From Humanitarian Work to Pager Controversy: Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono’s Journey

Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, 49, is an Italian-Hungarian CEO of BAC Consulting in Hungary. She speaks seven languages, holds a PhD in particle physics, and has a passion for art, evident in her Budapest apartment decorated with her pastel drawings of nudes. Throughout her career, she has engaged in humanitarian work across Africa and Europe.

Controversy Surrounding the Pagers

Barsony-Arcidiacono found herself in the spotlight after the recent tragedy in Lebanon, where exploding pagers, linked to her company’s design license from Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo, resulted in 12 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. She firmly stated, “I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong,” denying any involvement in the manufacturing of the faulty devices.

Since the incident, she has been largely absent from public life. Neighbors report not having seen her, and her apartment, once partially open, is now closed off.

Perceptions of Her Professional Life

Colleagues describe Barsony-Arcidiacono as intelligent yet somewhat transient in her career, often jumping from one role to another. An acquaintance remarked that she is “good-willed, not a business type,” suggesting she easily gets enthusiastic about new ventures but struggles to find stability.

Past Employment and Management Style

Kilian Kleinschmidt, a former U.N. humanitarian administrator, hired her in 2019 for a program in Tunisia. However, he later deemed her management style as “bullying,” stating, “That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life, I think.” He ultimately cut her contract short due to these issues.

Attempts to reach her for comments have been unsuccessful, and her Budapest residence remains locked. The walls of her apartment display her life drawings, hinting at her artistic pursuits.

Education and Career Path

Barsony-Arcidiacono grew up in Santa Venerina, Sicily, and earned her PhD at University College London, focusing on positrons. Despite her scientific training, she has not worked in research since then.

Her resume includes claims of advanced degrees from prestigious institutions, which could not be verified, and describes various roles in NGOs and projects across multiple continents. However, discrepancies have surfaced regarding her claimed positions, including a supposed role at the Earth Child Institute and an internship with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On her now-removed BAC Consulting website, Barsony-Arcidiacono presented herself as a scientist applying her diverse skills to strategic decision-making in environmental policies. She characterized her work style as collaborative and multicultural, emphasizing her analytical and interpersonal abilities.