Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 OCTOBER 15-18, 2017 TÁLE –

# aylp DEAR PARTICIPANT,

Welcome to the Aspen Young business, politics, academia and non- Leaders Program 2017. Thank profit sector, will surely guarantee you for joining us for four days provocative perspectives, and trigger of talks, lectures, workshops and further cooperation among those informal activities that we hope will who take part in the Program. stimulate, provoke and inspire. Therefore we invite you to actively Taking place in the remote reaches of engage throughout the whole Program, the Tatra Mountains, the Program is including its informal parts as they consistent with the basic Aspen idea cement the participants network. We to step away from daily routine and truly hope the agenda we have prepared reflect on various aspects of leadership will surpass your expectations and – and underlying societal values. Its when it’s time to leave, you venture uniqueness is defined by a strong home with new friends, a rejuvenated emphasis on quality and diversity of mind and lots of new ideas. speakers, broad array of topics and open conversations. In this way the After completing the Program, you are Program creates a setting conducive to becoming part of the Aspen Institute sharing ideas, learning and networking. alumni network and you are welcome to stay involved in development of We have invited outstanding the Institute’s future activities. professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, who will debate the role of leaders and issues critical for the region’s development. A balanced ASPEN INSTITUTE mix of personalities, coming from CENTRAL EUROPE Program

Sunday October 15 Monday October 16

15:00 - 18:30 Arrivals and Dinner 8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast (Hotel Stupka) 9:00 - 10:30 Ethical Leadership in Politics 19:00 - 19:30 Welcome Address and Introduction (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Rastislav Káčer, Ambassador of Slovakia to Hungary Ivan Hodáč, Founder and President @Aspen Institute Central Europe 10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break Jiří Schneider, Executive Director @Aspen Institute Central Europe 11:00 - 12:30 Leadership and Teamwork in Sport (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) 19:30 - 20:30 Getting to Know Each Other Adam Ondra, Climber (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Ivan Hodáč, Founder and President 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch @Aspen Institute Central Europe 14:00 - 15:30 Leaders and Followers: Issues of Citizenship, Pavel Řehák, CEO @Vigo Investments Democracy and Power 20:30 - 24:00 Informal Networking (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) (Koliba Restaurant) György Schöpflin, MEP for Hungary (Fidesz)

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:30 Shaping the Future of Education (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Branislav Kleskeň, Director @LEAF

18:00 - 19:30 Dinner

19:30 - 21:00 Creative Approach to Leadership (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Yemi A.D., Choreographer, Director, and Dancer

21:00 - 24:00 Informal Networking (Koliba Restaurant)

4 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 5 Tuesday October 17 Wednesday October 18

8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast

9:30 - 11:00 Business Leadership - Technology & Innovation 9:30 - 11:00 Challenges of Migration - Lessons from Balkans (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Juraj Vaculík, CEO and Co-Founder @AeroMobil Zuzana Lenhartová, Coordinator @PLNU Adéla Al Sharua, Founder @Freedom of Choice 11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break 11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break 11:30 - 13:00 Workshop – Participants’ Projects (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) 11:30 - 12:30 Final Evaluation & Program Outcomes (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch 12:30 Check-out 14:00 - 16:30 Free Time / Group Leisure Activities Wellness (Hotel Stupka) 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch and Departure Short hike

16:30 - 17:00 Coffee Break

17:00 - 20:00 Conflict Resolution through Theatre (Hotel Stupka Conference Room) Martina Čurdová, Founder @Theatre of Oppressed Lab

20:00 - 21:00 Dinner (Hotel Stupka)

21:00 - 24:00 Informal Networking (Koliba Restaurant)

6 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 7 Speakers

ADÉLA AL SHARUA has been working IVAN HODÁČ is the founder and presi- YEMI A.D. has evolved during his with refugees fleeing war and leaving dent of Aspen Institute Central Europe. professional career from a dancer to their homelands because of an un- He completed his education at the a choreographer, director and produ- stable economic situation in Balkans MARTINA ČURDOVÁ is a theatre di- University of Copenhagen and the Col- cer. Today he is one of the most want- since 2015. As a human, she seeks to rector, performer and lecturer. She lege of Europe in Bruges. He was the ed creative authors. He had worked understand how refugees are affected studied Creative Drama and Alterna- secretary-general of the European Au- for several years with the American by the arduous conditions they have tive Theatre at Academy of Performing tomobile Manufacturers’ Association superstar Kanye West, with whom he to cope with - living without electric- Arts in Prague, . Then (ACEA) from 2001 until October 2013. created dozens of concerts and tours ity, hot water, in a tent in the middle she explored Theatre of the Oppressed Before joining ACEA, Ivan Hodáč was around the world. He founded and now of nowhere - how all these circum- studying in Centre Cívic Drassanes a senior vice-president and the head leads creative agency JAD Produc- stances affect their mental health. in Barcelona and at CTO in Rio de of the Time Warner Corporate office tions, with which he works not only Together with her friends, she decid- Janeiro, Brazil. She has been working for Europe. Previously he was also the for clients such as Adidas Group, O2 or ed to improve these circumstances with excluded communities in Latin secretary-general of the trade organ- AVON, but also produces his own pro- and provide a dignified form of aid America and . She now directs ization IFMA/IMACE, senior econ- jects (Teniskology, Ynspirology). JAD distribution to refugees in Balkans. various projects in the Czech Repub- omist at Didier & Associates and an Productions was awarded Best Event Through the Balkan route - to lic and abroad, applying theatre as assistant professor at the College of Eu- Agency in the Czech Republic in 2014, Turkey - she has seen happiness and a tool of personal liberation and social rope, Bruges. Financial Times recently 2015 and 2016 and got European Best pain, hope and frustration, good and transformation. Martina works main- listed him among the most influential Event Award (EuBea) in 2015 and 2016. evil. Despite everything, she firmly ly with communities, using diverse personalities in the Brussels politics. believes that we are all humans at the techniques ranging from documen- @YemiAlchemist core and we need to help one another. tary devised theatre to new circus. @IvanHodac

