Speakers at GIFC 2025
Marijan Krpan
Marijan Krpan holds a Master of Science in Business Management and a degree in geological engineering, and has had over 30 years of experience in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. He began his career in geology and petrophysics at INA, where he gained his initial experience and expertise. His international business experience was further developed in San Donato Milanese, Italy, where he was involved in all phases of natural gas exploration and production for the Northern Adriatic project under INAgip. After his tenure in Italy, he held various managerial positions in INA Zagreb, including roles in the Formation Evaluation Department and the International Business Development Department. He then continued his professional development at Repsol in Madrid, before assuming his current position as President of the Management Board of the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency, a role he has held since 2018.
Miklos Antics
Miklos Antics is the Managing Director and associate partner of both GPC Instrumentation Process (GPC IP) and GEOFLUID France. For the past past 35 years, he has been active in project development from low to high enthalpy fields in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, England, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya (East African Rift countries), El Salvador, Armenia, and Indonesia. He has developed sustainable reservoir concepts for many geothermal fields by coordinating geoscientific, reservoir engineering and drilling/completion of geothermal projects. He has also developed innovative well architectures to maximise heat extraction in a sustainable way. He lectured on Geothermal Reservoir Simulation and Sustainable development of geothermal resources at CAS-DEGEOSYS (University of Neuchâtel), as well as several ISS (International Summer School) and seminars. Miklos authored and co-authored over 75 technical papers (English and Romanian) and four textbooks. He holds MSc and PhD in Petroleum Engineering from the Ploiesti (Romania) School of Petrol. He also holds a Diploma in Geothermal Energy Technology from Geothermal Institute in New Zealand. He has been serving as the President of the European Geothermal Council (EGEC) since 2018 and is also Member of International Geothermal Allisance, European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), Geothermal Rising and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar is the Head of Policy at the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC). He is the Founder of Change Partnership – a think tank focused on solving the politics of climate change. Previously, he was an advisor to Chris Davies MEP, Chair of the PECH Committee in the European Parliament, Director of energy at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (formerly Burson Marsteller), Senior Associate at E3G, ETS coordinator at the WWF European Office and Business Affairs Manager at the Energy Institute in the UK. He read history at Queen Mary, University of London.
Tomislav Radoš
He is assuming the position of Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) after serving as Assistant Minister of Economy of the Republic of Croatia, where he led the working group and was the lead author of the Industrial Strategy of the Republic of Croatia 2014-2020. From 2007 to 2014, he was the founder and CEO of companies involved in renewable energy investments and providing advisory services in strategic management and finance. Prior to that, he held the position of Chairman of the Board of AutoZubak, and began his career in the banking sector as Head of the Risk Management Department. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, where he also earned his doctorate with a thesis on the “Relationship between Strategy and Business Performance of Croatian Companies”. In 2019, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor at the University North, where he teaches at the graduate and postgraduate levels.
Dražen Jakšić
Dražen Jakšić is a distinguished energy expert with over two decades of experience in energy sector development, power system optimization, and electricity market analysis. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar since 2020, he has been leading Croatia’s most prominent energy research institution in driving strategic initiatives in energy transition and sustainable development. Dražen’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Zagreb, complemented by a n additional degree in Management. He is also an expert in energy modelling tools such as Plexos, MESSAGE, and WASP, and he has contributed to numerous high-impact projects, including the development of Croatia’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and regional energy strategies for the Western Balkans and Southern Africa.
Davor Ivo Stier
Davor Ivo Stier, MEP, was born on 6 January 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations and Journalism from the Catholic University in Argentina. He also graduated from the Diplomatic Academy in Zagreb and completed a postgraduate course on Crisis Management in Washington. Stier has had a long career in diplomacy and politics. In 2024, he was elected as Member of the European Parliament and the eleventh legislature of the Croatian Parliament. Previously, he served in the tenth and ninth legislatures, holding roles in interparliamentary cooperation and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In 2016, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. He also served in the European Parliament (2013–2014), working on foreign policy and development cooperation. His diplomatic career includes roles of Special Envoy for Euro-Atlantic Partnership (2009), Deputy Head of Mission to NATO (2003), posting at the Croatian Embassy in Washington, as well as various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Davor Ivo Stier is a long time member of HDZ, where he served as its Political Secretary (2016) and International Secretary (2012). In 2024, he became President of the EPP Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, after previously serving as Vice President. He is fluent in Spanish, English, Italian, and French and has received honours including the Order of Duke Branimir and the Parliament Magazine MEP Award (2015) for excellence in development policy.
