Economist with more than 20 years of experience, Ms Simion is a seasoned expert in destination and spatial planning, she has worked in the field and managed projects aimed at developing sustainable destinations (protected area, recreational and national parks, peace parks, eco-tourism products and services, blue/green economy initiatives, …) and alternative solutions to delocalization & rural desertification, reconvention of declining economic areas, obsolete industrial sites, former mining and military areas, and refurbishment and urban renewal through green architecture buildings.

She acquired an in-depth knowledge of Regional Innovation Ecosystems and territorial development (including clusters and regions/centers of excellence and innovation & entrepreneurship support) on various assignments funded by EU DG Enterprise, DG Research, DG Regio and DG Enlargement, Committee of Regions. She also managed a series of initiatives funded the EC, WB and IABD, supporting the development of strategic clusters and of business innovation accelerators and incubators in Central and South America.

She has a long experience (since 2003) in managing EC EuropeAid Framework contracts, on specific projects related to economic development and rural sectors, and Technical Assistance contracts for Food Security programs in ACP and Central and South-Eastern Asia. Ms Simion is fluent in English and French.