Meet the team
EMPOWER is a for-purpose, volunteer-led initiative founded by JRC Ispra staff partners and spouses. Our Board, made up of five dedicated members, oversees the organization and leads a passionate community of volunteers who bring our mission to life.
Our Working Groups—Communications, Events, Collab Space, and Membership—are the driving force behind our activities, ensuring EMPOWER remains a vibrant and impactful community. Each group plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, organizing events, and growing our membership.
Board members
The Board, consisting of co-founding members and Working Groups’ leads, meets regularly to coordinate EMPOWER’s activities and strategic development. The Board also represents the EMPOWER community in meetings with JRC site managers, COPASS and other official entities.
Nahemá HURTIG
Board Member & Collab Space
Joseph GAYLORD
Board Member & Membership WG leader
Danai TSAPIKIDOU
Co-Founder & Board Coordinator
Nora
SCHADE
Board Member & Events WG leader
Cristina MARTÍNEZ
Board Member & Communications
Working groups
Communications
Coordinator: Cristina, Luana & Valentin.
Spreads the word about EMPOWER through online and offline communications: website, LinkedIn, blogs, email, posters, handouts, reports, and more.
Events
Coordinator: Nora Schade.
Organizes professional development workshops, visits, business breakfast chats, networking events like Christmas Apericena and lunch meet-ups.
Collab-space
Coordinator: Nahema Hurtig.
Manages our physical space in the Clubhouse, fosters a supportive, collaborative environment and coordinates with Club Europeo and other users of the ClubHouse.
Membership
Coordinator: Joe Gaylord.
Welcomes new members to the EMPOWER community, supports volunteer work, and helps to ensure that members get the most out of the network.
For EMPOWER to thrive in the years to come, we always need talented members willing to join our team of volunteers. If you have time and skills to help, please contact us. Anything you can do is appreciated. We grow together through sharing our time, skills, and enthusiasm.