Co-founder and executive director
Enthusiast for experiential learning and the use of non-formal learning methods in youth work. He is a garant for development of instructors and also a volunteer in a youth organisation Plusko. In organisations such Iuventa, Eurodesk, Tvoj Buddy or ternYpe he was dealing with the topics of underprivileged and Roma population as well as increasing the youth mobility. He graduated from analytical philosophy at University sv. Cyril and Metod in Trnava. Further education received studying Executive development program at University of Surrey. In 2015, he was selected with Marián to the Map of social innovators who change Slovakia for better, the project created by Ashoka and Pontis Foundation.
milos.ondrasik [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 908 210 528
Our team
Since the end of 2014, a team of education enthusiasts with strong support from business leaders are preparing the establishment of the National office of the Award in Slovakia, which will aim to extend the program nation-wide in Slovakia. The National Office is here for you, the Boards' chairmen and members support the organization.
Miloš Ondrášik
Jana Kubíková
Programme Manager for Western Slovakia
Jana studied applied economy and public policy at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava. During her studies she worked as an intern in several non-governmental organizations such as Slovak Governance Institute and Transparency International Slovakia. However, her passion was to work as a volunteer in OZ Bublina with orphans and children from socially disadvantaged families. Jana has also 2 years of experience in Teach for Slovakia during which she taught at Elementary school in Stráne pod Tatrami. Thanks to this experience she realized how important is to build character traits among young people. In DofE she will be in charge of the Western Slovak region.
jana.kubikova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 948 667 301
Jana studied applied economy and public policy at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava. During her studies she worked as an intern in several non-governmental organizations such as Slovak Governance Institute and Transparency International Slovakia. However, her passion was to work as a volunteer in OZ Bublina with orphans and children from socially disadvantaged families. Jana has also 2 years of experience in Teach for Slovakia during which she taught at Elementary school in Stráne pod Tatrami. Thanks to this experience she realized how important is to build character traits among young people. In DofE she will be in charge of the Western Slovak region.
jana.kubikova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 948 667 301
Andrea Vrbovská
Simona Lučkaničová
After graduating from the European Studies at FSEV UK, attending many exchange projects and working at the Ministry of Finance, Slovakia, Simona decided to get involved with a more creative world, where she can make use of her artistic experience from the past. For 2 years she worked at Teach for Slovakia as a Talent recruiter and marketing manager, where she was communicating with over a thousand of candidates, organizing various events, managing social media or moderating. In DofE she is a communication manager responsible for social media, communication and PR.
simona.luckanicova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 905 459 624
simona.luckanicova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 905 459 624
Magdaléna Kondela
Ján Smolka
Program Manager for Easter Slovakia
Janko's scouting activity influenced him so much that he decided to study recreology with a focus on experiential education at Palacký University in Olomouc. During his studies and stays abroad he was convinced that the path of a quality education system also leads towards the change of Slovakia. Therefore, he decided to apply for the Teach for Slovakia program that let him teach for 2 years at the primary school in Spišský Štvrtok. Among other things, he got to know many challenges of Slovak education and problems of minority education. Among other things, he worked as a mentor at Divé maky and helped organize various experiential and educational projects in cooperation with Holiday School Lipnice and Plusk. In DofE he will be in charge of the East Slovak region, which he is a great fun of after two years of living in Spiš.
jan.smolka [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 948 020 775
Janko's scouting activity influenced him so much that he decided to study recreology with a focus on experiential education at Palacký University in Olomouc. During his studies and stays abroad he was convinced that the path of a quality education system also leads towards the change of Slovakia. Therefore, he decided to apply for the Teach for Slovakia program that let him teach for 2 years at the primary school in Spišský Štvrtok. Among other things, he got to know many challenges of Slovak education and problems of minority education. Among other things, he worked as a mentor at Divé maky and helped organize various experiential and educational projects in cooperation with Holiday School Lipnice and Plusk. In DofE he will be in charge of the East Slovak region, which he is a great fun of after two years of living in Spiš.
