Oktawia Gorzeńska

Feel free to get in touch and collaborate: oktawia@gorzenska.com

I am an expert with extensive experience in teaching, consulting, and management, specializing in change leadership, public policy, and education.

Currently, I serve as the First Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, responsible for key areas including education, cultural heritage, equal treatment, and the management of municipal building investments and renovations.

I also lead the development of Gdynia’s Education Policy, built on a participatory model. I co-founded the Gdynia Women’s Council, which I have the honor of chairing.

I am an advocate for authentic leadership and high operational effectiveness. My background combines experience in both public and private sectors (including Microsoft and Play).

My areas of expertise include:

• leadership and managerial competencies development,
• change and organizational transformation management,
• public policy creation and implementation,
• building empowered teams,
• developing value-driven organizational culture,
• innovations in education and social initiatives,
• local and metropolitan strategic development,
• designing cooperation systems: education – labor market – universities.

Experience in administration and public policy:

As Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, I manage teams and implement policies in strategic urban areas, including under high political and organizational pressure. I serve as the Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment and Vice-Chair of the Education Committee of the Union of Polish Cities. I operate in an environment that requires emotional resilience and conscious leadership.

Educational expertise and teaching:

I lecture at SGH (Warsaw School of Economics), ISM Vilnius, and the Humanitas University. I specialize in education management, educational innovation, crisis management, and building a culture of cooperation.

I am the author and co-author of four books, numerous expert publications, courses, and podcasts. I have trained over 10,000 individuals. My collaborators include the National Bank of Poland, CPPC, IBE, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Orange Foundation, Orlen Foundation, Ashoka, cultural institutions, local governments, universities, and private companies.

Membership in expert groups and councils:

• Orange Foundation
• Centrum Cyfrowe Foundation
• Steering Committee of the „School for Innovators” program
• SOS dla Edukacji initiative
• European Economic and Social Committee
• Scientific Council of the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park
• Open Eyes Economy – EDULAB
• Educational Research Institute (MEN reform 2026)
• Equal Treatment and Equality Policy Team at the Ministry for Equal Treatment

Innovation and transformation projects:

I’ve developed and implemented strategic initiatives such as Microsoft Flagship School and 42 Warsaw Programming Academy for Play. I have co-created innovative educational initiatives with CPPC, GAP Foundation, and Wrocław Technology Park.

My projects have reached tens of thousands of people in Poland, including:

• Educational Leadership Academy and Leadership Lab – for 1,000 leaders,
• Mentoring in “School for Innovators”, “Child with Passion”, STARTER Incubator – impacting 35,000 people,
• PAKT – Active Technology Use Labs – thousands reached,
• Designing the Future, #SpringOfEducation, lekcjewsieci.pl, EduLab,
• TV lessons for TVN – reaching thousands of students,
• Conferences and professional development events – thousands of participants.

Public activity and recognition:

I am a speaker at national and international conferences focused on change, leadership, and education. I have twice been named to the SPRUC list of the 100 most influential people developing digital competencies in Poland.

I have received the Medal of the National Education Commission, the “Jutronautka” title from Gazeta Wyborcza, and a nomination for the Janusz Korczak Award. I’ve spoken at TEDx and at the Economic Forum in Krynica and Karpacz.

Strategic goals:

I plan to continue my expert and consulting career – with a focus on national and European projects. My goal is to strengthen systemic impact on education, equality, and public policy – both at the local government level and within EU structures.

My leadership style is based on:
authenticity, agency, shared responsibility, and strategic thinking. I build trust, act effectively in crisis situations, and navigate interpersonal and political tensions with clarity and resilience.

Education:

I am a graduate of the Leadership Academy for Poland. I studied Polish philology, cultural studies, educational drama, and education management.

Languages:

• Polish – native
• English – fluent
• Russian – intermediate