Meet the 2024 RLP International Participants

Senior Transformation Manager

With over 20 years of experience in the mobile and technology industry, I am an accomplished leader recognized for driving growth, promoting diversity, and fostering inclusion. My journey has been shaped by overcoming significant personal and professional challenges, particularly those related to being a person of color and the gender biases inherent in the industry. The support and belief from my mentors, leaders, friends, and family have fuelled my determination to not only succeed but also to help others thrive.

As a committee member of the WICT Europe network and Liberty Global Women Inclusion Network, I am deeply committed to championing the advancement of women in their careers. My leadership is driven by a genuine desire to create meaningful impact, challenge the status quo, and serve as a role model for future generations. I believe that diversity is a catalyst for innovation and that it should be celebrated and harnessed to achieve organizational goals.

I have a proven track record in process improvement, project management, and strategic planning, with excellence in budgeting and portfolio management. My expertise in leading diverse teams and facilitating international collaboration has allowed me to deliver innovative solutions in dynamic environments. My proactive problem-solving approach is geared towards translating business strategies into measurable outcomes that fuel market expansion and enhance customer experiences.

In my current role, I actively mentor graduates at Liberty Global and coach individuals who have faced significant challenges, helping them create safe spaces for growth. I am passionate about the power of mentorship, having experienced its transformative impact on my own growth mindset. I am eager to continue guiding and unlocking the potential of others, empowering them to achieve their goals and witness their success.

Sr. Manager, Risk Structuring & Execution

Zlatina is a seasoned Senior Manager in the Treasury, Risk Structuring and Execution team at Liberty Global. With a strong focus on financial risk management, she has successfully led initiatives in the areas of hedging structuring, derivative execution, centralized cash investment programs, M&A projects, share buybacks, and strategic equity executions. Her role also involves maintaining and enhancing the key banking relationships for the Liberty Group. The comprehensive understanding of financial instruments and market dynamics has allowed Zlatina to contribute to a variety of strategic projects and has been key for her earning the CFA charter, furthering her expertise in the field.

Beyond her technical knowledge, Zlatina has a diverse educational and professional background, having studied and worked in Bulgaria, Portugal, the UK, and the Netherlands. This international experience has equipped her with a global perspective and a broad understanding of different markets and cultures, which she effectively applies in her role.

Zlatina is passionate about leadership and mentoring, and takes pride in guiding and developing her team, as well as other junior colleagues, and helping them grow both professionally and personally.

Outside of work, she enjoys doing sports and volunteering in local communities, giving back and making a positive impact.

Head of Value Added Services

Throughout my professional development I have worn various hats. After graduating from college in Germany, I worked for the Big 4s for a while but quickly realised I want to be more involved in shaping businesses than merely reporting on their activities. I went back to university and got my MBA at Manchester Business School, and thereafter moved to the US and joined Dish Network. I joined their Programming team, negotiating carriage deals for Local channels such as ABC and CBS and cable networks.

In 2018 my family and I moved back to the UK, where I joined Virgin Media as Head of Content Acquisition, continuing pay TV carriage negotiations albeit in a market quite different from the US. From 2023, I moved into my current role, which is focussed on expanding Virgin Media’s content offering via app providers such as Netflix and Disney and I oversee the technical implementation of our app deals such as including SVODs in new propositions and bundles for our Virgin Media TV customers. I manage a £3m project budget. My other responsibility is to manage the research and insights function for our TV business. While I manage market research related projects, I have one direct report who is responsible for TV related insights and analysis using our first party data.

Chief of Staff, Corporate Affairs

After earning her law degree from Trinity College Dublin, Rose began her career in Public Policy consulting with boutique Public Affairs firm in Dublin. During her time, Rose worked across diverse sectors, including Pharma, Agriculture, and Technology. Alongside this, she championed the empowerment of women, volunteering with Women for Election, a non-profit dedicated to supporting women to run for office in Ireland.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to pivot, leading her to pursue a Master’s in Competition Policy and Regulation at the University of Amsterdam. During her studies, she focused her master’s thesis on how competition policy can promote gender equality, reflecting her commitment to advancing equality for women.