8 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 9 RASTISLAV KÁČER is the Ambassador of Slovakia to Hungary since 2013. He has served as President and Chairman of the Slovak Atlantic Commission BRANISLAV KLESKEŇ leads LEAF, ZUZANA LENHARTOVÁ is a found- ADAM ONDRA is a 24-year-old profes- starting from 2008, after completion of a non-profit organization focusing on er and leader of Pomáháme lidem na sional rock climber from the Czech Re- his five-year term in Washington D.C. the development of young individuals útěku (Czech Refugee Aid), a volun- public and one of the best climbers in as the Ambassador of Slovakia to the with the potential to grow into shap- teer organization helping refugees on the world. He started climbing at about United States. Prior to this, Rastislav ers of Slovakia who will demonstrate the so-called Balkan route. Volunteers the same time he learned to walk and served at different decision-making moral character, excellence, entrepre- provide various kinds of humanitarian has not stopped since. He onsighted his levels for 16 years. Rastislav began his neurial leadership and civic engage- aid - distribute food, water and warm first 7b+ at 8, at age 13 he climbed his career as at the Ministry of Foreign ment; regardless of their socio-eco- clothes and care for hygiene. They also first 9a. He won his first lead Climb- Affairs. Between 1994 and 1998 he nomic background. The activities of used to help states with providing safe ing World Cup, and ended up second served at NATO Headquarters in Brus- LEAF serve individuals from about 15 passage for refugees and distribute in World Champion- sels and on this return from Brussels to 35 years of age and cover the areas of the stock of material aid to camps in ships when he was 16. So far he has 3 became head of Policy Planning Staff world-class education for high school Northern Greece. She personally has gold medals from World Champion- and the Director General for Securi- students, mitigation of “brain drain” been five times to Hungary, Greece ships. In 2012 he climbed Change, the ty Policy and Multilateral Affairs at and development of young profession- and Serbia. Zuzana also works as a first route to receive a proposed the Ministry. In 2001, he became the als. Formerly a partner at McKinsey researcher at Institute for Research of 9b+. Altogether Adam has - Secretary of State at the Ministry of & Company, Braňo has experience in Inclusive Education at Faculty of ed three routes at this grade. In 2016, Defense responsible for the negotia- from several continents in improv- Education, Masaryk University. She Adam repeated the legendary Dawn tion and accession process of Slova- ing corporate performance, building is involved in several civic initiatives Wall in a very short time of 8 days. kia to NATO. He is widely recognized new businesses and improving edu- promoting human rights and fight- So far, Adam has climbed thousands as an expert on U.S. domestic and cation. He holds an MBA degree from ing against inequality, xenophobia of routes, 140 at the grade of 9a and foreign policy, transatlantic rela- Kellogg Graduate School of Manage- and racism. Zuzana studied sociolo- higher. He just finished his project tions, defense and security issues. ment, Northwestern University. gy, psychology and media studies. in of the world’s first 9c.

