The ISSA Secretariat is committed to helping connect and continuously improve the skillset, knowledge tools and the program scope of ISSA's fast growing membership base.
ISSA's Secretariat works to enhance the communication and cross-pollination between locally-, regionally- and nationally operating organizations. When it comes to advocacy, we operate from the heart of the European Union and move far beyond. We show and share the progress made by our members and consortia, and we emphasize their strengths and experiences, so they can be picked up and spread elsewhere within our extensive network.
Moreover, we facilitate the creation of new resources as we seek out the latest knowledge and translate that into publications, trainings, practical tool-kits, topics for conferences and discussions, webinars and news stories. Pleased to meet you!
Liana Ghent
Liana Ghent is Director of ISSA since 2006. With over 30 years of leadership experience, she specializes in network-development, catalyzing system change and fostering collaboration to mobilize movements. Under her leadership, ISSA expanded its programmatic portfolio and grew significantly, with member organizations from all corners of Europe and Central Asia. ISSA also broadened its scope to address various aspects of Early Childhood Development, with mechanisms and programs to address the needs of young children and families affected by adversity and emergencies. Her career before ISSA, included a senior position in the Higher Education Support Program of Open Society Foundations and serving as Co-President of the Civic Education Project (CEP), an organization working to reform higher education in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She serves on various boards, global initiatives and movements, such as the Executive Leadership Council of the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), the Steering Committee of Moving Minds Alliance (MMA), the High-Level Advisory Group of Act for Early Years Campaign and WHO's Advisory Group for the Nurturing Care Framework. Liana is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher.
Languages: Romanian, English, Hungarian and Dutch
Dr. Mihaela Ionescu
Dr. Mihaela Ionescu joined ISSA in 2010. She is an early childhood education expert and doctor in Educational Sciences. She worked for more than 20 years as a researcher in the education field as an education policy developer, trainer and leader of programs and projects aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education and care services. Prior to joining ISSA she worked throughout the CEE/CIS region as an international consultant for UNICEF and the World Bank. As the Program Director of ISSA Mihaela is central to strategic planning and implementing programs. She creates resources aimed at providing equitable and high-quality early childhood services in countries from ISSA regions by strengthening the capacity of ISSA members to work with professionals, parents, administrators and policy makers.
Languages: Romanian, English and Italian
Yuliya Savchenko
Yuliya Savchenko joined ISSA in February 2023. She holds a degree in International Economic Relations and has over 15 years of experience in leadership and finance management of international NGOs. She was born and raised in Ukraine before relocating to the Netherlands in 2008.
Prior to joining ISSA, she was the CFO at EuroMed Rights, human rights network organization headquartered in Denmark.
Since January 2021 Yuliya also serves as a Treasurer, member of the Board of Trustees of WECF (Women Engage for a Common Future), a non-profit network working on transformative gender equality and women’s human rights in interconnection with climate justice, sustainable energy & chemicals, less toxic waste, safe water & sanitation.
Languages: Ukrainian, English, Dutch.
Maya Autret
Maya holds a PhD in Family Science and Human Development and an MA in International Relations. Maya Autret holds a PhD in Family Studies and Human Development from Montclair State University and an MA from Columbia University. With over 25 years of global experience across corporate settings, nonprofits, and academia in the U.S. and Europe, she brings a unique blend of strategic leadership and content expertise. At ISSA, she serves as Director of Development, Marketing, and Communications, advancing sustainability, visibility, and engagement across Europe and Central Asia. Before joining ISSA, she led strategic organizational development initiatives, marketing and communications teams and platforms, conducted peer-reviewed research, and taught at university level.
Languages: English, French, and Hebrew
Ayça Alaylı
Ayça joined ISSA in 2021 as Junior Program Manager. Before joining ISSA, she worked as a researcher with a special interest in inclusion and equality in education at University of Amsterdam and formerly at ISOTIS project led by Utrecht University. During her work, she contributed to projects focusing on early childhood workforce and quality. Previously, as an education specialist at Anne Çocuk Eğitim Vakfı (AÇEV) - an ISSA Member organization, Turkey, she gained experience in implementation and evaluation of intervention programs targeting societally disadvantaged and refugee children and families.
Ayça holds a Masters degree in Developmental Psychology. In 2020, she was awarded a full grant from ROSANNA Fund for Women.
Languages: Turkish, English, Dutch and Turkish Sign Language
Eva Izsak
Éva Izsák joined ISSA in 2002. She holds a BA degree in Social Work and an MA in Social Policy. Throughout her career she has worked with different non-profit organizations, agencies and networks, including the Hungarian Association for Non-profit Human Services, the Regional Environmental Centre, USAID, United Way and Telecottage Partner Service in Hungary. With more than 20 years of experience in ISSA, her work includes supporting network activities to keep Members engaged, nurturing participatory approaches, network weaving, coordinating the work of the Membership Committee and organizing international events and conferences.
Languages: Hungarian, English and Dutch
Jennifer Lorimer
Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Jen moved to the Netherlands in 2017 to study at Utrecht University. She is in the exciting position of being at the start of her career. Having previously interned for an online magazine for internationals in the Netherlands, she has a strong foundation in communications, as well as customer service experience gained through working for a global retail chain.
Jen has a BA degree in History.
Languages: English
Tatiana Purice
Tatiana joined ISSA In July 2025 as a part‑time Finance Officer. Tatiana holds a bachelor’s degree in International Finance and Accounting from Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands). From 2022 to 2025, she served as an Auditor at Deloitte, working with medium and large national and international clients. Her key responsibilities included assessing financial and operational risks, designing tailored audit strategies, and facilitating smooth communication between audit teams and client contacts. This role refined her strong communication, organization, and analytical abilities. Starting in September 2025, she combines this role with pursuing a master’s degree in Data Science—another professional passion of hers. Deeply committed to education, Tatiana believes in empowering future generations as a catalyst for societal advancement — especially in her home country Moldova, and globally.
