What we do the same: each of us learns a lot in our area of expertise as well as in the fields of interest; we search for data and information thoroughly; we document processes; each of us is ready to use arguments and debate until we reach consensus; we work hard and laugh harder.
What keeps us together: we share the same values; we believe in norms, including the moral ones; we worked for United Nations and have together over 50 years of working experience; we walk or use public transportation; spicy chocolate, coffee, ice-cream, readings and flavours.
What we do differently: we excel in different, yet complementary fields; we cover one of the three pillars of sustainable development (environment, social, and economic).
Lead consultants
Cristina Bălan, Partner Sustainability: vision, strategy & reporting
Cristina holds an engineer degree from the Faculty of Land Reclamation and Environmental Engineering (Bucharest University of Agronomic Sciences), and a MA degree in Marketing (Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies) as well as a post-graduate diploma in Journalism (London School of Journalism). Prior to becoming a CSR and sustainability consultant (2013), Cristina has worked for the UN Department of Information (1998 – 2012).
She is a licensed trainer (Romanian National Authority of Qualifications), a GRI Nominated Trainer and was the first Romanian specialist (and the sixth in the world) to have passed the G4 Exam. In 2021 she has successfully passed the GRI Certified Sustainability Professional Exam. Cristina is a PECB-certified trainer, while in 2018 she had become a PECB-certified ISO 20400 Lead Sustainable Procurement Manager, ISO 20121 Lead Implementer, ISO 20121 Provisional Auditor and a Certified Sustainability Assurance Practitioner (in 2015). Her areas of expertise include: ISO 20400 (sustainable procurement), ISO 20121 (sustainable events), stakeholder engagement (AA1000 SES), non-financial/ sustainability reporting (Global Reporting Initiative, SDGs, UN Global Compact), and sustainability assurance (Accountability Standards series: AA1000 AS, AA1000 APS).
As of January 1st, 2019, Cristina has a 3-year term as a member of one of the GRI’s governance bodies, the Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC).
Stela Serghiuță, Senior Partner
Stela graduated the Faculty of Physics, and completed a Master in Communication and Public Opinion, both at the University of Bucharest.
Prior to working as an independent consultant and trainer (2010 – 2015), she served as an Advocacy, Communication, Gender and Youth Programme Officer for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). She provided technical assistance and conducted training courses in Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Yemen.
Stela is a licensed trainer (Romanian National Authority of Qualifications), and a GRI Nominated Trainer; she passed the GRI G4 Exam in 2015 as well as the GRI Standards exam in 2018. Stela is specialised in social impact measurement (the Social Return on Investment/ SROI methodology), and non-financial/ sustainability reporting (GRI Standards, SDGs, UN Global Compact). She is also a PECB-certified trainer, and a PECB-certified ISO 26000 Lead Implementer and Provisional Auditor.