10 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 11 PAVEL ŘEHÁK is a member of the Board JURAJ VACULÍK is a co-founder and of Directors of the Aspen Institute CEO of AeroMobil, an advanced com- Central Europe. He graduated from GYÖRGY SCHÖPFLIN is a Hungarian pany founded in 2010 that is com- the University of Economics in Prague politician for Fidesz, and since 2004 mercializing a flying car. Starting with a degree in international trade also a Member of the European Parlia- JIŘÍ SCHNEIDER is the executive di- with a first commercial product now and received an MBA at Northwestern ment (MEP), where he is affiliated with rector of the Aspen Institute Central the ultimate vision is to offer Mobili- University. He has been active in the the European People’s Party (Chris- Europe. He graduated from Czech ty as a Service using the best from the business sphere for more than 20 years. tian Democrats). He serves as a full Technical University and obtained a Di- combination of the car, the plane and In 1999 he joined McKinsey & Com- member on the European Parliament’s ploma in Religious Studies from Uni- the computer. He has over 20 years pany where he specialized in banking, Committee on Constitutional Affairs versity of Cambridge. He was elected to experience as a leader from politi- insurance, and consumer goods in the (where he is EPP Coordinator) and is the Czechoslovak Parliament in 1990 cal revolution to founding his own EU and the US. He held the position of a substitute member of the Foreign and 1992. In 1993 he joined the Minis- successful companies. During Velvet Marketing and Sales Practice Leader Affairs and Cultural Committees. In try of Foreign Affairs and held vari- Revolution in 1989, he was one of the in the company’s Prague Office. Be- addition, he takes part in the Recon- ous positions at the Czech diplomatic key persons in Student Movement. In tween 2006 and 2013 he was part of the ciliation of European Histories Group service. Most prominently he served 1992 he started his career as a creative top management of Česká pojištov- of the European Parliament. Formerly, as ambassador to Israel and as the first director for major global ad agencies. na. Under his leadership, the compa- Dr Schöpflin was Jean Monnet Profes- deputy foreign minister of the Czech In 1996, he founded MADE BY VAC- ny achieved a significant increase in sor of Politics at the School of Slavonic Republic. He also lectured at various ULIK, one of the leading independent customer satisfaction, sales accelera- and East European Studies at Univer- universities in the Czech Republic. He ad agencies in the CEE. He acts as an tion, and profitability turnaround. In sity College London and has published was closely associated with the Prague angel investor in Europe & USA. He 2013 he co-founded VIGO Investments extensively on questions of nation- Security Studies Institute (PSSI), also supports and sits on a board of where he serves as a CEO and Partner. hood, identity and political power. a leading Czech security think tank. a number of non-profit organizations.

@rehak_pavel @schopflinMEP @JiriSchneider @jurajvaculik

12 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 13 Participants

PETER BARTALOŠ is a sales opera- tions professional with multi-year EVA BORDOS is currently the direc- ICT industry expertise. He is pro- LUKASZ BLUSZCZ is a documentary tor of DemNet, one of the largest and JAN DELONG works as a librarian in moting liberalism and market-driv- director and producer, and a co-owner oldest development NGOs in Hun- Library Třinec, which is considered to en systems to ensure the steady of Warsaw-based Vision House Pro- gary. She is a member of the board of be one of the most progressive librar- continuation of the journey of the ductions. Lukasz works with global the Hungarian Association of NGOs ies in the Czech Republic. Jan’s main CE region, taking into account the TV networks, such as BBC, Discovery for Development and Humanitarian responsibilities at Library Třinec is local/global trends and tensions. Channel, Al Jazeera English or NHK. Aid (HAND), and is actively involved to coordinate and organize cultural On the technology front, he is excited He produces news pieces and series on in numerous pan-European develop- events, community projects, market- about the evolution turning to revo- current political, cultural and social ment networks, such as CONCORD ing and service design. He studies In- lution, expected to have a thorough situation in Poland. In 2017, he directed (European Confederation of Relief and formation Science and Librarianship impact on everyone’s life in the next The Tipping Point – the first Polish fea- Development NGOs) and Eurodad (Eu- at Masaryk University in Brno. Jan is decades - especially in education, trans- ture documentary on climate change, ropean Network on Debt and Devel- also part of a team that is working on portation and healthcare. Graduate of awarded at Docs Against Gravity. In opment). She has also worked for the a project focusing on social innova- University of Economics in Bratislava, the last years he wrote documentaries British Embassy in Budapest, OSCE, tion in Czech libraries. You can find his Peter has held various sales support and for BBC World and Al Jazeera, cov- UNICEF and the Regional Environ- story and profile in the book O městech sales operations roles in the telco sec- ered Smolensk plane crash story for Al mental Center for Central and Eastern a lidech. He is a member of the library tor, supporting geographically spread Jazeera English, Euro 2012 for BBC, Europe (REC). She holds a master’s de- team that earned the title Library of teams. Peter is currently aspiring for abortion stories for BNN, gang wars for gree in political science from the Cen- the Year in 2015. He published a collec- a broader business operations role to Discovery UK, prison life in Poland for tral European University (CEU) and tion of poems called Dušinec in 2014. support the rapid change of a leading Channel 5. Lukasz studied sociology a master’s degree in law from Eötvös customer-facing support organization. in Warsaw, Poland and Urbino, . Lorand University of Budapest (ELTE). @JanDelong

