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Verena Galonska
Director
Verena leads BRIGHT’s day-to-day operations and coordinates the organisation’s growing network of students, mentors and institutional partners.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND BRIGHT
Different backgrounds.
Different backgrounds.
One shared purpose.
BRIGHT brings together people from healthcare, engineering, education, business and community work. What connects us is a simple belief: opportunity should not depend on where someone starts, who they know, or whether they happen to have the right support at the right moment.
HOW WE WORK
A small team with a hands-on role.
BRIGHT combines operational leadership, volunteer governance and an advisory network. Many of the people who help shape the organisation also participate directly in mentoring, partnerships and programme development.
That proximity to the students and mentors we support is important to us: BRIGHT should never become an organisation that is distant from the people it exists to serve.
LEADERSHIP & OPERATIONS
The people who keep BRIGHT moving.
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Gilles Nies
Vice Director
Luxembourgish contruction engineer, who completed his education in Aachen, focused on sustainability assessment for bridge constructions during his thesis. Currently, he is actively involved in the development of public transport infrastructure in Luxembourg and has been with us since the program's inception. Gilles serves as Deputy Director.
One of the few things we can't control in life are the circumstances of our birth. While we may not have control over our past, we do have the power to shape our future, so let's start being the architects of change!
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Nina Hamsas
Executive Assistant
Nina supports the operational coordination behind BRIGHT’s programmes and the day-to-day work that keeps our activities running smoothly.
BOARD & GOVERNANCE
Shaping the mission and protecting the purpose.
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Patrick Dang
Co-Founder · Board Member
Meet Patrick, a medical doctor who completed his studies in Paris and currently specializes in oncology. He is concurrently enrolled in a part-time MD PhD program, with a research focus on immunotherapy and gut microbiota. As one of the founding members, Patrick serves on the board of directors.
Throughout my educational journey, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to pursue a career in medicine and research, a path that I found both challenging and rewarding. Yet, looking back, I ask myself if it would have been possible without the support of financial stability or the guidance of dedicated mentors I had the privilege of meeting throughout my journey.
In summary, my story is one of both luck and dedication. I’ve always been grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, which I’ve tried to get the most out of, and this gratitude has fueled my commitment to giving back. It is with this spirit of gratitude that the Bright came to be.
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Samuel Majerus
Co-Founder · Board Member
An expert in circular economy and sustainability, Samuel is an engineer currently working as a partner and board member of an engineering company. He is a founding member and serves on the board of directors Bright ASBL, with a mission to contribute to a better society.
Success is a blend of luck and opportunity, along with being ready to seize them when they come your way. Bright Foundation could be that chance for young individuals, offering them a path to success by providing the necessary resources and support to reach their full potential.
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Mariette Brosius
Board Member
Meet Mariette, a midwife and seasoned professional who holds the position of Head of the maternity ward. In our NGO, she takes on the crucial role of Managing Director, driving outreach activities to identify prospective grant recipients. Her expertise shines as she effectively communicates with schools, communities, and various stakeholders, elevating awareness about our impactful program and forging strong connections within the community.
I believe that education, combined with fair values, can be the key to moving forward as a society: every individual can have a meaningful and positive impact on the world of tomorrow, regardless of their social status or financial background. Education is not a privilege.
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Kim Tang
General Secretary
Kim supports BRIGHT’s governance and administrative continuity as General Secretary.
ADVISORY BOARD
Experience we can turn to.
Our advisory members provide continuity, perspective and an external view as BRIGHT develops.
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Noé Berger
Permanent Member of the Advisory Board
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Stéphane Lenert
Permanent Member of the Advisory Board
HONORARY MEMBERS
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People who have helped BRIGHT grow.
These individuals have supported BRIGHT with their time, expertise, creativity or generosity and have helped strengthen the organisation along the way.
Paul Schmitz
Paul has supported the organisation of BRIGHT events from planning through execution, helping turn our gatherings into memorable community moments.
Lena Zimmer
Lena has contributed her expertise to the mentoring programme and helped strengthen its development and quality.
Annette Mangers
Annette’s generous financial support has helped BRIGHT pursue its mission and support students when it matters most.
Marc Hermes
Marc has helped bring BRIGHT’s work to life through photography, giving our mission a stronger visual voice across social media and events.
BRIGHT is bigger than the people on this page.