Meet EERC
Barbara Drozdowicz
CEO
Barbara is responsible for delivering the overall mission and strategy of the EERC, sustainability and fundraising, and the representation of the voice of Eastern European migrants among stakeholders, policy makers and the media. Barbara joined the EERC in 2012 as a development officer and progressed to be EERC's first CEO in 2015 having earlier gained extensive experience in project management, fundraising and charity governance through European development funds and the charity infrastructure support organisations.
Barbara says - I am passionate about the role and place of Eastern Europeans in the UK, their safety, welfare, wellbeing, and participation in the society. Work in the EERC is my way to ensure that we are seen as valuable members of the British society and heard by those with influence on our collective wellbeing.
Esther McConnell
Deputy CEO
As Deputy CEO, Esther oversees our operations, delivery and workforce. Esther joined EERC in September 2019 and since May 2022 has been seconded part time to the Greater London Authority.
Esther says - I am endlessly inspired by EERC's work, communities and clients. I am glad every day to support Eastern Europeans in the UK with my work here.
Malgosia Pakulska
Advice Programme Manager
As Advice Programme Manager, Malgosia oversees our welfare, housing, debt and prevention of homelessness advice services, ensuring that they meet quality standards. Malgosia has been with EERC since 2009, initially as a volunteer progressing to Senior Adviser and since 2020, Advice Programme Manager.
Malgosia says - I believe passionately in assisting Eastern European nationals to obtain the welfare and social rights they are entitled to under UK law.
Florina Tudose
Advocacy Programme Manager
Florina joined EERC in 2016 and since 2020 runs the Advocacy Programme. The Programme is focused on working with victims of domestic abuse, hate crime and exploitation. Florina loves London’s great diversity and wants to see all migrants being treated equally and living peacefully in this great city.
Florina says - I am inspired and motivated by the resilience of the survivors we work with and I want to make their voices heard.
Ula Skiba
Outreach & Gateway Programme Manager
As Outreach & Gateway Programme Manager, Ula oversees our gateway service and outreach activities. Ula joined EERC in June 2016 and since then has worked in different roles within the organisation, including gateway assistant, senior immigration adviser and project manager.
Ula says - I am happy to contribute to the EERC's everyday work to support Eastern European communities. It is highly rewarding to be part of the process for several years now.
Nazan Ozgur
Immigration Programme Manager
As Immigration Programme Manager Nazan leads operation and delivery of our immigration advice service including project management of our EUSS work since May 2021 when she joined EERC. Previously she was EUSS Project Manager at Asylum Welcome since May 2019. She qualified and practised as an immigration solicitor at Turpin & Miller LLP. She was the instructing solicitor in the reported case of PM (EEA - spouse - "residing with") https://tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/37602 She has a LLB law degree from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Oxford.
Nazan says – I am proud of our immigration team’s work at EERC where every day we support Eastern Europeans and provide access to free, good quality regulated immigration advice for them. As a passionate advocate for vulnerable migrants’ and their families' rights, it is a joy for me when our team can bring a positive change to the lives of some of the hardest to reach communities and be their voice.
Alex Kowalska
Legal Counsel
Alex is dual-qualified as a solicitor in the UK and an advocate in Poland. She works predominantly in the Advocacy team, providing family law advice. She is also responsible for in-house advice for EERC. Alex has worked in the legal sector for 18 years and joined EERC in 2020.
Alex says - We are here to help vulnerable clients get access to justice and to overcome the obstacles Eastern Europeans face every day.
Trustees
Gera Drymer is our Chair and Trustee.
Brian Reed is our Secretary and Trustee.
Elizabeth Vadillo is our Treasurer and Trusteee.
Krystyna Bell is one of our Trustees.
Wieslaw Pawluczyk is our Vice Chair and Trustee.