14 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 15 KAROLÍNA DVOŘÁKOVÁ is a sustain- BARBORA DORIČKOVÁ is the head ability coordinator in Shikun & Binui MATEUSZ GAWAŁKIEWICZ is an in- of EU Affairs Department at the Slo- Real Estate Development, a develop- vestment professional at C2C Capital – vak Ministry of Environment. After ment company focusing on residen- a South African private equity company a seven-year experience of manag- tial projects. Her main responsibility where he focuses on transactions in the ing international relationships in the is integrating sustainability principles consumer, pharmaceutical and man- judicial sector she decided to change into company’s operations in Central ANDREA GARAIOVÁ is a researcher ufacturing sectors. He is involved in the field and applied for a temporary and Eastern Europe, where she over- and consultant in the fields of post-con- several non-profit initiatives, one of the task-based position at the Ministry of sees development of building projects flict reconciliation, democratization, most prominent being the Transatlan- Environment. Her task was to lead the according to green building standards. EU integration and civil society devel- tic Future Leaders Forum, an education coordination of the historically first EU She obtained her master’s degree in opment in Kosovo. She currently serves NGO that helps talented students from Council Presidency of the Slovak Re- Architecture, Urbanism and Building as Senior Project Manager/Grant Writ- Poland to undertake internships at the public in 2016 from the perspective of Sciences at TU Delft in the Nether- er at Open Data Kosovo. Andrea gained United States Congress and United the environmental policy. This includ- lands. During her studies she gained experience working with internation- Kingdom Parliament. His past profes- ed preparation and coordination of EU experience and skills as a member of al organizations (Council of Europe, sional experience covers law practice, high-level and expert meetings in Slo- a coordination team in EU-funded FP7 European Parliament), government private equity investing and manage- vakia as well as around the world (Mex- program TRANSFORM dealing with administration in Slovakia and think ment consulting with institutions like ico, Rwanda, Morocco, South-Africa, energy transition of cities under Smart tanks in Kosovo. She holds a Master of McKinsey, the United Nations, the Su- etc.). After getting in close touch with City concepts. She also co-founded the Public Policy degree from the Uni- preme Court of Israel and the US House “green” projects, she became a dedicat- student club ŠTUK at CTU in Prague versity of Oxford, an MA in Interna- of Representatives. He holds a Mas- ed promoter of green ideas and decided or worked as an interior designer. tional Peace and Security from King’s ter of Laws degree from Harvard Law to stay since she believes there is so College London and a BA in Politi- School and a MA in Law (summa cum much to fight for in the environment. @Dvorak_Karolina cal Science from Sciences Po Paris. laude) from the University of Warsaw.

16 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 17 SOŇA JONÁŠOVÁ is the founder and director of the Circular Economy Institute (INCIEN). She has been the director of INCIEN since 2015 and is JAN JAKUB CHROMIEC is an affiliate actively involved in the transition from fellow at the Jacques Delors Institut a linear to a circular economic system MARTA KOKOSZKA is a member of the – Berlin. After studying flute, linguis- in the Czech Republic. Within INCIEN, CEE Public Policy and Government tics, management and public policy in MAGDALENA JAGIEŁO works as she is responsible for the development Relations team at Google, covering Łódź, Mainz, Rotterdam and Berlin, Head of Business Development at of activities and co-operation with the primarily Growth Engine program and he worked as a project manager at the Startup Poland. She is leading Startup key interested parties in the Czech focusing on the economic impact of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. At the founda- Connectors, which organizes busi- Republic and abroad. The main field Internet. Marta previously worked as tion he was involved in setting up an ness meetings that build valuable she concentrates on within INCIEN an expert on foreign direct investments international rating agency and over- relations between startups, interna- is the closure of biological and techni- at the Polish Information and Foreign saw a project on the innovativeness tional corporations and investors. cal cycles within corporate sustainable Investment Agency and was respon- of the German economy. Jan Jakub is Together with department heads, development - an area encompassing sible for servicing investors interested currently writing his PhD on the impact she develops company strategies for agriculture, the development of new in starting their businesses in Poland. of eurozone membership on negoti- collaboration with innovators. She is economies, waste management and She is a graduate of the Institute of In- ations in the Council of Ministers at also responsible for promoting Polish eco-innovation. Her own motto is: “The ternational Relations, Centre for East the Hertie School of Governance. He innovative entrepreneurs on the local changes we want to see around us have European Studies at the University of is an alumnus of the German Nation- and foreign industry events. Mag- to begin with ourselves.” She is interest- Warsaw and PhD studies in interna- al Academic Foundation and of the da studied Marketing and Manage- ed in sustainable development, agricul- tional economics at the Warsaw School Foundation of German Business. ment at Warsaw University and is also ture, circular economy and networking. of Economics. In the past she was a vis- a mentor in UPC Digital Imagination iting student at Universität Regensburg @jjchromiec Challenge for social entrepreneurs. @sona_jonasova and Saint Petersburg State University.

