Markus Pilgrim is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in international development cooperation, particularly focusing on private sector development and employment. He possesses exceptional leadership skills with 20 years of experience in progressively responsible roles. Markus has a proven track record of initiating and implementing successful change management processes. His expertise extends to managing diverse portfolios of technical cooperation projects and excelling in fundraising activities.

Markus Pilgrim holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Development Economics and a Master's Degree in Economics from Georg August Universität Göttingen, Germany, shaping his academic foundation to effectively contribute to his professional endeavors.

Throughout his career, Markus has held key positions in renowned organizations. He currently serves as the Director at the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe within the International Labour Organization. Previously, he held pivotal roles such as Manager of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) at the International Labour Organization, Manager at the Youth Employment Network (a partnership of UN, ILO, and World Bank), Regional Program Manager at the IFC - International Finance Corporation, and Managing Director at Sequa gGmbH (Development Agency of German chambers and business associations).