Chief Executive Officer

Dr Julia Stamm

A purpose-driven leader with profound expertise in the areas of science, policy, technology and innovation for the common good, Julia Stamm has long-standing leadership and management experience in national and international organisations, such as COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), the G20 and the European Commission, as well as as founder and entrepreneur. 

Julia regularly advises a broad range of stakeholders in academia, civil society, policy-making and business, helping them find new ways of thinking and acting to meet the challenges our societies are facing and build sustainable and equitable futures.

In 2019, she founded The Futures Project, an international non-profit initiative aiming to build better futures by ensuring that innovation and technology serve the real needs of people and planet. She serves on several boards and committees, such as the International Programming Committee of MTL Connect. In 2021, she received the Digital Female Leader Award, category “Global Hero”. Julia is a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader.

Co-Founder & Principal Scientific Advisor

Dr Stefaan G Verhulst

Dr. Stefaan G. Verhulst is an expert in using data and technology for social impact. He is the Co-Founder of several research organizations including the Governance Laboratory (GovLab) at New York University, which focuses on using advances in science and technology to improve decision-making and problem-solving. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the open-access journal Data & Policy and has served as a member of several expert groups on data and technology, including the High-Level Expert Group to the European Commission on Business-to-Government Data Sharing and the Expert Group to Eurostat on using Private Sector data for Official Statistics. 

Stefaan has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Academics in Digital Government globally. He has published extensively on these topics, including several books, and has been invited to speak at international conferences, including TED and the UN World Data Forum. He is asked regularly to provide counsel on data stewardship to a variety of public and private organizations.

Head of Communications and Community

Charles Kinney

Charles Kinney is a senior project and communications manager, specializing in digital diplomacy, storytelling, media, and content creation. Diverse roles and unique projects ranging from head of department to specialist include NGOs, the UN, the US State Department, the EU, and the Dutch government. Charles’ interests include creative graphic and web design, social media management, videography and course development, with an interest in data and managed AI as a force of good rather than unintended consequences.

Charles is also a writer, with a publication range from academia to pop culture. A lifelong traveler and learner, his portfolio encompasses international experience in Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Norway, Greece, Greenland, Denmark, Japan, Israel, the Republic of Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Program Manager

Laura Sandor

Laura Sandor is a data governance specialist holding a certification with The London School of Economics and Political Science in “Data: Law, Policy, and Regulation”. She earned an MSc in Social Policy and Public Health from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Her research included investigating European policies around AI and developing an ethical framework for its application in pharmaceutical promotion and marketing strategies.

Currently also a 2022-2023 Research Fellow at the Datasphere Initiative, Laura investigates prevalent localization policies and measures within the healthcare sector, and the possible limiting effects it may have on a micro-/macro- level. Laura has previously worked as an assistant for the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University and gained an Honours BSc in Developmental Psychology from Carleton University in Canada. Alongside her studies, she was an Officer Cadet for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Program Manager

Moiz Shaikh

An experienced professional in the areas of data governance and change management, Moiz Shaikh has led large scale systems transformation projects, enabling operational excellence in partnership with government departments, philanthropic institutions and civil society organizations. Prior to joining The Data Tank, Moiz worked for Aam Digital, a technology-for-good startup in Berlin, as their Head of Partnership and supported NGOs in the global south to adopt digital technology and be data driven.
Moiz holds a Master of Public Administration from Hertie School, Berlin, a management degree from Symbiosis University and an engineering degree from University of Pune, India. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Project Associate

Natalia Mejia Pardo

Natalia Mejia Pardo is a political scientist with a keen interest in data-driven policies. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany, and a BA in Political Science and Government from Rosario University, Colombia. Natalia has previous experience in public finances, formulation, and evaluation of investment projects, gained through her work in the Colombian National Planning Department. 

In Berlin, Natalia has worked as a researcher and project leader with different NGOs on projects related to the health sector, blockchain, social innovation, and the SDGs. In 2022, she was a cohort member of the Vision Health Pioneers Incubator, working as a data analyst in a digital health startup. Natalia is interested in the intersection between innovation, technology, and social impact, especially in the health and education sectors.

Project Associate

Paulina Behuli

Paulina Behuli is a digital governance specialist, specifically, public sector innovation & transformation. She had led several open data projects in Kosovo and across the Western Balkans, varying from measuring the institutional openness of key public administration bodies, increasing civil servants data capacities, and empowering youth with the necessary tech skills to bridge the market skills gap.

Prior to joining the Data Tank, Paulina worked for the Berlin Innovation Agency supporting their B2B programs as well as the pre-seed tech accelerator program, which got her closer to the tech and data startup ecosystem in Berlin. Paulina holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin with a concentration in Management & Organizations and research focus in Digital Governance. She is a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Kosovo with concentrations in Public Policy & Management.

Project Assistant

Alvaro Guijarro May

Alvaro Guijarro May is a passionate industrial engineer who believes in the power of data to foster continuous improvement in technology, productivity, and societal well-being. With a background covering a range of industries, Alvaro has extensive experience in utilizing data analysis and visualization to support effective decision-making.

After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, Alvaro has continued his education by pursuing a Master of Data Science for Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany. He recognizes the critical importance of data literacy and implementation in policy development, and is using his master’s degree to acquire the tools needed to make a positive impact in this area.

Executive Assistant

Jasmin Menten

Jasmin Menten is a project and event manager holding a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication from the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication in Vienna. She also studied Business Communication, International Marketing and Cross-Cultural Management at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. Jasmin gained valuable professional experience as an executive assistant and project manager at Controller Institut Austria. Since moving to Belgium in 2018, she mainly focused on project leadership in event management, personal assistance and admin support. She is fluent in German, English and Dutch.

Student Assistant

Elena Murray

Elena Murray has an interest in how data can be harnessed as a powerful tool for addressing complex challenges and driving positive change. Her background reaches across both public and private organizations within the higher education sector across Australia and Colombia, gaining valuable insights into the transformative potential of data.

Elena holds a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Queensland, Australia, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the Hertie School in Berlin. She is eager to continue her experiences in the field of public policy, where her focus is on expanding her knowledge and technical capabilities to leverage data effectively in this domain.