Mentors
Mentors and experts
At the heart of our work are the remarkable individuals who generously share their knowledge, experience, and passion. Our experts bring deep specialized insight gained from years of leadership in international relations, security, military, diplomacy, climate action, education equity, public health, sustainable development, etc. while our mentors offer patient, personalized guidance to emerging leaders, community partners, and the next generation of change-makers.
Ştefan Dănilă, PhD.
Expert in Military Sciences | Mentor
Ştefan Dănilă holds a PhD in Military Sciences and is a recognized expert in air security and national security, with extensive experience in international relations and strategic leadership. His professional background combines high-level military command with advisory roles in governmental institutions, offering a comprehensive perspective on defense and security policy.
General (ret.) Dănilă began his career as a fighter pilot, operating MiG-21 and MiG-21 LanceR aircraft. He later transitioned to transport aviation, concluding his distinguished flying career as a C-130 pilot, with his final flight completed in 2017.
He served as Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Armed Forces from 2011 to 2015, becoming the first general from the Air Force to hold this position. Following this role, he was appointed State Councillor and Head of the Defence Department within the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Romania (2015–2016), and subsequently served as Military Adviser to the Minister of National Defence (2016–2017).
Throughout his career, General Dănilă has received numerous national and international distinctions, including the National Order “Steaua României” (Officer rank), the Order of “Aeronautical Virtue” (Commander rank), the Emblem of the Romanian Army’s Honour, and the Emblem of Honour of the General Staff. His international recognitions include the French Légion d’Honneur (Officer rank) and the Medal “Consolidarea Frăției de Arme” awarded by the Republic of Moldova.
He is a founding member of I2DS2 and has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2019. As of 2025, he serves as President of the association. Between 2018 and 2020, he co-founded Defence and Security Monitor, contributing to the development of a reliable platform for analysis and information in the security and defence domain.
General Dănilă is also a recognized author. His publications include a volume on air security in the 21st century, offering conceptual insights into security and safety, as well as a collection of essays titled “Recommendations.” He regularly contributes articles and expert commentary on international relations and national security.
In addition to his professional and academic work, he is actively engaged as a military sciences expert, collaborating with universities and specialized institutions, and participating in conferences, debates, and workshops focused on defence and security.
As a mentor, Ştefan Dănilă brings strategic insight, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to supporting the development of the next generation of professionals.
Sorin Cheval, Ph.D.
Expert in Climatology, Climate Change and Natural Hazards | Mentor
Dr. Sorin Cheval stands out as a leading figure in climate and environmental sciences, specializing in urban climate dynamics, hydroclimatic analysis, and adaptation strategies. His influential research and collaborative efforts have helped shape scientific understanding of climate change impacts, particularly in Eastern Europe and urban environments.
Dr. Cheval is a senior climate scientist with academic expertise in climatology, natural hazards, urban climate, climate change, and climate services. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography granted by the Romanian Academy, as well as an M.Sc. in Climatology and a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Bucharest (Romania). He is a Fulbright alumnus of the University of South Carolina, where he was as a visiting researcher at the Natural Hazards Laboratory.
Sorin Cheval works as Senior Researcher at the National Meteorological Administration of Romania and has held senior scientific management positions within the institution, including Director for Applied Meteorology and Scientific Director. In parallel, he is Professor at the “Henri Coandă” Air Force Academy and Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest, University Babeș-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and European School for Management and Technology in Berlin (Germania), where he teaches courses related to meteorology, climatology, climate change policy, and environmental impacts of climate change.
Dr. Cheval has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, including books and articles indexed in Web of Science, and has contributed to national and international research projects funded by institutions such as the European Commission, the European Space Agency, JPI Climate, and Romanian research agencies. His professional achievements include the Romanian Academy “Ștefan Hepites” Award, the Professor Bologna Award, the Associate Professor of the Year Award from the University of Bucharest, and the Medal of Honour for Promoting Meteorology from the “Henri Coandă” Air Force Academy.
Dragoș C. Mateescu, PhD
Expert in International Relations and European Studies | Mentor
Dragoș C. Mateescu holds a PhD in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom), where he defended his dissertation entitled “The European Union, State of Exception and State Transformation: Turkey, Romania and Minority Politics” (2011), under the supervision of Professor Chris Farrands.
He has an extensive academic background in political science and international studies. He graduated in Political Science (English-language programme) from the University of Bucharest and holds two Master’s degrees: one in American Studies from Dokuz Eylül University (Izmir, Turkey) and another in European Studies from Izmir University of Economics.
Dr. Mateescu served as Lecturer in International Relations and European Studies at Izmir University of Economics (Turkey) between 2002 and 2020. His teaching and research activity focused on European integration, international relations theory, and regional geopolitical developments. Prior to his academic career, he was a military officer in the Romanian Air Force, serving in paratroopers and special operations units between 1991 and 2001.
