The open house day of June 5 was the occasion to officially introduce the new EUBP staff members, Julie Pieters, EU Policy Affairs Officer, and Marion Thérage, Communications Manager, who both joined the team on 1 May. They joined the Brussels office, led by Roberto Ferrigno, Head of EU Affairs, since 1 February 2023. Get to know the two new team members with a self-portrait below:

On the left, Marion, Communications Manager, on the right, Julie, EU Policy Affairs Officer

Marion

Tea or coffee? Coffee, it has become a passion at this point. Good coffee really is what can turn my day around.

Your favourite saying? ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’ by Oscar Wilde.

A life lesson you will never forget? Since I was a teenager, I was working all summer every year to earn money and save for trips around the globe. I’ve had some very harsh, down-to-earth, menial jobs. It has kept me grounded all these years and it has allowed me to put things in perspective whenever a hardship is coming my way.

What makes you proud to do your job? I’ve always wanted to work for an industry that promotes circularity and has at heart to make this planet a better place than what it has been since decades. It took me a while to navigate through various industries, but I feel like I am right where I should be.

A fun fact about you that few people know? I am a very hobby-obsessed person, so every 6 months or so I will have a new obsession, music instrument, fun sport, craft activity, that I will thoroughly learn and practice intensively and then I move on to the next. Over the years I have tried gymnastics, ballet dancing, mountain biking, rock climbing, track and field, boxing, Krav Maga, yoga, Pilates, badminton, aerial yoga, skateboarding, surfing, roller blading, drawing, comic book sketching, Italian lessons, baking, coffee making, guitar playing, drums playing.

Julie

Tea or coffee? Tea, fruity without milk. My dose of daily energy comes from sugar. I’m not alien to the sugar rush.

Your favourite saying? ‘I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. I get most joy in life out of music.’ by Albert Einstein.

A life lesson you will never forget? I come from the Belgian coast and as my father’s family side works in the fishing business, I’ve been confronted from an early age with scarce natural resources and the human impact on nature. Because of this background and my education, I try to respect and live consciously with the nature around me.

What makes you proud to do your job? I’m happy to work in a sector that makes sense to me and that sees beyond pure capitalism and globalisation. As a fervent believer of bridging the gap, bringing people around the table and listening to all parties, I’m proud when compromise is found and when – even if everyone loses a little bit – all parties can come together in the end.

A fun fact about you that few people know? I’ve performed on stage in over 15 countries. Last week, I had the honour to sing and perform musical comedy with 230 chorists and 22 musicians for a full house at Le Palais des Congrès in Paris.