Welcoming New ELLIS Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Celia Sánchez San Juan

We are excited to welcome Celia Sánchez San Juan as the new COO for the ELLIS Society. Celia brings a strong track record in strategic and operational leadership, with a focus on technology, innovation, and AI-driven environments.

As a co-founder of ELLIS Alicante, Celia has been deeply committed to the mission of ELLIS from the very beginning. With a clear dedication to advancing artificial intelligence and a drive for meaningful, forward-thinking impact, Celia steps into this role as a natural extension of that long-standing engagement.

"Being part of ELLIS from the start has been an inspiring journey, as I deeply believe in its vision that Europe must play a leading role in the scientific and societal revolution underway,” said Celia Sánchez San Juan, “ELLIS embodies this purpose by combining scientific excellence with a strong sense of responsibility and a deep commitment to societal impact.”

Celia offers extensive experience at the intersection of AI, innovation, and organisational strategy. Having led operational and program management functions across both established organizations and an AI startup, Celia has played a key role in driving technological transformation and cultivating collaborative ecosystems.

With a strong belief in AI as a tool for positive societal change and a strategic approach to leadership, Celia is well-equipped to help guide the continued growth of the ELLIS community and its broader mission.

The ELLIS Board is proud to welcome Celia to the team in this capacity and looks forward to the energy and vision Celia brings to shaping the future of AI research in Europe.

“Celia’s track record is distinguished by a unique combination of passion, expertise, and leadership,” added ELLIS President Serge Belongie. “We’re confident Celia will help drive ELLIS forward at a critical time for AI in Europe.”

“Celia has supported ELLIS Alicante from day one,” said Nuria Oliver, ELLIS Vice President and Director of ELLIS Alicante. “It’s inspiring to see that commitment now extended to the broader ELLIS community. Celia’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our operations and amplifying our impact across Europe.”

Thank You to Our Outgoing COO

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing COO, Jose-Miguel Pulido, for his dedicated service and significant contributions to ELLIS. His work has been instrumental in building the operational foundations of the Society and supporting its evolution during a critical phase of growth. We are deeply grateful for Jose-Miguel’s efforts and look forward to continuing to collaborate in new ways as ELLIS evolves.