epi welcomes its first Executive Director

In order to meet current economic and structural needs and challenges, epi reinforces its Secretariat with the creation of a new position of Executive Director.

Implementation of Council decisions

epi has some 12,500 members in 38 countries, with many volunteer members who contribute to its operations, supported by a Secretariat of 17 employees.

As it has been increasingly difficult to find volunteers for the Board who can combine their professional activity with their duties as Board members, it has been deemed necessary to strengthen the support that the Secretariat provides.

In May 2019, Council unanimously approved the recruitment of an Executive Director (C86, decision 22). In November 2019, Council approved proposed amendments of the By-Laws and further regulations with regard to the Executive Director, including a proposed transitional provision (C87, decision 12). Finally, the Presidium approved on 29th January the entry into force of the amended By-Laws as of today (P2020-02, decision 2).

The Secretariat’s organisational chart is therefore modified with the creation of the new position of Executive Director.

Appointment of Ms Tatjana Lissak to the position of Executive Director

Starting today, our new Executive Director is Ms Tatjana Lissak, reporting to the Presidium. An economist by training, she has 20 years of international corporate and association experience with a focus in organizational development and process optimization. Her entrepreneurial thinking and customer- and service-orientation are matched with social competence, communication skills and team orientation.

Our President, Francis Leyder, said: “We are excited to welcome Tatjana to lead the Secretariat’s excellent team. She impressed the Presidium during the selection process and we are so thrilled we were able to hire her.”

Ms Lissak said: “I am honoured to join epi as Executive Director and look forward to leading the Secretariat. I am excited to support the Board, the Council and the Committees with an excellent team to further consolidate epi’s success and serve its members through relationships built on trust and solid communication.”

“I thank the Presidium for the confidence they have shown in me and I very much look forward to the collaboration with the Secretariat staff and the members of the Council.” Ms Lissak added. “Together, we will lead epi with a renewed motivation into the next era of success. I am very enthusiastic to get to know each one of you and work closely with you on our shared objectives.”