About Us

Krzysztof Gulda

President

Krzysztof Gulda is a graduate of physics from the University of Warsaw, specializing in nuclear physics. He is an entrepreneur and strategist active in both the public and private sectors, as well as a consultant for advisory firms and international organizations.

From the beginning of his professional career, he has been affiliated with the University of Warsaw. He co-founded the University Technology Transfer Centre at the University of Warsaw. Since 2016, he has been a management board member of UWRC sp. z o.o. – the University of Warsaw’s special-purpose vehicle supporting the creation and development of academic spin-off companies. He has participated in the establishment and management of over 20 technology companies originating from the University of Warsaw.

From 2020 to 2024, he was a member of the Expert Group for the Coordination of European Partnerships. He also served on the Council of the National Centre for Research and Development (2007–2009, 2016–2020). He held the position of Director of the Strategy Department at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (2009–2012), and earlier worked at the Ministry of Economy (2002–2009).

He has collaborated on projects with the World Bank, PwC Poland, and the National Centre for Nuclear Research.

For over 20 years, he has been actively involved in building the innovation system in Poland, fostering collaboration between science and business, developing business models and growth strategies for innovation-supporting organizations, raising capital for enterprise development, and implementing support instruments at both national and regional levels. He also applies his experience in working with the European Commission and advisory firms, carrying out projects in countries of the former Soviet Union and the Western Balkans.

Joanna Zembaczyńska-Świątek

Vice President

Joanna Zembaczyńska-Świątek - graduate of the University of Warsaw and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics. Associated with the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development since 2004, initially as a specialist, section manager, then as department director.

In 2024, from January to May, she served as acting president of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development.

Since 2016, she served as Director of the Program Implementation Coordination Department at PARP. She was responsible for coordinating activities related to the Agency's role as an intermediary institution in programs implemented by the Agency and the role of Program Operator under the 3rd edition of the Norwegian and EEA Funds. Her tasks included developing solutions for the Programs implemented by the Agency, coordinating work on program agreements, coordinating work on program documents, guidelines and legal acts related to the implemented programs, monitoring and reporting on the implemented programs and managing procedures at the Agency related to the implemented programs.

In 2003-2004 she worked in the Department of European Social Fund Management at the then Ministry of Economy and Labor.

She is a graduate in International Relations from the University of Warsaw. She also completed postgraduate studies in EU pre-accession and structural programs and project management at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics.