International Mentors
David Mammano
Professor at the University of Rochester, New York, USA
- 25 years of experience in launching, developing, and optimizing businesses.
- Has launched seven companies and leveraged these experiences to inspire those who see entrepreneurship as the path to achieving their dreams.
- Has won the Inc. Magazine 5000 Growth Company award three times.
- TEDx Speaker.
- Board Member of the Western NY Make-A-Wish Foundation and local board member of Junior Achievement.
- Coaching
- Public speaking
- Social Media Marketing
- Marketing Strategy
- Leadership
- Emerging Technologies
Richard Glazer
Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, New York, SUA
- He has been an executive in multiple companies across the services, manufacturing and advanced technology sectors.
- Works closely with entrepreneurs and business owners as an investor and advisor.
- He was Associate Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, teaching Entrepreneurship at the Master’s level.
- Co-founder and president of Digital Rochester and a founding member of the Greater Rochester Enterprise board.
- He is a member of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Working Group of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and of the Dean’s Advisory Council at Saunders College of Business at RIT.
- He is actively involved in the entrepreneurial and economic development community in Rochester.
- Start-up Ventures
- Lean Startup Methodology
Amnon Dekel
Executive Director of ASPER-HUJI Innovate, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
- Over 20 years of experience in IT product development and application design.
- Over 15 years of experience in applied research in the fields of User Experience and Mobile Computing.
- Co-founder of three companies specialized in video sharing, personal networking and indoor navigation.
- Has received numerous international awards, including a Pulitzer nomination for work done with the New York Times.
- Prototyping
- Innovation Management
- Product Management
- Technological innovation
- Digital Media
- Web Development
Katherine Delevoye
Senior Consultant Technoport Luxemburgh
- Has over 30 years of experience in advising entrepreneurs.
- She has contributed to the development of businesses in Europe, North America, India, Africa, and the Middle East, providing personalized legal advice and expertise in technological development, partnership establishment and business process modeling.
Trainer, coach, and mentor in international incubation and acceleration programs for tech startups, social enterprises, students, researchers, innovation managers, and young entrepreneurs from Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Latvia, Romania, Ethiopia, Comoros, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and many others. - She collaborates with innovative companies at various stages of development, providing support from the concept phase to establishing an international presence. Additionally, she assists entrepreneurs in addressing challenges related to legal issues, intellectual property management, and the establishment of agreements with clients, partners, and investors worldwide.
- Legal Consultant
- Intellectual property management
- Specialist in the development of innovative startups
Establishing agreements with clients, partners, and investors - Consolidating the position in international markets
Raluca Bunduchi
University Of Edinburgh School of Business
- Professor of Innovation at the University of Edinburgh and Adjunct Research Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babeș-Bolyai University.
She has designed, developed, and taught new courses and programs in Innovation Management at all levels and has held several leadership positions, including Director of Postgraduate Programs at Edinburgh and Director of Master's programs in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at Edinburgh and Aberdeen. - Has published in numerous journals such as the Journal of Product Innovation Management, Information Systems Journal, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Technovation, and the British Journal of Management. She is a member of the editorial review board of the Journal of Product Innovation Management.
Works with Master's and PhD students and has coordinated several qualitative research projects related to digital transformation in healthcare, the use of digital platforms, emerging technologies and value creation, as well as innovation in digital startups
- Management of new product development
- Managementul dezvoltarii de noi produse
- Digital entrepreneurship
Brooke Reavey
Marketing Professor at Brennan Faculty, Dominican University, Chicago, USA
- Fulbright researcher, acting as a Senior Scholar in Bucharest from 2017 to 2018 and a Fulbright Specialist at the UBB Student i-Lab in Cluj during May-June 2024.
- Worked in the marketing research industry for eight years before completing her PhD. She is the winner of two innovation competitions in teaching activities held in the USA.
- The teaching activity is focused on digital marketing and market research, particularly regarding data democratization and privacy.
- Her work has been published in specialized journals such as the International Journal of Advertising, Journal of Marketing Education, and Marketing Education Review, among others. She is also the author of the Cengage textbook 'Digital Marketing Foundations and Strategies 5E' (2023).
