Originally from Latvia, Guntars has embraced the charm of the Netherlands as his home for the past 7 years, with memorable escapades in Canada and the U.S. along the way. His academic journey in economics and mathematics, pursued in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, eventually led him to a role as an economist/research analyst at PwC Netherlands.
His bond with Club Alpbach Netherlands was forged after an unforgettable experience as an EFA scholarship holder at the European Forum Alpbach in 2022. There, he was immersed in a community teeming with like-minded peers, experts, and young professionals spanning 100 countries. Those unexpected, treasured encounters are what draws him back to EFA time and again.
Guntars has been a board member of Club Alpbach Netherlands since 2023, and in his current role is one of the two co-presidents, responsible for overseeing the club’s social media, events, EFA programming and scholarship selection activities. This year he will also represent the Forum Alpbach Network in the Finance and Economy track committee of the European Forum Alpbach.
Get to know Guntars, our Vice-President!
Q. How many times have you been to the European Forum Alpbach?
A. I have gone 5 times to the European Forum Alpbach. Twice online and three times in person.
Q. Why did you decide to go to EFA?
A. I was intrigued by the opportunity to work on issues related to the EFA themes, such as economics, finance, democracy, security and climate, with world-class experts and highly motivated young individuals in the most beautiful mountain village of Austria.
Q. Why did you decide to join the board of Club Alpbach Netherlands?
A. After obtaining a scholarship, I wanted to stay connected to the community and contribute by improving EFA’s presence among future scholarship holders and experts in the Netherlands.
Q. What do you do outside of the EFA bubble?
A. Professionally, I work as an economist in the private sector in the Netherlands. Among other interests, I am an avid reader, traveler and runner.
Q. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
A. If I had to change something, I would reform the UN Security Council.