Erik Bruns is a Dutch historian and heritage expert with extensive experience in promoting and developing cultural heritage. He is the founder of the Rhodes International Culture & Heritage Society, one of the most prolific cultural heritage NGOs in Greece. In this capacity, he is dedicated to raising awareness about cultural heritage, with a particular focus on shared heritage among different ethnic and religious communities. Leading a cultural heritage NGO has provided him with a unique perspective and an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by cultural institutions. Furthermore, Erik has offered guidance to institutions and cultural organizations on cultural projects and development initiatives. He has collaborated with numerous partners across multiple European countries, gaining expertise in programs such as Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and EEA grants. Erik earned his master’s degree in History from Utrecht University in The Netherlands and holds a specialized degree in UNESCO World Heritage and Cultural Projects for Development from the Università di Torino in Turin, Italy.
Luka Nedzbala is an American-Slovene architect specializing in the protection of built cultural heritage. Having lived and worked in several countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, he is well aware of the continuing cultural contributions of cultural heritage sites to contemporary societies and the need to safeguard these sites for future generations. In his career as an architect, he has worked in architectural design firms in Europe and the United States on projects ranging from luxury private homes, lighting and furniture design, to social housing initiatives and public school renovations. He graduated cum laude from the Università di Torino in Turin, Italy, with a Masters degree in Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response. He has since been working on projects in Chania, Crete, Greece and Ljubljana Slovenia to ensure that the rich histories and cultures of these cities are better appreciated and valued by visitors and locals alike.