- Digital Marketing
- Market Research Innovation in Education
- Academic Publications in Marketing
- International expertise in Marketing and Education
Sevage Jeff Ph.D.
Executive Director at Faber Entrepreneurship Center de la Moore School, USA
- Has focused his research on identifying best practices for marketing science-based innovations, discovering the most effective patenting strategies, as well as exploring ways to develop entrepreneurial and innovation-driven ecosystems.
- For 10 years, Mr. Savage has provided consultancy to academic and scientific startups, acting as a faculty mentor in the NSF's I-Corps program.
- He collaborates with Savannah River National Laboratories and is a faculty advisor for the Gamecock Consulting Club.
- Commercialization of science-based innovations
- Effective patenting strategies
- Development of entrepreneurial and innovation-based ecosystems
National Mentors
Anca Rarău
Brand & Marketing Strategist / Founder of BRANDOCRACY
- Experience of over 20 years in brand positioning, strategic and operational marketing, customer experience, employer branding, research, and PR.
- She has won numerous awards for the effectiveness of marketing campaigns (Effie Awards), as well as for Public Relations and CSR projects.
- She is an active member of the Romanian Business Leaders (RBL), where she contributes with her experience and knowledge to support the development of the business environment.
- As the local leader of the "Vreau Să Fiu Antreprenor" project of RBL, she has been actively involved in the national program for educating young entrepreneurs.
- Brand positioning
- Strategic and operational Marketing
- Customer experience
- Employer branding
- PR
Georgiana Iancu
Management & Marketing Strategist – BRANDOCRACY
- She has 15 years of experience in Marketing and over 5 years in Management, coordinating numerous projects in branding, product marketing, internal communication, employer branding, corporate communication & PR, CSR, and M&A communication.
- In recent years, she has focused extensively on leadership, management communication, and employer branding.
- Since 2015, she has developed and delivered leadership, management communication, and organizational culture training to support the organization in achieving its set objectives.
- Leadership
- Corporate communication
- Employer branding
- Product marketing
- PR
Dan Dehenes
Executive Director Kaufland Romania & Moldova
- Has over 15 years of experience in logistics, transportation strategies, and distribution.
- Throughout his professional journey, he has developed excellent leadership, management, and supervisory skills, as well as exceptional creative thinking, deeply focused on innovation.
- As Alumnus of the Executive Education program "Leading and Managing Innovation" organized by UBB FSEGA and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Mr. Dehenes is a strong advocate for continuous education.
- Logistics
- Transportation and distribution strategies
- Leadership
- Innovation
Alexandra Muțiu
Prorector UBB
- Holds a strategic role in leading the university, with responsibilities related to Human Resources, Alumni, Career Development and Student Counseling.
- She has extensive experience, recognized for her exceptional skills in teaching Accounting for managers and Controlling, both at the Bachelor's and Master's levels, as well as in MBA and executive programs.
- She has extensive teaching experience and a broad range of knowledge gained both at Babeș-Bolyai University and as a visiting professor at universities abroad.
- Strategic Leadership
- Education and academic networking
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Personal Training and Development
Haida Mirela Geanina
Bosch Romania
- Mirela Geanina Haida, currently Value Stream Manager at Robert Bosch S.R.L., is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, holding a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Business. As Value Stream Manager, Geanina leads a team responsible for the production of Electronic Control Units in the fields of occupant safety, ADAS components, eBikes, and Mechatronics.
- A native Romanian, Geanina is fluent in Romanian, English, and Spanish, and can also communicate in German. Over the past decade, she has studied and worked in various locations, including China and Germany. This international exposure has prepared her to manage the challenges and changes in her career.
- Geanina’s knowledge covers multiple areas, including financial control, project management, and logistics, with a particular focus on manufacturing operations and engineering. Her dedication to continuous learning and improvement highlights a forward-thinking mindset that enables her to stay ahead in a competitive environment.
- Beyond her professional achievements, Geanina is passionate about community involvement, actively participating in initiatives that promote education, cultural exchange, and social empowerment. Her open personality and genuine commitment to making a positive impact are key aspects of her leadership career.
