SPEAKERS

Benedict graduated as a Master in Philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven. Writing a thesis on the philosophy of Karl Popper applied to the science and politics of climate change sparked his interest in energy transition and energy markets.

He started his career in 2000 in sales at GfE, an energy & environmental consultancy where in 2004 he became the manager of the environmental consultants team.

In 2005 he co-founded E&C and his professional bio as of then obviously highlights the main events in the history of the company. Benedict started as an energy procurement consultant, practising the basics of negotiating contracts, helping clients to hedge and checking invoices. As the team grew, Benedict started to focus more on helping the ever larger clients to develop and implement energy procurement strategies, conceiving and finetuning E&C’s unique risk management approach.

He also became a globetrotter, travelling all over the planet to set up offices, develop business and service clients. After becoming the majority shareholder in E&C in 2019, he focused on making E&C a scale-up company, enthusiastically putting in place teal management principles.

He also translated his experience in energy markets in the making of the ePoint product, acting as a product owner in the first years of the ePoint 3 and eCore data platform project. Together with co-CEO Jens, an inspired management team, the partners and the whole E&C family, Benedict is currently gearing everything up to make the company a leading global energy services business.

The many insights gathered during his unique professional experiences and encounters can also be found in the many blog articles and white papers authored by Benedict.

When he’s not working he is a passionate angler, finding inspiration for energy markets and E&C and personal balance on the banks of small lakes. 

Dina Karamarko is a dynamic and results-driven energy professional who has been with E&C since 2015. Specializing in international energy procurement and energy transition, she has expertly managed both European and global accounts. In 2024, Dina took on the role of Lead Partner, where she drives the strategic development and deployment of E&C’s innovative energy transition services.

Dina is known for her creativity, strategic planning, and strong time management, balancing complex projects while delivering impactful, solutions-oriented results. She thrives on new challenges and fosters a collaborative approach to problem-solving. At the core of her leadership is a deep commitment to motivating others and cultivating a positive attitude.

Passionate about empowering the next generation of consultants, Dina is equally dedicated to championing women in the energy sector. As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, she believes in the transformative power of a diverse workforce and actively works to create opportunities for women to step into leadership roles within the industry.

Her academic background includes a master’s degree in business management from the University of Zagreb and a second master’s in sustainable development from the University of Utrecht. Dina’s international perspective is further enriched by living in several European countries. Now based in the Netherlands, she continuously seeks new travel experiences that inspire both her personal growth and professional endeavours.

Outside of her work in the energy sector, Dina finds balance in creative activities such as cooking, gardening, photography and interior design, passions that provide relaxation and fuel her drive for excellence.

Jens Lievens is since 2024 co-CEO at E&C Consultants. While he defines the general strategy of the company together with Benedict, he supervises the daily operations with a focus on business development. Since August 2025, Jens is based in Toronto, Canada, to ensure the constant growth of E&C in North America.

After securing a bachelor's degree in French and English in 2006, Jens pursued his childhood dream into the professional handball arena, playing in Germany, France, and as the captain of the Belgian National Team. Returning to Belgium in 2015, Jens seamlessly transitioned his knowledge of languages and competitive spirit into a role as international business developer at E&C.

Jens is passionate about translating E&C’s visionary insights into clear and compelling presentations and messages. Whether he's addressing internal teams, a client's boardroom or a conference, Jens has become a sought-after speaker, leaving everyone both enlightened and uplifted.

When he's not shaping the future of E&C, Jens finds joy in spending quality time with his family. He also hits the gym a few times a week, embodying the same energy that he brings to the business arena.

With a Bachelor of Science degree under her arm, Kathleen Peters started her journey at E&C Consultants 8 years ago. Primarily focusing on the Dutch and German markets, she extended her portfolio to the UK and Ireland clients after only one year as a result of her impressive performance. Over these 8 years, Kathleen has made impressive strides in the roles and tasks she has undertaken. Starting as a country consultant, Kathleen stepped up to coordinate international clients before expanding and intensifying her expertise in green energy. She led the first PPA tender for Germany, and, since 2023, has embraced a full-time focus on energy transition at E&C.

This interest in sustainability is reflected in the part Kathleen plays in the execution of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, an area in which Kathleen is constantly innovating to introduce initiatives aimed, on a smaller scale, at reducing our negative impact on the planet.

German native, Kathleen lives in The Netherlands, where she enjoys spending her time hiking.

Cyriel serves as E&C’s IT Product Owner, blending his extensive knowledge of energy markets with a passion for technology to guide the IT team in developing impactful software solutions tailored to large energy consumers.

After earning his second master’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Ghent, Belgium, Cyriel joined E&C as an energy consultant in 2017. Over five years, he supported clients across the Benelux, UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Australia. In 2022, he transitioned to the IT team, where, alongside Zhanna, he played a pivotal role in scaling the team to five times its original size. Together, they’ve spearheaded the development of innovative software tools that enhance E&C’s offerings for its clients.

Outside of work, Cyriel channels his creativity and energy into refereeing rugby games, playing golf, woodworking, and experimenting with microcomputers to design intricate escape room puzzles. Simply put, he embraces his inner nerd with enthusiasm!

Zhanna Tarasko joined E&C in 2021, performing several roles with excellence until becoming COO in 2025. With a diverse background in both technology and finance, Zhanna studied at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland before working at BDO, where she trained as an auditor (chartered), mainly working with global tech & media companies. With a deep expertise in data management and IT systems, Zhanna now leads E&C's operations driving innovation and efficiency to all teams transversally. Her unique blend of technical skills and financial knowledge allows her to bridge the gap between complex data solutions and business strategy.

Zhanna has worked in three different countries (Russia, the UK, and Spain), giving her a global perspective on business and technology. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, exploring her passion for music, and travelling to new destinations.

Bart Verest has and educational background in International politics & diplomacy and Energy law at Ghent University, Belgium.

He has worked at E&C Consultants for more than 11 years as International energy procurement and sustainability consultant, coordinating European and global accounts. In the meantime he’s lead partner within E&C Consultants, responsible for energy policy and regulatory affairs. In this context, he’s involved in the ongoing regulatory evolution of the renewable and natural gas markets and the establishment of EAC’s for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO’s).

In addition, he is co-founder of Navitas, an energy cooperative based in Belgium.