Eugenio Anessi-Pessina joins us from the Università Cattolica, where he is Full Professor of Public Management and coordinator of the Doctoral Programme in Management and Innovation. He also serves on the Standard Setter Board responsible for developing IPSAS-based accounting standards for the Italian public sector. Over the years, Eugenio has worked with the CEF on the design and delivery of learning initiatives in public sector asset management, bringing valuable expertise to advance knowledge and practice in this field.

Building on this strong academic foundation, we are pleased to welcome back Natasha Ilijeva-Acevska. She spent seven years with the CEF Secretariat Team, where she helped design projects that promoted EU accession for the Western Balkans by strengthening economic development, leadership skills, policy cycle management, and knowledge ecosystems. An experienced trainer and consultant, Natasha co-developed the concept of Public Institutions as Learning Organizations. Her expertise also covers multi-level governance and intergovernmental finance, as demonstrated by her work with NALAS, UNDP, EU, and USAID-funded projects.

Next, we highlight expertise in internal auditing, where Tina Toman Pfajfar has become one of Slovenia’s leading experts. With more than two decades of experience, from leadership roles at the Ministry of Finance and the Insurance Supervision Agency to her current position as Chief Audit Director at Telekom Slovenije, Tina brings extensive practical knowledge. Her work with the CEF’s certification programs for internal auditors across the region highlights her dedication to improving governance, risk management, and accountability in both public and private institutions.

Equally committed to public sector reforms is Merdža Plahonjić Handalić, Associate Professor at the University of Sarajevo. With more than 20 years of experience in EU integration, fiscal policy, and public internal financial control systems, she provides ministries of finance and other institutions with expert guidance on aligning budget and program cycles with EU standards. Through her mentorship in the CEF’s WeLead project, as well as her academic and advisory work with other international organizations, she has demonstrated a unique ability to bridge policy design with effective implementation, grounded in data-driven analysis and collaborative reform strategies.

Finally, we are proud to introduce Stéphane Gourdet, Head of Sector at the International Banking and Finance Institute (IBFI). Responsible for developing and delivering numerous seminars and study visits for central bankers worldwide, Stéphane has placed innovation at the heart of capacity development. By building connections between IBFI and Le Lab, the Banque de France’s innovation hub, he pioneered the first seminar on innovation management in central banks. His expertise in payment systems, financial infrastructures, and IT complements the CEF’s work in this field across the region.

Together, these five accomplished professionals strengthen the CEF’s mission to support capacity development of public officials and their institutions in South East and East Europe through learning and knowledge sharing.