ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA New York

Peter Hasslacher is an international business professional with management experience in the private sector as well as at Advantage Austria.

He previously served as Head of our Offices in Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. Peter holds a doctorate degree from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and is fluent in several Slavic languages.

As a passionate tennis player, Peter is always on the lookout for a good game; he'd love to meet you on the court!

Prior to his role at Advantage Austria, Lukas Zitz honed his skills through diverse experiences in corporate banking, management consulting, and the public sector. His international journey, spanning countries like the UK, Brazil, Russia, and Costa Rica, uniquely positions him to guide newly arrived Austrian companies on a spectrum of business matters. He can offer expertise in navigating business intricacies, but he also adeptly addresses cultural nuances.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Lukas embodies the spirit of a true Austrian. A passionate skier and hiker, he finds joy in the exhilarating landscapes that mirror his zest for both professional and personal exploration.

Katrin Müller is a business development and marketing professional with extensive international experience in strategic planning, executive education, and transatlantic business relations. At Advantage Austria USA, she works with Austrian companies seeking to enter and grow in the U.S. market, facilitating business connections and market opportunities across a range of industries.

She holds a degree in International Business from Aalen University in Germany and has built her career across Europe and the United States, including professional and academic experience in Spain.

Outside of work, she enjoys cricket, hiking, and exploring international cuisine.

Verena is a huge foodie and avid home cook, craft beer and wine lover and therefore, being in charge of food & beverage at Advantage Austria was somewhat meant to be. Aside from that, she is also in charge of interior design and creative industries – areas which go hand in hand with the culinary field.

Her studies and previous jobs have allowed her to spend time in Spain, China, Saudi Arabia and eventually brought her to New York, where she's lived for the past ten years.

She graduated from the University of Vienna with a degree in communications, development studies and anthropology. Whenever she cannot travel the world, she likes to bring various country's dishes to the table.

Victoria gathered working experience at major Austrian and international banks before coming to New York in 2019 to work at a startup in the field of multilingual meetings. Victoria is part of the Advantage Austria New York team since August 2021 and covers the following industries: startups, fintech, creative industries and social media. 

She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management & Entrepreneurship from the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication in Vienna and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Queen Mary University in London. 

Anke has a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Applied Science in Constance, Germany. Previously, she worked in the construction industry in Germany.

Anke joined the Team at Advantage Austria New York in May 2022, taking over the agendas of health and technology, among others.  

Anke spends her free time pursuing various athletic endeavors. She played European handball for 20 years and enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking and skiing. 

Eliot Leadem joined the Advantage Austria USA team in 2022 and is based in our New York office, where he covers the mobility, focusing on automotive systems, industrial technologies, and suppliers driving innovation in transportation and machinery. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Georgetown University. 

Originally from the United Kingdom, Eliot is passionate about strengthening transatlantic trade between Europe and the United States. He brings international business development experience from both sides of the Atlantic, having previously worked with Germany Trade & Invest in New York City and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in Munich, Germany. 

A lifelong aviation and automotive enthusiast, Eliot has a keen interest in anything that moves - especially cars and planes. Outside of work and travel, he’s always up for any kind of sports match - you name the sport, he’s there!

Originally hailing from Peru, Ivonne has years of transatlantic experience in the United States, Germany and Spain. Using her depth of knowledge in administration, financial planning, and multi-lingual communications, Ivonne manages day-to-day operations & budgets as well as office management strategy at Advantage Austria USA.

Outside of the office, Ivonne is a master bartender and is quick to offer a homemade Pisco Sour or Margarita to her guests. She also enjoys hiking and spending quality time with her friends and family. Ivonne also volunteers at the Refugee Center New York, assisting migrants with an array of Spanish to English translations.