Mandy Farrugia

Mandy Farrugia is the Executive, Administrative, and Financial Lead of the Research Innovation Unit (RIU), serving as the organisational backbone of one of Malta’s most forward-facing climate science entities. As the unit’s co-lead, Mandy has been instrumental in managing operations, ensuring financial integrity, and providing strategic governance alongside Scientific Lead Fabian Borg.

With over 20 years of public service experience, Mandy brings a unique blend of administrative expertise and climate-conscious leadership to her role. Her deep knowledge of public sector procedures, accountability frameworks, and cross-ministerial coordination has made her an essential force in navigating the RIU’s position within Malta’s evolving institutional landscape.

Mandy’s leadership was pivotal in securing the RIU’s sustained growth, transitioning from a modest local initiative into a national and EU-recognised climate innovation unit. She has overseen RIU’s compliance with EU funding obligations, public procurement regulations, and legal frameworks that govern subnational public entities.

She has represented the RIU at national events and international platforms, including the Public Service Expo 2025 and the European Space Agency’s “New Capabilities and Countries in European Space” conference in Frascati, Rome, where she accompanied Fabian Borg. At these forums, Mandy showcased the operational applications of RIU’s digital twin tools and public web applications—demonstrating how science can be transformed into accessible, actionable tools for citizens and municipalities.

As co-author of RIU’s institutional strategy, Mandy has also contributed to youth engagement and educational outreach. She co-led the creation of cartoon superhero avatars that personify the RIU team—used to engage thousands of school-aged children during national science and innovation events. Her warm, resilient leadership style has helped humanise complex science and bring RIU’s mission closer to the public.

Mandy’s public service ethos remains grounded in ethics, equity, and community well-being. She continues to be a champion of transparent governance, social resilience, and collaborative action in the face of Malta’s climate future.

Together with Fabian Borg, Mandy drives the RIU’s foundational ethos: “We Simulate, So You Can Adapt.”