Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Personal Information
Publications
Timeline
Generic
Eleonora Ganescu

Eleonora Ganescu

Uccle

Summary

Learning and Development Leader with 20+ years of experience in executive education, public sector innovation, and organizational transformation across EU institutions and global NGOs. Expert in designing and scaling digital learning platforms, leading multi-stakeholder collaborations, and aligning education programs with strategic policy objectives. Recognized thought leader, author, and public speaker in the fields of systems change, learning strategy, and digital capability building.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Languages

Work History

STRATEGIC LEAD - LEARNING AS A STRATEGY & DIGITAL LEARNING SYSTEMS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
Uccle
09.2019 - Current
  • Led the development and implementation of the EU Academy, a multilingual digital learning platform serving 8 million civil servants across the EU.
  • Designed the strategic vision and operating model for executive and professional education across EU agencies.
  • Drove partnerships with DG Reform, ComPAct, and other stakeholders to embed learning into public policy design and implementation.
  • Oversaw platform governance, onboarding programs, and quality assurance frameworks for content owners and learners.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE & LEARNING STRATEGY EXPERT

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
Brussels
01.2015 - 08.2019
  • Supported multilateral and public-sector clients in aligning organizational strategies with upskilling and digital transformation agendas.
  • Facilitated executive retreats, learning needs assessments, and change readiness programs.
  • Advised on platform design, learning experience frameworks, and measurement of learning impact.

REGIONAL LEARNING & STRATEGY ADVISOR

Habitat for Humanity International
Bratislava
11.2011 - 06.2014
  • Coached, trained, and supported the development of Communities of Practice across the EMEA region.
  • Designed and led a six-month Appreciative Inquiry-based transformation process to unify and rebuild the EMEA team following a regional merger.
  • Initiated and led the development of the EMEA Knowledge Hub to support learning and knowledge sharing across member organizations.
  • Designed and facilitated leadership development training and strategic planning sessions.
  • Managed the full strategy development cycle for the 2013-2018 period, including planning, facilitation, and evaluation.
  • Led a comprehensive stakeholder analysis process involving national member organizations, donors, and funding partners to ensure inclusive input into strategic direction.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE SERVICES

Community Intelligence Ltd
Brussels
01.2007 - 01.2011
  • Served clients (such as the European Commission) to harness the potential of their collective intelligence by developing vibrant Communities of Practice.
  • Developed and managed the organizational strategy around the key services in the field of Communities of Practice.

TRAINER

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels
01.1997 - 01.2011
  • Developed and delivered onboarding programs for new civil servants at the European Commission, focusing on communication, international teamwork, intercultural collaboration, and early-career leadership.
  • Designed and facilitated training programs in intercultural communication, train-the-trainer approaches, organizational development, volunteer coordination, youth engagement, and project management.

Education

Ph.D. - COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Ludwig Maximillian Universität
Munich, Germany
10.1999 - 06.2005

Bachelor of Arts - SOCIOLOGY

Babes Bolyai Univeristy
Cluj NApoca, Romania
10.1992 - 06.1997

High School Diploma -

Liceul De Informatica Tiberiu Popoviciu
Cluj Napoca, Romania
09.1987 - 06.1991

Skills

Executive and Professional Education Strategy

Digital Learning Innovation and Platform Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-sector Collaboration

Organizational Transformation and Change Management

Intercultural and International Facilitation

Organizational Development and Change Management

Websites

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth: 11/21/72
  • Nationality: Romanian Belgian

Publications

  • "Learning as a Strategy" for Better EU Policy Understanding and Implementation in the Digital Era, Hearn, P., Elias, L., Ganescu, E., Digital Society, 2, 13, 2023, Springer
  • Play the System: The Corporate Rebel's Guide to Make Their Organization Listen and Change, Nora Ganescu, Morgan James Publishing, 03/03/20
  • The CEO's Playbook: Turning the Employees You Have into the Dream Team You Always Wanted, Nora Ganescu, Morgan James Publishing, 07/11/17
  • Ethnische Minderheiten in der rumänischen Presse: Eine quantitative und diskurshistorische Zeitungsanalyse, Eleonora Ganescu, 2006

Timeline

STRATEGIC LEAD - LEARNING AS A STRATEGY & DIGITAL LEARNING SYSTEMS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
09.2019 - Current

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE & LEARNING STRATEGY EXPERT

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
01.2015 - 08.2019

REGIONAL LEARNING & STRATEGY ADVISOR

Habitat for Humanity International
11.2011 - 06.2014

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE SERVICES

Community Intelligence Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2011

Ph.D. - COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Ludwig Maximillian Universität
10.1999 - 06.2005

TRAINER

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
01.1997 - 01.2011

Bachelor of Arts - SOCIOLOGY

Babes Bolyai Univeristy
10.1992 - 06.1997

High School Diploma -

Liceul De Informatica Tiberiu Popoviciu
09.1987 - 06.1991

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Eleonora Ganescu