Our core team leads the day-to-day work of the organisation, bringing together policy expertise, strategic coordination, and communications across Europe.
Faika El-Nagashi
Founder & Director
Faika El-Nagashi is a political scientist, human rights advocate and former Member of Parliament in Austria with 30 years’ experience advancing women’s rights in Europe. Her work bridges politics and civil society with a focus on strategy and communication. At the intersection of feminist advocacy, minority rights and democratic accountability, she examines ideological shifts that constrain women’s rights, open inquiry and democratic debate.
Kurt Krickler
Co-Chair
Kurt Krickler is a translator, journalist and blogger. In 1979, he co-founded the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna and was involved as an activist, board member and volunteer for 39 years. Over the same period, he was also engaged internationally, including with the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), ILGA-Europe (serving as Chair of the Board from 1997 to 2003) and the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), where he was a board member from 2004 to 2010. From 1985 to 2002, he was also active in the field of HIV/AIDS advocacy.
Marianne Driessen
Board Member
Marianne Driessen is an education specialist based in the Netherlands, with a background in Biology (BSc) and Language Learning and Technology (MA). A lifelong advocate for women’s sex-based rights, she taught self-defence to women and girls in the 1980s. Since 2022, she has been writing on the protection of women’s sports, lesbian visibility and the reform of gender care for youth.
Annette Pacey
Communications & Media Enquiries
Annette Pacey is a communications generalist with a background in international relations, freelance writing and podcasting, based in Barcelona, Spain. She is concerned about the distortion of facts and evidence in public discourse on sex and gender, and the way harmful policies have been framed as human rights issues. At Athena Forum, Annette supports communications and press work, participates in outreach activities, and produces the On the Record podcast.
Paul Steger
Research & Data
Paul Steger is an economist by training and is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Mannheim, Germany. He is particularly concerned with the low-quality research and widespread lack of understanding that shape policies around sex and gender in law and gender medicine. With a strong foundation in data analysis and empirical methods, he aims to raise the standard of evidence and contribute to a more informed and robust public debate.
Elfriede Rometsch
National Liaison & Country Monitoring
Elfriede Rometsch is co-founder and Chairwoman of EGGö (European Society for Sex Justice Austria). She is committed to addressing critical issues such as sex-based violence and the importance of recognising biological sex in law and culture. She advocates for transparent and inclusive dialogue in everyday life and public discourse. Her professional background includes landscape architecture and ecology, applied analytics and information management, and mediation.
We are supported by a growing number of dedicated volunteers across Europe, whose time, talent and commitment make our work possible. We are deeply grateful for their contribution.