Board of Directors (2023-2024)
Nicholas Torabi
Co-President
Nicholas Torabi is a 12th-grade student who is actively engaged in pursuing his A-level education through online platforms. This unique approach allows him to effectively balance his academic commitments with concurrent professional engagements. Notably, he has completed internships for diverse enterprises, such as a real-estate investment firm and a social media marketing agency.
Moreover, Nicholas is actively involved in the establishment of a venture alongside a close associate. This venture underscores his aspiration to cultivate invaluable proficiencies in the realms of management and collaborative teamwork. Additionally, he is also part of an organization which provides tutorial services to refugees. In the realm of personal development, Nicholas places paramount importance on nurturing his holistic well-being encompassing the realms of intellect, physical fitness, and spiritual fulfillment. He diligently dedicates time to activities such as engaging in sports, reading, podcast consumption, and mindful meditation. Interestingly, it is during these moments of self-cultivation that his most innovative ideas often flourish, particularly when he is momentarily disengaged from other obligations.
Hugo Salus
Co-President
Hugo is a senior at Berlin International School, where he is completing the IB Diploma Programme. He is particularly interested in biology and plans to major in neuroscience at college. Hugo’s interests in economics, entrepreneurship, and finance were inspired when he first took business classes in ninth grade. He hopes to combine his passions in biology and economics in the future and expand his knowledge in the latter through JEC Berlin. Hugo has also been a member of the German national fencing team and participates in fencing tournaments all around the globe. In addition, Hugo is chief editor of the school newspaper and a writer for an online blog called Mind-Design Sports, where he posts articles combining his enthusiasm for sports and neuroscience. In 2021, Hugo competed in the Neuroscience Olympiad and qualified for the German national finals. Reflecting his interest in neuroscience, Hugo is chief technical and marketing officer for the educational social media account “Blue Dendrite”. With his position as Co-President of JEC Berlin, Hugo aspires to extend the network of like-minded students and accrue valuable insights in team leadership.
Victor Blanc
Co-President
Victor Blanc is a 12th-grade IB diploma student at Berlin Metropolitan School and studies Mathematics Analysis and Approaches, Economics, and Biology at higher level and plans to study economics and management at university. At BMS, he also holds the position of School Captain. Victor's accomplishments include securing first place in the Collision Business Competition and receiving the elitist award at the International Maths Olympiad Challenge, securing a Bronze medal in the international STEM Olympiad, receiving consecutive certificates of distinction in the annual University of Waterloo math contests, becoming a national finalist in the German Neuroscience Olympiad, and winning numerous awards at Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. Outside of academics Victor is passionate about closing inequality gaps in the field of education and is currently founding a non profit that provides tutoring to refugees around Berlin. As Co-President, Victor is dedicated to expanding the reach of the remarkable opportunities JEC offers, while fostering a community dedicated to positive impact and mutual growth.
Edgar Salus
Chief Technology Officer
Edgar is a sophomore at Berlin International School where he is completing the IGCSE programme. His primary interests include physics, engineering, finance and entrepreneurship. This led him to complete an internship with R3 Solutions following the speaker event hosted by JEC Berlin with their two CEOs. In 2022 Edgar competed in the junior engineering olympiad, winning 5th place at German national level. He is also a founding member of his school’s physics club and a writer for the school newspaper. Edgar has been playing field hockey for as long as he can remember and also works as an assistant coach for younger players at his club. Reflecting his passion for physics, Edgar runs an educational social media account called “The Quantum”. Edgar is very excited to contribute to the positive impact JEC has on Berlin and beyond.
Clemens Miller
Partnerships Manager
Clemens is a 12th-grade student at the Berlin Metropolitan School, joining this year's Board as Partnerships Manager. After completing the IB diploma he plans to study Business Administration/Management. After four years of playing professional table tennis, securing victories in both regional and national competitions across Germany, he shifted his interest to exploring economics and business, all the while fostering a global networking mindset. Having established a personal stock trading portfolio and completed an internship at Deutsche Bank, he has gained a comprehensive understanding of the financial world and the intricate interplay between political decisions and their impacts on financial markets. His entrepreneurial side finds expression through his involvement in JEC of Berlin, enabling him to not only connect with like-minded peers but also create valuable partnerships with a diverse array of companies and organizations. Beyond his enthusiasm for business, he has embarked on a collaborative initiative with friends. Their mission involves setting up an extensive network to provide tutoring services for refugees throughout the city. By fostering partnerships with various organizations and refugee homes, their aim is to extend educational support to those in need within our community, from one student to another.
Ela Budakoglu
Chief Marketing Officer
Ela is a 12th grade student currently enrolled in the Berlin Metropolitan School, where she is completing the IB Diploma Program. Her main interests particularly lie between the studies of marketing, business management, and public relations. Through her many internships and job experiences in Turkey (where she lived for 11 years), Greece and Germany, she has gained firsthand experience on diverse cultures and how marketing techniques can vary from region to region. She then completed two online courses; “Content Marketing by HubSpot Academy” and “Introduction to Marketing by the University of British Columbia”, where she learned how to apply such marketing strategies onto real life examples and businesses. Furthermore, Ela also plays Tennis professionally as she is a licensed tennis player of the Turkish Tennis Federation. She also has attendance at around 30 international and national tournaments, and currently leads a volunteering team. In a business plan competition organized by the Christ College in 2023, she was also awarded the best business idea certification. Reflecting her interest, she currently works at the Pist Life Design Store of Berlin as the chief marketing officer and social media manager. This following year, she is very excited to put her knowledge that she has gained from her experiences, into the JEC marketing team.
