Matt Ellias is a former Development Coordinator, Government Funding at GMF.
Central and Eastern Europe
Laurențiu Pleșca is a Bucharest-based program officer and a political analyst and researcher focusing on EU enlargement, European security, Russian influence in the Black Sea region, Moldova, hybrid threats, and countering disinformation. He co-manages a project on electoral integrity in the Eastern Partnership region.
Pleșca’s commentary has appeared on France24, Deutsche Welle, BBC, Radio France Internationale, TVP (Polish television), El Pais, Radio Free Europe, and other international and regional outlets. He holds a PhD from the University of Bucharest’s Doctoral School of Political Science, where he also earned a master's degree in international relations and European studies, and a bachelor’s degree.
Joanna Kopacka is a former Senior Program Coordinator, Engaging Central Europe at GMF.