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.

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.