Éva Deák has been involved with the Step by Step program between 2001 – 2005 as the Executive Director of the Ec Pec Foundation and has served as the Executive Director of the Partners Hungary Foundation since 2008. Following the closure of the Ec Pec Foundation, Partners Hungary assumed responsibility for the Step by Step program in Hungary.

Her areas of expertise include early childhood development, inclusive education, Roma integration, leadership, NGO development, and democracy building. She is a skilled trainer, facilitator, and mediator, with collaboration at the heart of her work. Éva holds degrees as a teacher and cultural educator, along with qualifications as a general and legal mediator.

Under her 17 years of leadership, Partners Hungary has remained a learning organization, continuously adopting innovative approaches in organizational development and the different programmatic areas. She has played a key role in building, supporting and maintaining several national networks, including the Romani Early Years Network, the Network of Roma Mediators, and the Hungarian ECD Network. Éva has also been an active member of ISSA for many years.