This transition brought her to the Netherlands, where she joined Liberty Global three years ago. Initially part of the Public Policy team, she moved to the Corporate Communications and External Media Relations team. Currently, she serves as Chief of Staff for Corporate Affairs, working for Liberty Global’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. In this capacity, she ensures the seamless operation of the department, preparations for external conferences and events like the World Economic Forum and creates  briefing materials on key policy and regulatory developments within the telecommunications industry.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rose has been an active member of the WICT Europe Board for two years, playing a key role in delivering successful events that align with her ongoing advocacy for gender equality.

Director, Business Affairs Admin Production

Lindsay Donaghue graduated from Hofstra University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Television and began working at AMC Network as a Coordinator in the Programming Administration Department shortly thereafter. During this time she was responsible for managing content payments ensuring financial success for such hits as “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad”. In 2011 she transitioned to her role as manager and helped institute the administrative and operational side of AMC TV Studios.

As AMC continued to grow it’s original programing slate Lindsay supported the launch of the in-house Business Affairs team while working in conjunction with various other departments in an effort to premiere it’s first wholly owned Original Program “The Walking Dead”. Over the next seven years Lindsay’s role continued to evolve along with the company while AMC established itself as a premier destination for award-winning and distinctive original programming. She played an integral role in ensuring the structural foundation and growth of the studio to enable the launch of over 15 new original series. In addition, she branched out to AMC’s sister networks – IFC, Sundance TV and BBC America assisting them in their transition to producing owned original content for the first time.

In 2018 Lindsay was promoted to Director, now overseeing funding for all wholly owned original content produced by AMC TV Studios. Over the last few years she has emerged as an effective leader, now managing content payments for 4 different SVOD services under the AMC Networks portfolio in addition to the linear channel.

Digital Marketing Manager

My name is Lola García. I was born in Cordoba, in the south of Spain, in Andalusia.

I studied Journalism and after graduating I decided to spend a year in London to improve my English. That year was very enriching and had a significant impact on my life. I returned to Madrid and started looking for a job. I quickly found a job and have been lucky enough to be working since 2008. Fortunately, I have never been unemployed and have always progressed in my career.

I never worked as a journalist because I soon started working as a digital content creator for online magazines. From there, I moved into social media departments, trained in digital marketing, which I love, and have been working at my current company, AMC Networks International, for the past 10 years.

I currently hold the position of Digital Marketing Manager at AMC NETWORKS INTERNATIONAL.  I`m responsible for our CRM strategy and direct to consumer services strategy. This includes the strategy and management of marketing campaigns with our partners for our premium streaming service, AMC+.

I started working in social media management and content writing 10 years ago, and I’ve since progressed to managing strategic marketing and business campaigns.

I’ve got two daughters, Lola (7) and Martina (5), I live in Madrid, I love skating and I started running four years ago. I love reading and am a big fan of Juan Gómez Jurado, author of the bestselling Red Queen, whose series was released on Prime Video this year. And of course I love TV dramas. My favourite is Mad Men, which I watched before I was hired by its production company.

Senior Cloud Program Manager

My name is Olgica Gjorgjievska, and I am a dedicated Cloud Program Manager with nearly three decades of experience in the tech industry.

Born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia, I earned a Bachelor Honors (5 Years) Degree in Computer Science from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in 1993.

My professional career began in Skopje, where I started as a developer in the technology industry. In 2000, I moved to Amsterdam, where I still live today, continuing my career in the Netherlands.

For the last 22 years, I have been working for Liberty Global in various roles, starting as a Database Administrator and progressing through positions such as Data/BI Specialist, Technical Manager for Data Management Solution Delivery, and ultimately Project and Program Manager. During this time, I have successfully delivered numerous projects in the areas of network, data, and cloud, helping to drive efficiency and scalability across various organizations.

My extensive background in computer science and my broad experience across these key areas have shaped my expertise in both technology and program management.

I am excited to be participating in the WICT Raising Leaders program, which will enhance my leadership skills and expand my influence in the tech industry.