Matthieu Ballu
Matthieu Ballu deals with renewable heating and cooling in the European Commission’s team in charge of renewables and energy system integration. He has worked for more than fifteen years on EU climate and energy policies for public, private and civil society organisations.
Dragutin Domitrović
Dragutin Domitrović worked in oil industry for more than 23 years before going renewable in 2016 by joining a project of construction and operation of the first geothermal power plant in Croatia. Since 2020 he was a freelance geothermal consultant, and as of 2023 went back to operations as a manager in IGeoPen, holder of three geothermal licenses in Croatia. He also represents geothermal investors as a chairman of Geothermal Work Group at the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
Ivana Ivančić
Ivana Ivančić, has been the director of ENNA Geo since 2021. The company manages the construction projects of the geothermal power plants Geo Power Zagocha and Geo Power Babina Greda. She graduated from the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering from the University of Zagreb, and began her business career in INA in 2004, where she rapidly advanced to the position of Head of the Gas Supply Technology Department. In 2011, she was appointed director of the Gas Supply Service, and since February 2013, she took over management of sales and regulatory compliance at the Underground Gas Storage. The following year, she took over responsibility for investments in underground storages. In July 2015, she became a member of the board of the Prvo plinarsko društvo (PPD), which is responsible for the import, trade, supply, storage and transport of natural gas, and will remain in that position until October 2024. With her expertise and contribution, she has significantly influenced the development of PPD into a regional energy company. Since 2021, she has been serving as the director of ENNA Geo, which manages the construction projects of the Geo Power Zagocha and Geo Power Babina Greda geothermal power plants. She has also actively participated in the work of national and international working groups.
Can Soyak
Can Soyak was born in Istanbul. He studied Economics at New York University in the United States. During this period, he also pursued dual minors in Business and Philosophy. He speaks Turkish, English, and French. He began his career at Nudge Inc., a technology startup in San Francisco, where he took on the role of head of product development and developed the company's main application.
Later, he continued his international work experience by working in the asset equity research department of an investment fund in Zurich, Switzerland.
In 2016, he returned to Turkey and started working at Soyak Group, which was founded in 1961. The Group is a leader in the renewable energy, iron casting, and real estate sectors: It has constructed and sold more than 50,000 residential units and landmark office buildings, owns and operates the largest iron casting factory in Turkey, and has been involved in several sectors including cement manufacturing, the port business, and cardboard box manufacturing. In specifically the energy sector, the group has developed 3 hydropower plants of a total capacity of 154 MW, and two geothermal power plants of a total capacity of 60 MW. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Group and leads the Energy Group.
Can Soyak is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Soyak Renewables, a company established to invest in renewable energy projects internationally including geothermal, wind, and solar projects.
He serves as the President of the Turkey-Croatia Business Council at the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK).
Yunus Emrah Karacan
Yunus Emrah Karacan is an experienced energy professional specializing in geothermal power plant development, operations, and investment strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the Izmir Institute of Technology and currently serves as the Investment Development Director at Soyak Energy.
In this role, he oversees the management and expansion of renewable energy projects, focusing on optimizing investment opportunities and ensuring successful project development. With a background in mechanical engineering and energy management, Yunus has been actively involved in the planning, construction, and operation of geothermal power plants across Türkiye and Europe. His expertise includes project planning, regulatory compliance, designing, and advanced geothermal technologies.
Prior to his current position, Yunus held key roles at multiple energy companies, contributing to many geothermal projects. He played a pivotal role in developing Velika Ciglena, Croatia’s first geothermal power plant, where he was closely involved in design, procurement, and balance-of-plant engineering.
Beyond his professional work, Yunus is passionate about renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and driving innovation in mechanical engineering.
