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#MeetTheTeam Mini series

Posted by admin 13Jun
Aleksandra Szymańska - Niekłań, Project coordinator for the 8th time!
 
Aleksandra is a cultural manager by profession and a connector by instinct. She leads the Intercultural Dialogue Platform at Villa Decius in Kraków and has been coordinating the #VisegradSummerSchool since 2017.
 
With a background spanning journalism, geodesy, and European funding, she’s equally at ease drafting strategies, curating projects, and mentoring young professionals. Aleksandra believes in the power of culture as a meeting ground and in designing events that bring unexpected people into the same room - and give them a reason to stay.

So far, she has managed to pull off over 500 events (without losing her sense of humor), mentored dozens of young professionals, and collaborated with international institutions like Goethe-Institut, the International Visegrad Fund, and Erasmus+, always on the lookout for fresh angles, bold partnerships, and cultural "aha!" moments.
 
She wears many pairs of shoes, including flats and high heels, hiking boots, and dancing slippers, depending on the project, the people, and the path ahead.
 
When not managing grants or moderating debates, she’s probably hanging out with her silver cat (whose personality deserves its own paragraph).




 

Carlos Panek

Continuing our #MeetTheTeam mini-series, we’re excited to introduce someone already well known at Villa Decius, who is officially joining the VSS coordination crew with his signature energy and insight!
 
Born in São Paulo and now based in Kraków, Carlos is a cultural manager and international cooperation specialist. At Villa Decius, he leads EU-funded projects like WIRE (Women in Resistance) and the Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello. His previous roles include shaping cultural diplomacy at the City of Kraków, managing global education initiatives at NAWA, and coordinating partnerships across the Americas and Africa at the Jagiellonian University.
 
Also a TEDx speaker and a graduate of the School of Innovation and Diplomacy of Science, Carlos speaks Portuguese, Polish, English, and a good deal of Spanish. This summer, he’s ready to add one more fluent language: VSS.
 




Anna Słupek

Continuing our #MeetTheTeam mini-series, it’s time to introduce someone quietly holding the coordination fort, especially when the inbox gets a little too lively.

Ania is back for her second round as VSS co-coordinator, which means she already knows exactly what she's signed up for (and still says more). A graduate in International Relations and now a PhD candidate in Political Science, she somehow manages to balance academia, project management, and a social life, which is honestly a skill set of its own.

At Villa Decius, she focuses on inclusive education projects and coordinates our partnership with the Multicultural Center in Krakow. She’s also a certified guide of the Villa, so if you ask too many questions, don’t be surprised if she quizzes you on Renaissance trivia.

This summer, she's bringing experience, precision, and the right amount of order to the VSS chaos. And if you’re wondering who had the answers to your most important emails? Yup, that was probably Ania.

 

 
Anna Antoniewska

Financial and project management specialist with over 15 years of experience in cultural, educational, and international cooperation projects. She has successfully managed and settled dozens of complex, multi-source initiatives funded by the Visegrad Fund, Goethe-Institut, ERASMUS+, Horizon 2020, CERV, EEA Grants, and many others.

Since 2017, Anna has been a key member of the Villa Decius Association team, overseeing accounting, HR processes, and serving as the financial backbone of EU-funded and bilateral projects. A graduate of Public Administration at the University of Szczecin, she previously worked with tax offices, accounting bureaus, and private enterprises, gaining expertise in navigating the complexities of public funding with grace and grit.

Anna is known for her reliability, independence, and her ability to make even Excel spreadsheets look inspiring. She's a believer in the power of precise planning and good humor. She’s also - undisputedly - the loudest voice in the office, often heard before she’s seen.

When she’s not closing budgets or chasing invoices, she enjoys literature, sports, and strong coffee (preferably with company).
 


 

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