Beyond my professional life, I am happily married and a proud parent of two teenage children. Living in Amsterdam, I balance my career and family life, which has taught me the importance of adaptability and time management. I actively participate in volunteering events organized by Liberty Global, which allows me to give back to the community and contribute to meaningful causes. In my free time, I enjoy walking, swimming, skiing, and spending time with friends, all of which help me stay active and maintain strong social connections.

Manager, GenAI Architecture & Engineering

Chara is an experienced leader with over 15 years of experience in tech in telco, adtech and media and entertainment industries. Chara is passionate about new technologies and is now focused on supporting AWS customers to accomplish their goals by leveraging generative AI. Chara is the co-founder of AWS Cloud Women, a community that aims to bridge the skill gap in cloud computing skills and create a safe space for women to network and share knowledge. She lives in London with her husband, Raul, and two boys, Filippos and Aris.

Sr. Manager, Service Delivery

Jelena Ilic is an accomplished Senior Manager in Service Delivery with a strong background in Telecommunications service management, financial analysis, and project management. Currently working at Liberty Global in the Netherlands, Jelena leads the strategic planning and execution of IT, Entertainment, Connectivity, and Core Infrastructure services across multiple European markets, ensuring service delivery meets agreed levels. Her extensive expertise includes incident and problem management, service level management, and in-depth knowledge of ITIL and PRINCE methodologies.

Jelena has previously served in key management roles, including Manager of Service Delivery at Liberty Global, where she oversaw operational activities and provided solutions for complex issues. In her role as a Financial Analyst, she was instrumental in budget management and financial forecasting, driving process optimizations and aligning budgets across departments and countries.

Before joining Liberty Global, Jelena gained valuable experience in various roles, including project management at a humanitarian organization in Serbia, teaching computer science, and working as a software tester. She holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Belgrade, specializing in Statistics, Informatics, and Quantitative Finance.

A highly skilled communicator and leader, Jelena is fluent in English, Serbian, and Dutch, with working proficiency in German. Her ability to manage cross-functional teams, solve complex problems, and foster meaningful relationships makes her a valuable asset in any organization.

Jelena’s commitment to continuous learning and process optimization has been central to her success in the dynamic fields of Telecommunications service management and financial analysis.

Director, Sr. Legal Council

Emma is a Director and Senior Counsel in the Legal team at Liberty Global based in London, UK specialising in European litigation and all aspects of Treasury related legal work.

She was born in and studied and worked for several years in employee relations and labour law in Australia before moving to the UK in 2009 where she completed her legal qualifications to work as a solicitor in the UK and has since worked in London and Hong Kong as a corporate solicitor in private practice and in house for several US headquartered firms and companies. Emma has over 16 years legal experience in Australia and UK across employment, commercial, corporate M&A, finance, restructuring & insolvency with dispute resolution and litigation experience common across all roles.

At Liberty Global, she is legal lead on all European based legal disputes and litigation matters which includes responsibility for co-ordinating investigations and providing advice to the business and senior management as to strategy, merits and risk mitigation to put Liberty Global in the strongest possible position. As well as working with internal and external stakeholders and managing budgets accordingly to achieve successful outcomes.

Emma is also a senior lawyer in the Treasury Legal team supporting both the Treasury and Risk teams to provide insightful, accurate, effective and timely legal advice on all aspects of debt related transactional activities including high profile acquisition financings, refinancing activities, new money term loan and capital market transactions, complex corporate reorganisationsraise, hedging and investments, among others. This role involves providing timely, efficient and commercial advice often on expedited timetables and working with internal teams on structuring and business rationale for proposed transactions.

During her 5 plus years at Liberty Global, Emma has built strong relationships across functions and internal teams to foster a can do mentality to work collaboratively to go above and beyond to execute and successfully deliver complex transactions. Emma enjoys working in a global, entrepreneurial and highly dynamic and driven environment, focused on highest standards and working collaboratively in large, multi-jursidictional teams involving experts from other functions and specialties to achieve and execute successful outcomes for the business.

