Foundation Ambassadors
The Foundation Ambassadors are exceptional characters distinguished by their education, professional experience and achievements, ethic conviction and cultural background acting on a voluntary basis. Hence, they are unique individuals who have one strong believe in common, namely an emotional commitment to a prosperous long term development of the Foundation’s aims and intentions, representing and supporting the Foundation with their name, personal network and active contribution.
Bulgaria
Silviya Dimitrova Georgieva
Born 02 August 1980, Bulgarian
silviya.georgieva@esperia-foundation.org
Graduate in music from the National Academy of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria; studied musicology, piano and choral conducting; graduate in music pedagogies and computer technologies in music at the Sofia University «Sv. Kliment Ochridisky»; Ph.D. in musicology.
Performances as solo pianist, in duos, trios and bigger ensembles and as solo and choir singer; further performances as entertainer (piano & voice); conductor of choirs and orchestras; teacher in piano, singing, conducting and theory of music at the Orfeas and at the Alexandrio School of Music in Thessaloniki, Greece; private lessons in the above subjects and in Bulgarian language; organizer of several music events; international experience in Bulgaria, Greece, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, France.
Languages: Bulgarian, English, Greek, German, Italian, Slavic languages
France
Olga Kostenko
Born 16 December 1969, Ukrainian
olga.kostenko@esperia-foundation.org
Ph.D. in history of international relations, Institute of International Relations of Kyiv State University; graduated from Grande Ecole of Public Administration in Paris.
Since January 1997 has been working in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where currently she is in charge of the Parliamentary Assistance Unit.
Worked as a Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine in 1995-1996, was responsible for the international cultural co-operation.
Started her professional career as a Project Coordinator in the UN office in Ukraine.
Has two state decorations: Order of Honour of Georgia 2006 and Order «Italian Star of Solidarity» with title Commendatore (II class) 2006.
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, French, English, German, Polish, Italian
Nadia Michoustina
Born 23 September 1971, Ukrainian
nadia.michoustina@esperia-foundation.org
Master of Philosophy (2005) and Master of Arts (1999) with specialization in Russian literature and Art History from Columbia University; Master of Arts (1996) and Bachelor of Arts in English (1993) from the University of Texas at Arlington.
As a journalist she covers the world of style, from international fashion collections to emerging talents and street trends. She interviews designers and executives in the fashion and luxury industry taking readers behind the scenes and into the minds of people who drive today’s fashion. Magazines and newspapers to which she contributes include Elle (Ukraine), L’Officiel (Russia) and NashaGazeta.ch.
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English, French
Germany
Ralph Lucke, Dr., Miesbach
Born 26 April 1961, German
ralph.lucke@esperia-foundation.org
Diploma of Material Science/Silicate Engineering from Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany; Doctor’s degree and Habilitation for Ceramics Sciences from Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg; Member of Leibniz-Sozietät der Wissenschaften Berlin.
As an independent Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Director of FIT-Ceramics, Miesbach, Germany; established in 2003 as Consulting Laboratory in the Fields of Ceramics Engineering, Material Design and Expertises. Prior he served many years in Leading Positions in the Technical Ceramics Industry. Engaged in various Industrial based Projects in Europe, North America and Asia. Guest Lecturer at Universities and Scientific Associations.
Languages: German, English
Switzerland
Nicole Beck
Born 28 June 1980, Swiss/Czech
nicole.beck@esperia-foundation.org
«Master in International Affairs» from University of St. Gallen, subsequent to studies in Business and International Law.
Relationship Manager at Clariden Leu, major Swiss private banking group, focusing on Central & Eastern European countries. Providing bankable financial solutions for private properties. Broad private banking expert knowledge also from Credit Suisse and UBS, Zurich.
Leading among others a project in Prague for structuring financial products according Swiss law.
Started working life as Credit Control Analyst at Cargill, Geneva, a commodity trading house.
Languages: German, English, French, Russian, Czech
Christine Bichovsky
Born 01 January 1948, Swiss
christine.bichovsky@esperia-foundation.org
Graduate from the ‘Ecole supérieure de commerce de Lausanne’; various studies in foreign languages in Germany and Colombia.
Retired from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern, after over 35 years of service. During her civil service she was engaged in the Swiss diplomatic and consular representations in Casablanca, Bogotá, Athens and Lyon. Furthermore, she was until her retirement in charge to attend the foreign delegations invited by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; these delegations included foreign journalists as well as politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and artists. Prior to her retiring, she has been a member of the Swiss delegation at the World Exhibition Aichi 2005 in Japan.
Languages: French, German, English, Spanish
Nataliya Dyka
Born 16 February 1978, Ukrainian
nataliya.dyka@esperia-foundation.org
Graduate in Commercial Law from University Paris 1 Sorbonne, France; Lawyer, Lviv Bar Association, Ukraine; Master’s Degree in Law at Lviv National University, Ukraine; Diploma Piano Performance and theoretical Disciplines at Liudkevych Music College, Lviv, Ukraine.
Export Director Eastern Europe of Bernardaud, Paris, one of 70 Companies that comprise the Comité Colbert, promotes the French Luxury Goods Industry abroad. Provided an economic, political and strategic Advisory Services on behalf of foreign Companies active in CIS countries, before to contribute to development of the Banking Sector within EIB, Luxembourg, MIGA/The World Bank Group and BCEN-EUROBANK, Paris. Member of the Board of several Ukrainian, French and Swiss Associations.
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, French, English, Polish
Lyudmyla Kamer-Plyas
Born 25 July 1980, Swiss
lyudmyla.kamer@esperia-foundation.org
More about our new ambassador is coming soon …
Ulrich Schmid
Born 23 October 1965, Swiss
ulrich.schmid@esperia-foundation.org
Professor for Culture and Society of Russia, University of St. Gallen, since 2007, 2005-2007 Professor at the University of Bochum, 2000-2004 Assistant Professor at the Universities of Bern and Basel, 1998 Visiting Lecturer at the Linguistic University of Kiev, 1995 Visiting Fellow at Harvard University. Habilitation at the University of Basel in 1999, Doctorate in 1995.
Project Director «Fascism in Poland 1930-39», University of Bern, 2003-2005; 2004-2007 President of the International Dostoevsky Society. Executive Member of Swiss Academic Society of Slavists (SAGS), Bern.
Main publications: Russian Religious Philosophers 2003. Russian Autobiographies between Avvakuum and Herzen 2000. Fedor Sologub 1995.
Languages: German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Old Church Slavonic