18 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 19 JAROSLAV KRAMER is b2b magazines manager in Economia media house. He NORBERT KUSTÁNCZI is a 38-year-old is responsible for business development journalist and the proud father of three and content supervision of five mag- beautiful baby girls. He was born in azines (Marketing & Media, Moderní Pécs and started his career as a profes- CHRISTINE KOVAŘÍKOVÁ joined the řízení, Logistika, Právní rádce and Busi- sional journalist there. He became sen- Czech Office of the Government to MARTIN KRÁL is an experienced Prin- ness Spotlight), including key projects - ior editor of the foreign politics news focus on issues concerning EU eco- cipal (Junior Partner / Senior Manager) Forum Media, HR Meeting and Innova- site Kitekinto.hu, meanwhile he also nomics and finance after finishing her at the Boston Consulting Group with tive Legal Services Forum. Jaroslav is worked for the local television first as studies in Prague, Paris and Brug- a 10+ years demonstrated history of also editor in chief in a monthly maga- a reporter, then as the managing editor es. Drawn to all things intercultural, working in the management consult- zine Právní rádce. He is involved in de- of the daily news program. After he she embraces the opportunities this ing industry. He co-leads a financial veloping legal content of the Economia moved to Budapest, he started working role affords, travelling widely, meet- services and insurance practice and media house, especially in Hospodářské for one of the leading media companies ing inspiring people and exchanging marketing in Prague. He supports top noviny and Ekonom. As a student at (Sanoma Hungary), where he landed ideas. Building upon her experience clients in the region on a wide range of Charles University in Prague (Facul- a job as a reporter for an online news working at one of the key institutions topics including strategy, sales and dis- ty of Law), he has worked as a report- site. Two years later he became edi- of German policy making, the Bunde- tribution and transformation (digital, er for the Czech Television and as an tor-in-chief of 24.hu (pka Hir24.hu). As stag, Christine also works to develop agile, IT architecture). Martin holds an editor in Epravo.cz network. Jaroslav of this summer he’s been working as an Czech-German strategic cooperation MBA degree with distinction from IN- also worked as a journalist in Lidové online media consultant, and he is also at the Government Office. Overall, she SEAD, the #1 MBA program globally, noviny. In 2007, Jaroslav received Kře- putting in motion an online media pro- is living a caffeine-fueled, book-de- and a master’s degree in Information sadlo Award for his volunteer activity. ject targeting the millennial generation. pendent existence and takes on any Technologies with distinction from the sporting challenge that comes her way! University of Economics in Prague. @JardaKramer @kustanczi

20 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 21 PETRA LAUEROVÁ stands for all things auto-moto, she has spent five years with ŠKODA AUTO where she stamped her BARBORA MIČKOVÁ focuses mainly feet in anything from Brand Manage- TIVADAR LIMBACHER is a startup LUKÁŠ (BOB) MARVAN is a board on transportation regulation in fast- ment and Sales to External Affairs. By entrepreneur, a motivational speaker member of Association of UX and paced digital environment to make it participating in ŠKODA Brand Man- and a non-profit activist. He started his a board member of Association of In- more customer-oriented, competitive agement and Strategy at VW Group career with the European Commission ternational Affairs. His main occu- and efficient. She is lobbying for stra- China, Petra became a Beijing ex- but soon left Brussels to found startup pation in professional life is Senior tegic change in regulation and institu- pat, contributing to an adaptation of projects in his hometown, Budapest. User Experience Designer at MSD. tional mind-set. Barbora is responsible WeLoveCycling platform in China. At His current company, Ma este Színház Previously he worked for AVG Tech- for competition issues and public and the moment, she is fully responsible / Tonight Theatre is an online ticketing nologies and Seznam.cz. Meanwhile institutional affairs of LEO Express on for execution of ŠKODA CSR strategy. platform for last-minute ticket sales. he founded and in cooperation with CEE and EU level, also representing its Her alma mater is Prague University With this he helped more than 500 000 Czechdesign.cz organized the edu- interests in ALLRAIL, Europe’s new of Economics (International Busi- people to access cultural events and cative exhibition about Digital de- rail association based in Brussels and ness and Marketing), topped up with performances at affordable prices. He sign #zapixely which visited couple of in various working groups of European master’s program at Johannes Kepler is the co-founder and Executive Board Czech cities. BoB has a master’s degree Commission. She likes identification University Linz and Ludwig-Maxi- Member of the non-profit Mentorship, in Marketing Communications and and application of behavioral econo- milian University of Munich. Petra which offers free mentoring for young is interested in paragliding, hiking my and policy nudges in both private manages her life beyond ŠKODA at fast entrepreneurs. He is a business mentor and photography. In the past, he was and public agenda-setting. Barbora pace, too, being a kettlebell instructor at the largest Hungarian venture capital also Chief Coordinator of the Prague studied in the Czech Republic, and triathlete. As a true iron woman, firm Hiventures. He is a frequent key- Model United Nations and a para- and and she holds a degree she believes in the power of strength. note speaker at conferences and a lec- medic at children’s summer camps. in Law, Media and Marketing & PR. turer at International Business School @petra_lauer and at Corvinus University Budapest. @BoBMarvan @Barbora_Mickova