Director, Structured Finance

I joined Liberty Global in July 2022 as Finance Director within the Treasury Team, marking a pivotal transition from my 12-year legal career into the dynamic world of finance. At Liberty Global, I bring my extensive legal and corporate experience to a new role, focusing on structured finance products and securitizations, while fostering strong relationships across the business.

Before joining Liberty Global, I spent over five years as a solicitor at Virgin Media O2, where I worked in diverse legal roles covering B2B transactions, consumer law, marketing, and treasury. My broad expertise, combined with a collaborative approach, allowed me to contribute significantly to the company’s legal strategy and its finance operations.

Prior to Virgin Media O2, I developed my skills within the Corporate Finance team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London, one of the world’s leading law firms. I began my legal career at Allen & Overy, specializing in structured finance as part of the Debt Capital Markets team. These experiences not only solidified my legal foundation but also deepened my understanding of complex financial instruments, laying the groundwork for my transition into finance. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strong people skills, mainly whilst negotiating complex agreements and leading cross-departmental initiatives.

I hold an MA in Law from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, and I completed a post-graduate conversion to law at the University of Law in London. I am in the process of completing ACT qualification. I thrive under pressure, seek continuous growth, and am passionate about learning, mentoring, and developing as a leader. I aspire to be a leader who not only drives results but also inspires and empowers my teams to achieve their full potential.

Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy adventurous activities with my family, as well as diving, open-water swimming, and cycling.

HR, Manager

My name is Nora Lepsenyi, I’m from Hungary. Currently I’m working for AMC Networks Central Europe as a Human Resources Manager. I’ve been working for the company since 2015, starting as an Assistant then Coordinator, Advisor and at the moment a Manager of a team of 2 people. My main professional goal is to serve employees as an ambassador for their needs but at the same time, taking into consideration the interests of the company.

I finished uni as a Human Resources Advisor in Budapest, but also learned Counselling, Personality Psychology and completed a Facilitator course.

From a young age, I always felt that a future in working with people would be my path. I believe I have strong skills in solving problems and getting to solutions quickly. I am an advocate for DEI and feel that being emotionally intelligent in our decisions could lead us further on the way.

I grew up in Szolnok, which is a fairly big town in the lowlands of Hungary with two rivers crossing and plenty of green areas around. It is great during summer, I must recommend! At the moment I live in Budapest with my husband and our brilliant and very clever dog, Nico enjoying the last breezes of summer.

I can’t come up with any interesting hobbies of mine, I simply love hiking, clothes, gigs and Netflix.

This course has an amazing reputation, I hope to gain some insight of what other professionals do in their positions and also hope to meet some amazing people from around the world.

Strategy Manager – Communications, Media & Technology Practice

Strategy consulting professional with 8 years’ experience in telecoms, media and technology sector. I currently work within Accenture Strategy’s CMT practice where I work with international clients on growth strategy and large-scale transformation. I am hugely motivated by complex challenges and advising clients to deliver measurable business value. Qualified financial analyst.

Outside of work I love trying new restaurants, and if Arsenal (my football club) are playing at home then I can be found watching them from the edge of my seat, in block 15, usually with a minder.

Director, Marketing Finance

Erin is the finance partner for the marketing team at AMC Networks. She joined AMC Networks at the beginning of 2024 and has already become a trusted leader on her team, delivering several process improvements and focusing on staff development. Prior to joining AMC Networks, Erin worked over 10 years as a management consultant. In that role, she led strategic project initiatives across industries and disciplines, with a focus on CFO services. Erin’s prior work experiences include conducting due diligence for a private equity target to implementation of a digital asset management system for a packaged food firm. Outside of work, Erin is the captain of a kickball team, is an amateur art collector, and loves exploring the Los Angeles restaurant scene with her husband.

