Kristīne Pommere – Director

Kristīne Pommere has worked in the Department for Labour at the Ministry of Welfare, and in the Ministry of Justice as the head of the European Affairs Coordination Department from 2010 to 2012. From 2012 to 2014, Kristine Pommere was a deputy director of the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Kristine Pommere earned a Master’s degree in European Studies from the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Latvia and earned a legal degree from the Judicial Faculty of the University of Latvia.

Linda Jākobsone – Head of Presidency Communications and Public Relations Department

Linda Jākobsone has worked in the European Integration Office in the Information department, State Chancellery Communication Department, and was the director of the European Union Information Agency in Latvia. Linda Jākobsone worked in the International political centre PROVIDUS as the European political associate researcher and at the international political website politika.lv. Linda Jākobsone earned a Master’s degree from Bremen University, European Studies Master’s degree from the University of Latvia, as well as a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, USA.

Vineta Kleinberga – Head of Presidency Programme Planning Department 

Vineta Kleinberga has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Department of European Union and General Affairs from 2004. Vineta Kleinberga has previous work experience in Transparency International Latvia (Sabiedrība par atklātību – Delna), Riga Stradiņš University, and Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Vineta Kleinberga earned a Master’s degree in Political Science at the Central European University in Hungary as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Rīga Stradiņš University and has studied at the Copenhagen Business School.

Artūrs Krusts – Head of IT and Technological Solutions Department

Artūrs worked at A/S “Latvijas autoceļu uzturētājs” as the head of IT department; he ensured development of IT infrastructure and organized IT maintenance work at A/S “Latvijas Gāze”. He also worked at Riga International Airport implementing and maintaining IT solutions. Artūrs Krusts earned a Master’s in Management from the University of Latvia and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Riga Technical University.

Selga Laizāne – Head of Presidency Public Diplomacy and Culture Programme Department

Selga Laizāne has worked in the Cēsis Museum Union, Ministry of Economics, Privatization Agency of Latvia, former SIA “Birojs 2000” board director, Eurovision Song Contest 2003 press centre director and has been the deputy head of  the information working group of the referendum of Republic of Latvia ascension to the EU. In addition, Selga Laizāne has worked at Latvian Television (LTV) and has been the executive director of the Latvian National Opera. Selga Laizāne has a Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Latvia and a degree from the University of Latvia in English and Literature.

Dzidra Liepiņa – Head of Presidency Finance Management Department

From 1992, Dzidra has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has been a director of Finance and Budget department at the Ministry, as well as she has worked in Latvian Embassy to the Russian Federation and in the Latvian Embassy to Ukraine. Dzidra Liepiņa has a Bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Latvia.

Kristīne Mackeviča – Head of Judicial Department 

Kristīne Mackeviča has worked in Riga Regional Court, in the Supreme Court of Latvia, Ministry of Justice, and Provision State Agency. Kristīne Mackeviča has gained a judicial degree from Turība University as well as a Masters in Legal Science degree in Criminal Matters from the Latvian Police Academy.

Linda Tomase – Head of Presidency Human Resources Department

Linda Tomase has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the head of the Personnel Department Personnel Planning and Development division and the head of the Personnel Department Teaching Centre. Her previous experience is also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning Development Cooperation Policy. Linda Tomase has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Latvia in philology.