Board

The Board is the strategy-setting group of SIETAR Europa and the decision-making body between annual general meetings.

The SIETAR Europa Board is composed of representatives of the existing national SIETAR organisations in Europe and representatives of the direct members of SIETAR Europa.

The SIETAR Europa Board is currently practicing a rotating presidency, with each president serving for two board meetings.

Current board members

Barbara Bartczak is a founder of Lemon Tree Translations & Culture – a German company providing consultancy and translations and a co-founder of InterPoint – company providing consultancy and training for Western companies and individuals willing to do business or live in Poland. Currently Barbara Bartczak is working on doctorate studies at the University in Wrocław. Barbara holds a degree in Organizational and Managerial Communication of Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut and Centre for Excellence Wroclaw University of Technology. She represents SIETAR Polska.

 

Robert Giardina is based in Barcelona and is a freelance trainer and teacher in Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution for the Universitat de Barcelona and the Universitat de La Salle/Ramon Llull, as well as private clients. Previously, he directed a non-profit organization in the US food distribution sector. He has an International Masters in Conflict Resolution from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. He holds the presidency, and he represents SIETAR Spain.

 

Mirka Lachka is an event manager working predominantly in the field of arts and partly involved also in intercultural education and training. She joined SIETAR Europa in 2005. She was a coordinator of preparation of congress in Sofia, Bulgaria in April 2007. She is employed as a manager at festival Theatre World in Brno, Czech Republic and works independently as a consultant on issues of cultural policies and fund raising She is a direct member representative.

 

Ildikó Polyák holds an M.A in English Language and Literature from the University of Szeged, Hungary. After working as a teacher of English for more than a decade, she ventured into intercultural communication in 1994, when the College for Foreign Trade first offered such a course to business students. Since then she has been teaching various undergraduate and graduate courses at CFT and the International Business School, Budapest. She has written several articles, two textbooks, and compiled a volume of reading texts. She is the substitute representative for direct members.

 

Dr. George F. Simons is a consultant, trainer and author, the creator of the award-winning diversophy^® games for developing diversity and intercultural competence in the training room and for online e-learning and other new technologies. He is a co-author of Putting Diversity to Work and a contributor of eight items in the Cultural Detective™ series of intercultural instruments. He represents SIETAR France.

 

Patrick Schmidt is an interculturalist trainer and advisor as well as author of the books "Understanding American and German Business Cultures" and "In Search of Intercultural Understanding". More information about his work can be found by googling "American-German cross-culture consulting". He represents SIETAR Austria.

 

 

Dr. Deborah Swallow is a professional speaker, author and consultant specialising in cultural diversity, intercultural communication, and international business practices. She is a rare academic-entrepreneur who brings a depth of understanding and insight to executives and diplomats around the world. Deborah has authored/co-authored five books on cross-cultural communication, is a regular contributor to business magazines and lectures on intercultural studies at the Diplomatic Academy of London. She represents SIETAR UK.

 

Perihan Ügeöz holds a doctorate in Adult Teaching and Intercultural Education from Berlin Freie University , and has completed post-doctoral studies in Organisational Development and Human Resource Management from KLETT WBS in Berlin . Living in Istanbul , she works as a consultant and trainer in the area of intercultural communication and management, adult education, and organizational development. She has published numerous international articles and books dealing with intercultural communication and comparative educational policies and is co-author of Cultural Detective: Turkey. She is a direct member representative.

 

Marianne van Eldik Thieme is film journalist, trainer and coach, graduated in Human Geography (focus on Cultural Anthropology). In multi cultural training sessions she focuses on increasing competence in dealing with diversity. With her background as a documentary researcher-producer for Dutch TV she promotes the use of documentaries as a tool to contribute to intercultural awareness. She organizes documentary Film Festivals at SIETAR congresses. She represents SIETAR Netherlands, currently backed up by Henning Zorn.

 

Sabine Wagner is an intercultural trainer, coach and consultant and runs her own successful company “COMMUNICATION IS LIFE”. She carries out cross cultural & culture specific workshops, conflict resolution & multicultural team development training courses. She understands herself as a bridge person between cultures, she combines professional experience with theoretical management knowledge, always sharing her cross cultural knowledge, her innovation energy and intuition. She represents SIETAR Germany.

 

Svetlana Aladjem represents SIETAR Bulgaria.

 

Roles and responsibility