He is the author of numerous academic articles, book chapters, and conference papers. His research interests include the external relations and enlargement policy of the European Union, the dynamics between national sovereignty and supranational governance in the EU, and minority rights in Europe and Turkey.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Mateescu is actively engaged in public discourse, contributing to Romanian print and audiovisual media. He is frequently invited to provide expert analysis on political developments in Turkey, EU–Turkey relations, as well as broader geopolitical dynamics in the Black Sea region, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
His most recent publication is the chapter “The Treaty of Lausanne and the Possibility of a Post-ethnocratic Regime in Turkey”, included in the volume The Treaty of Lausanne: Impacts on Affected Countries in Europe and the Middle East, 1923–2023 (edited by Charalampos Stamelos, Springer, 2026).
As a mentor, Dragoș C. Mateescu brings a multidisciplinary perspective that combines academic expertise, international experience, and practical insights into security, geopolitics, and European affairs, supporting young people in developing critical thinking and informed perspectives on global challenges.
Daniel-Constantin Chelărescu
Expert in Security and Organizational Leadership | Mentor
Daniel-Constantin Chelărescu is a retired military officer and security professional with over 27 years of service within the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (1997–2024). Throughout his career, he led personnel structures, planned, participated and supervised missions, and developed training programs, gaining extensive experience in leadership, teamwork, and crisis management.
He graduated from the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Military Institute in 1997, specializing in Military Officer Management (Infantry and Chemical Defense). He subsequently continued his academic development by pursuing legal studies, obtaining a degree in Law, and later earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Finance from “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Romania. His educational path reflects a continuous commitment to professional development, combining military training with expertise in law, administration, and organizational development.
Driven by a strong commitment to supporting the next generation, within SDGAi Daniel-Constantin Chelărescu works directly with young people to help them discover their potential and develop essential life and career skills. His mentoring approach is practical and experience-based, focusing on building self-confidence, discipline, and the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations. Through direct interaction, he offers not only knowledge, but also valuable insights into real-world challenges and how to navigate them effectively.
He speaks Romanian (native), advanced English, and intermediate French, enabling him to actively engage in international programs and collaborate with young people from diverse backgrounds. Through his energy and openness, he contributes to creating a dynamic learning environment where participants are encouraged to develop their skills, think critically, and confidently shape their own professional paths.
Cristian Radu
Expert in International Law and Anti-Money Laundering | Mentor
Cristian Radu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Faculty of Law at the University of Bucharest, Romania and a Master’s degree in International Law from the same institution, with a dissertation entitled “The Legality of the US and UK Intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.”.
He has over 10 years of diplomatic experience, serving in the diplomatic service of several countries, including Romania, Morocco, and the United Kingdom, as well as 6 years of experience in the financial sector within the French group Société Générale.
He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, certified by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. His areas of expertise include international law, geopolitics, military systems and related capabilities, anti-money laundering, sanctions and embargoes, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, as well as automotive and motorcycle industries.
He also has experience in facilitating intercultural dialogue through programs such as Soliya and initiatives of the European Commission.
On a personal level, he is passionate about travel, intercultural interaction, and nature.
Academic Section
Marius Lazăr, Lecturer, PhD
Expert in the History and Geopolitics of the Muslim world, Contemporary International Relations | Mentor
Marius Lazăr is a Lecturer at the Faculty of History and Philosophy of Babeș-Bolyai University, from Cluj-Napoca, Romania where he teaches courses such as International Relations in the 20th–21st Centuries, Regional Geopolitics, and the History and Geopolitics of the Contemporary Middle East.
He is the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies, a research structure affiliated with the Faculty of History and Philosophy, dedicated to the analysis of political and geopolitical dynamics in the broader Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions.
His academic activity is complemented by extensive research stays and professional mobilities in France, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Turkey, and India, which have strengthened his field expertise and comparative perspective on the Muslim world.
His main areas of expertise include the history and geopolitics of the Muslim world, contemporary international relations, and regional geopolitics.
He is the author and co-author of several key academic works, including Secularism and Islam: State, Religion, and Modernity in the Muslim World (Eikon/Mega, 2022, co-authored with Ecaterina Mațoi) and Ayatollahs, Martyrs and Revolutionaries: Shiism and the State in Modern Iraq, Vol. 1: From the Ottoman Period to the Fall of the Hashemite Monarchy (1958) (Eikon/Mega, 2021). He is also the editor of the collective volume Identities, Ideologies and Politics in the Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia (Eikon/Mega, 2025) and co-editor of L’Irak: d’une crise à l’autre. Les réalités et les défis d’un Etat au bord de l’implosion (L’Harmattan, 2015, with Pierre Berthelot).
Rareș-Alexandru Văscan, PhD
Expert in European Security and Migration Studies | Mentor
Rareș-Alexandru Văscan holds a PhD in International Relations and European Studies, complemented by academic training in Political Science (Security Studies) and Law (Legal Sciences). He completed two Master’s programmes at Babeș-Bolyai University, from Cluj-Napoca, Romania specializing in Security Management in Contemporary Societies, as well as Leadership and Communication in International Organizations.
His doctoral research, entitled “Securitization and Desecuritization of the Refugee Crisis in the European Union: Analysis of the Official European Discourse on Migration (2019–2021)”, provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of European institutional discourse on migration, with a focus on the mechanisms through which the refugee crisis has been framed within security paradigms.
