Team

Anna is passionate about researching the innovation-based development of regional economies, particularly in areas considered non-core. She holds degrees in spatial planning and economic geography and has extensive experience managing research projects both nationally and internationally. 

Franz researches the intersection of finance, digital technologies, and regional transformations. His PhD thesis analysed geographical differences in access to finance for small enterprises. Currently, he is involved in several Ruhr development projects focusing on cybersecurity and engaging young people as skilled professionals to reinforce regional transformation.

Kerstin has a background in geography and spatial planning and is passionate about sustainable transformation. She has developed living labs and co-founded neighbourhood revitalization associations. Her research interests lie in sustainable solutions for non-core regions. She is a PhD candidate on urban manufacturing as part of the sustainable transition of cities. 

Maria has research experience in new business models at the interface between crafts and design, participative governance and social innovation. She is currently a PhD candidate with a topic on the diffusion of social innovation and teaches master seminars on social innovation and innovation systems. 

Ralitsa is the Executive Director of RAPIV. She has more than 20 years of academic experience as a university professor and has led more than 15 national and international projects. She is a consultant and trainer in international business, startup and business development, project development, and project management. 

Mariya is the Financial Manager and Coordinator at RAPIV. She has over 15 years of experience in project management and financial management and coordination. She is a consultant and trainer on business startup and development, financial management of SMEs, and has experience in conducting research and developing analysis, and strategic policy plans for development. 

Irina has more than 10 years of project experience and a strong background in business development. She is a certified consultant by Start-up Commons and experienced in conducting research and developing analyses. 

Marina has a background in business and management with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on family business, women entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, startups, and the development of impactful sustainable business models. She holds an M.Sc. in accounting and a PhD in the field of family businesses and their innovativeness. She has extensive experience with national and international development and research projects and the internationalisation of HEIs. 

Dr. Suzana Herman is an Assistant Professor and head of online education development at DOBA Faculty. Her research focuses on tourism, sustainable development, economic resilience, and digital transformation in education. She leads innovation in online learning and contributes to international research efforts that blend academic excellence with real-world application.

Martina is an assistant professor and project coordinator at DOBA Business School Maribor, and a researcher at the Institute for Developmental and Strategic Analysis in Ljubljana. She holds a PhD in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Relations.

Zineta is currently a lecturer in Business Finance as well as Management and Organization at couple private higher education institutions. She also serves as an online mentor and teaching assistant at DOBA Business School, supporting courses in management, entrepreneurship, and psychology.

Benjamin Krüger is an IT security speaker and awareness trainer at AWARE7 GmbH. Before joining AWARE7 GmbH, he was a senior project manager at the Institute for Internet Security. There he developed an e-learning platform for IT security for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in addition to several media projects for teaching digital skills. As a trained journalist, he brings the ability to communicate complex knowledge easily to the IT security industry.

Chris is managing partner of AWARE7 GmbH and studied business informatics in the bachelor and internet security in the master. He has worked to build the company up to 40 employees. In doing so, Chris is responsible for addressing numerous themes. In the day-to-day business, he is responsible for executing successful projects. No matter if cybersecurity awareness campaign, phishing simulations for several thousand people or the provision of e-learnings.