Speakers

Expert at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the EU in the field of environmental analysis. Involved in the work on the UNEP Global Environment Outlook GEO-6 report, for which she was awarded the 2020 Prose Awards (Association of American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence) in the environmental sciences category. Member of the Metropolitan Council (since 2023), expert at the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Member of the Leadership For Sustainable Future Programme Council. Initiator of the SDG Partnership ‘Together for the Environment’ (2016), co-creator of the Climate Leadership Programme and the Let's TECH UP! Partnership.

Director General of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, Vice-President of the National Fund for Environmental Protection.

A graduate of the Agricultural University in Poznań, she recently completed postgraduate studies in Integrated Plant Production. For over 17 years, she was professionally associated with the Wielkopolska Agricultural Advisory Centre in Poznań, and on 2 June 2025, she was appointed director of WUW. She holds the position of vice-president of the Polish Agricultural Advisory Society. She is a member of the Rural Housewives' Club in Kowanówko and the Land of Three Rivers Association. She participated in the work of the municipal commission for assessing damage caused by adverse weather conditions (e.g. frosts, droughts), which demonstrates her experience in the practical aspects of supporting agriculture and rural development. In the fourth edition of the National Advisor of the Year Competition, she took first place in the Wielkopolska Province and received three distinctions in the Best Environmental Advisor of the Wielkopolska Province competition.

As Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment at the Provincial Office, her responsibilities include, among others, the implementation of government administration functions in the areas of water management, agriculture, rural development, agricultural markets and environmental protection. She oversees, among other things, difficult issues combining agriculture and the environment, such as sustainable agricultural production, water resource protection, and adaptation to climate change in agriculture. In the context of the Wielkopolska region, where agriculture plays a very important role, managing such a department means influencing support policy, investment and cooperation between the public and agricultural sectors.

Director of the Innovation and Competence Centre at the Euro-Centrum Science and Technology Park in Katowice, expert in innovation, EU funds and energy transition. Graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia and postgraduate studies at the University of Warsaw.

He specialises in regional development, technology transfer, European project management, energy transition and just transition. He has extensive experience in the public and private sectors, gained, among others, as development director at the Krakow Technology Park and deputy director at the Regional Development Department of the Marshal's Office of the Silesian Province.

He is the founder and first president of the BoMiasto association and co-founder of the Silesian Climate Movement. He is actively involved in climate protection, serving as the social coordinator of Polish leaders of the Climate Reality Project. He is also the chairman of the Climate and Environment Committee of the Katowice City Council. Patryk Białas is a fellow of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Programme.

He is the author of the book ‘Roots of the Future. Personal stories in the just transition of Upper Silesia’. He runs the blog and podcast ‘Zielona Śląska Opinia’ (Green Silesian Opinion).

His knowledge and experience cover a wide range of issues related to regional development, innovation, EU funds, ecology and energy transition.

A graduate of UMCS in Lublin in Economics (specialisations: international business, economic systems) and Economic Analytics. Author of reports and analyses in areas such as economic growth, monetary policy, European integration, the processing industry and energy transition. He cooperates with the private and public sectors in the implementation of research and strategic projects and sectoral analyses.

His scientific interests include issues related to macroeconomics, economic policy, the energy sector, industry and trade. He pays particular attention to the analysis of economic data.

For nearly three years, he has been the spokesperson for UNICEF Poland, involved in numerous communication, media and advocacy projects related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the observance and protection of children's rights, and the impact of social, economic and crisis situations on the lives and well-being of the world's youngest citizens. On a daily basis, he cooperates with UNICEF headquarters and national offices in other countries. He works, among other things, to promote equal access for children to public services and infrastructure, emphasising their role and importance as full citizens of society.

He is a graduate of international relations and cultural studies. He has many years of experience as a journalist, editor, translator and copywriter. For many years, he was associated with the Polish Press Agency, among others, and then carried out comprehensive communication and image-building activities, led public relations projects, and coordinated and managed communication activities in various sectors.

Doctor of Economics, President of WiseEuropa. Researcher at the University of Warsaw. President of the IBS Foundation from 2006 to 2013. Co-author of numerous Polish strategic documents (including the Hausner Plan, Poland 2030 – Development Challenges, Long-Term National Development Strategy until 2030 (Poland 2030 – The Third Wave of Modernity). He is the author of numerous commentaries and press articles on topics such as macroeconomics, energy policy, innovation, the pension system and the labour market.