Dr. Văscan is a member of the academic staff within the Department of International Studies and Contemporary History at Babeș-Bolyai University. In this capacity, he delivers seminars in European Security and Minority Issues, as well as Introduction to Political Science, contributing to the academic development of students in the field of international relations.
In parallel with his academic activity, he serves as Senior Legal Adviser within a Romanian public state higher education institution in the medical field, where he provides legal expertise in institutional and regulatory matters.
His research interests focus on migration within the European Union, refugee dynamics in the European space, and the formulation of security policies, with particular attention to securitization processes. He also examines the impact of nationalist and populist discourse on both European and national security, especially in relation to the normative and institutional construction of security frameworks within EU Member States.
As a mentor, Rareș-Alexandru Văscan combines academic rigor with practical legal and institutional experience, supporting young professionals in developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced understanding of contemporary security challenges.
Ion Josan
Expert in the Political, Cultural, and Geopolitical Dynamics of the Balkans and Central Asia | Mentor
Ion Josan is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Babeș-Bolyai University, from Cluj-Napoca, Romania where his research focuses on the political, cultural, and geopolitical dynamics of regions linking Europe and Asia, including the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Middle East—with a particular focus on Iran—and Central Asia.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Babeș-Bolyai University, where he developed a strong interest in contemporary history and the relationship between religion and politics. His doctoral research examines the evolution of Shi’a political thought in Iran and its role in the 1978–1979 Revolution, as well as in shaping the institutional and ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.
His academic training includes research fellowships at Tarbiat Modares University, from Tehran, Iran and Shahid Beheshti University, from Tehran, Iran where he conducted field research and studied Persian, as well as at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, from Almatî, Kazahstan where he focused on the political and historical transformations of Central Asia.
Between 2018 and 2022, he worked as a Research Assistant at University of Oslo, Norway contributing to the project Mobile Muslims and Invisible Islam, which examined contemporary Muslim communities in Europe. His research focused on Muslim communities in post-communist Romania, involving fieldwork, interviews, and qualitative analysis, and resulted in the study The Invisible Community: Immigrant Muslims in Post-Communist Romania.
Since 2016, he has been affiliated with the Center for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies at Babeș-Bolyai University, where he has contributed to academic events and teaching activities. In 2025, he served as course coordinator and lecturer for Central Asia: Historical Legacy and Contemporary Geopolitical Challenges.
Ion Josan is the author and co-author of numerous academic works, including book chapters, journal articles, and edited volumes, such as At the Far Ends of the Silk Road: From China to the Balkans (co-edited). His scholarly activity includes participation in numerous international and national conferences, addressing topics such as political Islam, identity, political legitimacy, and geopolitical transformations in the Middle East and Eurasia.
His research interests include contemporary history, international relations, political ideologies, the relationship between religion and politics in the contemporary world, political Islam (with a focus on Shiism and Iran), and the dynamics of the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. He is also committed to working with young people, actively supporting them in broadening their perspectives through both academic knowledge and field-based experience.
Costin Păunică
Expert in International Relations and Security Studies | Mentor
Special Section
Diana Antonia Mocanu, DVM
Expert in Biosecurity and Agri-Food Intelligence | Mentor
Diana Antonia Mocanu is a researcher and the Head of the Biosecurity & Agri-Food Intelligence Department at SDGAi, specializing in laboratory diagnostics. A graduate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest, Romania. Diana possesses a strong background in farm medicine and pathology, with consolidated expertise in histopathological analysis and applied scientific research.
Education & Expertise:
- Academic Background: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest.
- Research Focus: Biosecurity, swine reproduction systems, and histopathological diagnostics.
- Agri-Food Intelligence: Analysis of food production chains and biological risks within the livestock sector.
- Educational Engagement: Passionate about chemistry and the academic development of younger generations, providing mentorship to students to strengthen their competencies in exact sciences.
Alexandra Radu
Expert in Human Resources | Mentor
Alexandra Radu is a graduate of the Faculty of European Studies at the Babeș-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca, Romania and has 5 years of experience in Human Resources.
Her areas of expertise include recruitment, conflict management, employee retention, organizational psychology, and administrative work.
On a personal level, she is passionate about animals and nature, as well as art and literature.
Vlad Lupaşcu
Founder & Web Project Lead
With over 12 years of extensive experience across IT, Security, Web Development, and Graphic Design, Vlad has built a career defined by technical excellence and strategic growth. Having worked with major global corporations such as LG Electronics Romania, Transiris (Silicon Valley), and Accent Net, he has mastered the art of delivering complex digital solutions.
His journey through the corporate world led him to the natural next step: founding his own agency, Lupweb Online, where he provides complete Web Design and SEO services. Vlad’s ‘secret’ lies in a genuine passion for his craft. Beyond technical implementation, Vlad is a dedicated mentor who has guided numerous young professionals in finding their right path and hitting their targets in the tech industry.
Vlad believes that loving what you do is the foundation for both personal success and the success of the clients he serves.