Davide Toselli
Davide Toselli is a Sales Engineer at Turboden, specializing in ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) geothermal applications. He began his career in the geothermal sector in Germany, focusing on projects in the Bavaria region, and was an active member of the Geothermal Alliance Bayern (GAB). After several years in sales at a leading energy utility in Northen Italy dealing with renewable energy projects, he joined Turboden, where he now works on geothermal projects across Europe, with a particular focus on Germany and Italy.
Gad Shoshan
Gad Shoshan, a seasoned business developer since 1985, joined Ormat in June 2006, tasked with developing new territories, focusing on Europe. He retired in January 2025 and now serves as a mentor and consultant for various businesses. Gad has a long history in the hi-tech market in Israel and Europe, where he held high level positions in BD, sales, marketing and management. (MD, VP, Director) Since joining Ormat, Gad’s activities in Turkish market led Ormat to selling over 45 geothermal power plants totalling about 1000 MWe of installed capacity, as well as the first waste heat recovery unit for Botas. Gad is a frequent speaker at many geothermal and energy events, where he is known for provoking new ideas and debates. He is invited annually to speak at several academic institutes in Israel and serving as mentor and advisor in various hackathons and seminars. Gad holds an MSM from Boston University, BA and MA in cognitive psychology and a board of director certificate from TA Uni, as well as a professional certificate of mediation mentor. Above that, Gad serves as the president of the Israel-Turkey Chamber of Commerce on a voluntary basis. He is also a board member of the association of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce.
Gábor Molnár
Gábor Molnár is an engineer specializing in geothermal projects across all phases of development, from feasibility studies to design and execution. He joined Mannvit - renamed Arctic Green Engineering in 2024 - in 2008, starting his career at the company’s headquarter in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Over the past 17 years, Gábor has been involved in geothermal energy utilization projects across Europe and worldwide, working on both direct-use applications and electricity production. His roles have included senior designer, construction manager, and project manager. Notably, he served as the overall project manager for the development of Hungary’s first geothermal power plant in Tura , as well as numerous other geothermal projects.
Since 2019, Gábor has been the Managing Director of Arctic Green Engineering, leading the company’s efforts in advancing sustainable geothermal energy solutions.
Mario Aunedi Medek
Mario Aunedi Medek is a partner and member of the management board at Val Grupa, as well as managing director of Alpheus Public Affairs. With over two decades of experience, Mario has played a key role in shaping Croatia's PR and public affairs landscape. He co-founded Media Val in 2003 and became one of the country’s first certified PR experts, contributing significantly to the development of strategic communication practices in the region. His advisory work spans multinational corporations and public sector projects, with a focus on navigating complex regulatory environments and securing stakeholder support. Mario also serves as the president of the Croatian Public Relations Association and actively contributes to professional development initiatives within the industry.
Martina Tuschl
Martina Tuschl, PhD, graduated from the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering in 1998, where she also defended her doctoral thesis on geothermal energy in 2024. She also graduated from the Cotrugli Business Academy, where she earned the degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2008. In 2000 she started her professional career at CROSCO, Well Integrated Services Ltd. and in 2004 she started working at INA Plc. as a Reservoir Engineer. In 2014 she started working at the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency as Director of Exploration Sector and since 2021 she has served as Director of Geothermal Sector and has been involved in all processes related to geothermal energy. She is also a member of the Management Board of the European Geothermal Energy Council.
Greg Gebrail
Greg Gebrail is the Senior Energy Specialist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In this role, he works on energy projects across the EBRD’s area of activity, i.e. in Central Asia, the Western Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions, and provides technical and policy guidance.
He is the focal point for the district energy sector in the EBRD. Greg is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 18 years international experience in the energy sector.
