CES ESG Institute

Petronela Despoiu

Corporate Credit Risk Coordinator, Transilvania Bank

Petronela Despoiu brings over 20 years of experience in finance, specializing in sustainable finance and corporate credit risk. Her experience includes how ESG performance influences access to credit and financing terms, as well as structuring and securing financing for green projects.

Petronela holds a Certificate in ESG Investing from CFA Institute and Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business (ACCA UK). She has a degree in Foreign Trade from Babeș-Bolyai University and also a Law degree, combining financial, legal and sustainability expertise to support clients in transitioning to responsible and green financing.

Daniela Beleș

Sustainability Performance Manager, Holcim

Daniela Beleș holds over 20 years of experience in the private and academic sectors, specializing in developing and implementing sustainability and circular economy strategies, environmental and safety risk management.

Her education includes a Master’s in Hygiène, Sécurité et Management Environnemental from Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne and a PhD in Earth Sciences from Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. Daniela also holds international specializations in Business Sustainability and Organizational Leadership.

Alexandru Chiriță

CEO, Electrica

Alexandru Chiriță has over 15 years of experience at the intersection of technology, energy, and complex systems, focusing on developing resilient infrastructure and innovative solutions that support the energy transition.

His educational background combines a law degree with executive programs at Yale, Oxford, and Envisia – Henley Business School, reflecting his commitment to sustainable finance, energy transition, and digital innovation.

Mihai Toader-Pasti

ESG Expert & Strategist, Founder Towards0 & DearNeighbour

Mihai Toader-Pasti has over 15 years of experience in projects related to communities, sustainability, energy, and green buildings. He co-founded impactful initiatives such as EFdeN, which created two of the world’s most sustainable houses, winning over 40 national and international awards, and ÎntreVecini (DearNeighbour), building a decentralised network of urban communities across Romania. The initiative brings together over 10.000 people in 100 neighborhood-based communities actively involved in local projects driving the much-needed change.

Mihai has completed training programs in ESG, green energy, and digital transformation, including Sustainable Environmental Management at prestigious institutions such as UC Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge.

Oana Vîlceanu

Head of Sustainability Strategy & Impact, Stratos

Oana Vîlceanu has over 10 years of experience in operations and project management, where she has coordinated complex projects and supported organizational effectiveness. Building on this operational background, Oana has specialized in integrating business principles with sustainability and environmental compliance.

She holds relevant sustainability certifications, including Corporate Governance and ESG Disclosure, and Corporate & Business Strategy — issued by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). She has also completed advanced training in CSRD, ESRS and the EU Taxonomy. Oana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics and a Master’s in Business Administration, a background that enables her to bridge operational, strategic and sustainability concepts to support organizations in their transition toward responsible business practices and green projects.

Magdalena Caramilea

Sustainability Director, Autonom

With more than 20 years of experience in finance and reporting, Magdalena Caramilea transitioned into the sustainability field 5 years ago, currently holding the role as Sustainability Director at Autonom. She leads the company’s sustainability strategy, oversees reporting, coordinates green projects and sustainable finance initiatives, conducts scenario analysis and due diligence, and provides ESG advisory.

Magdalena is certified as an INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS® (ISB®) Advisor by the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE) and has completed executive training in Green, Social, and Sustainable Bonds through IFC and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).

Ana-Maria Iordache

Legal Partner D&B David and Baias

Ana Maria Iordache is Legal Partner and head of the ESG practice within PwC Tax, Legal & People Office, and has over 10 years of experience in environmental law and sustainability.

She combines deep expertise in Romanian and European law with hands-on knowledge of the EU Green Deal and the EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan, covering CSRD, SFDR, EUDR, CSDDD, CBAM, and EU ETS, as well as broader ESG topics such as carbon pricing, ESG in supply chains, impact investing and ESG ratings. Leading a dynamic team of ESG specialists and lawyers, Ana Maria has advised a diverse portfolio of clients across oil & gas, retail, automotive, cement, iron & steel, as well as the financial sector, including asset managers, asset owners and credit institutions.

Ana Bobircă

President of the Governance & Sustainability Committee, Hidroelectrica

Ana BOBIRCĂ is an experienced professional in the field of investments and corporate governance, with over 20 years of collaboration with international investment funds and serving as a partner in a local private equity firm.

She is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Transport Trade Services, member of the Supervisory Board of Hidroelectrica, Chair of the Board of Directors of Veranda Mall, and member of the Board of Directors of MAIB IFN Romania.

She is a university lecturer at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), Faculty of International Economic Relations, and an associate professor within the Romanian-French INDE MBA program, where she teaches advanced finance courses. She holds a PhD in Economics and has completed executive education programs in governance, sustainability, and sustainable finance at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), The Institute of Corporate Governance, and the University of Cambridge.

Răzvan Rusu

Vice President of the Association of Financial-Banking Analysts of Romania

Răzvan Alexandru Rusu is an investment professional with over 20 years of experience in portfolio management and executive roles in asset and pension fund management. He is currently a Portfolio Manager at Allianz-Țiriac Private Pensions, where he oversees investments in both local and international equities and is actively involved in the corporate governance of portfolio companies.

He is also a member of the Corporate Governance Commission of the Bucharest Stock Exchange and a member of the Capital Markets Commission of the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies. He holds the CESGA® certification and is a GRI Sustainability Professional, earned an Executive MBA from the University of Geneva, and serves as Vice President of the Association of Financial-Banking Analysts of Romania (AAFBR).

Adriana Duțescu

PhD Professor ASE, Board Member and Chair of the Audit, Risk and Sustainability Committee in the banking sector

Adriana Duțescu has over 30 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and corporate governance, serving as an expert accountant (member of Corpul Experților Contabili și Contabililor Autorizați din România), financial auditor (member of Camera Auditorilor Financiari din România), and university professor at ASE Bucharest. She was a member of the Supervisory Board of EFRAG, contributing to the application of IFRS by the European Comission and participated in the working groups of Accountancy Europe and the international working group of the Ministry of Finance for aligning Romanian accounting regulations with European directives and IFRS.

She founded and developed financial services firms and delivered professional training programs. She has over 20 years of experience on professional body boards and more than 10 years in banking and insurance, including as Chair of the Audit, Risk, and Sustainability Committee. She is a full professor, PhD supervisor, and researcher with an interest in sustainability reporting, holding certifications from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education and ACCA.

Andrei Corlan

General Commissioner of the National Environmental Guard

Andrei Corlan is the General Commissioner of the National Environmental Guard, with 16 years of experience within the institution, overseeing enforcement, compliance, and the implementation of environmental legislation at the national level.

In the context of the sustainability agenda, the National Environmental Guard helps create a predictable compliance framework, supporting the transition to responsible business practices through institutional dialogue and collaboration among authorities, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.

Raluca Ștefan

Corporate Affairs Manager, BAT Romania

Raluca brings a strong expertise in corporate affairs, strategic communication, and reputation management within one of the most highly regulated consumer goods sectors. In her role within an industry-leading company, she focuses on strengthening corporate reputation by navigating complex regulatory landscapes, advancing responsible business practices, and fostering transparent, trust‑based communication with institutional and social stakeholders.

Her work places a strong emphasis on ESG integration, particularly in areas such as responsible product transition, illicit trade awareness, sustainability communication, and policy advocacy. Her contribution is especially relevant to advancing transparent business practices and sustainability commitments while ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory requirements and broader social expectations.