In an exciting development for the innovative CreaSus project, the official confirmation of its Advisory Board marks a significant milestone. Comprising a diverse group of experts and thought leaders in sustainability, technology, and creative industries, the Advisory Board is poised to guide CreaSus in its mission to foster sustainable solutions and creative advancements. This distinguished panel will provide strategic insights, ensuring the project’s initiatives are impactful, forward-thinking, and aligned with global sustainability goals. With their collective expertise, the CreaSus Advisory Board is set to drive the project towards achieving its visionary objectives, creating a brighter, more sustainable future.
Niamh Costello | Chief Executive Officer of CREW, Ireland
Niamh is the Chief Executive Officer of CREW, The West of Ireland’s first Enterprise & Innovation Hub focused on the development of entrepreneurs in the Creative Industries, Creative Technology (CreaTech) sectors. CREW encompasses a wide spectrum, including film and TV production, virtual production, animation, gaming, content development, immersive technology, and digital design. Niamh is a founding director and board member of the Galway City Innovation District, better known as Portershed. Additionally, she holds a two-year term as a director of the Galway Chamber of Commerce and a three-year term as a director of Network Galway. Niamh also serves as the Vice Chair and Director of the Community Enterprise Association of Ireland, representing over 120 centres across Ireland. With an international career that began in hotel management, Niamh held senior roles in luxury hotel groups in Dublin, London, and Australia.
Argyro Barata | Founder and Managing Director of Handpicked; Co-Founder of FEAST Greece; Expert Evaluator of EIT Culture & Creativity, Greece
Argyro designs interactive experiences for companies, organisations, and tourist destinations. She founded and manages Handpicked, a production company curating events in collaboration with experts in various fields. She supports and trains emerging creators in cultural entrepreneurship with sustainable practices and has coordinated programs like FEAST Greece to enhance collective impact. As a member of the Resilient Thessaloniki Group, she helped implement the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities program. Argyro developed educational programs for American Tech Labs in Greek Municipal Libraries and curates content for projects using texts, discussions, videos, and podcasts. She is an expert at the European Institute of Innovation & Technology for Cultural & Creative Industries, President of Culture for Change, and a mentor on Women on Top, promoting women’s professional empowerment.
Paula Ráez | Culture and Sustainability Consultant at Gabeiras y Asociados Law Firm, Spain
Paula works to promote more sustainable cultural production models, rigorously quantifying the integration of cultural activities into the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. She has contributed to various publications: Equality Protocols for Audiences and Artists at Music Festivals, MIM Self-Assessment Equality Test, Music Festivals and the 2030 Agenda, Reflections on the Impacts of the Cultural and Creative Sectors. She has also taught and provided training for various public and academic institutions, and participated in numerous panels and conferences in the cultural sector.
María Lorenzo | Project Coordinator at Gabeiras Foundation, Spain
María holds a degree in Art History and a Master’s in Cultural Management from the Carlos III University of Madrid, as well as a Master’s in Cultural Law from the National Distance Education University-Carlos III University. She has over 10 years of experience in the management, direction, and curation of cultural projects and research on cultural rights. She has contributed to various publications, expert committees, and specialised training sessions.
Francesca Imperiale | Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Salento, Italy
Francesca is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Salento (Italy), where she also stands as Vice Director of the ISUFI School. Since 2008 she has been teaching management of cultural organizations, with a focus on heritage asset management, accounting and risk management. On these topics, she participated in several research projects in partnerships with public institutions in Italy and in the Mediterranean area. In the period 2018-2021 she served as President of the ENCATC – European Network on Cultural Management and Policy.