jan.smolka [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 948 020 775
Mária Lukáčová, MA
Event manager
Majka studied in the U.S., Austria and Latvia, graduated from Export-Oriented Management, Tourism and Leisure Management with Specialisations in Events, Meeting Industry and Sports Tourism. Since her childhood she has been an active member of events and this is still the case today. Due to the fact that every single event left something in her, she decided to devote herself to events and evoke positive emotions in people. She organized events in Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Slovakia during her University studies and then at work. She believes that every young individual has the opportunity to turn his or her dreams into reality.
maria.lukacova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 944 124 798
Majka studied in the U.S., Austria and Latvia, graduated from Export-Oriented Management, Tourism and Leisure Management with Specialisations in Events, Meeting Industry and Sports Tourism. Since her childhood she has been an active member of events and this is still the case today. Due to the fact that every single event left something in her, she decided to devote herself to events and evoke positive emotions in people. She organized events in Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Slovakia during her University studies and then at work. She believes that every young individual has the opportunity to turn his or her dreams into reality.
maria.lukacova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 944 124 798
Alexandra Kello
Business partnership manager
Sandra has been working as a teacher of education for various target groups for many years. She worked in the school environment, implemented development programs in the business sphere and in the non-profit sector. She focuses on the development of creative thinking and the support of teamwork. In her trainings she focuses on experiential learning and interactive development. She enjoys spending her free time with her family in music and joy. She cares about constant growth, so she tries to constantly develop herself so that she can inspire others.
alexandra.kello [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 905 335 352
Sandra has been working as a teacher of education for various target groups for many years. She worked in the school environment, implemented development programs in the business sphere and in the non-profit sector. She focuses on the development of creative thinking and the support of teamwork. In her trainings she focuses on experiential learning and interactive development. She enjoys spending her free time with her family in music and joy. She cares about constant growth, so she tries to constantly develop herself so that she can inspire others.
alexandra.kello [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 905 335 352
Vladimír Suttner
Operations Manager
For Vlado, his life mission is the most important premise for achieving a fulfilling life of an individual, as well as building a healthy and prosperous society. At the same time, he considers each person to be worthy of an opportunity. For this reason, he decided to use his experience from the business world in the field of education. As a member of the DofE team, he works to remove administration burden from his colleagues' shoulders, thus contributing to the better education of future "Hawking", "Doudna", "Turing", "Herschel", "Curie" or "Carson". He has already communicated with representatives of Pepsico, NASA, Diamond Foundry, Mitsubishi, or Microsoft. Now he enjoys communicating with potential scientists, peacekeepers, CEOs, CFOs and COOs to help them transcend their own shadow and discover their full potential!
vladimir.suttner [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 907 895 483
For Vlado, his life mission is the most important premise for achieving a fulfilling life of an individual, as well as building a healthy and prosperous society. At the same time, he considers each person to be worthy of an opportunity. For this reason, he decided to use his experience from the business world in the field of education. As a member of the DofE team, he works to remove administration burden from his colleagues' shoulders, thus contributing to the better education of future "Hawking", "Doudna", "Turing", "Herschel", "Curie" or "Carson". He has already communicated with representatives of Pepsico, NASA, Diamond Foundry, Mitsubishi, or Microsoft. Now he enjoys communicating with potential scientists, peacekeepers, CEOs, CFOs and COOs to help them transcend their own shadow and discover their full potential!
vladimir.suttner [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 907 895 483
Zuzana Mészárosová
Operations Manager (on maternity leave)
A stickler for student-centered learning to which she conforms with her approach to students as a PhD. candidate of the Faculty of International Relations of the Economic University in Bratislava. Her enthusiasm for education corresponds well with Quality Education being her favorite of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which she's actively promoting from her position as the Secretary General of the United Nations Association Slovakia. Responsible approach to the education of young people considers to be of key importance when it comes to a better future of us all and that's why she's a part of DofE.
zuzana.meszarosova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 903 862 563
A stickler for student-centered learning to which she conforms with her approach to students as a PhD. candidate of the Faculty of International Relations of the Economic University in Bratislava. Her enthusiasm for education corresponds well with Quality Education being her favorite of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which she's actively promoting from her position as the Secretary General of the United Nations Association Slovakia. Responsible approach to the education of young people considers to be of key importance when it comes to a better future of us all and that's why she's a part of DofE.
zuzana.meszarosova [zavinac] dofe.sk
+421 903 862 563
Why not join us?
