Over 35 years of professional experience in several intergovernmental sectors of the Council of Europe, involving standard-setting, monitoring and cooperation, as well as in the Parliamentary Assembly. She has notably worked in the field of legal cooperation, judicial reform, efficiency of justice, minority rights, gender equality and children’s rights, as well as sport.  During her career she provided political advice to the Council of Europe leadership (Director of SG Private Office), led intergovernmental cooperation, developed and implemented multi-disciplinary and multi-annual strategies, as well constructed thematic cooperation platforms with other international organisations. Presently Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, her areas of responsibility include children’s rights, trafficking in human beings, gender equality, violence against women, addressing intolerance and discrimination, freedom of expression, media, civil society and youth participation, education, culture and cultural heritage. Finnish nationality. Studied international relations (law, political science, economics) at McGill University (Canada). 

Massimiliano Santini is Project Lead and Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM). He works with EU Member States to design and implement structural reforms aimed at improving public-sector performance and private-sector competitiveness, including the impact of AI on citizens and the workforce. Massimiliano has over 20 years of international experience in sustainable economic growth and green industrial policies. Before joining the European Commission, he was a Senior Economist at the World Bank, where he led policy dialogue and reform programmes with countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. He is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School.

Ana Carla Pereira is Director for ‘Equality and non-discrimination’ in DG Justice&Consumers where she is responsible for policies combating discrimination on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. Previously she served as Cabinet Expert and employment&social policy adviser to Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. As Cabinet Expert, she steered flagship initiatives such as the minimum wage directive, the platform work directive or work on social dialogue. Prior to that, she was Head of Unit in Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, firstly being responsible for skills and qualifications policies and later on for social protection policies. She graduated in Economics at University of Coimbra (PT) and holds a MA in European Human Resources Studies from the College of Europe (BE). She speaks Portuguese as a mother tongue and is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Vanessa Matz was born in Liège on August 12, 1973. 
A lawyer by training, she began her career as a legal advisor in the Belgian Senate and in local government before moving on to political advisory roles at the federal and regional levels. 
Elected to the Senate in 2008, she has been a member of the Federal Parliament since 2014, where she has been actively involved in the Justice, Interior and Public Affairs Commissions. 
Since February 2025, she has served as Belgium’s Federal Minister in charge of Public Service, Public Enterprises, Digitalisation, State Property Management, and Federal Scientific Institutions.
 

Kris Shrishak is an expert in AI and privacy and has served as a Council of Europe international consultant specialising in artificial intelligence governance, data protection and digital rights. He has co-authored the European policy guidelines on AI and algorithm-driven discrimination for equality bodies and other national human rights structures,, developed under the project. His expertise includes the governance of AI systems, biometric technologies, surveillance, and the implementation of European digital legislation, including the EU AI Act. Formerly, he was a Senior Fellow at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), where he led research and advocacy on AI, privacy and surveillance technologies. Over the years, he has advised policymakers on AI governance, algorithmic accountability and digital rights, regularly engaging with European institutions and international standard-setting processes.

Laura Lazaro Cabrera is the Deputy Director of the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Europe and Director of its Equity and Data Programme. She leads CDT Europe’s work on ensuring that digital technologies, artificial intelligence and data-driven systems respect fundamental rights, with a particular focus on equality, non-discrimination, privacy and accountability. Before joining CDT Europe, Lazaro Cabrera worked as a legal and policy expert on human rights and digital technologies, advising public institutions and civil society organisations on issues including AI regulation, biometric surveillance, automated decision-making and data protection.

Ylja Remmits is an AI governance expert specialising in the responsible development, auditing and regulation of artificial intelligence systems. She is one of the authors of the training on artificial intelligence and non-discrimination and the European assessment methodology on algorithmic discrimination developed under the project. She currently serves as a Policy Adviser on AI and algorithms at the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, where she works on the responsible use of AI by translating legal and policy requirements into practical implementation within the public sector. Prior to this, she was Head of Projects at the non-profit organisation Algorithm Audit, supporting governments in assessing algorithmic systems, preventing algorithmic discrimination, and practical frameworks and standards. Earlier in her career, she worked on responsible AI at KPMG, advising public and private organisations on AI governance, algorithm auditing, and compliance with emerging European AI regulation.