Ms. Katarzyna Gardapkhadze, the First Deputy Director of ODIHR is responsible for managing the
operations of the ODIHR, overseeing the preparation, co-ordination and implementation of the
activities of the Election, Democratization, Human Rights, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination
Programmes and of the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, as well as formulation of the ODIHR
public message.

Ms. Gardapkhadze is an expert in management, strategic planning and capacity building, with
thematic expertise in human and children rights and social welfare, and more than 20 years of
professional experience from Poland, the United States, Western Balkans, South Caucasus and
Central Asia. Prior to her current appointment, she was the Head of ODIHR’s Human Rights
Department, and had earlier supported setting up ODIHR civil society program in Ukraine and
developing and institutionalizing a system of project monitoring and evaluation in the Office.

Trained in conflict resolution and mediation, in 2003-2011, Ms. Gardapkhadze served as the director
of conflict resolution, human rights and child/social welfare reform programs in the South Caucasus,
with advisory and capacity building roles in similar programs in Central Asia. In 2000 – 2002, she led
programs focused on human rights, minorities and inter-ethnic dialogue in Western Balkans. Fluent
in Polish, English and Russian, Ms. Gardapkhadze holds a Master’s Degree in social sciences.