Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała is a seasoned professional with a robust background in public administration and local government. A lawyer by education, she is currently serving as the Vice President of the Management Board of the Port of Gdynia, the company she’s been quite familiar with, having exercising its ownership supervision for the past ten years. As the former Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, Katarzyna has garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious Innovation in Politics Award in the Economy category, making her the first and only Polish female laureate to date.

In addition to her governmental roles, Katarzyna has been actively involved with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) for many years, contributing to various initiatives and serving as one of the founders of the Waterfront Council within the organization. Katarzyna is also a member of the task force of the Spatial Development Committee of the Polish Science Academy, where she contributes to national spatial development policies.