Felix Pappert
Event Manager
After a year at a British boarding school Felix is now starting his higher School Certificate at the Werner-von-Siemens Gymnasium in Berlin. Two years ago he completed an internship at an architecture office in Berlin which sparked his interest in architecture. When Felix finishes school, studying architecture or business is his dream.
In addition, history and foreign cultures have always fascinated Felix. From a young age on he has been traveling around the world, experiencing new cultures and meeting different people. Recently, he has been to Iceland and New York with his Geography class. Through his interest for different cultures Felix also developed an interest for foreign relationships. In England, he took part in a MUN conference where he represented Denmark.
On the sports side Felix enjoys playing tennis and has been doing that for a long time. In England, he was part of the first tennis school team. Furthermore he is an excellent cook and also likes to play chess.
Katerina Gehrckens
Community Outreach Officer
Katerina, a senior at Berlin International School currently working towards completing the IB Diploma Programme, is joining the JEC’s board as Community Outreach Officer. Katerina’s interests lie primarily in the natural sciences, as well as language acquisition and writing. Her interest in economics and business was sparked in her DP1 year by joining Junior Economics Club and Young Entrepreneurs Club at her school, and through her economics elective. In addition to joining these clubs, Katerina is the leader of Open Arms Society at her school, a haven for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Furthermore, she enjoys being active by going to the gym and swimming. Her interest in the sciences unfolds in her goal of studying medicine and opening her own medical practice, although she intends to incorporate other sources of income and business endeavors into her career. She has completed an internship, following and assisting a plastic surgeon’s work process. Her interests in global economics and entrepreneurship are stimulated through the thought-provoking interactions with like-minded members of JEC Berlin and presentations by experts in these fields sharing their insightful experiences and know-how.
Yonatan Elkanati
Logistics Manager
Yonatan is an 11th grade student at Berlin International School, where he plans to complete the IB Diploma Programme. Afterwards, Yonatan intends to pursue a career in finance, law, or real estate. After having completed an internship at Aroundtown SA, one of the largest real estate companies in Europe, where he worked on exciting, innovative projects while networking at meetings and events, Yonatan discovered his passion for real estate and learnt about the financial processes involving real estate deals. Furthermore, he goes to the gym and plays football multiple times a week while working on his own business ventures. Yonatan has a keen interest in business, entrepreneurship, and economics, which he hopes to develop by being part of JEC Berlin.
On Hill
External Outreach Officer
Attending Berlin Metropolitan School, he is in his final year of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, with a focus on Economics, Applied Mathematics, and Global Politics. He has been a member of the Model United Nations society since 2020, and participated in multiple competitions, including the EHL Business Competition, and annual Waterloo Mathematics Competitions. Outside of school, he has spent the last year reimplementing a website; customizing a Hugo CMS using Go and Tailwind, and continues to tutor mathematics. After completing the IB diploma, he plans to study finance or economics and break into venture capital, private equity, or investment banking. One thing he knows for sure is that he will build a business of his own someday. The use of economic indicators to analyse global politics is a field he has long been interested in, and continues to pursue. As External Outreach Officer, his role entails a highly personal level of networking and socializing. This skill is one not typically as written about, however it is crucial for the expansion of JEC, and one of the most valuable abilities On possesses.
Filip Ekblom
Head of Ambassadors
Filip is an aspiring eleventh-grade student with a forthcoming achievement of the IB diploma. His aspirations are firmly anchored in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Maritime Engineering. Outside of school Filip enjoys Playing Tennis and repairing and mending Machines In a attempt to understand how they work. Evidencing his forward-thinking approach, Filip's tenure in harbor management during 2022 and 2023 served as a deliberate preparatory phase, enriching his perspective and guiding his prospective educational path. Having garnered insightful experiences in harbor management. Filip's focus shifted toward the practical dimensions of his chosen field. This progression also highlights his commitment to understanding and following Maritime Engineering and other global issues and current developments. Combining theoretical with pragmatic application. Through JEC Filip is able to be connected with like minded people who share a Interested in understanding how to successfully prepare themselves for Life after school. Connecting with each other to have a positive impact on JEC. As the head of ambassadors, Filip aims to connect more people with like-minded individuals interested in economics, business, finance, and entrepreneurship, actively recruiting motivated individuals for a positive impact within JEC.
Jonathan Kamp
Speaker Outreach Officer
Jonathan is a Year 13 student at Carfax College Oxford. After completing his A levels in Economics, Mathematics, and Geography he plans to study international business management. His aspirations are fortified by hands-on experiences, notably an internship at DHL Global Forwarding, where he gained insight into the complexities of logistics and international trade. Additionally, Jonathan contributed to NSMBL, an online marketplace bolstering local African enterprises, showcasing his commitment to fostering economic growth. Subsequent to these experiences, Jonathan has refined his skills during an internship at Hystake Investment Partners, delving into the intricacies of real estate and private equity—an endeavor that underlines his multifaceted approach to business. Beyond academic and professional pursuits, Jonathan nurtures an avid curiosity in law, finance, and international business relations, mirrored by his adept management of a personal stock trading portfolio. Alongside his friends, he has also embarked on a noble nonprofit endeavor aimed at delivering tutoring services to underprivileged students across Berlin.