22 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 23 EVA PETERKOVÁ works at Liftago, where she helps the Czech startup MELINDA MIKLOS is the CEO of expand into new markets and grow WeAreOpen diversity initiative found- in the B2B segment. Prior to joining ed by Google, Prezi and espell, current- Liftago, Eva worked as a consultant at VLADIMÍR PÍCHA is currently a project ly a community of over 1,000 diversity Deloitte and at the European Commis- manager for business development at advocate companies and organizations, sion in Brussels. At the age of 15, Eva Direct insurance company. Since he including global brands and local SMEs ANDREJ PANCIK is a co-founder of co-founded the non-profit Together is eager for learning, he went through in Hungary. WeAreOpen’s mission is Represent, an online e-commerce plat- Czech Republic and led the organi- a number of junior roles in both com- to raise public awareness about the fact form for selling custom merchandise zation for 11 years. Through her work mercial and non-profit sector. He that diversity is of value for organiza- without any up-front costs. Previous- at Together, she helped thousands of worked for the Czech Indian Cham- tions and to give companies tools to ly, he co-founded Prizeo which raised young people participate in interna- ber of Commerce, and he trained his become more open workplaces. The over $20M for charity with one of the tional youth exchanges focused on in- patience and decision-making ability almost 20 campaigns that WeAreOpen most efficient ways of fundraising using formal education. In 2012, Eva became while having been a futures trader for has already run for example include influences. Prior to founding Repre- the “Youth Peace Ambassador” for the almost three years. He is an alum- their 100+ CEOs to Pride campaign, sent and Prizeo, Andrej had roles at the Council of Europe and was award- nus of Political Science at Masaryk the 150 public commitments from com- European Organization for Nuclear ed the title of “Youth Ambassador” University. Vladimír also graduated panies about how they will improve Research (CERN), UBS and Micro- by the European Commission a year from Mendel University in Brno with gender equality in the coming year, soft. He also attended the prestigious later. Eva graduated from the Lon- master’s degree in Finance and In- and OPEN Conference, the interna- Y Combinator accelerator in Silicon don School of Economics with a mas- vestment Management. His scholarly tional diversity conference for busi- Valley. Andrej holds a degree in Com- ter’s degree focused on EU politics. At interest in unconventional monetary ness leaders. Previously Melinda had puter Science from Masaryk Univer- this very moment, she is training for policy led to the Dean’s award and been the Press Officer for Google as sity, and attended the University of a month-long hike in Patagonia during published research. He dedicates his their external colleague for six years. Oxford and Harvard Business School. the upcoming Christmas holidays. spare time to running and travelling.

@mmlliinn @AndrejPancik @EvaPeterkova @VladimirPicha

24 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 25 RAFAL SARNIUK is an experienced TOMAS POSPISIL is a co-founder and business professional with over seven CEO of Český spotřebitel, a compa- years of experience in IT & Consult- ny running three projects that are on ing markets in Sales, Channels and the border between NGO and busi- MICHAL ŘEZNÍČEK is Partner at VIGO Business Development. He is current- ness sphere. The most prominent pro- Investments and Member of the Board ly working at Cisco Systems where he ject is Exekutor ma smulu.cz (Bailiff at Direct insurance company. Michal leads distribution channel in Poland in Trouble) whose main objective is ANNA POVEJŠILOVÁ is Associate Spe- worked as Head of Sales for external with a special focus on cyber securi- the suspension of unlawful proper- cialist in the Impressionist & Modern distribution channels at Česká Pojišťov- ty, collaboration technologies, and ty seizures (distraints, “exekuce” in Art department at Christie’s London na from 2010 to 2014 and from 2006 to software. He graduated from Wroclaw Czech) that were ordered based on where she has been working for over 2010 as Director Regional specialized University of Economics in Comput- arbitrary findings. So far, we have five years. Having experienced the for SME business. He has more than ten er Science and Econometrics. Rafal suspended distraints worth 200 mil- challenges of getting into the art world years of experience from sales positions also studied at the University of Pad- lion CZK (no state subsidies taken). first-hand, Anna is committed to men- in insurance including internal as well ua, Italy, at the faculty of Economics Before starting his own business, he toring those junior to her and advising as external distribution channels. He and Business Administration includ- was working for EY, Prague in Per- them on succeeding within the indus- has also experience at managing large ing Jean Monnet course on “Globali- formance Improvement Department. try, both informally on a personal level teams. Michal is a graduate from talent zation, Intercultural dialogue, and In 2014, Tomas was awarded a Ph.D. and more formally under the Easel program organized for companies of Inclusiveness in the EU.” He lived and in International Political Relations at London Initiative. Besides the ques- PPF Group in 2005 and from Program worked in multiple countries includ- the University of Economics, Prague. tions of social mobility, Anna is also for Talents for CEE region countries ing Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Recently, he has been interested in interested in art collecting in coun- organized by Generali Holding in 2013. USA and . Rafal is passion- modern technologies (e.g. AI) and their tries formerly behind the Iron Curtain Michal holds a master’s degree from ate about the new ways technology impacts on International Relations. and the re-establishment of collect- University of Pittsburgh (MBA) and he is helping to drive sustainability. ing cultures disrupted by decades of holds a diploma from Higher Profes- @xpost09 life under communist governments. sional School in Olomouc (DiS degree). @sarniuk

