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Why Choose Us
Consulting with a purpose: the Emeralds focus on navigating through the changing socio-political climate in Europe and its impact on society, markets/businesses and the way of working.
Partnership on an equal footing: independent individuals joining diverse skillsets, creativity, cultures and experience to a strong team that delivers you innovative results
Adhering to the highest standards: the Emeralds strive for utmost excellence, whilst placing highest emphasis on integrity, transparency and sustainability
Who We Are

Dr. Irina Michalowitz
Founding Partner
Business & Public Affairs
+32(0)478.39.03.73

Cristina Zygomalas
Founding Partner
Communication & Marketing
+32(0)475.67.52.75

Natalie Sarkic-Todd
Founding Partner
CSR & Sustainability
+32(0)474.42.74.38

Dr. Julia Stamm
Founding Partner
Science & Society
+49(0)176.66.18.07.66
Behind the Story
The Emeralds have come together to combine our already successful independent forces in a partnership on an equal footing.
Emeralds as gem stones stand for energy, vitality and new beginnings, just as much as for clarity and focus, and for a strong connection with our partners – exactly what our consulting approach is about. Integrity, transparency and sustainability are central to our beliefs. “Behind the story” is where we offer you a glimpse into our way of working and what that could mean for your future collaboration with us. You can share our joy and resulting determination in our first teambuilding, our hard work to arrive at a common understanding of how we work together, and how teamwork in general actually develops. You will also learn about our approach to the services and areas of expertise, whether on sustainable policymaking, corporate social responsibility or the connection between science and society.
We would be delighted if you stay tuned and watch this space – best by signing up for our newsletter.
Our Services
Regulatory Advice and Public Affairs Advocacy
Association and Membership Management
Sometimes you can achieve more when joining forces with like-minded individuals, corporations or organizations.
You can rely on us for all managerial, administrative, marketing and interest representation services.
We will develop, engage with, and maintain your membership base.
Are you looking for funding opportunities? We are here to help.
EU Funding Support
EU funding programmes are a relevant source of income – yet hard to access successfully and manage efficiently.
But it can be done: with patience, commitment and a little luck. The outcome can be of high strategic importance.
We can help in navigating the complex EU funding architecture, selecting the suitable programme and partners.
We have long-standing expertise in Horizon2020, LIFE, Media Grants, COSME, Development and Cooperation.
Business Development
Developing your business across Europe requires a thorough understanding of the market for your products and services, of your target groups and their needs, and the best way to reach out and to present yourself. Working with us means:
- You will get to know your most interested target groups
- Your business presentation speaks to your prospective clients‘ needs
- Your reach moves beyond your existing network, be it into new sectors, a new environment, or into new cultures and markets
Communication and Marketing
Every company, association or institution needs to communicate. Together, we identify the reference market or area of intervention, analyse it thoroughly and develop a marketing and communication strategy tailored to our clients` needs.
Creativity doesn`t just happen but is often the result of this process, sometimes adding a dash of courage and imagination.
We can deliver on all the above.
Corporate Social Responsibility / Sustainability
Our understanding of Social Responsibility and Sustainability requires looking at a situation in the round, with the aim to achieve an improvement for everyone affected by it.
We help you to:
- understand and influence EU regulation and policymaking in this context
- develop and integrate business-oriented CSR programmes tailored to your company and stakeholders
- minimise business risks and maximise opportunities
- ensure compliance with non-financial reporting rulescommunicate your CSR and sustainability achievements
- plan ahead to prepare for next challenges
Science & Society Relations
We help you better understand the relationship between science, society and policy, through:
- Stakeholder engagement & analysis
- Background briefings
- Studies and reports
- Project evaluation
- Impact analysis
Comprehensively assessing the benefits, risks and uncertainties that new science and technology presents for society is a key – but most complex – priority for research institutes, policy-makers and businesses. We help you through
- Studies and reports
- Convening of workshops
- Best-practice reviews
Latest News

Why women – and diversity overall – are so important in EU Public Affairs
Is public affairs an area where women have more decent chances of developing a high-flying career than in other fields? To what extent are there glass ceilings and obstacles in the way of women? And why should we care? This blog post highlights the benefits of diversity in Public Affairs for businesses and policymakers.

Websummit 2019: Takeaways for Public Affairs and Politics
The Lisbon Web Summit is considered globally the most important and biggest gathering of start-ups and other stakeholders in the technology world – and we have been there. Here’s our take on what it is about, who it is for, how to make it worth your while, and what politics and public affairs have to do with it.

A change is gonna come
Not many people outside the food and beverage sector know about ANUGA, which turned 100 this year. Whilst it is difficult to imagine it squeezed between two world wars, economic depressions, totalitarianism, a divided Germany and Europe, it...

Time to reset the sustainability agenda.
You know things have changed when the Financial Times rebrands itself to promote a kinder form of capitalism. Now it’s time for the whole of society to step up.

People-first projects: what role for women and the EU?
How to consider women in commissioning, managing and benefitting from infrastructure projects? Sometimes, it helps to meet others to realise how far we have come, but also to see how much further we can go.

Three Gs for Europe: what to expect from the new European Commission
Three Gs – a European Green Deal, Gender and Geo-balance: these are the major takeaways from the next Commission set-up. Take a more thorough look with us at what to expect.

Women in Politics in Europe – finally a big leap forward
It is time to write some words about women in politics and positions of power in the European Union. After a rather long drought period, we see women enter with force the top level of EU jobs. So what does this mean in terms of the future policy development of the European Union?

A TALE OF 3 ISLANDS
Sustainable tourism is a nice idea, which now needs concrete implementations. Here is a small example from the Aegean Sea.
Our Combined References
Corporate
Astra Zeneca, British Gas
Kellogg`s, Kraft
Lucent Technologies, Microsoft
ÖBB, Orange
Siemens, Telekom Austria
Unilever
Associations
Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
Electric Handdryers Association
European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT)
Academia
Central European University
Centre Marc Bloch
Ecologic Institute
Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA)
Vienna University
Zeppelin University Friedrichshafen
FHK Campus Vienna
Cities & Regions
Visit Berlin
EU Institutions & Politics
European Commission
European Parliament
Alliance of Liberal Democrats in Europe (ALDE)
Foundations
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)
Rue Charles Martel 5, 1000 Brussels
Irina : +32(0)478.39.03.73
Cristina : +32(0)475.67.52.75
Natalie : +32(0)474.42.74.38
Julia : +49(0)176.66.18.07.66
