The European Commission has appointed four new members to the Governing Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), who will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.
The EIT welcomes the following experts:
- Vicky D. Vicky Kefalas (Greece/USA) – Board Member of the European Innovation Council and Lavipharm. She brings a wealth of experience in biotechnology and strategy consulting.
- Flavia Popescu-Richardson (Romania/UK) – Founder of Acclivity Ventures, an investment company focused on supporting startups and innovations with a positive social impact.
- Marcella Panucci (Italy) – Head of Cabinet at the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research, formerly CEO of Confindustria, the largest employers’ organisation.
- Ján Oravec (Slovakia) – former State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Economy and long-time President of the Association of Slovak Entrepreneurs, with a strong background in supporting the business environment.
The new members bring to the Institute extensive expertise in business, education, and research, as well as a wealth of experience in fostering cooperation between different sectors. The EIT Governing Board plays a crucial role in setting the Institute’s strategic priorities, as well as in selecting and monitoring its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which bring together the academic, public and private sectors.
The new names in the EIT leadership come at a time when the Governing Board is presenting a new vision for a stronger and more competitive Europe. The vision highlights the need to deepen synergies between European financial instruments as well as to increase impact through innovation across Member States.
At a time when skills shortages and the slow pace of innovation are becoming one of the EU’s major challenges, the EIT will play an increasingly important role in linking education, research and business. The new Board members will thus have a key influence on how the EIT responds to the needs of the European economy, labour market and society.
More information here.
Published 23.06.2025, slord
