Meet the Secretariat
Paolo Falcioni has been APPLiA's Director General since January 2014. In this position he focused on improving the association visibility and effectiveness within Europe and internationally. To that extent, he has been one of the founders of the International Roundtable of Household Appliance Manufacturers Associations (IRHMA) which tackles world-wide issues like sustainability and innovation in a global manner.
He served for three year as Chairman of the Coalition for Energy Savings, a multi-stakeholder group aiming at improving energy efficiency in Europe.
He is one of the Board members in Smart Energy Europe, smartEn fostering demand side management to help consumers to reap the benefits of the new Energy market.
In 2016 he has been nominated member of the REFIT platform as a representative of the stakeholder group. The REFIT Platform brings together the Commission, national authorities and other stakeholders in regular meetings to improve existing EU legislation.
Paolo graduated in electronic engineering from University of Ancona, in Italy. He started working in the telecommunication sector and, after that, he worked within the household appliance industry sector where he held positions with growing responsibilities.
An Italian national, Paolo also speaks English and French fluently. In his free time, he likes baking homemade delicacies.
Candice Franck is APPLiA's Office Manager. She joined APPLiA in December 2008. She assists the Director General and the Secretariat in administrative and logistical tasks. She manages the office and is the interface with accountants, human resources services, members and external parties/suppliers. Prior to joining APPLiA, Candice worked at the European University Association, GDF Suez International and Bredin Prat Law firm as Personal, Communication and Events Assistant. Candice holds a M.A. in Applied Foreign Languages (English, Portuguese) and Business and Trade from the Paul Valery University, Montpellier, based in France. A Belgian national, Candice also speaks English and has a good grasp of Spanish and Portuguese. She likes quality food (especially truffle) and quality time with family and friends. She has a passion for photography and music. In her free time she enjoys a glass of rosé wine next to the fireplace.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Federica Lavoro is APPLiA’s Communications Manager as from January 2021. Before joining APPLiA, Federica has gained experience in communications and public affairs working in international governmental bodies and in Brussels-based associations in the field of sustainability. Prior than this, Federica completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Luiss University in Rome and University of Macau (China) and a Master’s Degree in International Relations at Luiss University, in Rome. Originally from Italy, Federica also speaks English and is learning French. In the spare time, Federica loves to take walks, travel, read and taste new food.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Alicia Raposo joined APPLiA as a Communication Assistant in April 2023 and has a background in audiovisual communication and graphic design. Before joining APPLiA, she worked in Brussels-based NGOs where she focused on cultural, social and sustainability topics. Prior to this, Alicia completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Audiovisual Communications at Burgos University (Spain) and University of Exeter (UK). Originally from Spain, Alicia also speaks English and is learning French. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys art, live music and traveling.
Korrina Hegarty is APPLiA’s Environment Policy Director and has been part of the team since 2007. She leads on environmental and sustainability issues relevant for the home appliance sector, including circular economy, resource efficiency, waste, chemical and materials issues. She has particular expertise in the WEEE Directive and circular economy aspects in Ecodesign and Energy Labelling legislation, having led major advocacy campaigns for the Association in the past years. With a degree in European Business Studies from Ulster University, Korrina has over 20 years experience in EU public affairs in Brussels. Prior to joining APPLiA, she was Head of South East Partners Brussels Office, a UK regional office representing local government interests, and Senior Policy Officer for the Northern Ireland Centre in Europe. Originally from Northern Ireland, Korrina also speaks French. In her free time, Korrina enjoys cooking and gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She has a keen interest in politics, current affairs and travelling to new places.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Naomi Marc is APPLiA's Environment Policy Manager and joined the team in October 2018. She holds a BA in political sciences from Université Saint-Louis in Brussels, followed by a MA also in political sciences from Université Libre of Brussels. Belgian national, she speaks fluently French, English and Romanian. She is also a piano player and loves to discover new places to see and to have good food.
Franziska joined Applia at the beginning of November as Policy Officer in the Environment Team. Prior to this, Franziska was working in the Government Affairs Office of Siemens Healthineers in Brussels where she mainly focused on sustainability topics. She also gained work experiences with internships in the German Council on Foreign Relations, the European Policy Centre and the German foundation Stiftung Mercator.
Franziska holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and a master's degree in European Studies from the Universities of Opole (Poland), Mainz (Germany) and Dijon (France).
