Shaping Europe’s demographic future by investing in families and every new life

Prof. Dr. Willem-Pieter de Boode

Willem-Pieter de Boode (born in Arnhem in 1966) earned his doctor’s degree with honours from VU University Amsterdam. He specialized in Paediatrics at Radboudumc and Sint Joseph Hospital, now known as Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven. Additionally, he focused on Neonatology at Radboudumc and became a registered Neonatologist in 1999. In 2010, he successfully completed his PhD at Radboud University, conducting research on advanced techniques for investigating and monitoring the neonatal cardiovascular system.

Dr. de Boode currently serves as a paediatrician-neonatologist and a staff member at the Neonatology department in Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. His primary areas of expertise include neonatal haemodynamics, cardiovascular physiology, neonatologist-performed echocardiography (NPE), advanced haemodynamic monitoring, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), neonatal shock, and Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS).

He has held several roles within the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), serving as the secretary of the ESPR Section “Circulation, Oxygen Transport and Haematology” and as chairman of the ESPR special interest group “Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE).” In this capacity, he has been instrumental in formulating European clinical, technical, and training guidelines for the use of echocardiography in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

Dr. de Boode is also the project leader of the BeNeDuctus Trial, an international multi-center, randomized non-inferiority trial that explores early treatment versus expectative management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. This groundbreaking research is funded by The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw). Since October 1, 2019, Willem-Pieter de Boode holds the position of Professor of Neonatology at Radboud University/Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc). As of September 2023, he assumed the role of President of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR).

Outside his professional life, Willem de Boode enjoys a fulfilling personal life. He is happily married and the proud father of four children. His hobbies encompass music, boat building, and theatre.

Dr. Gustavo Rocha

earned his medical degree from the University of Porto, Portugal. He completed a residency in Pediatrics, followed by a subspecialization in Neonatology. In 2002, he obtained a qualification in Fetal Medicine, and in 2011, he received certification as a Consultant Pediatrician. From 2007 to 2012, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto.

With over 25 years of experience in Neonatology at Hospital de São João—a leading tertiary care and referral center in northern Portugal—Dr. Rocha has led numerous research projects and made significant contributions to both national and international multicenter studies and clinical trials. He is also a member of the Pulmonary Research Consortium of the European Society for Paediatric Research.

Dr. Rocha has received multiple accolades, including research grants from the Portuguese Society of Neonatology and the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics. He has coordinated the publication of three books, authored over 280 scientific papers, and served on the editorial boards of several pediatric journals.

From 2011 to 2014, he held the position of Secretary of the Portuguese Society of Neonatology. More recently, he has collaborated with the Society in the national implementation of the European Standards of Care for Newborn Health.

Ūla Kabailaitė

I’m Ūla. I was born at just 25 weeks, weighing only 700 grams. At the time, a  story about me and other children like me even appeared in the newspaper because babies like us were so rare. Now, 23 years later, I don’t feel any different from anyone else — I study, work, and spend my free time reading and traveling. Every day, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to live the life I do, thanks to the incredible team of people who helped me when I needed it most.

Juliëtte Kamphuis

Member of the Parent and Patient Advisory Board of the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI). Having survived her own very preterm birth (1980, 28.5 weeks) and living with its long-term consequences, she is deeply committed to raise global awareness about prematurity. Since 2009, she has been actively amplifying the patient voice in research projects and healthcare-related initiatives, including the development of guidelines and policies and collaborates therefore with national, European, and international organizations. Her own experience motivates her to advocate globally for ensuring that preterm born infants receive adequate healthcare lifelong. 

Dubravka Šuica

Dubravka Šuica is a distinguished Croatian and European political leader with a long-standing career dedicated to democracy, European integration, and regional development. Since 2024, she has served as the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, following her tenure as European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography (2019–2024). A Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP) since 2022, she has been a driving force in shaping EU policies on democratic governance, population challenges, and cross-Mediterranean cooperation. Her earlier roles include Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (2019) and Member of the European Parliament (2013–2019), where she led the Croatian EPP delegation and served as Vice-Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET).