Team member, trainer, volunteer, intern or co-operator
Do you like the Award mission? Do you believe that every young person has the potential to succeed? Do you have the courage to build a nation-wide programme from a scratch ? Than why not to join us? Come and help improve not only quality of education but also quality of life specific to young people in Slovakia through reasearch-proven development programme. Send a CV to Miloš Ondrášik at mioos.ondrasik [at] dofe.sk with a short motivation letter and maybe we'll find a match between your passion and skills and the needs of the National Office in Slovakia.
Do you like the Award mission? Do you believe that every young person has the potential to succeed? Do you have the courage to build a nation-wide programme from a scratch ? Than why not to join us? Come and help improve not only quality of education but also quality of life specific to young people in Slovakia through reasearch-proven development programme. Send a CV to Miloš Ondrášik at mioos.ondrasik [at] dofe.sk with a short motivation letter and maybe we'll find a match between your passion and skills and the needs of the National Office in Slovakia.
Pavel Trenka
Chairman of the Executive board
Honorary board member and former CEO of the HB Reavis Group. Before joining HB Reavis, Pavel worked at McKinsey & Company in USA, Central and Eastern European countries and in the investment in Bank Austria in Slovakia.
pavel.trenka [zavinac] dofe.sk
Honorary board member and former CEO of the HB Reavis Group. Before joining HB Reavis, Pavel worked at McKinsey & Company in USA, Central and Eastern European countries and in the investment in Bank Austria in Slovakia.
pavel.trenka [zavinac] dofe.sk
Michal Liday
Member of the Executive Board
Michal graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Comenius University in Bratislava, majoring in mathematics and computer technology. Later he pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Economics in Bratislava where he specialized in Quantitative Methods in Economics. He completed study internships at Mankato State University in Minnesota (USA), City University London (UK) and Johannes Kepler University in Linz (Austria). In 2010 he completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School in Boston (USA). He began his professional life in 1992 at the University of Economics in Bratislava. In 1997 he started working for Tatra banka in the position of a branch director. He became the director of the Department of Private Banking in 2000. Five years later he reoriented himself to retail banking. Since 2007 he has been a member of Tatra banka board responsible for retail banking. In 2015 he became Managing Director and Chairman of the Tatra banka Board.
Michal graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Comenius University in Bratislava, majoring in mathematics and computer technology. Later he pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Economics in Bratislava where he specialized in Quantitative Methods in Economics. He completed study internships at Mankato State University in Minnesota (USA), City University London (UK) and Johannes Kepler University in Linz (Austria). In 2010 he completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School in Boston (USA). He began his professional life in 1992 at the University of Economics in Bratislava. In 1997 he started working for Tatra banka in the position of a branch director. He became the director of the Department of Private Banking in 2000. Five years later he reoriented himself to retail banking. Since 2007 he has been a member of Tatra banka board responsible for retail banking. In 2015 he became Managing Director and Chairman of the Tatra banka Board.
Ivan Peschl
Member of the Executive Board
Since 2021, Ivan is an advisor to the Mayor and Chief Investment Officer-City of Bratislava enterprises. Before moving to the public sector, Ivan led company Towercom, a.s., where we he worked as the CFO and deputy CEO. Previouosly he served as CFO and BoD member of salite platform Skyplink. Ivan is a co-founder of the Association of Economic appraisers and certified appraiser in the field of Economy and Management as well. Graduated at London School of Economics and Political Science with Executive Global Master degree - The LSE alternative to MBA ( 2015-2017) and at University of Economics in Bratislava (1998).
