Our Board
PTF Europe has a volunteer Board of five members under the chairmanship of Haleh Bridi, a former World Bank official residing in Brussels and Washington, DC. The Board is being elected every two years by the members. The Board holds regular online meetings to supervise the organization’s activities and projects.
Members of the PTF Europe Board:
Haleh Bridi, PTF Europe Chairperson since 2021
About 40 years of development experience at the World Bank, IFC, and the OPEC Fund.
As PTF Europe Chairperson focuses on fundraising, member recruitment, and strategic planning.
Hildegard Gacek, Deputy Chairperson of PTF Europe since 2025
Economist; 30 years of banking and development experience at DEG, Germany and EBRD, UK, including as Managing Director for South and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED).
As Deputy Chairperson focuses on fundraising, Western Balkans activities, and developing PTF Europe’s project pipeline.
Erich Unterwurzacher, Treasurer of PTF Europe since 2024, PTF Europe Board Member since 2023
Economist specialized in infrastructure, energy investment, sustainability and financial management; former official of the OECD and EBRD; most recently at the European Commission.
As PTF Europe Treasurer focuses on networking.
Franz Kaps, former Chairperson of PTF Europe (2014-2021) and former Treasurer (2021-2024) of PTF Europe, PTF US member since 2010
Lawyer; former World Bank official.
Lars Jeurling, former Deputy Chairperson of PTF Europe (2014-2024) and member of PTF US since 2004
Development economist, specialized in infrastructure; former World Bank official.
Participates in drafting applications for EU calls for proposals, oversight over PTF Europe activities, strategic development of PTF Europe.
Annual meetings
The PTF Europe Board is the governing body of the organization. At its annual membership meeting, the Board presents the organization’s activities and financial transactions of the preceding year. The PTF Europe membership assembly elects the Board for a two-year period and has to exonerate the Board on an annual basis.
PTF Europe’s strategic directions and how to present its products and skills more effectively are a key focus of the annual membership meeting.