Date of birth

1 June 1978

Place of birth

Kaunas, Lithuania

Education

Since 2021

Postgraduate Studies in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (suspended in 2023)

2001–2003

Master’s in Legal Psychology, Mykolas Romeris University, diploma cum laude

1996–2001

Bachelor’s in Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University   

1985–1996

Secondary School No 5 in Panevėžys (currently 5-ojigimnazija (upper secondary school)) diploma cum laude

Work experience

Until June 2016

Analyst, news portal UAB Delfi Lietuva

Presenter, radio station UAB Žinių radijas

Author, radio programmes Kas graužia tėvus and Nepaprastos istorijos

Integrated Communications Entities Group Strategist, Public Policy Consultant, private company UAB Big Idea Group Lietuva  

2012–2016

Accredited Journalist, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France

2011–2015

Author, presenter and producer, radio programme Žmogus žmogui, radio station UAB Žinių radijas

2004–2015

Project Manager, Programme Director, Executive Director, Human Rights Monitoring Institute 

2004–2005

Lecturer (psychology of dysfunctional behaviour, criminal psychology, practical seminars), Mykolas Romeris University

Political career

Since 2021

Deputy Chair, Lithuanian Social Democratic Party  

2020–2024

Member of the 13th Seimas

Member, Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Political Group 

Member, Committee on National Security and Defence 

Member, Commission for Ethics and Procedures 

Member, Commission for Suicide and Violence Prevention 

Deputy Head, Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with Taiwan

2016–2020

Member of the 12th Seimas

Member, Committee on National Security and Defence (2019–2020)

Member, Committee on Education and Science (2017–2019)

Member, Committee on European Affairs (2016–2017)

Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs (2016–2017)

Member, Deputy Chair, Commission for Suicide and Violence Prevention (2016–2017)

Member, Commission for Ethics and Procedures (2019–2020)

Member, Deputy Chair, Commission for Healthy Lifestyle (2018–2019)

Member, Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community (2016–2017)

Member, Deputy Head, Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Nordic Countries (Kingdom of Denmark, Republic of Iceland, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland, Kingdom of Sweden) (2017–2020)

Deputy Head, Provisional Group of Women 

Member, Head, Provisional Group for Development Cooperation and Reproductive Health and Rights (2019–2020)

Since 2017

Member, Lithuanian Social Democratic Party 

2016

Non-partisan, nominated by the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union

Miscellaneous

Public engagement: co-founder and co-chair, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), listed, along with seven other members of Europe’s national Parliaments and the European Parliament, on the list of persons to whom sanctions apply from the People’s Republic of China as of 22 March 2021 in response to EU sanctions on Chinese officials for persecution of Uigur minority; Alumna of the Munich Security Conference Women Parliamentarians Program for women politicians working in the fields of security, defence, and foreign affairs 

Public engagement: active in parliamentary diplomacy on Lithuania’s security and defence at international forums, active supporter of the defence of  Ukraine and its EU and NATO membership; keynote speaker at Munich Security Conference, Warsaw Security Forum, Copenhagen Democracy Summit (2019–2024)

Legislative activities: Initiator, new draft Law on Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child; co-initiator, reform of the rights of the child; author, numerous articles on violence prevention, protection of the rights of the child, and human rights (2016–2018)  

Membership: member, legislative and policy implementation groups on protection of human rights and prevention of all forms of violence , Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Ministry of Health, various inter-interinstitutional groups; co-founder, informal coalition Už vaiko teises (For the Rights of the Child), National Human Rights Coalition, and coalition Psichikos sveikata 2030 (Mental Health 2030)

Long-term active efforts for the initiative of transition from institutional child care to foster care services in families and community

Political engagement: extensive experience in advocating for the transition from institutionalised care to family-based and community-based care

Initiated the review of the Active Citizens Fund supported by EEA Grants (2010). Following her request, the Norwegian Parliament separated NGO funds from public funds 

At the invitation of the Norwegian Government, drafted a programme to support civil society under the EEA Grants in the second financial period (2011–2012) and led its implementation in Lithuania (2013–2016)

Hobbies: reading, cinema, silent meditation

Foreign languages: English (fluent), Russian (fluent), French (beginner), German (beginner)

Family

Married in church since 1998. Data on the spouse, son and foster children is undisclosed