Since 2021, Ivan is an advisor to the Mayor and Chief Investment Officer-City of Bratislava enterprises. Before moving to the public sector, Ivan led company Towercom, a.s., where we he worked as the CFO and deputy CEO. Previouosly he served as CFO and BoD member of salite platform Skyplink. Ivan is a co-founder of the Association of Economic appraisers and certified appraiser in the field of Economy and Management as well. Graduated at London School of Economics and Political Science with Executive Global Master degree - The LSE alternative to MBA ( 2015-2017) and at University of Economics in Bratislava (1998).
Peter Irikovský
Chairman of the Supervisory board
Peter is Managing Partner of Central European Venture investment holeding LRJ Capital, which invested for example into the Slovak flying car company, Aeromobil. He also leads as a CEO an LRJ’s portfolio company, Exponea, which focuses on the real-time analytics for web and online applications. Previously he led the Slevomat Group, was regional director in Groupon UK and worked at McKinsey & Company and KPMG. Peter graduated from Charles University in Prague majoring in Computer Science and in 2014 was selected into the Forbes 30 under 30 list in Slovakia.
Peter is Managing Partner of Central European Venture investment holeding LRJ Capital, which invested for example into the Slovak flying car company, Aeromobil. He also leads as a CEO an LRJ’s portfolio company, Exponea, which focuses on the real-time analytics for web and online applications. Previously he led the Slevomat Group, was regional director in Groupon UK and worked at McKinsey & Company and KPMG. Peter graduated from Charles University in Prague majoring in Computer Science and in 2014 was selected into the Forbes 30 under 30 list in Slovakia.
Branislav Kleskeň
Co-founder and member of the Supervisory board
Branio leads LEAF, a non-profit organization focusing on the development of young individuals with the potential to grow into shapers of Slovakia who will demonstrate moral character, excellence, entrepreneurial leadership and civic engagement; regardless of their socio-economic background. The activities of LEAF serve individuals from about 15 to 35 years of age and cover the areas of world-class education for high school students, mitigation of ‘brain drain’ and development of young professionals. Formerly a Partner at McKinsey & Company, Branio has experience from several continents in improving corporate performance, building new businesses, and improving education.
branislav.klesken [zavinac] leaf.sk
Branio leads LEAF, a non-profit organization focusing on the development of young individuals with the potential to grow into shapers of Slovakia who will demonstrate moral character, excellence, entrepreneurial leadership and civic engagement; regardless of their socio-economic background. The activities of LEAF serve individuals from about 15 to 35 years of age and cover the areas of world-class education for high school students, mitigation of ‘brain drain’ and development of young professionals. Formerly a Partner at McKinsey & Company, Branio has experience from several continents in improving corporate performance, building new businesses, and improving education.
branislav.klesken [zavinac] leaf.sk
Jiří Zrůst
Co-founder and Member of the Supervisory Board
Honorary Chair of the World Fellowship, Jiri started his involvement with the charity in 2010, when he took on the role of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award in the Czech Republic. Following a successful restructuring and a restart of the programme in his home country, in 2015 Jiri co-founded the Award in Slovakia. Both countries have seen a substantial growth in participation. Jiri is a Partner and Head of Infrastructure at CVC Capital Partners, which he joined in 2022 from Macquarie Asset Management, where he worked for more than ten years as Senior Managing Director, overseeing coverage and origination activities and the management of existing portfolio investments in Europe. Prior to joining Macquarie, Jiri spent 17 years in the transport and logistics sector, first as a CFO and later as a CEO, managing large-scale turnaround and market consolidation projects in Europe, Australia and North America. Jiri has an industrial engineering background and a Master of Business Administration from the Open University Business School, UK.
