EFA

I am the President of Food Allergy Italia, an association founded in 2002 focusing specifically on food allergies. I have taken part in several (inter)national studies on quality of life with food allergies. Being a lawyer, I also perform trainings for doctors, nurses and food business operators on issues related to legislation on food labelling. Board Member since 2020 and President since 2023.

Károly is the Director of Lung Foundation Netherlands (Longfonds). He has a wealth of expertise and experience in the medical sector and in managing healthcare organisations. He has worked as a paediatrician at Ziekenhuis Rivierenland for almost 30 years. Since 2008, he has worked as a medical specialist in patient safety. 

Frida has served as the chairman of the Icelandic asthma and allergy association for 10 years (15 years with the organization). She is a dietitian at the University hospital of Iceland working in the food services, responsible for the specialty and allergy diet, and the food product database. Major experience is within the allergy sector, but there she teaches courses and writes educational material. Frida is involved in an air quality working group administered by the Icelandic government, enforcing Clean air Europe.

Simone Miles has been the Chief Executive Officer of Allergy UK since March 2024. Prior to her appointment as CEO, she served as Operations Director from July 2019. With over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, spanning both education and health, Simone is dedicated to driving change and serving her community. Under her leadership, Allergy UK continues to provide essential support, advice, and advocacy for individuals living with allergies, aiming to raise awareness and improve services for those affected.

Anna is Executive Manager at the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patients' Associations. She holds a MA in in Economics, Development Cooperation and Scientific Information and works as a specialist in the valuation of medical procedures. She combines an education in economics with a passion for working in international development cooperation. She is a natural-born initiator with profound expertise in Project Management. Anna has realized projects for the International Red Cross and Polish Red Cross, UNDP POLAND, COPD Foundation.

For over 15 years now, I work in the allergy, asthma and COPD patient movement. Being a patient myself, I am passionate about patients’ involvement in health, environment and research policy and partnership approach to achieve this. I represent EFA in many initiatives, last five years I served in the EC DG Research and Innovation’s Horizon 2020 Scientific Panel for Health, I was in the board of European Patients Forum EPF for 12 years and now I am Chair of the Patient Access Partnership PACT . As a Director I support the EFA Board and lead our busy and fabulous Secretariat.

I lead EFA policy and communications work. I joined EFA in 2014 to help EFA patients’ community improve awareness allergy, asthma and COPD. As Deputy Director and carer, I am moved by the need to ultimately bring positive policy change and action to patients and their families. I represent EFA in policy meetings, particularly within EFA’s care portfolio.

In 2020 I joined EFA to lead the management and implementation of EFA’s projects, including the EU funded ones. I have 10 years of experience in the field of public health and international development, both in NGOs and for-profit companies.  My commitment is to ensure that the patients’ perspective is always at the centre of all EFA’s projects and that patients continue being the driver of EFA’s activities. 

I contribute to EFA since 2018 to develop advocacy and communications initiatives vis-á-vis the institutions and other stakeholders in the context of specific policy dossiers. EFA’s mission is fully aligned with my beliefs on the most pressing problems patients face in our days, such as participation in policymaking, the right to quality care, and the need for a healthier ambient environment. I am focal point for EFA’s prevention portfolio.

I joined EFA as Health and Care Policy Officer in October 2024. My role at EFA is to help drive its EU advocacy and policy work, by delivering and collaborating in meaningful allergy and airways disease projects and engaging with key policy-decision makers. I come from a public health background, with experience across different sectors, including; hospitals, NGOs, the European Commission and a public affairs consultancy. I am motivated to improve patients’ access to quality health care, specifically in the area of allergy and airways diseases. 

As the Community Engagement Manager for the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), I bring over 14 years of experience in the NGO sector, dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations. My career has been focused on building strong networks and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to amplify voices and drive meaningful change. I am passionate about creating inclusive environments where community members feel empowered to contribute, ensuring that the collective efforts lead to improved lives for patients.

At EFA I am responsible for the design, management and implementation of several EU and international projects. I have a background in clinical psychology and before settling in Brussels in 2019, I worked in a public health context in Italy. In order to engage and connect with individuals and organisations promoting health and wellbeing at the EU-level, I decided to move to Brussels where I joined a variety of NGOs that enabled me to enter the world of EU-funded initiatives and project management. My expertise mainly focuses on physical and mental health, innovation, green and digital twin transition. Being a qualified psychologist with a strong interest in public health, I am proud to contribute to EFA’s mission of advocating for better health and improving the lives of all people living with allergy and airways diseases.

I joined EFA in October 2024 as a Policy Assistant contributing to EFA's policy work on care aimed at improving the quality of life for patients living with allergies and airway diseases. After graduating with a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2022, I decided to further develop in the field of public health by completing a Master's of Global Health. My first experience at the European Commission during an internship motivated me to continue fighting health inequalities and work toward improving the lives of patients with allergies and airway diseases.

I joined EFA as Communications Manager in October 2024. I have a background in communication and sustainable development. Before joining EFA, I worked in the international development and humanitarian sector, at the HQ and in the field. I'm passionate about helping others and harnessing the power of communication to amplify the voice of communities in need and support causes important to me. My role at EFA is to manage its communications activities and design communications strategies to amplify the voice of allergy, asthma and COPD patients at the European level.

I joined EFA in 2023 to support policy and communication team with projects' communication and campaigns. After graduating with a degree in marketing, I worked on social and environmental issues in European organisations. As a young communications professional at EFA, I work to ensure the needs of people with allergy, asthma and COPD are heard and understood at all policy levels. I am dedicated to making Europe a better place for patients living with allergy and airways diseases, professionally and personally.