26 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 27 KLÁRA ŠANDOVÁ works for Česká IVANA ŠENITKOVÁ mission is to as- spořitelna insurance company, mem- sist young people in broadening their ber of Erste Group, as the “coopera- horizons and finding their passion tion with the universities coordina- and sense in life. All this through KATARZYNA SWIETOCHOWSKA is tor.” She is responsible for promoting her own passion in organizing inspi- a cultural producer, classically-trained Česká spořitelna´s brand among stu- rational and educational initiatives cellist, currently working for the Julian dents and during TEDx events in the which challenge the current views LUCIA VLČKOVÁ is a policy advisor at Cochran Foundation on projects link- Czech Republic. Klara helps students and help with personal development. the Ministry of Environment. It might ing classical music with technology, to participate in Česká spořitelna´s She combines her skills, experience sound boring... But! Together with the (eg. the ONSTAGE mobile application). projects and ensures that such coop- and network at StarLift.org where rest of the team, they organize events From 2011 to 2016 she was involved eration is advantageous for both sides. she’s building a community of IT stu- in order to raise awareness of civil in two Adam Mickiewicz Institute’s Klara believes that the interconnec- dents, academics and professionals, society, private sector and others on projects: I, CULTURE Orchestra - an tion between the worlds of universi- and at event-organizing at Nexteria. the issue of climate change, circular ensemble of young musicians from ties, start-ups and corporations brings sk that focuses on the professional economy and environmental protec- Poland and Eastern Partnership much to all and with this idea she has development of university students. tion. During the Slovak Presidency of Countries; and the Polska Music pro- started and manages cooperation She is an addicted “TEDxer” the Council of the EU, Lucia organ- gram which supports performances between Česká spořitelna and uni- and the main organizer of TEDx- ized many events abroad to promote of Polish classical music worldwide. versities´ business incubators. Klara Youth@Prague for five years. Slovak nature, its rich biodiversity and Kasia is one of the founders of the graduated from Charles University Ivka likes to challenge herself too to highlight its necessary protection. Automatophone Foundation where with master’s degree in Aesthetics. She - she loves to solo-travel and couch- Having studied international relations she currently participates in creating also has experience with organization surf, mainly in the Eastern world, in Bratislava, Paris and Bangkok, she is a project involving deaf community of cultural events and acted as a man- she is fascinated by discover- persuaded that we need to fight for bet- in Warsaw, an initiative culminating ager of several Czech music bands. ing different cultures and meeting ter environment and, most important- with the premiere of “Opera for the new people. She also plays beach ly, raise public awareness about new Deaf” in Studio Theatre, Warsaw. @KlaaraCora volley and teaches aero yoga. emerging environmental challenges.

28 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 29 Team

MICHAL KOŘAN Deputy Executive Director LENKA OLEJNÍKOVÁ Program Manager Michal is Deputy Director of the Aspen Institute Central Europe and Assis- Lenka has recently joined the Aspen In- IVAN HODÁČ JIŘÍ SCHNEIDER tant Professor at Masaryk University in stitute Central Europe. She has several President & Founder Executive Director Brno and served as Head of Research years of experience in program man- Department and Deputy Director of agement and administration from the Ivan is the founder and President of Jiří is Executive Director of the Aspen the Institute of International Rela- private as well as the non-profit sector Aspen Institute Central Europe. He Institute Central Europe. He graduat- tions in Prague. He is also a co-found- and has been involved in several vol- completed his education at the Univer- ed from Czech Technical University er and the national co-coordinator of unteer programs focusing on minority/ sity of Copenhagen and the College of and obtained a Diploma in Religious the Think Visegrad Platform. Michal refugee rights and social inclusion in Europe in Bruges. He was the secre- Studies from University of Cambridge. holds a PhD in International Relations both the Czech Republic and Turkey. tary-general of the European Auto- He was elected to the Czechoslo- and in his research, focuses on foreign Lenka is also Guest Researcher at Gen- mobile Manufacturers’ Association vak Parliament in 1990 and 1992. In policy of the Central European coun- der and Women’s Studies Research (ACEA) from 2001 until October 2013. 1993 he joined the Ministry of Foreign tries, Visegrad cooperation, security Centre at Kadir Has University in Istan- Before joining ACEA, Ivan Hodáč was Affairs and held various positions at and Trans-Atlantic Relations. Recent- bul where she works on developing an a senior vice-president and the head the Czech diplomatic service. Most ly, he is interested in the interlinkage index for gender equality assessment of the Time Warner Corporate office prominently he served as ambassa- between globalization, technologi- at Turkish universities. She served as for Europe. Previously he was also the dor to Israel and as the first deputy cal changes and democracy. Michal a local expert on violence against wom- secretary-general of the trade organ- foreign minister of the Czech Repub- spent a year as Research Fellow at the en for the recent project of the World ization IFMA/IMACE, senior econ- lic. He also lectured at various univer- WCFIA, Harvard University and has Bank Group - Women, Business and the omist at Didier & Associates and an sities in the Czech Republic. He was delivered numerous invited speeches, Law. She holds a BA in Political Science assistant professor at the College of Eu- closely associated with the Prague at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins and International Relations and an rope, Bruges. Financial Times recently Security Studies Institute (PSSI), University, Wilson Centre and Univer- MSSc in Peace and Conflict Studies. listed him among the most influential a leading Czech security think tank. sity of Pennsylvania among others. personalities in the Brussels politics. Lenka.Olejnikova@ [email protected] [email protected] AspenInstituteCE.org @IvanHodac @JiriSchneider @MichalKoran @LenkaOlejnikova

