ISSA Board

Carmen is a recognized expert on teacher training and education programs for children age birth to three in Romania. She has introduced several innovative educational programs, such as the FasTracKids Program — the first ICT program in schools to support the development of life skills — and ReadyNation Romania a business network advocating for increased public and private investments in ECD in Romania. She is also a member of the ECD Working Group with the president’s office.

In November 2019, Carmen was decorated with the title of “Knight” by the President of Romania in recognition of her important contributions to education reform and policies in Romania.

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.

Dr. Sula's areas of interest include early childhood education, life-long learning, VET, with a passion on inclusion, and equal educational opportunities. Her belief that teachers are the key to a school's success is reflected in her primary focus on quality continuous professional development. Her research skills are complemented by her practice-oriented abilities, making her a valuable consultant for both government and non-governmental organizations, among which World Bank, UNICEF, SwissContact, Open Society Foundations.

Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in the establishment of several non-profit organizations and civic associations, focusing primarily on Early Childhood Development. His expertise in capacity development, financial management, and risk management has been pivotal in driving organizational growth and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Miroslav Sklenka has managed numerous projects connected with socially disadvantaged gorups and migrants. His professional experience extends to governmental and international spheres. He worked at the Government Office of Slovakia managing projects financed by the European Union and served as National Project Officer for the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Deepa joined the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority in 2020, where as a Senior Advisor she is contributing to the establishment of a comprehensive ECD system in the Emirate. Deepa has an academic background in Child Development and holds a doctorate from the University of Sussex, UK.

Hana has also contributed her expertise internationally, serving as a consultant to the Council of Europe in Albania, as well as acting as a researcher and evaluator for several projects in Kosovo. She also served on the ISSA Membership Committee for many years.

Deeply committed to equity and inclusion, Hana is a strong advocate for policies and practices that reduce disparities in access to quality early childhood services. Her vision for the ISSA network is prioritizing marginalized and vulnerable children—ensuring that no child is left behind.

She has served on ISSA’s Board and other bodies in the past, and brings a great deal of experience both in board advising and as a speaker at conferences and seminars.

The program aimed to improve services and policies for all children, with a specific focus on Roma children and children in other minority communities, children with disabilities, refugees, and children living in poverty and in remote areas. Beginning in 2006, Sarah expanded its original focus in Central Eastern Europe and Eurasia to include Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In 1994, Sarah helped launch Step by Step, the Foundations’ flagship early childhood program, and in 1999, the International Step by Step Association, a network established to support early childhood professionals in Central Eastern Europe and Eurasia. She served as the association’s Executive Director from its inception to 2006.

Sarah holds a doctorate in international early childhood education from the UCL's Institute of Education in London, an MA in developmental psychology from Columbia University Teachers College and a BA in Russian studies from Brown University.

ISSA also broadened its scope to address various aspects of Early Childhood Development, with mechanisms and programs to address the needs of young children and families affected by adversity and emergencies. Her career before ISSA, included a senior position in the Higher Education Support Program of Open Society Foundations and serving as Co-President of the Civic Education Project (CEP), an organization working to reform higher education in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She serves on various boards, global initiatives and movements, such as the Executive Leadership Council of the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), the Steering Committee of Moving Minds Alliance (MMA), the High-Level Advisory Group of Act for Early Years Campaign and WHO's Advisory Group for the Nurturing Care Framework. Liana is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher.

Languages: Romanian, English, Hungarian and Dutch