jiri.zrust [zavinac] dofe.cz
Honorary Chair of the World Fellowship, Jiri started his involvement with the charity in 2010, when he took on the role of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award in the Czech Republic. Following a successful restructuring and a restart of the programme in his home country, in 2015 Jiri co-founded the Award in Slovakia. Both countries have seen a substantial growth in participation. Jiri is a Partner and Head of Infrastructure at CVC Capital Partners, which he joined in 2022 from Macquarie Asset Management, where he worked for more than ten years as Senior Managing Director, overseeing coverage and origination activities and the management of existing portfolio investments in Europe. Prior to joining Macquarie, Jiri spent 17 years in the transport and logistics sector, first as a CFO and later as a CEO, managing large-scale turnaround and market consolidation projects in Europe, Australia and North America. Jiri has an industrial engineering background and a Master of Business Administration from the Open University Business School, UK.
jiri.zrust [zavinac] dofe.cz
Miroslava Rychtárechová
Igor Takáč
Katarína Michaliková
Ľuboš Marcinek
Marek Kmeť
Petra Gubišová
Tomáš Macko
The husband of an excellent woman, the father of two beautiful daughters, a former mathematics teacher who developed various extracurricular activities: experiential stays for students, construction of a workout playground, personal development course for students. I like to learn: psychotherapeutic course, experiential pedagogy, crisis intervention. I like sports, reading and I am. I see working in DofE with a team of great people as another opportunity during which one can learn a lot.
Michal Keim
DofE Slovakia Trainer
He is passionate for mountains and experiental learing, he is a former history teacher and climbing instructor. He fell in love with nonformal education via Štúdio Zážitku Outward Bound Slovakia. Experiences on sea and land tweaked at Outward Bound Hong Kong and several international trainings. He spend his free time usually in mountains in summer and winter too. "The longest journeys begin with single step" Lao-c'
He is passionate for mountains and experiental learing, he is a former history teacher and climbing instructor. He fell in love with nonformal education via Štúdio Zážitku Outward Bound Slovakia. Experiences on sea and land tweaked at Outward Bound Hong Kong and several international trainings. He spend his free time usually in mountains in summer and winter too. "The longest journeys begin with single step" Lao-c'
Kvetka Legerská
DofE Slovakia Trainer
Soňa Oravcová
DofE Slovakia Trainer
Lucia Rossová
DofE Slovakia Trainer
Róbert Sabo
DofE Slovakia Trainer
Robo Zavacký
DofE Slovakia Trainer
Marián Zachar
Co-founder, first Executive Director, volunteer
Marián is passionate about impact-oriented education interventions. Between 2010 and 2012, he implemented Transparency Initiative at the Ministry of Education as an executive assistant and advisor to the Minister and co-founded several programs focused on talented high-school students at Slovak NGO LEAF. In 2015, he co-founded The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in Slovakia which since became one of the fastest growing National Offices of the Award world-wide. He was selected to the Aspen Young Leaders Program of the Aspen Institute Central Europe and to the Map of social innovators who change Slovakia for better, the project created by Ashoka and Pontis Foundation in Slovakia. In 2017 he became Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London. With degree in Political Science and International Relations from Charles University and experience at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, University of California, Berkeley and INSEAD.
Marián is passionate about impact-oriented education interventions. Between 2010 and 2012, he implemented Transparency Initiative at the Ministry of Education as an executive assistant and advisor to the Minister and co-founded several programs focused on talented high-school students at Slovak NGO LEAF. In 2015, he co-founded The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in Slovakia which since became one of the fastest growing National Offices of the Award world-wide. He was selected to the Aspen Young Leaders Program of the Aspen Institute Central Europe and to the Map of social innovators who change Slovakia for better, the project created by Ashoka and Pontis Foundation in Slovakia. In 2017 he became Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London. With degree in Political Science and International Relations from Charles University and experience at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, University of California, Berkeley and INSEAD.
Peter Janiga
advisor, volunteer
Lawyer in the private sector. "Fulltime" volunteer expert in law and counseling, external patron of volunteer opportunities in LEAF. Enthusiast for lifelong learning, civic participation and the arts. He studied law (Trnava University UIB Spain) and international relations (University).
Lawyer in the private sector. "Fulltime" volunteer expert in law and counseling, external patron of volunteer opportunities in LEAF. Enthusiast for lifelong learning, civic participation and the arts. He studied law (Trnava University UIB Spain) and international relations (University).