Aurelijus Veryga

Dr. Aurelijus Veryga is a Lithuanian psychiatrist, public health expert, and politician with extensive experience in addiction prevention and health policy. He serves as a Member of the European Parliament, representing the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) for the 2024–2029 term. In the European Parliament, he is a member of the Committees (ENVI) and (SANT), and the Delegation for Relations with Japan.

Dr. Veryga was a Professor at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and has over ten years of clinical and research experience in addiction treatment. He co-founded two national NGOs — the Kaunas Drug Abuse Help Centre for Youth and the Lithuanian National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition — both dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing substance abuse.

From 2016 to 2020, he served as Minister of Health of Lithuania, leading national health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2024, he was a Member of the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament), acting as Vice-Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and as a member of the Health Committee. Aurelijus Veryga actively participates in the European Parliament, speaking on health-related topics, participating in discussions, and organizing various conferences focused on healthcare issues.

Inga Ruginienė

Inga Ruginienė is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania from 25 September 2025.

Inga Ruginienė holds a Master’s degree in Labour Law from Mykolas Romeris University, a Master’s degree in Public Health from Vilnius University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from Kaunas College of Forest and Environmental Engineering.

Inga Ruginienė served the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania in the 19th government, has extensive experience in leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation, Vice President of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation – European Region (ITUC-PERC), and Chairperson of the Lithuanian Federation of Trade Unions of the Forest and Forest Industry.

Since 2024, Inga Ruginienė has been a Member of the Parliament (Seimas).

In addition to her professional achievements, Inga Ruginienė is actively involved in social activities. She has been a first aid instructor and volunteer at the Lithuanian Red Cross Society, where she served as a board member from 2016 to 2019. She also held a board position at Kaunas College of Forest and Environmental Engineering from 2021 to 2023.

Kęstutis Budrys

Kęstutis Budrys has served as the Chief National Security Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Head of the National Security Group. He also was the Secretary of the State Defence Council and Chairman of the Intelligence Coordination Group. He took up his duties at the beginning of 2022.

He has more than 20 years of experience in national security. He served for six years as Deputy Director of the State Security Department, the civilian intelligence and security service. He was responsible for technological intelligence disciplines, intelligence analysis, and threat prevention. From 2009 to 2015, Mr Budrys was Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on intelligence and defence policy. Until 2009, he held leading positions in the field of intelligence analysis.

Budrys studied at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University and holds a BA in Political Science and MA in International Relations. He has also had internships at universities in the USA and Canada.

Jūratė Zailskienė

Born on December 6, 1965, in Utena, Jūratė Zailskienė is a historian and educator by training, having graduated from Vilnius University in 1989. Her professional career spans roles in public administration, non-governmental organizations, and media.

She assumed office as Minister of Social Security and Labour on September 25, 2025, and has been a Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania since November14, 2024.

She served as Deputy Mayor of Prienai District Municipality (2023–2024), Director of the NGO “Su pliusu” (2014–2024), Director of Prienai District Municipality Administration (2019–2023), and Adviser to the Mayor of Prienai (2015–2019). Earlier, she worked as an editor in several publishing houses (1997–2015).

A member of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) since 2012, she has held various leadership positions within the party, including Deputy Chair of the LSDP, Chair of the Transport Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs and Labour Committee.

She is also active in civic life as a volunteer lecturer at Third Age Universities in Prienai and Marijampolė, and a volunteer with the Lithuanian Red Cross. She has authored and co-authored history workbooks and children’s books.

Her interests include travel, reading, cultural activities, politics, and current affairs. She speaks English (intermediate), Polish (beginner), and Russian (advanced). She is married.

Dr. Marija Jakubauskienė

Dr. Marija Jakubauskienė is a public health expert, researcher and academic leader currently serving as the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania. Dr. Jakubauskienė brings to the role more than two decades of experience in population health science, mental health, health system and policy research.

Dr. Jakubauskienė holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University, where she also earned an advanced MBA degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation studies.