Director, Consumer Commercial Finance

Laela is Director Consumer Converged Finance at Virgin Media O2, a major UK mass media and telco, jointly owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global. Prior to joining VMO2, Laela was CFO of three innovative and fast-growing, founder-owned, and private equity-backed international businesses including an Airline (VistaJet), a SaaS business (MotorK) and an EdTech company (OpenClassrooms). Laela had a formative early career at BNP Paribas in their Structured Finance Division in Paris and New York City. Laela currently holds two NED positions, as Trustee of the British Library where she is Chair of the Audit Committee and sits on the remuneration committee and on the Board of the FTSE 250 listed Big Yellow Storage Company, where she also holds the position of Chair of the Audit Committee.  She was selected as a Franco British Young Leader in 2017 and as an Adam Smith Panmure House Executive Fellow in 2024. Education: London School of Economics (Bsc. International Relations), Sciences Po Paris (MSc. Finance and Strategy). Laela has 3 children and is based in London.

Global Account Manager, Sky Group

Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

My name is Charlotte Pidduck, my role is Financial Planning & Analysis Manager at AMC Networks International. My role has a great International focus, which is an aspect that I really enjoy. I am responsible for running the monthly reporting and forecasting, as well as supporting the budget process across multiple business units. I also prepare financial results/management information decks for senior management and provide ad hoc analyses to support effective decision-making.

I studied ‘Earth Sciences’ at Durham University. I then secured an Audit graduate training contract in the technology and media sector with BDO LLP. I had brilliant exposure to a variety of tech and media companies; this prompted my interest to work in the media space throughout my career. During this graduate scheme I studied for my accounting qualification and became a chartered accountant with ICAEW.

A key skill I have been pursuing is my management ability; I have recently participated in the internship programme where I had a direct report based in New York. This was a brilliant introduction to being a manager and building on my leadership skills. Presentation skills are also a key area I am building on; specifically presenting the key message clearly.

My key hobbies and interests outside of work include hiking, tennis and travelling.

I am very excited to participate in the WICT rising leaders programme, where I will be able to network with industry peers and continue to learn more about leadership – ultimately helping my progression at AMC.

Program Director

Group Head of Legal

Emma is the Group Head of Legal at NYSE listed Flutter Entertainment plc. Flutter is the world’s largest sports betting and iGaming operator with $37billion market cap and operates a portfolio of brands across the globe. Emma manages the Group Legal team that is responsible for all legal matters material to the Flutter Group including M&A, refinancing, corporate restructuring, litigation, commercial, IP, tax, employment and cyber. Recent highlights have included Flutter’s recent NYSE listing, acquisitions of Sisal in Italy, MaxBet in Serbia and BeyondPlay in the U.S., successfully defending arbitration proceedings taken by Fox and litigating against the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Prior to this role in the Flutter Group, Emma held legal roles in Paddy Power Betfair and the Flutter Group before being appointed Group Head of Legal in 2021. Emma started her career at corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, and worked in an in-house financial services role, before joining Flutter in 2016. She holds B.Corp Law and LL.B degrees from NUIGalway. Outside of work, Emma’s interests include travel and sport. She never misses an opportunity to discover a new destination, and her interest in sport definitely adds to the enjoyment of working at Flutter!

Director, Consumer Strategy

Hoi Ning Woe is a Director in the Strategy team at Liberty Global, where she focuses on identifying and developing new business opportunities. Her role involves deep analysis of consumer needs and behaviors in emerging categories and building differentiating customer value propositions. Currently, her work spans areas such as Smart Home and Energy, collaborating closely with local operating companies and key stakeholders across Liberty Global.

Before transitioning to the client side, Hoi Ning spent a decade in consultancy, advising international clients on brand and marketing strategy. Her extensive experience covers diverse industries, including consumer goods, retail, fashion, banking, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals. She has worked with global clients such as Heineken, AB Inbev, ING, Danone, C&A, Groupe Bel, Ahold, and VodafoneZiggo. Based in the Netherlands, she also has been relocated across Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore, leading projects and managing teams of local consultants. Hoi Ning further enriched her expertise with two years at MediaMarkt, overseeing marketing for TV, Audio, and Smart Home categories.

Known for her energetic approach, strong analytical skills, and results-driven mindset, she excels in organizing and facilitating cross-functional collaboration.

Living in Rotterdam, Hoi Ning is a dedicated mother of two young daughters (5 and 1), and she enjoys traveling and exploring good food with family and friends.