As a registered international NGO in the EU, Back-on-Track, appoints a Board of Directors for two-year terms to help guide the advocacy community’s mission for more and more accessible night trains and cross-border rail. The board provides continuous strategic guidance and leadership, operational oversight, and legal representation to help translate the broad goals set by the General Assembly of members into concrete actions. From January 2026, a new Board of Directors was appointed by the General Assembly: Juri Maier, Giovanni Antoniazzi, Peter Baeyens, Poul Kattler, and Elizabeth Novacek.
The Board’s strategy supports transport policy changes through credible, sustained pressure. As a grassroots network, our strength is cooperation and evidence-based advocacy. To overcome structural challenges like reliance on volunteers and strong opposition from aviation interests, we must sharpen our messaging and strengthen internal coordination.
Key strategic priorities for the coming term include professionalising European-level communications, improving member coordination, and formalising our governance. By consolidating our structure, Back-on-Track aims to become a more visible and effective advocate for a sustainable European rail network.
Juri Maier – Chairperson
Coming from the German chapter of Back-on-Track and working as the managing director of a communications agency, Juri Maier is standing for the role of Chairperson. In his work for night trains in Europe, he has taken a data-driven approach to projects and advocacy, helping make the organisation’s advocacy efforts more professional and effective.
Juri is known for streamlining internal processes, managing events, and fostering an open, collaborative volunteer culture, with a strong emphasis on fact-based work.
Giovanni Antoniazzi – Vice Chairperson
Giovanni is a spatial data scientist and night train traveller with expertise in geospatial analysis and IT infrastructure. After joining Back-on-Track just over a year ago, he has become increasingly engaged in the association’s work on night trains, now contributing to the Open Night Train Database (ONTD) – the authoritative data source powering our Night Train Map.
For Back-on-Track, this means modernising digital tools and infrastructure, and providing reliable technical support to strengthen collaboration, productivity, and the association’s reach across Europe.
Peter Baeyens – Treasurer
An expert in financial oversight and organisational administration, Peter Baeyens is standing for the role of Treasurer for Back-on-Track. He comes from the Belgian chapter and also brings experience from a range of other NGOs.
In addition to treasury responsibilities, Peter is interested in acting as a liaison in Belgium, supporting organisational matters and coordination with governmental bodies. Drawing on his experience within the Belgian group, he aims to contribute to the organisation’s stability and sound administration.
Poul Kattler – Deputy Chair Person
Poul Kattler is standing for the role of Deputy Chairperson, with a focus on balance and coordination within the organisation. He is interested in strengthening the relationship between the board, committees, and other key parts of the organisation.
Poul is in Denmark chairperson of the B-o-T associate member Council for Sustainable Transport and is used to advocacy work, campaigns and projects.
Recently retired, Poul works part-time as a tour guide, travelling by train across Europe with Danish travellers.
Elizabeth Novacek – Secretary
A seasoned communicator, Elizabeth Novacek brings experience from startup, corporate, local governance, NGO, and higher education contexts in Canada, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. Her background spans social media, content creation and strategy, event management, and person-to-person community building. Elizabeth is standing for the role of Secretary in the proposed Board of Directors for Back-on-Track.
In this role, she aims to help mainstream Back-on-Tracks to wider audiences by working closely with the Board and the Communications working group.