Meet the BESIG committee

JOINT COORDINATORS

Silke Riegler

Silke Riegler (she/her) is a dedicated educator with a passion for business and intercultural communication. As a freelance intercultural trainer and lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Landshut, Germany, she enhances her students' learning experience by leveraging her business expertise and love for cultural diversity and the English language. She is committed to promoting learner autonomy through customized training programs and actively incorporates digital learning innovations into her teaching.

Silke's involvement with IATEFL BESIG began at the Stuttgart conference in 2012, sparking a long-term commitment. In 2021, she stepped up as a volunteer to assist the IATEFL BESIG Events Coordinator, contributing to the annual conference and organizing online workshops and webinars. Her dedication and skills led to her appointment as the IATEFL BESIG Online Events Coordinator, where she brings together a diverse array of speakers to foster continuous learning for members.

Katerina Apostolaki

Katerina Apostolaki (she/her) is a Learning Experience Designer and EdTech professional with experience in educational content development, digital learning, professional development, and English language education. She currently works at the international department of AKMI Group of Companies, part of Alphabet Education Group, where she develops learning content for professional and B2B training contexts as well as European project-based educational initiatives.

Katerina became BESIG Joint Coordinator after contributing to the SIG as Design Assistant and later Media Coordinator. In these roles, she created branded digital content for BESIG events and communications, contributed to the development of the BESIG website, coordinated media activity across platforms, and worked with a cross-functional media team to support the SIG’s online presence and outreach.

Her professional background includes EdTech training, English language teaching, and business development. She has also worked as a Cambridge Speaking Examiner for a range of exams, including Business English qualifications.

THE COMMITTEE

Birte Horn

Administration and Membership Coordinator

Alexia Schemien

Conference Events Coordinator

Birte Horn (she/her) has been a dedicated lecturer of English as a Foreign Language for over two decades, focusing on tertiary education. She has primarily worked at universities, teaching business English, English for Specific and Academic Purposes, Intercultural Communication and Academic Writing. Birte aims to equip her students to thrive in a globalised environment by blending English language instruction with critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication. Her research interests vary and include intercultural competencies, 21st-century skills and the integration of AI in the classroom. Birte holds a master’s degree in English Studies and History as well as a Ph.D. in English and American Studies. She also works as a freelance copy editor specialising in academic texts and coaches learners working on degrees and other professional development.

Birte has been a member of IATEFL BESIG since 2017 and a volunteer for the past six years.

Alexia Schemien (she/her) is a lecturer for Business and Technical English in higher education with a strong interest in practice-oriented and reflective language teaching. She supports students in developing confident professional communication skills for business and technical contexts by combining language learning with critical thinking, learner autonomy, and raising awareness of how language is used in real-world professional settings. In her teaching, she is particularly interested in creative and reflective uses of AI and in helping students develop future skills alongside solid language competence.

Alexia enjoys professional exchange beyond the classroom and is especially enthusiastic about conferences as spaces for learning, networking, and community-building. She brings several years of experience in academic event and conference organization, including program development and event logistics. As Conference Events Coordinator, she is excited to work with the BESIG committee to support the continued organisation of welcoming conferences where delegates can connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another as part of the BESIG community.

Tetiana Lesyk

Media Coordinator

Shweta Paropkari

Publications Coordinator

Tetiana Lesyk is a Business English trainer, teacher trainer and conference speaker based in Kyiv, Ukraine. She holds a degree in English Philology and is a CELTA and Delta-qualified educator. With over 24 years of professional experience, including 11 years in corporate banking, she specialises in Business English, professional communication and pronunciation. Her background includes corporate sales, conference interpreting and four years living and working in London, bringing together real-world business experience and language education.

An active member of IATEFL, Tetiana has presented at international conferences and webinars and contributed to professional development initiatives within the ELT community. After supporting BESIG’s media activities as a volunteer for the past two years, she is excited to take on the role of BESIG Media Coordinator and looks forward to promoting members’ work, supporting events and strengthening connections across the global Business English community.

Shweta Paropkari (she/her) is a certTESOL Qualified Teacher and Teacher Trainer with expertise in Business English, IELTS and ESP, a certified Cambridge Presenter, and a qualified Emotional Intelligence practitioner. In 2020, she won the Maria Keller First Time Speaker Scholarship at the 33rd IATEFL BESIG Conference and 2022, the Ray Tongue Scholarship at the 55th IATEFL Annual Conference in Belfast. Shweta is the Co-founder of Business Communication Facilitators’ Association of India (BCFAI) – a newly formed organisation for ELTs working or intending to work in the field of Business Communication in India. Currently, her focus areas are Teacher Training, Business Communication, Language & Cultural Competency training, and Workplace Skills for pre-service students. As the IATEFL BESIG Publications Co-ordinator, she aims to showcase and promote the IATEFL BESIG brand, its members, its volunteers, and the work they all do.

Uma Tadema

Online Events Coordinator

Uma Tadema (she/her) is an experienced educator with a B.A. in Economics and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics. After earning her CELTA and Cert TEB, she specialized in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and currently runs a language school in Germany.

She particularly enjoys teaching English to healthcare professionals and coordinating an English book club. As a qualified solutions-focused coach, Uma is passionate about learner agency and supports learners take ownership of their learning journeys.

As part of her role as a telc speaking examiner and team leader for Cambridge exams, she is actively engaged in the world of international English assessments.

Uma also dedicates a significant part of her time to volunteer work, including at BESIG, where she thrives on learning, networking, and contributing to the professional community.

As someone who has lived and worked in India, Germany, China and Australia, Uma feels at home in many parts of the world and loves exploring our beautiful planet both in person and through books and films.