Karl Gruber
Karl Gruber, born on December 4, 1969, in Herzogenburg, is currently the Managing Director of Wien Energie GmbH, where he is responsible for the development, management, and implementation of energy projects, decarbonization, new technologies, as well as legal and organizational affairs. His expertise in the energy sector is built on years of experience and an educational background in mechanical engineering and business economics, which he obtained from TU Graz, further complemented by a Global Executive MBA from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the University of Minnesota. He began his career as a designer in the hydroenergy sector and later worked as a consultant for the World Bank and as a manager for energy and environmental projects. Over the years, he has held key positions in various companies and organizations, including Cycleenergy Beteiligungs- und Management AG and KWI Consultants GmbH. Since 2011, he has held leadership roles at Wien Energie GmbH, where he was responsible for hydropower projects and renewable energy sources. In addition, he has been an active member of various professional bodies, including the World Energy Council Austria and the Austrian Electrotechnical Association, and serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Steering Committee for Electricity Generation at Oesterreichs Energie.
Dražen Lovrić
Dražen Lovrić is a prominent figure in Croatia’s renewable energy sector. Born on July 7, 1979, in Split, Croatia, he completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown before moving to Zagreb for his university studies. In 2002, he graduated from the Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb. Lovrić’s professional career began at APO d.o.o. in Zagreb before he transitioned to HEP Group (Hrvatska elektroprivreda), Croatia’s national energy company. For the past 15 years, he has been an integral part of HEP’s Strategy and Development Sector, where he has made significant contributions to renewable energy projects. His most notable achievement includes the preparation, construction, and management of HEP’s first wind power plant, Korlat. Currently, he is overseeing the construction of Croatia’s largest solar power plant, SE Korlat, with an installed capacity of 99 MW, on the same site. This project is part of the innovative Korlat hybrid energy park. Lovrić’s expertise extends beyond the Korlat project, as he has been involved in the preparation of approximately ten renewable energy projects. Today, he holds the positions of Director of Korlat Energy Park Ltd. and Director of the Strategy and Development Sector at HEP.
Carla Barrera
Carla Barrera is Director of Business Development - Europe, Renewables and Energy Efficiency, New Energy, SLB, covering Geothermal and Energy Storage, where she spearheads business development for Europe, crafting strategic initiatives, and implementing effective strategies to foster business growth.
Her core responsibilities involve identifying and developing business opportunities for SLB’s end-to-end geothermal technologies and solutions, as well as for energy storage, fostering strong customer relationships and establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations with key industry players. Carla’s leadership acumen and successful track record have been instrumental in shaping the strategy and SLB’s positioning in the space.
With a career spanning two decades in the energy sector, Carla has garnered extensive experience. Throughout her 18 years seniority with SLB, she has worked in diverse regions worldwide, including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, North and South America, and across multiple business management and technology roles, encompassing Management Consulting, Sales, Marketing, Technology, and New Energies.
Carla holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Nottingham in the UK.
Mariano González Serrano
Mariano González is Senior Energy Specialist at the the World Bank and leads the energy program in EU countries. His expertise spans from integration of Conventional and Non-Conventional technologies in Power Systems, Systems Planning, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to Legal and Regulatory Reforms, M&A, and Reorganization Processes. Mariano has led the design, development and implementation of renewable energy projects (solar, wind and geothermal) and policy development lending operations in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, where he has also contributed to the development of sound regulatory frameworks, flagship sector papers and key technical assistance.
Milica Sredanović
Milica Sredanović is leading IFC’s infrastructure investments in the Western Balkans region and has extensive experience with renewable energy projects, airport concessions, municipal finance incl. through debt capital markets. She also participated in large project finance transactions in Turkey and Central Asia.
Prior to joining IFC, Milica was with Erste Group Bank in Vienna, where she held various positions in corporate and investment banking and has led a number of corporate and infrastructure finance and advisory transactions in Austria and the CEE region.
Gerdi Breembroek
Gerdi Breembroek has worked at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and its predecessors for over 20 years as an energy specialist. She studied Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology. She got her PhD in 1997 from that same University. She is the Chair of the Geothermal implementation working group within the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan. She has been involved in geothermal energy programmes in the Netherlands ever since 2009, when the Guarantee Scheme for geothermal energy started. She is the leading expert on the Heating and Cooling Transition Initiative in the Clean Energy Transition Partnership. Furthermore, she is involved in several national programmes for geothermal energy and CCS.