Ysanne Choksey is Project Lead Global Steel Transition at Agora Industry. Her work focuses on industrial decarbonisation – especially through green iron trade and next generation steel and iron making – and on providing governments with the technical and strategic expertise to realise the economy-wide changes related to the transition.

Before joining Agora, Ysanne worked at the climate policy thinktank E3G as a policy advisor working on steel decarbonisation in Europe and Germany. Before that, she worked on power sector decarbonisation and removing private finance from new coal projects globally.

Entrepreneur, innovator, and co-founder of Envirly, Quantifier – cutting-edge GRC solution redefining how organizations manage continuous compliance.

A two-time Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree (Europe & Poland), recognized as one of the most influential young leaders at the intersection of technology, regulation, and sustainability. She combines strategic business thinking with a passion for regulatory and environmental transformation, advising companies on how to turn compliance requirements into competitive advantage. Academic lecturer and expert in the UN Environment Climate Leadership program.

Member of the EU Taxonomy Working Group at the Ministry of Development and Technology and of the Environmental Committee of the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry, where she co-creates solutions at the crossroads of policy, business, and science.

Graduate of the London School of Economics (Economics & Philosophy) and the University of Warsaw (Economics & Mathematics). She gained international experience through prestigious scholarships and training programs in China, Singapore, the United States, and the Czech Republic.

Patryk Darowski joined Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) in 2017. He is responsible for investment, industry and ESG risk management, financial modelling for credit transactions, as well as company valuations for financial reporting and collateral purposes. He also serves as vice-chairman of the Bank's ESG Committee and vice-chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Vinci investment fund.

Before joining BGK, Patryk worked at Deloitte and Concordia Espirito Santo Investment.

He graduated from the University of Economics in Wrocław, specialising in business management. He holds the title of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Edward Davey is Head of WRI Europe's UK office, where he represents WRI (including its 70 UK-based staff) to the UK government, philanthropies, private sector, NGOs, and WRI's Royal Patron, HM King Charles III. Edward also serves as a Senior Advisor (previously Country Director and Partnerships Director) to the Food and Land Use Coalition, and as an Advisor to the New Economy for the Amazon and Congo Basin. He worked on secondment for the UK Government's Cabinet Office on COP26, including the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use, and as an Advisor to the UAE COP28 Presidency on the COP28 Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action.

Prior to WRI, Edward worked for The Prince of Wales' International Sustainability Unit as a Senior Programme Manager and speechwriter, and for the Colombian Presidency as a Lead Adviser on Environment. He started his career at Oxfam and the UN Human Development report, and also worked for the AMAR Foundation — a humanitarian organization in the Middle East — and the London-based children's charity, Kids Company.

Since May 2022 he is the Director in charge of Circular Economy in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment.

Between January 2014 and April 2022 he worked as the Director in charge of enforcement, cohesion and the European Semester in the same DG. Before that he was the Director for Equality in the Directorate-General for Justice since April 2011, in charge of equality and fight against discrimination, after having been the Director for Fundamental Rights and EU Citizenship within the same DG and in DG Justice, Freedom and Security since June 2009.

He joined the European Commission in 2009. He holds an LL.M. from the University of Illinois (US) and a Ph.D. from the University of Bucharest (RO).

Director General of the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Many years of experience in supporting entrepreneurs. Graduate of the Jagiellonian University and postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management at the Warsaw School of Economics. She gained her first professional experience as the right-hand woman of the director of one of the largest hospitals in Warsaw, where she learned first-hand about the challenges of managing an organisation in a way that requires reconciling conflicting interests. For many years, she has represented the entrepreneurs' self-government as an expert in economic and legal issues related to setting up and running a business, labour law and social security. She has risen through the ranks of a large organisation, the Polish Chamber of Commerce, from expert, through project manager, press spokesperson, director of the president's office, to director general of the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce. She actively participates in the law-making process in Poland – in parliament, ministries and public administration bodies. She has successfully prepared and implemented projects financed by EU funds. She advises entrepreneurs and appears in various media outlets as an advocate for business interests. Since 2017, she has headed the largest arbitration court for entrepreneurs in Poland. On a daily basis, she deals with the challenges faced by micro, small, medium and large entrepreneurs in the course of their business activities. Member of the jury of the ‘Złote Spinacze’ competition. Co-author of a number of publications on, among other things, advocacy, business management and anti-corruption.

