Prior to establishing The European Strategy Institute, she held senior leadership roles within global organisations. At InPost Group, she led international brand communications and sponsorship integration across multiple European markets. At Citi, she served as Communications & Employee Engagement Manager and Chief of Staff for Global Consumer Technology, overseeing communication and engagement initiatives for a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals across EMEA and Asia. Earlier in her career, she held positions in marketing, corporate communications, retail development and brand strategy at Levi Strauss & Co., Momentum Worldwide, Brand Designers Planet, PepsiCo and Ogilvy, contributing to initiatives that strengthened organisational reputation, stakeholder engagement and business growth. Based in Brussels, at the heart of European decision-making, Agnieszka is committed to fostering trusted leadership, strategic foresight and meaningful dialogue that contributes to a stronger and more competitive Europe.
+ × Daria Smolarek Communication & Programme Director
Communications and programme management professional with over 20 years of experience spanning media, public institutions, non-profit organisations and the creative sector. Prior to joining ESI, she worked at the Chancellery of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, within the Office of the Marshal of the Sejm, where she was responsible for communications and public engagement activities for “Sejm Otwarty”, an initiative designed to strengthen connections between the Polish Parliament and citizens through social, cultural and educational programmes. She also developed and coordinated a range of projects aimed at increasing civic participation and public engagement. Earlier in her career, Daria spent more than twelve years at TVN, one of Poland's leading television broadcasters, contributing to a wide range of programmes and editorial projects. Her responsibilities included content development, production coordination and team management. She later joined Next Film, where she coordinated a team of project managers responsible for artist relations, communication strategies and budget oversight. Throughout her career, she has led multidisciplinary teams and delivered projects across the media, public and creative sectors, combining expertise in strategic communications, programme development and stakeholder engagement. At ESI, she leads the Institute's communications activities and supports the development and delivery of strategic programmes, partnerships and public engagement initiatives. She is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science with a specialisation in Communication and Public Relations at Vizja University in Warsaw.
+
× TBD Executive team
Bio coming soon.
+
× TBD Executive team
Bio coming soon.
03 03 Our values
Independence. Ethics. Diversity. The European Strategy Institute, as Brussels-based think tank - or, more precisely, a "do-tank" - is committed to independence, integrity, transparency and diversity as fundamental principles of its work.
We believe that better European policy emerges when different perspectives, experiences, sectors and regions are meaningfully represented. ESI brings together voices from business, public institutions, academia, civil society and technology, with particular attention to strengthening Central and Eastern Europe's presence in European decision-making.
Independence & Transparency ESI retains full independence over its research, analysis, conclusions and recommendations. Members, partners and funders may contribute expertise and participate in dialogue, but they do not determine ESI's research outcomes or editorial content. We are transparent about our partnerships and significant sources of funding and responsibly manage potential conflicts of interest.
Diversity & Open Dialogue We value diversity of expertise, experience, geography, background and perspective. ESI promotes equal opportunity and an inclusive environment based on evidence, constructive dialogue, mutual respect and intellectual integrity.
Responsible Partnerships We work with businesses, institutions and organisations that contribute knowledge, experience and resources to European dialogue. Financial support or partnership does not confer influence over ESI's conclusions, recommendations or publications. Our principle is simple: funding enables the conversation — it does not determine its outcome.
04 04 Areas of Focus
From analysis to action - for a stronger Central and Eastern Europe. The European Strategy Institute concentrates on sectors and strategic domains where European policy, regulation and geopolitical developments have a decisive impact on competitiveness, resilience and long-term growth.