30 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 31 JENDA ŽÁČEK Communication & PR Manager

ŠÁRKA PRINCOVÁ MAROUŠKOVÁ Jenda is a consultant and lecturer in Program Manager strategy, communications, develop- ment and NGOs. He joined the Aspen Šárka has worked mainly in the cul- Institute in 2016 and was responsible tural sector with the focus on PR and for overall communications and the KAMILA RYCHECKÁ communication before joining the rebranding in 2017. As the Publishing Office Manager PAVLA LOSOVÁ Aspen Institute Central Europe. She Editor of the Aspen Review CE he man- Project Coordinator worked for one of the biggest art houses aged the magazine redesign and the Kamila holds a master’s degree in An- in Prague, MeetFactory, for two years launch of the Aspen Review website. dragogy from J. A. Komenský Uni- Pavla joined the Aspen Institute Cen- where she was responsible for develop- Jenda acted as the Spokesperson on versity in Prague. Before joining the tral Europe in 2012 as Office & Event ing the entire communication and mar- behalf of more than 50.000 people Aspen Institute, Kamila was working Manager and assisted the establish- keting strategy. Previously, she collab- organized in Junák – Czech Scouting. as an e-learning consultant in learn- ment of the Institute. Currently, she orated with Experimental Space NoD, In 2011, he became the Head of PR 2grow, s. r. o. where she was respon- works part-time as Project Coordina- the Alfred ve dvoře theatre, and One department and Spokesperson of the sible for preparation of custom-made tor while being on maternity leave. World International Human Rights Czech Ministry of Agriculture. From e-learning programs. Her job history She is mainly responsible for project Documentary Film Festival. Šárka 2013, he was the Head of Communi- includes several positions in John- organization and implementation. also works as a lecturer for INEX-SDA, cation and Spokesperson at the Czech son & Johnson, McKinsey & Compa- Before joining Aspen, Pavla worked an association for voluntary activi- Green Party, where he helped to raise ny, and Czech Airlines. At the Aspen at the Embassy of Canada in Prague ties. She is an alumna of the GLEN the amount of local green represent- Institute Central Europe, Kamila is as Administrative and Consular As- program which gave her the oppor- atives by more than 20% and contrib- responsible above all for office man- sistant. She holds a master’s degree tunity to work at a community school uted to obtaining four Senate seats agement, providing support to the from the University of Economics in in Hpa-an, Myanmar. Šárka holds for the Party. He graduated at director as well as performing organi- Prague (VŠE) in International Poli- a master’s degree from Culture Stud- the Faculty of Social Scienc- zational and logistical tasks related to tics and Diplomacy and also studied at ies from Charles University, Prague. es at the Charles University. the Institute’s events and activities. Sciences Po in Paris as part of the EU exchange study program, Erasmus. Sarka.Marouskova@ [email protected] Kamila.Rychecka@ AspenInstituteCE.org @JendaZacek AspenInstituteCE.org [email protected]

32 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 33 KIRILL ŠČEBLYKIN AYLP Social Media

Kirill studies Law and Eastern Europe- an studies at the Charles University in ONDŘEJ BEZPERÁT Prague. Two years ago, when he real- Photographer ized, that he doesn’t want to be a law- yer, he started to contribute for a stu- Ondřej has worked as a reporter for dent media outlet The Student Times Hospodářské noviny daily newspa- that cooperates with a Czech business per, online news Aktuálně.cz and the daily E15. He covered mostly educa- regional project Naše adresa. He has tion, media and international affairs. been freelance since 2011. He works In 2016, he had an internship at the PROGRAM PARTNERS with, amongst others, Forum 2000 and international desk of a Czech econom- the Aspen Institute Central Europe. He ic daily Hospodářské noviny covering studied photography at Ithaca College mostly Central and Eastern Europe. in the USA. Ondřej likes to travel, drive This year, he and his colleague Filip busses and used to dance on stage in Zajíček received Journalism Award musicals. At the moment, he enjoys granted by Open Society Fund Prague raising his two sons, Tonda and Franta. for the best written interview in 2016.

34 Aspen Young Leaders Program 2017 Hotel Stupka Tále 100, Horná Lehota 977 01 Brezno, Slovakia +421 486 712 601