1. Who have you worked with that has most inspired you in your career, and how?
Sometimes it’s the issues we work on and the situations we see that inspire us, rather than individuals. The war in Ukraine and the crimes committed by Russian soldiers have shown us the darkness humanity can possess. But the humanitarian crisis has also prompted incredible acts of kindness, bravery and generosity. The courage and determination displayed by President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and Ukraine are awe-inspiring to us all.
I saw in the news a picture of a woman still planting flowers in Kyiv. She said she hoped the war would soon end and the plants would soon flower. That kind of resilience is something we should all seek to channel in our daily lives and into the things that matter to us most.
2. What is the smallest change you have made in your career that has had the biggest positive result?
I believed in myself more and became more confident in my positions and decisions. The results followed.
3. Is there anything you have personally achieved or done that would surprise people?
I’m not sure I can surprise anyone but being elected as an MEP at the age of 28 while the average age at the European Parliament was around 50 years old is perhaps worth mentioning. Though, it’s not your age that defines your actions, it’s your ideas, being able to grasp the bigger picture and contribute with meaningful proposals.
4. What do you do in your free time to relax and unwind?
If there is anything that the past couple of years has reiterated to us, it’s the importance of family. With all the speed, fast pace, and hustle and bustle of my job, it’s my family with whom I unwind and have a fun time.
5. What was the most inspirational and influential book you have read and why?
A thought-provoking book I’m reading at the moment is The Age of AI: And Our Human Future by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Daniel P. Huttenlocher. After all, I hold the rapporteurship on the AI Act.