ZaVita's key experts
ZaVita’s team comprises eight committed and enthusiastic individuals, while well-established external experts are regularly included in our work. For every client and each project, we assemble a team, whose knowledge and experience can provide optimum solutions.
Matjaž Harmel
CEO
Matjaž Harmel has completed his studies in forestry and has since acquired profound understanding of how ecosystems function and what role humans play in the process. He has over 25 years of international experience in planning, management and implementation of projects in the field of nature conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development. He established ZaVita in 2012 and acts as its director.
He believes that there is a solution to every challenge.
+386 41 711 794 | matjaz@zavita.si
Klemen Strmšnik
Klemen Strmšnik is a geographer with excellent understanding of natural and social processes and systems. He complements his extensive experience, gained while working on projects in Slovenia and abroad, with his outstanding communication skills and leadership capacities. He enjoys tackling new challenges, whether in the field of environmental protection, efficient management, regional development and capacity building or for development and implementation of international projects.
He is one of the people who are changing the world.
+386 51 641 211 | klemen@zavita.si
Samo Škrjanec
Samo Škrjanec is a forester who, during his studies, gained experience in organizing work in fields of construction and logistics as well as managing volunteer organizations. Recently, he has worked at Slovenia Forest Service on international projects in the field of planning and management of urban and protective forests.
He believes that interpersonal as well as human- nature relationships, are among the more important things in life that need to be nurtured.
+386 31 846 116 | samo@zavita.si
Matevž Premelč
Matevž Premelč is a geographer, who has been acquiring international experience already as a student by studying abroad (Sassari, Italy) and working within the Alpine Network of Protected Areas (Chambéry, France). His experience in the field of strategic valuations of regional, national and international programmes has been successfully applied in the development of new projects. His areas of expertise include strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and natural resource management studies.
He believes that a sincere desire to achieve something good, combined with interest, a relaxed attitude and goodwill can solve almost anything.
+386 41 994 238 | matevz@zavita.si
Aleksandra Krajnc
Aleksandra Krajnc is a geographer by profession and at heart. She strives to combine social and physical geographical aspects into a coherent whole in all aspects of her work, as she firmly believes that one-sided perspectives lead to short-term and often poor decisions. She enjoys teamwork, especially in a heterogeneous group, where a compromise needs to be found among contradictive opinions. She is a pessimist who is open to positive surprises. She has extensive experience in project preparation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development. Her work experience also includes work in preschool education and photo documentation of archaeological excavation.
She believes that anything can be achieved by adopting the right attitude and perseverance.
+386 31 323 544 | aleksandra@zavita.si
Sabina Cepuš
Sabina Cepuš is an ecologist with extensive experience in environmental protection, marine litter and micro plastic research and management, economic analyses and environmental compliance audits for companies. In recent years, she has focused on environmental assessments of plans and projects (SEA and EIA), risk management relating to major industrial accidents and waste management planning. Her work is guided by her love of research of how systems function and can be changed, and how efficient technical and management solutions can be found.
She is convinced that the right solutions can be found by being inquisitive explorers, open to the unknown, and by listening to and cooperating with one another.
+386 31 717 849 | sabina@zavita.si
Sašo Weldt
Sašo Weldt is a biologist and a globetrotter. While still studying, he was a member of project teams engaged in the preparation of the technical basis for identification of Natura 2000 areas and implementation of monitoring of the ecological state of still waters’ watercourses. He has contributed to the preservation of the olm in Postojna Cave and participated in the implementation of cohesion and LIFE projects in the field of nature protection. He is enthusiastic about the interpretation of nature, is experienced in the restoration of the permanently installed vivarium in Postojna Cave and in placing interpretive infrastructure in protected areas, where he applied his vast experience from the field of tourism.
He believes that humankind is responsible for maintaining a proper state of nature.
+386 31 524 323 | saso@zavita.si
Nives Harmel
Nives Harmel is an economist, who has gained her experience in controlling, organisation, insurance, banking and commerce. At ZaVita, she is responsible for financial management. She loves nature, the sea, the sun and especially stones.
She believes in camaraderie, courage, faithfulness to ideas and a nature-friendly lifestyle.
+386 31 250 128 l nives@zavita.si
Pija Lapajne
Pija Lapajne is a geographer, who upgraded her knowledge acquired at the University of Ljubljana with a study exchange and internship at Umeå University in Sweden. She is convinced that thinking outside the box, innovative ideas and selflessness lead to effective solutions.
She believes that if we do things the same way all the time, we simply cannot expect different results!
+386 41 600 298 | pija@zavita.si