With more than 15,000 votes and almost 50 nominees, coming from 20 countries in Central Eastern Europe, we are thrilled to announce the finalists of the CEENERGYNEWS Awards, which are giving recognition to the most influential energy leaders of Central and Eastern Europe.
Nominees were selected in four categories as we are looking for the most influential energy leaders, experts, young influencers and women leaders who are shaping the future of the energy sector.
The most influential energy leader
The first category is dedicated to finding the most influential energy leader, somebody who has done an outstanding job in driving the sustainability agenda of a company; responded well to the recent challenges of the energy world and ultimately managed to inspire the members of the team.
The three finalists are: Gary Mazzotti, Deputy Chairman of the Board and CEO of EP Infrastructure; Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK; and Franck Neel, Executive Board Member of OMV Petrom.
The most influential energy expert
Our second category is dedicated to finding the most influential energy expert, somebody whose work has had the biggest impact on the energy world; who challenged others to think differently, initiating constructive discussion; and shaped the energy industry locally and/or globally by creating opportunities for discussions and debate.
The finalists of this category are: Zsófi Beck, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group in Hungary; Linda Zeilina, Founder and CEO of the International Sustainable Finance Center in the Czech Republic; and Naida Taso, Renewable Energy Expert, at the Energy Community Secretariat.
The best young energy influencer
In our third category, we decided to give recognition to the best young energy influencer, a young leader who has made the biggest contribution to the energy sector (through a start-up, an initiative, or a project); inspired other young professionals and shaped the local environmental and climate policy.
Our finalists in this category include: Learta Hollaj, Deputy Chief of Staff, Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo; Zsófia Biró, Assistant Research Fellow at the University of Pécs, Hungary; and Rares Hurghis, Strategy Expert at ENGIE Romania.
The most influential women energy leaders
Finally, together with the Women in Energy Association (WONY), a special category is dedicated to the most influential women leaders, women who not only excelled in their field but also became an example for others and inspired younger generations to break the “glass ceiling” of the energy sector.
And the finalists are: Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi, Executive Director of the Association of Women in the Energy Sector of Kosovo; Maria Cristina Schiparieff, Head of Gas Origination and Market Access at Engie Romania; and Boyana Achovski, Secretary General at GIE.
We are looking forward to giving recognition to these inspiring people at an in-person awards ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on 4 December 2023!