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Matteo Rambaldi is APPLiA’s Energy Policy Director and has been part of the team since 2003. He leads the team working on ecodesign and energy label Regulations, including measures addressing product performance that are relevant for the household appliance sector. He also follows standardisation-related matters. Matteo holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Management from the University of Durham (UK) and a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of Bologna (Italy). He also spent one semester at Arhus University (Denmark) and at the University of Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium). Prior to joining APPLiA in 2003, he worked for the European Environmental Bureau in Brussels and at the North European Marine Services Ltd in Sunderland (UK). Matteo has solid experience in working on environmental issues, mostly in Brussels. An Italian national, Matteo also speaks English, French and Spanish fluently. He also has a grasp of Dutch and Portuguese. In his free time, Matteo likes preparing a nice Sunday risotto after a basketball game.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Giulia Zilla is APPLiA’s Energy and Environment Policy Manager. She is dealing mostly with the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulation for energy-related products. Before joining APPLiA, Giulia developed experience in policy analysis and advocacy while working for a European Trade Association and for an Italian confederation representing Small Middle Enterprises at the European level. She has been focusing her professional career on European energy and environmental policies and on relevant themes such as Circular Economy, Clean Energy and Low-carbon society. Giulia holds a BA in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Milan (Italy) and a MA in Energy and Environmental Change from the University of Westminster (London, UK). She also studied in Norway as an exchange student at the Arctic University of Tromsø. Giulia is Italian, she speaks fluently English and she is learning French; during her stays abroad, she also studied Norwegian and Spanish. She has a great passion for politics and she has been involved in different young political organisations. Giulia is a climber, and loves nature and mountains.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Anton joined APPLiA as a Junior Policy Officer in March 2023 and has a background in law and European affairs. Before joining APPLiA, he worked at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Brussels where he focused on environmental and sustainability topics. He also gathered experience as a trainee at the Legal Service to the Council of the EU and as a policy assistant at a trade association in the field of Waste-to-Energy.
Anton holds a Bachelor’s degree in International and European law as well as two Master’s Degrees in Energy and Climate Law and European Economic Law from the University of Groningen. Originally from Bulgaria, Anton is fluent in English and actively learning French. In his free time, he enjoys going to the cinema and preparing banitza, a typical Bulgarian breakfast pastry.
Candice Richaud is APPLiA’s Corporate Senior Policy Manager. She joined APPLiA in July 2008. Candice follows the EU energy and climate 2030 policies and consumer protection affairs. She is also in charge with APPLIA’s National Associations network. Before joining the APPLiA team, she completed internships at the European Commission’s DG for Competition and Interpol.
Candice has a specialisation in international law, politics & economics and foreign languages from the Universities of Grenoble & Lille (France). A French national, Candice speaks English as well as some knowledge of Portuguese and German. She enjoys listening to music at any occasion, loves architecture, decoration and travelling around.
Martin Oresic is APPLiA's EU Institution Liaison Officer from March 2022. Prior to joining APPLiA, Martin gained communication and policy experience working in the DG COMM in the European Parliament and ITRE team at Renew Europe. Prior to moving to Brussels, he held several positions in journalism and communication in Croatia and the United Kingdom.
Martin holds a master's degree in Political Communication from Cardiff University (United Kingdom) and a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Edward Bernays University College (Croatia). Originally from Croatia, Martin speaks English and has some knowledge of German. In his free time, Martin enjoys playing squash and tennis, traveling, and trying new foods.
Michał Zakrzewski is APPLiA’s Digital & Competitiveness Policy Director and has been part of the team since 2008. Michał follows a number of different topics: market surveillance, product safety, standardisation, market research, radio equipment. He managed the Appliance Testing for Energy Label Evaluation (ATLETE) Project and manages the Bilateral Verification Procedure (BVP) for APPLiA. Michał holds a Masters Degree in International Economics and International Relations from the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) in Poland and spent a semester at the Management University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Before joining APPLiA, Michał worked for over four years at APPLiA Polska, the domestic appliance industry’s representation in Poland, following the energy label and e-waste topics. A Polish national, Michał also speaks English and French and has some knowledge of German. In his free time after work, he loves playing with his kids and if he has some more free time, he likes travelling and reading about the history of 20th century Europe.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Alvaro Vilas is APPLiA’s Digital and Competitiveness Policy Manager as from July 2021. He focuses mostly on Digital Economy and Trade. Before joining APPLiA, Alvaro dealt with Telecoms sector regulation and connectivity at the European Commission and Trade association. He has addressed his professional career towards EU digital policies and technology regulation such as 5G, Telecommunications and data. Alvaro holds a BA in Law and Political Science from Complutense University in Madrid and a MA in European political and governance studies in the College of Europe. Besides, he study one year in Vienna University and he was member of the National Board of the European Law Students Association in Spain. Alvaro is Spanish, he speaks fluently English and he is learning French. During his period in Vienna he learned basic German. He has great passion for literature and cinema. He practise Aikido and loves hiking and nature.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
Yannick Lenaerts is APPLiA's Data Officer. He joined the team in February 2020. Yannick studied Political Science at the University of Leuven, Belgium, where he completed an MSc in Comparative and International Politics. He wrote his thesis on the influence of income inequality on individual trade policy preferences. Upon completing his master’s degree, Yannick interned at the De Standaard, working in the newsroom as a journalist and data analyst. Alongside English, Yannick speaks Dutch, French and some Serbian. When not programming or developing websites, he likes to ride his race bike and make good coffee.https://7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/APPLiA_europe>
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