A carbon footprint auditor and TEDx speaker. His research focuses on circular, bioclimatic, and climate-adaptive design, as well as the impact of architecture on climate change; he is an advocate for using architecture as a tool to mitigate climate change. He is a professor at the Sopot Academy of Applied Sciences and a member of various organizations related to sustainable and ecological construction, including the Polish Green Building Council (PLGBC). He is also an expert for the European Commission on behalf of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, an evaluator in Horizon Europe Programs, and a member of the Climate Leadership expert group at UNEP/GRID in the United Nations Environment Programme. Since 2025, he is also one of the 950 global ambassadors of Climate Interactive - an organization focused on predicting climate scenarios.

A leader and strategist in the field of circular innovation and sustainable development. Founder of Green Collars, a company that has been successfully transforming businesses towards circular economy for 7 years through the co-creation of new “green” products and processes — from concept, through effective fundraising and implementation, to scaling. She combines experience in public administration (Ministry of Development, PARP), international organizations (EIT Climate-KIC), and NGOs with business practice.

She has proven experience in managing international programs and projects — including co-designing and implementing the EIT RIS hub network in Central and Eastern Europe — combining public policy, financing, and execution. She actively builds ecosystems of cooperation and communities around industrial circularity (CPC).

Specializations: GOZ strategies and circular innovation; designing and running transformation programs; practical integration of EU requirements in line with business objectives; financing R&D, implementations, and investments; public-private-scientific partnerships; community building.

A graduate of international relations and law.

He has over 10 years of experience working in the energy and fuel sector (PSE, PERN) in the field of market strategy development and business analytics. Previously, he was a long-term employee of the government administration (including the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment), specializing in strategic analysis and the implementation of innovative solutions (assessment of the impact of regulations on business, measurement of administrative burdens).

He is a practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in the sustainable construction industry. He holds licenses for BREEAM NC, BREEAM In-Use, BREEAM AP BREEAM IRFO and LEED GA multi-criteria certification systems.

He developed a team of several engineers into a 40-person, award-winning Green Building Department, which is the Polish market leader in services related to multi-criteria certification, green investment process support, decarbonization or ESG reporting. Among other things, the Sweco team was responsible for BREEAM certification of the first projects in Poland, both among new and existing buildings, evaluating more than 500 facilities to date.

Marcin is a graduate of the SET Academy's School of Coaching and a mentor in the Top Woman in Real Estate program. He has completed trainings and courses in psychology, team competence development, integration, effectiveness, supportive communication or neuro-leadership, among others.

He is also the author of several publications in areas related to green building.

He spends his free time volunteering by saving amphibians (Akcja Płotek), donating blood or supporting Szlachetna Paczka.

In the Sustainability & Climate team, she advises the public and private sectors on the circular economy and on finding a link between economically and ecologically efficient waste management.

She advises companies on how to comply with national and EU policies by examining the environmental impact of their activities. She specialises in creating sustainable, circular business models and strategies for transitioning to a circular economy, also in the context of Extended Producer Responsibility. She helps companies adapt their IT systems to support the management and monitoring of implemented measures.

She collaborates within the value chain in organisations such as the Lewiatan Confederation and the Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy Director of the National Hydrological Protection Centre at the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute. A graduate of the Krakow University of Technology (M.Sc., Environmental Engineering, specialising in hydrology and water management) and postgraduate studies in flood risk management. She supervises and coordinates the implementation of the statutory tasks of the State Hydrological and Meteorological Service in the field of hydrological protection of the country. She cooperates with public administration bodies, entities covered by hydrological protection and crisis management services.

Krzysztof Gulda - graduate of physics at the University of Warsaw, specialising in nuclear physics. Entrepreneur, strategist operating in both the public and private sectors, consultant in consulting firms and international organisations.

He has been associated with the University of Warsaw since the beginning of his professional career. Co-founder of the University of Warsaw Technology Transfer Centre. Since 2016, he has been a member of the management board of UWRC sp. z o.o. – a special purpose vehicle of the University of Warsaw supporting the creation and development of academic spin-off companies. He participated in the establishment and management of over 20 technology companies created at the University of Warsaw.

In 2020–2024, he was a member of the Expert Group for the coordination of European Partnerships. He also sat on the Board of the National Centre for Research and Development (2007–2009, 2016–2020). He served as Director of the Strategy Department at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (2009–2012) and previously worked at the Ministry of Economy (2002–2009).

He has collaborated on projects with the World Bank, PwC Poland and the National Centre for Nuclear Research.