Dr. Jakubauskienė has held a number of senior academic and administrative positions over the past ten years.

Daniel Naumovas

Daniel Naumovas is a biomedical scientist and currently serves as the Vice-Minister of Health of Lithuania. As Vice-Minister he is responsible for healthcare innovation policy, including personalized medicine, clinical trials, data science, artificial intelligence, and the implementation of advanced treatment technologies, as well as overseeing pharmaceutical policy and international cooperation.

Orinta Leiputė

Orinta Leiputė is a Member and Deputy Speaker of the 14th Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, representing the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party. She also serves as Deputy Chair of the party and Chair of the Lithuanian Union of Social Democratic Women. Born on 19 January 1973 in Kaunas, Lithuania, she holds a Master’s degree in Educology from the Lithuanian Sports University and a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Pedagogy from Klaipėda University.

Her professional background includes over two decades of experience in education and public service. She has worked as a lecturer at the Lithuanian Sports University, served as Deputy Mayor and later as Adviser to the Mayor of Kaunas City on Youth, Culture, Education, and Sports Affairs, and has been actively involved in local and national governance.

In the Seimas, Orinta Leiputė is a member of the Committee on Health Affairs and the Freedom Prize Commission, having previously served on committees and subcommittees focused on education, mental health, disability rights, and ethics.

Audrius Klišonis

Audrius Klišonis is a pharmacist, public figure, and the Mayor of Plungė District Municipality as well as the President of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania. Born in 1964 in Rokiškis to a family of teachers, he graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Kaunas Medical Institute in 1987. That same year, he began his professional career as the head pharmacist of the Alsėdžiai pharmacy in Plungė district. In 1992, he founded one of the first private pharmacies in Western Lithuania – the company Inesa, and later, in 2003, established the Inesa Family Clinic in Plungė. He has extensive experience in public service, having served as a Member of the Lithuanian Parliament and as Deputy Minister of Health. Since 2014, he has been leading the Plungė District Municipality, actively contributing to regional development and strengthening Lithuania’s healthcare system.

Vitalijus Mitrofanovas

Vitalijus Mitrofanovas is the Mayor of Akmenė District Municipality and a prominent Lithuanian local government leader. Born in 1971 in Akmenė district, he holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Lithuanian University of Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Law from Vilnius University. Since 2015, he has chaired the Finance and Economics Committee of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania and serves as Chairman of the Šiauliai Regional Development Council. A member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe since 2012, he actively contributes to the development of regional governance and social policy in Lithuania. Under his leadership, Akmenė District has achieved notable progress in social innovation, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, earning multiple national awards for excellence in public administration and community development.

Žaneta Grašienė

Jolanta Grigorjevienė

Since 2016, Jolanta Grigorjevienė has represented the Association Neišnešiotukas, working in family advocacy, public relations, and institutional representation. She coordinates community activities across Lithuania, builds partnerships with municipalities, healthcare professionals, institutions, and volunteers, and supports families raising premature infants.

Jolanta is actively involved in advocacy, public awareness, and regional cooperation, contributing to the development of family-friendly policies. She was a member of the organizing team of the international “Preemies Global Summit” in Vilnius and has organized and participated in numerous conferences at national institutions, promoting the adoption of European standards of newborn health care.

She is also a member of the Ministry of Health’s Perinatology Integrated Care Management Committee and serves on the Patient Council of Santaros Clinics, one of the largest medical centers in Lithuania.

Oleksandra Balyasna

Aneta Šlekytė-Kaminienė

Respected expert in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community sustainability, with extensive experience in fostering responsible business practices and driving positive social impact. Her work focuses on aligning corporate strategies with sustainable development goals, ensuring that organizations contribute meaningfully to the well-being of communities while maintaining long-term business value. Passionate about creating inclusive and resilient societies, she has led initiatives that promote ethical governance, environmental stewardship, and stakeholder engagement. Through her expertise, Aneta supports companies in building trust, strengthening community relations, and advancing sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

Živilė Kropaitė