Luca Fornari (PTSTA-O) has a specific interest and experience in intercultural approaches to team development. As a consultant and coach, he supports the development of intercultural mindsets in organisations, such as in accompanying cross-cultural Mergers and Acquisitions and with multicultural teams. He is motivated by the opportunity for growth and discovery offered by encountering different (cultural) frames of reference.

Luca grew up in ‘hybrid’ cultural contexts from an early age: both his parents, Italian and Irish, grew up in Tanzania. He has a MA in intercultural approach to social management (Bicocca – Milan), attended the Intercultural Communication Institute (Portland) and worked for five years with the Intercultural Development Research Institute. He worked for several years as an intercultural counsellor and coach with refugees and expatriate managers.

Karolina Ehretsmann is an executive coach, facilitator & training consultant dedicated to helping individuals thrive in their professional roles. Currently based in Paris, Karolina accompanies individuals and groups in developing their potential and autonomy by facilitating awareness of self/others, shifting perceptions and enhancing cultural humility along the way.

Since she was born Karolina has evolved in a multicultural environment. She is half French, half Icelandic, and grew up in England, so from an early age she learnt, as a third culture kid, how to manage a multicultural identity. Later she had the privilege to encounter new cultures and adventures as an expatriate, living for over 11 years abroad in Dubai (UAE), Islamabad (Pakistan), Oxfordshire (UK) and Nairobi (Kenya), which have given her a profound understanding of the challenges of adapting, interacting and finding one’s place in a culturally diverse context.

She started her Transactional Analysis journey in 2009 in the fields of O and E, and is currently preparing her CTA-O. She also holds a Masters in Business Management, professional coaching certifications and has trained in the intercultural field. In 2013 she founded «Ibasho», a coaching and training consultancy based in France.

Samantha Carbon – UKCP Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor- is a PTSTA and published author with over a decade’s involvement in the psychotherapy field. She has made tremendous contributions to the mental health industry, publishing the Little Self Esteem Book. She works from an integrative framework, which means that she adapts a holistic approach to best suit the needs of the client.

Professionally, Sam specialises in utilising her people skills gained in the corporate and voluntary world to support individuals that have anxiety, depression, trauma, historical abuse, loss, addictive behaviours, gender dysphoria, stress, self-esteem issue and work-related stress. She works with couples and groups.

Sam works with businesses and individuals raising awareness on anti-racism and diversity and has developed the CARE Method — a four-step process that supports individuals to understand their personal relationship with RACE. She believes that Compassion, Accountability, Resistance, and Empathy (C.A.R.E.) are the building blocks of an anti-oppressive belief system. She has developed The Let’s Embrace Race Card Deck to support users to begin to rehumanise the Race conversation.

Lana Koval is a psychologist, based in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is offering training on Stress resistance, Emotional literacy, and Learning opportunities in turbulent times. As well as carries out projects dedicated to developing English as a second language among adults and professionals in Ukraine.

Professional and TA backgroundsThe acquaintance with TA happened in 2008 during her internship at a local mediation group, where her colleagues inspired her with the philosophy of TA communicated throughout the interaction.

In 2011 Lana received a Master’s Degree in psychology. At the moment, she is finishing 2 advanced TA training programs – in the field of Psychotherapy and Education. Lana Koval is on her way to the CTA in the field of Education.

Additionally: in 2022-2023 she completed a course on Regulating conflicts and mediation in social and political areas. Connection to the topic of diversity and personal relevance:

Having faced the uncertainty caused by the Russian war against Ukraine, and noticing an immense change in society, individuals, and groups, Lana turned her interest to exploring the theme of Learning opportunities in turbulent times. Pieces of this work will be introduced during the webinar. After the presentation, the participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and go in exchange.