For over 20 years, he has been involved in building an innovation system in Poland, developing cooperation between science and business, creating business models, developing strategies for organisations supporting innovation, raising capital for business development, and implementing support instruments at national and regional level. He also uses his experience in his work with the European Commission and consulting companies, implementing projects in countries such as the former Soviet Union and the Western Balkans.

A graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology in Chemical Technology and Postgraduate Studies in Project Management at the Warsaw School of Economics. An employee of PROZON since 2016, in 2019-2020 she managed the analytical and calibration laboratory as Laboratory Manager. She has extensive technical and legislative experience related to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Since 2018, she has been working in the Foundation's project department, contributing to the development and implementation of a number of EU-funded initiatives. She has co-created several EU projects, including COOLSPACES 4 LIFE, LEGAL HFC 4 LIFE, and Refrigerants LIFE Cycle. She effectively combines technical knowledge with a business approach in project implementation. Currently, she is the coordinator of the RE-ELECTRO 4 LIFE project – “Implementation of a circular economy business model for the reuse of waste electrical and electronic equipment.”

He effectively uses his interdisciplinary education and experience in building technological innovations, implementing pro-environmental activities, and implementing EU projects.

CEO of Ekoinwentyka Sp. z o.o., a biotechnology company specialising in environmental technologies and air bio-purification. He has been managing the company since 2011, and prior to that he was associated with the Institute of Chemical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences for many years. Author and creator of the Compact Three-Phase Bioreactor (KBT) – an innovative technology for purifying air from VOCs and odours. He has extensive experience in the implementation and management of R&D projects, both domestic and international, including those under the NCBiR, UNESCO-IHE and European Technology Platform for Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plant programmes. Co-author of numerous scientific publications in renowned journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal of Environmental Management and Bioresource Technology. Since 2023, visiting professor at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia.

Professor Marcin Kawiński is Deputy Financial Ombudsman in Poland, Head of the Department of Social Insurance at the Warsaw School of Economics, and a member of the Climate Crisis Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN). His research interests focus on household insurance (including climate risks), the insurance market and insurance regulations, insurance distribution, new technologies, the feasibility of insurance protection, and the behavioral financial aspects of pension systems.

Kawiński has experience in consumer affairs, having participated in numerous public hearings. In the past, he was also a member of the IRSG and OPSG at EIOPA and the Banking Stakeholder Group at EBA. From 2010 to 2016, Kawiński was an expert at the European Commission, advising on consumer issues in the area of financial services within the FSUG, FIN-USE, and FIN-NET. Kawiński was also an expert in the PHARE and TAIEX programs.

An experienced senior consultant at Management Solutions specializing in ESG risk methodology. He gained experience working in financial institutions and on consulting projects in the banking, energy, and investment sectors for Polish and international institutions.

He has led teams and participated in numerous projects related to calculating carbon footprints in organizations, and has collaborated on the development of ESG strategies for both financial and non-financial clients, in accordance with international standards and best practices. He supervised the creation of tools for measuring climate risks and gained experience in risk management in the energy sector, working on projects related to crisis management, the development of a scenario analysis framework for climate risks, and the implementation of EU regulatory requirements in the context of gap analysis for ESRS requirements.

Throughout his career, he has shared his expertise as a speaker at training courses and workshops on risk, carbon footprint, and other aspects of sustainable development for over 1,200 participants. He graduated in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Warsaw and in Econometrics from the Warsaw School of Economics.

Thøger is an energy policy consultant at the Danish Chamber of Commerce, where he works with Danish businesses on energy and climate policy. Previously, he worked as a climate and energy advisor at the Danish Parliament. Thøger holds a master’s degree in international relations from Aarhus University”.

Jörn Kleinelümern is the manager of the Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr centre at Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH (BMR). As a regional economic development agency, BMR represents the economic interests of 53 municipalities in the Ruhr region and supports the region in its efforts to become a modern and future-oriented business location.
Kleinelümern has been with BMR since 2022. Prior to that, he worked at the Bochum Chamber of Industry and Commerce, where his responsibilities included the locations of Hattingen and Herne as well as mobility.

Senior advisor at the Polish Economic Institute and professor at the University of Wrocław's Institute of Economic Sciences, where he heads the Department of International Economic Relations. Fulbright scholar at George Washington University and founder of the Polish Center for African Studies. He specializes in research on foreign direct investment, critical raw materials, development economics, and the economies of the global South. He has conducted research and internships in the United States, China, and eight African countries as part of grants funded by the National Science Centre and the European Commission.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Beata has many years of business experience, including in the area of sustainable development. She has worked with over 60 companies from various industries.

