IPI STAFF

Edzodzi Ahiadou is in charge of the collection of information and research on press freedom violations across Africa and supporting the implementation of Africa Project activities and advocacy. Before joining IPI, in 2022, he was a Program Associate at Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). He holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Université de Lomé- Togo, and certificates in International Relations, Global Politics, human rights and project management.

Vilma Aholuoto is a Helsingin Sanomat foundation fellow, working mainly as a part of IPI’s Africa team monitoring and covering press freedom violations in the continent. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism studies from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and is currently doing her master’s in global politics and communications at the University of Helsinki. She’s passionate about all things global and has previously worked as a journalist for Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, covering topics related to foreign, local and lifestyle news.

Amy Brouillette is responsible driving IPI’s global advocacy and press freedom monitoring work and campaigns. She joined IPI in 2022, with more than a decade of experience in leading research, advocacy, monitoring, and capacity-building projects focused on supporting and enabling independent journalism. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a master’s degree in history from Central European University in Budapest.

Igor Çelov works as part of the IPI’s #FreeTurkeyJournalists campaign focusing on monitoring press freedom violations, advocating for media freedom, and supporting quality independent journalism in Turkey. Before joining IPI, he worked in civil society and independent media support in Turkey. Igor holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and public administration from Middle East Technical University, Ankara. His academic interest revolves around populism and democracy in Russia, Turkey, and Europe.

Christiane is in charge of IPI’s day-to-day financial management and works closely with the Head of Finances to prepare reports for IPI’s Board and donors and ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in financial management. She also attends to other administrative tasks and works across all teams in a supporting role. Christiane has been working with IPI since 1993 with a primary focus on communicating with IPI’s members, as well as providing support and planning advice on congresses, conferences and other IPI activities. Christiane grew up in Mexico City and attended the German school there. She also studied at York University in Toronto and at the University of Vienna.

Ronja Koskinen works as part of the press freedom team focusing on researching, monitoring and covering violations around the world, particularly in Europe. She first joined IPI in 2021 as a Helsingin Sanomat fellow. Ronja has previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Kainuun Sanomat, as a press photographer for Etelä-Suomen Sanomat and as a communications intern for European Youth Parliament Finland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from Tampere University.

Martin Leonhartsberger is a certified public accountant and has over 15 years experience in finance and administration working for companies such as GEWISTA WerbegesmbH, PROGRESS Werbe, VerlagsgmbH, Altstoff Recycling Austria AG, Manpower GmbH and more recently Philips Austria GmbH.

Martin ensures the smooth operation of all of IPI’s financial and administrative needs.

Grace Linczer works as part of the IPI Membership Team to coordinate the onboarding of new IPI members and to enhance their overall member experience. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Central European University and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and international peace studies from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to her time at CEU, Grace worked as Membership Engagement Manager at PEN America where she developed the PEN Across America program, engaging communities across the U.S. in advocacy efforts to defend press freedom and civil discourse.

Maroević brings to this position over 30 years in journalism, media development and press freedom. He developed his passion for journalism and learned the skills, professional standards and values of this profession at the BBC World Service in London. In post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina he worked on the reform of public broadcasting, media regulation and managed donor support for independent media. As the director of the office of the OSCE media freedom representative, he managed responses to numerous cases of media freedom violations in 57 countries that are part of this intergovernmental organization. Just before joining IPI, his work at the Internet and Jurisdiction Policy Network and the Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network focused on threats to online freedom of expression.

Milica Miletić plans, manages and develops IPI conferences, events, and seminars. She also coordinates IPI’s Investigative Journalism for Europe (IJ4EU) project, which funds cross-border watchdog journalism in Europe, and provides support to IPI’s innovation projects. In addition, Milica contributes extensively to the implementation of other IPI projects, communications, design, and marketing. For 10 years she managed IPI’s biggest annual press freedom event — the IPI World Congress. Prior to joining IPI, she worked for the Media Center Belgrade and the South East Europe Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM). She holds degrees in journalism and media studies from the University of Belgrade.

Jacqui leads IPI’s work on global network strategy and innovation. She is a journalist and editor with deep experience building journalism communities around press freedom and high-integrity journalism, particularly in the Asia-Pacific. She is Senior Fellow for Media Innovation at the University of Technology, Sydney and writes a fortnightly newsletter, The Story, on media startups and innovation in Asia-Pacific. She was founding CEO of Australia’s Walkley Foundation for excellence in journalism, founding Asia-Pacific Director for the International Federation of Journalists and a JS Knight fellow at Stanford University, focusing on media innovation and strategic design.

Ryan Powell leads IPI’s media innovation accelerator and incubator, focusing on bringing digital innovation and sustainable business models to local media. Before joining IPI, he was head of Vienna-based magazine Metropole’s digital product and publishing divisions and advised independent media outlets in Europe and Africa on business diversification and product strategy. He published on and reported for the Center for International Media Assistance, the World Bank, CNN International, Huffington Post and others. He holds an MPhil from the University of Oxford and a BA from Suffolk University.

Helena Soares works closely with the press freedom team and oversees institutional fundraising opportunities for IPI’s long-term projects in support of press freedom and freedom of expression worldwide. Before joining IPI in Vienna, she worked as a Fundraising Officer for Global Witness in London, where she assisted in the management of extensive grants portfolios, donor stewardship and building relationships with international partners. Helena holds an MA in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University.

Barbara Trionfi joined IPI in 2000, as a press freedom adviser for the Asia-Pacific region, where she had previously studied and worked for over four years, carrying out research in the field of human rights and freedom of expression. Later, as press freedom manager, she oversaw IPI’s global press freedom monitoring and coordinated IPI’s global advocacy. She was appointed IPI executive director in 2015 and led the organisation until October 2022. With an academic background in international relations and human rights, Barbara has taught courses at Webster University, Vienna in Media Ethics, Media Literacy and Cultural Diversity and the Media.