- Coordination and management
- Financial control
- Project Management
- Manufacturing operations
Csongor Szocs
Bosch Romania
- Csongor-Ernő Szőcs is a proactive and motivated manager with extensive experience in leadership roles at Robert Bosch SRL, currently holding the position of Director of Controlling and previously occupying the role of Director of Logistics Planning. He is focused on guiding organizations towards performance at minimal costs (maintaining cost competitiveness and efficiency) and has proven expertise in managing the implications of global crises and sustainable inventory reduction strategies.
- Csongor holds a Master's Degree in Research Methods and Data Analysis and a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Banking. He is fluent in Hungarian, Romanian, and English, with strong digital skills and exceptional organizational abilities.
- Recognized for his proactive, collaborative, and integrative leadership style, Csongor has stood out through transparency in business direction, performance issue management, and the implementation of new, efficient cost strategies, thereby contributing to positive change and innovation within the organization. He also possesses excellent intercultural and interpersonal communication skills, with an open and positive mindset. He excels in analytical thinking and attention to detail.
- Csongor is dedicated to contributing to the development of people through coaching sessions and is highly appreciated for his pragmatic and engaged approach.
- Financial controlling and cost management
- Management of global crises and inventory reduction strategies
- Proactive and collaborative leadership
- Intercultural communication and interpersonal skills
- Coaching and personal development
Paul-Andre Baran
Technology & Innovation Consultant at the Romanian-American Foundation
Owner/Head Brewer at Anagram Brewing
- As Chief of Party for IREX in Romania, he successfully completed the Biblionet program, a $26.9 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over six years.
- As a result of the impact of the Biblionet program, he was named Digital Champion by the Government of Romania.
- He is involved in the development and implementation of innovative strategies that address the needs of the community and bring sustainable improvements through the use of emerging technologies.
- Management consulting
- Organizational Development
- Project Management
- Social Impact
Ovidiu Clipici
Management Consultant and Leadership Coach
- With over 15 years of experience in Management, having gone through all managerial levels, he has contributed, among other things, to the founding of a successful software services studio on the European market.
europeană. - He is currently collaborating with AirportLabs, a prestigious Romanian company that provides software solutions to airports worldwide.
- He is a founding member and Manager of the Quality Systems Department, having formed teams that truly perform and are motivated by a unique organizational culture.
He is currently a mentor in the Group Coaching program at the Leadership Identity Academy On, organizing and collaborating on various coaching workshops, training sessions, and team-building events, both nationally and across Europe.
- Project Management
- Business analysis
- Product Management
- Training and Personal Development
Erika Țiplea
Botanical Bar Events
- Manager of Botanical Bar Events, a concept born out of a passion for the hospitality industry in 2023.
10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. During these 10 years, I have worked in various locations across the country, managed teams at major festivals, and participated in courses and conventions.
Event organizer for events such as festivals, acoustic music concerts, and tastings.
4 years of experience in the financial and accounting field at Contzilla, where I was responsible for company accounting, consultancy, and writing specialized financial articles for both entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
- Sustainability in business
Leadership
Team Management
Tax consultancy for company setup
Almășan Traian
City Tours and Events
- Over 15 years experience as a tour guide in Romania, offering tourists authentic and personalized experiences
- Entrepreneur in tourism since 2007, developing innovative tourism services adapted to the international market.
- General Manager of City Tours & Events, coordinating the rebranding and expansion of services to meet market and client requirements across various industries
- Development and promotion of tourism products, creating thematic itineraries and exclusive packages for clients from Romania and the German part of Europe
- Leadership
Marketing and Sales- Tourism
Crișan Andrei
ARC Account
- He has a PhD in Economics since 2017 and has been a member of the Romanian Body of Expert Accountants and Certified Accountants (CECCAR) since 2018.
- He has 6 years of experience in Accounting and research in Accounting
Unique associate in 2 accounting firms established in 2019, respectively 2023
- Strategic Thinking
- Financial Consultancy
- Taxes for small businesses
- Accounting