Maryana is the founder and chair of the KU Leuven Lifestance Network and coordinator of interreligious and ecumenical relations at KU Leuven. She holds a PhD in theology with a specialisation in social and personalist ethics, and an Advanced MA in European studies from KU Leuven with a specialisation in fundamental rights of the European Union. Previously, Maryana worked at Caritas Europa as an institutional development officer, responsible for communion and participation, capacity building and knowledge management as well as practical embedment of the Catholic Social Thought into institutional and organizational developments. She also assumed responsibilities of theological advisor to legal advisor for fundamental rights and legal advisor for institutional and social affairs at the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), and as Director of Religious Education for the international students within the University Chaplaincy of KU Leuven. She lectures on subjects of catholic social thought, social inclusive participation, peacebuilding and reconciliation in universities throughout Europe, Asia and North America.