JCI Europe
Leadership Interviews
Welcome to our JCI Europe Leadership Interviews. Here you can learn all about our local and international leaders and how they facilitate positive change.
Leadership Is Not About Reaching the Top Alone. It is About Creating Space for Others to Grow
This month, we sit down with Catia — a business leader, mother, mountain guide and passionate JCI member who brings a unique perspective on...
Leaders Create Leaders: A Conversation with Bart Van Proeyen, 2026 JCI Belgium National President, on Leadership, Impact and Legacy
What does it really mean to be a leader—and how do we make sure our leadership creates impact beyond our own mandate? In this interview, Bart Van...
Designing the Future: Why Great Leaders Build Communities, Not Followers. An Honest Conversation with Phoebe Benta-Albertsen, Design Community & Events, LEGO Design
This month, we are delighted to feature the leader behind Design Community & Events at LEGO Design, Phoebe Benta-Albertsen, where she cultivates...
From Entrepreneur at 19 to Global Brand Strategist: The Story and Vision of Stef Verbeeck: Partner and Senior Brand Strategist at Pavlov, JCI Member and Senator
What does it take to build brands that truly matter in an age of AI, automation, and constant change? In this exclusive interview, Stef...
Building Leadership on Education, Merit, and Courage: The Vision of Diana Mardarovici
Diana Mardarovici, originally from the Republic of Moldova, came to Bucharest to study, but did not stop there. Together with a group of ambitious...
Lessons from the Edge: Leadership, Resilience, and Exploration. A Conversation with Explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke
In this month’s interview, explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke shares lessons from the edge of human endurance—where leadership, resilience, and purpose...
“Leadership is not about being the strongest voice in the room. It is about creating a room where every voice can contribute.” – Nihal Zoroğlu, 2026 Chief Executive Assistant to the President
This March, we have the pleasure of learning from a leader who has helped guide growth and alignment across the globe. With years of hands-on...
“I am guided by the philosophy of Kaizen and the relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. I am inspired by the theory that a 1% daily improvement can compound into unbelievable results over time.” – Elvin Teo, JCI Secretary General
Today we have the honor of welcoming a leader who embodies vision, courage, and service: Elvin Teo. Elvin Teo is the Secretary General for Junior...
“A legacy of clarity, connection, and reliability. Not centered on me, but reflected in others feeling stronger in their leadership, is what I aim to leave behind.” – Stefanie van der Sman, 2026 JCI Executive Vice President for Europe
We start our 2026 Leadership Interviews series with the leader of JCI Europe for this year, our JCI Executive Vice President, Stefanie van der Sman...
2026 JCI President, Alejandra Castillo: “There is something powerful that lives in the mind of a woman: persistence—the stubborn determination to reach her objective.”
The last interview of the year deserves a remarkable leader. In this edition, we welcome the 2026 JCI President—the fifth woman to serve in this...
“An effective leader must set the tone, define the path forward, and have the courage to make the call, even if it isn’t unanimous.” – Kevin Hin, Founding Director General of WenCHAM
The leader of September is Kevin Hin - Founding Director General of WenCHAM – the World Chamber of Entrepreneurs for Economic Development and past...
“I wasn’t born a leader — I became one through failure, mentorship, and learning by doing” – Ismail Haznedar, 2015 JCI President
Born in Tetovo, North Macedonia, I grew up between cultures, learning resilience and adaptability from an early age. After graduating from Middle...