Meet the team
Get to know the team behind Future Cleantech Architects that consists of passionate members, sharing commitment to catalyze transformative change in the most critical sectors.
Dr. Peter Schniering
Founder & CEO
Peter is the Founder and CEO of FCA. He holds a PhD in Climate Policy and Technology and has worked with UN Climate Change, the International Energy Agency, and Roland Berger to accelerate cleantech innovation. He also serves on international advisory boards and was appointed as a third-party expert on transformational technologies, including for the German federal government.
Dr. Marlène Siméon
Director of Policy
Marlène Siméon leads FCA's policy team on science-based advocacy to accelerate industrial decarbonization and innovative cleantech across Europe. With more than 15 years of experience in EU and international policy, she currently works at the intersection of climate innovation, energy systems, and heavy industry, building strategic alliances and shaping EU legislation to unlock scalable low-carbon solutions. Marlène holds a PhD in international economics.
Magnolia Tovar
Director Technologies & Impact
Magnolia Tovar leads FCA's research and technical work to close the innovation gap in hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, hydrogen, and transport, as well as working on donor engagement. Her work focuses on advancing pragmatic, science-based solutions for net-zero emissions. A chemical engineer by training, she brings over 25 years of experience in industrial decarbonization and clean energy transition across more than 20 countries.
Leonie Brand
Head of Operations & Partnerships
Leonie is responsible for strategy, operational processes, and partnerships at FCA, building bridges between research, industry, and policymakers to drive innovation in hard-to-abate sectors. She’s also in charge of the Future Cleantech Festival and supports our German policy work. She holds Masters degrees in Englisch Literatures and Cultures and North American Studies (focus: foreign policy, international relations, economics).
Tal Harris
Head of Communications
Tal Harris is Head of Communications at Future Cleantech Architects, with over 15 years of international experience across the UN, government, and NGOs, including Greenpeace. Based in Geneva, he specializes in media engagement and narrative strategy on climate policy and global environmental issues, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rainforest Foundation UK.
Francesca Brunner
Senior Communications Officer
Francesca works in communications and external engagement at FCA, supporting the translation of research into accessible narratives. Based in Berlin, she coordinates FCA's design work, focusing on publications and audiovisual content, and contributes to how FCA’s analyses and advocacy efforts are communicated across audiences. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and International Organizations, with a focus on knowledge systems and global governance.
Patrick Cummins-Tripodi
Cleantech Policy Officer
Patrick is responsible for engaging with policymakers and stakeholders on EU transport policy. Based in Brussels, he focuses in particular on ways to decarbonize aviation and shipping in areas such as fuels, propulsion technologies, non-CO2 effects, pricing frameworks such as the emissions trading system, operational efficiency, and infrastructure.
Sophie Deijkers
Cleantech Policy Officer
Sophie’s work focuses on low-carbon construction products such as steel, cement, and concrete. Based in Brussels, she is currently following the Commission's work on the Industrial Accelerator Act, including the upcoming steel and concrete labels as well as the public procurement rules. As FCA's policy lead on hydrogen she will develop their recommendations for the Hydrogen Strategy review which is due this year.
Juliane Harlfinger
Media Relations
Juliane is responsible for journalist engagement, press communications, and coordinating the organization’s Handelsblatt series. She studied media studies and previously worked for BILD Zeitung and RTL News, bringing a strong background in journalism and media to her role.
Dr. Antoine Koen
Cleantech Analyst Lead Energy Systems
Antoine Koen is a cleantech analyst leading FCA's work on energy systems. He specializes in energy technologies and holds a PhD in thermal energy storage from the University of Cambridge. His work focuses on building resilient and clean energy systems, with particular emphasis on industrial decarbonization, including heat and electrification, as well as on enabling system flexibility for renewables through storage, demand response, grid expansion, and clean dispatchable power sources such as geothermal.
Dr. James Lazenby
Cleantech Analyst
James is a cleantech analyst carrying out techno-economic analysis of energy technologies and how they can be applied to decarbonize the electricity grid and hard-to-abate industrial sectors. He takes a first-principles, thermodynamics-led approach to quantify system performance while also placing this into context with robust cost estimates. James completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge on thermal energy storage integrated with nuclear power plants.
Hannah Maral
Cleantech Analyst
Hannah is a Cleantech Analyst focusing on global cost and system analysis for the decarbonization of primary steel production. She holds an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering from Technical University Munich and works at the intersection of industry, technology, and climate policy.
Christina Martelock
Administration & Support
Christina works on operations at Future Cleantech Architects (FCA), supporting event planning, accounting, and travel organization. Based in Remscheid, she contributes to the structured development of operational processes and helps optimize internal workflows.
Clara Ouvrier
Events and Policy Support Officer
Clara coordinates events and logistics for the FCA Brussels office, including our Coffee & Cleantech Series, while also supporting the policy team on European files. She holds a Masters degree in Urban studies, focusing on governing the ecological transition in European cities.
Mariangela Radaelli
Senior Designer
Dr. Peter Paul Ruschhaupt
Cleantech Analyst
Johanna Rübcke
Conference & Project Manager
Johanna manages the Future Cleantech Festival at FCA. With her specialization in fundraising and funded projects, she will further support our donor relations management and funded projects. Based in Cologne, she holds a dual master's degree in International Relations, focusing on Security Studies, Diplomacy, and Foreign Policy. She has conducted research for the Summa and INSS research institutes and worked at UNESCO and the German Commission for UNESCO.
Friedrich Schubert
Senior Coordinator for Operations & Policy
Friedrich is responsible for German policy work and operational processes at FCA. He has expertise in consulting, focusing on GHG analysis, sustainable fuels, and EU renewable energy frameworks. He holds a Master's in Agricultural and Food Economics from the University of Bonn, with a focus on Trade Policy and Complexity Economics.
René Severens
Senior Cleantech Analyst
René Severens has close to 30 years of experience in the energy industry. A physicist by training, he began his career building a photovoltaic factory before transitioning to the oil sector, where he helped refineries worldwide shift to clean fuels, including ultra-low sulfur diesel, biofuels, and sustainable aviation fuels, through hydrogen-based processes. René holds an M.Sc. in Applied Physics from Eindhoven University of Technology.
Nick Stocker
Operational Excellence Manager
Nick is responsible for operational excellence at FCA, streamlining internal processes and building a future-proof organization. He has strong experience in project & program management and driving organizational change processes in semiconductor industry. Nick holds Masters degrees in Business Administration.
Gizem Catal
Design Associate
Gizem works as a student designer at FCA, as part of the Communications department. She supports the development of visual materials, contributing to publications, presentations, and audiovisual content. Based in Germany, she also supports the Technology department with clear, engaging, and concept-driven design.
Bennet Ribbeck
Research Associate
Johannes Obermeier
Data Systems Specialist