Gábor Bada
Gábor Bada, PhD, is a commercially focused industry expert with a record of identifying and developing of prospective petroleum and geothermal assets worldwide. He is an independent consultant, a geologist by background, with more than 25 years of practice in oil and gas exploration, research and assessment. Currently, he has been serving as Director of Exploration and Business Development of Aspect Europe operating all Hungarian and Croatian assets of Denver based Aspect Holdings LLC. This includes the discovery and development of the Pettend, Sellye and Corvinus oil and gas fields in South West Hungary that represent by far the largest domestic discoveries in the country.
Željka Rukavina
Željka Rukavina has been working in the energy sector for over a decade, specializing in communication, public policy, and the development of geothermal energy projects. With experience in regulatory analysis and strategic positioning, she focuses on overcoming legislative barriers and promoting geothermal energy as a key part of Croatia’s energy transition.
At the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency, she was involved in the early stages of geothermal project development, shaping public discourse, promoting the sector, and positioning it on the national agenda. Now, as an Independent Advisor in the Energy Department of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, she continues to support the sector by working with investors, permit holders, and policymakers to improve the regulatory framework and create opportunities for further development. She also serves as the executive secretary of the Geothermal Energy Working Group, fostering collaboration between key stakeholders to accelerate the growth of geothermal projects in Croatia.
Tena Bilić Milinković
Tena Bilić Milinković obtained a Master’s degree in Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology from the Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum in 2016. During her studies and immediately after graduation, she completed an Erasmus+ internship at Fugro Geoservices N.V. in the Netherlands. There she focused on shallow engineering geology, particularly in relation to construction projects both within the Netherlands and internationally.
Upon returning to Croatia, Tena joined the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) as part of the international team working on the MEET project, funded by the EU’s HORIZON2020 program. As part of this initiative, FER was tasked with designing algorithms for an application to optimize geothermal energy use, conducting economic and environmental analyses, and developing optimization models for determining the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for future and ongoing geothermal projects.
Since 2020, Tena has been a professional associate at Geotermalna Energija d.o.o., where she plays a pivotal role in the development of numerous geothermal projects across Croatia. Her responsibilities encompass all stages of project development, from documentation preparation to the exploitation phase, ensuring successful management and completion. Additionally, Tena is involved in her family business, Ruris d.o.o., where she oversees the geothermal energy utilisation for the greenhouse heating purposes for the hydroponic tomato cultivation.
Dario Hrebak
Dario Hrebak, born September 11, 1981, in Bjelovar, Croatia, is a prominent Croatian politician and public servant. He holds a Master’s degree in Criminalistics from the Faculty of Criminalistics in Zagreb, obtained in 2005. Hrebak began his career at the Ministry of Interior, where he worked in various roles including as an Independent Police Inspector and in the Asylum Department.
Currently, Hrebak serves as the Mayor of Bjelovar, a position he has held since 2017, and is a Member of the Croatian Parliament. He is the President of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and serves on several important parliamentary committees, including the Domestic Policy and National Security Committee. Hrebak’s international experience includes membership in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, where he represents Croatia’s interests.
Throughout his career, Hrebak has demonstrated a commitment to public service and political engagement. He has been a member of the HSLS since 2006, holding various leadership positions within the party. His experience spans local and national politics, having served as a member of the Bjelovar City Council and briefly as State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior. Hrebak’s diverse background in law enforcement, asylum affairs, and politics has shaped his approach to governance and policy-making.
Kolbrún Ragna Ragnarsdóttir
Kolbrún Ragna Ragnarsdóttir is a passionate advocate for sustainable energy and global collaboration, currently leading the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) at IRENA. With over a decade of experience in geothermal research and innovation, she has driven advancements in geothermal technologies like deep drilling (e.g., IDDP) and promoted zero-emission solutions and waste-to-value initiatives. Formerly the Head of Innovation at ON Power, one of the world’s largest geothermal companies, Kolbrún has secured international grants, pioneered renewable energy projects and was instrumental in developing the Research Park, an incubator hub for the Geothermal Park that enables companies to harness renewable energy for sustainable production, fostering innovation and waste-to-value solutions. As Director of Business Development at Baseload Power Iceland, she led international partnerships and developed small-scale geothermal projects. Her leadership extends to empowering diverse voices in the energy sector, inspiring a shared vision of a sustainable, equitable, and cleaner energy future.