Her key competencies include creating sustainable development strategies, double materiality analysis, ESG gap analysis, and preparing reports in accordance with ESRS and VSME standards.

Beata is a member of the Sustainable Development Committee at the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG). She regularly appears as a speaker and panelist at conferences dedicated to ESG, including GREENPACT, “Time for ESG,” as well as at events organized by KIG, the Polish Association of Listed Companies (SEG), and the British-Polish Chamber of Commerce. She is the author of numerous articles on sustainable development.

She completed her doctoral studies at the Kozminski University in Warsaw, where she defended her doctoral thesis. She is also a graduate of postgraduate studies in strategic management and leadership psychology. She has completed numerous certified training courses in strategic analysis, strategy development and implementation, and ESG reporting.

Beata is also an academic lecturer and author of books on topics such as change management.

Ornithologist and naturalist, Director of Nature Conservation at the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP)/BirdLife Polska. He has been associated with the organisation for over 15 years, where he supervises the preparation and implementation of nature conservation projects. In recent years, he has been involved in projects to designate internationally important bird areas in Poland and to protect peat bogs in the Biebrza Marshes and the Lublin region. Previously, for over 20 years, he worked in research and teaching at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, conducting research on birds of river valleys and wetlands in Poland. He has also conducted fieldwork in France, Spain, Siberia, Belarus and Ukraine. He comes from Lower Silesia and is a graduate of the University of Wrocław. Since the 1980s, he has lived in the Lublin region, whose nature he is particularly fond of.

Managing Director at ENVIPOL. She specialises in supporting companies and organisations in the area of sustainable development (analyses, strategies, reports, training, etc.). Expert in sustainable development, circular economy, waste management, co-founder and long-time President of the coordinating company of the Waste Management and Recycling Cluster – National Key Cluster. Manager with many years of experience in strategic planning and business development.

Expert with many years of experience in sustainable development, circular economy, waste management, co-founder and long-time president of the coordinating company of the Waste Management and Recycling Cluster – National Key Cluster. A manager with many years of experience in strategic and operational planning, designing business models and eco-products, implementing sustainable projects, and ESG reporting. Coordinator of numerous sustainable projects implemented by small, medium and large companies in the chemical, waste management and recycling, packaging and clothing industries, among others.

Advisor and expert in the field of communication and public affairs, with fifteen years of experience in working with administration and decision-makers. In local government, he was responsible for spatial planning, revitalisation and investor relations. He was also jointly responsible for Łódź's bid for the EXPO exhibition. He has worked with local government officials and Polish and European parliamentarians, responsible for communication strategy, image and substantive support, especially in the areas of security and international cooperation. Currently, at WWF Poland, he conducts advocacy activities in the field of nature and climate protection: he monitors legislative processes and conducts dialogue with decision-makers.

A scientist and manager with over 30 years of experience in strategic planning, managing large organisations and leading international projects in the public, private and non-governmental sectors, as well as scientific and research programmes, including in the energy industry. He is a mentor for start-ups and young companies.

Between 1993 and 2004, as an employee of the European Commission's Representation in Poland, he was directly involved in the process of Poland's accession to the European Union. In 2004-2005, he was the president of the European Centre for Entrepreneurship Sp. z o.o., and in 2008-2015, he was the vice-president of the management board and ran the European Centre for Entrepreneurship Foundation. From 2008 to 2015, he was also President of the Management Board at JP Capital Group Sp. z o.o.

In 2005, he took up the position of Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Regional Development, where he was responsible for coordinating the country's development and cohesion policies and, among other things, prepared the National Development Strategy 2007-2015 and the National Cohesion Strategy 2007-2013. In 2015, he was appointed Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development, and then First Deputy Prime Minister at the Ministry of Development.

Since 2015, he has been a member of the National Development Council. Since January 2018, he has been Minister of Investment and Development, and since September 2019, he has also been Minister of Finance.

In 2020, he served as President of the Management Board of Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A. (PGNiG), Chairman of the Board of Directors of PGNiG Upstream Norway, and was a member of the supervisory boards of TUW Polski Gaz and Europolgaz S.A.

He holds a doctorate in technical sciences from the Warsaw University of Technology. He is a graduate of postgraduate studies and international management programmes, including an MBA from the University of Antwerp, the University of Staffordshire, the Free University of Brussels and the University of Warsaw. He also worked as a researcher at the Warsaw University of Technology and as a visiting professor at Brunel University of West London.

A manager with many years of experience in team and project management. She has been involved in the environmental protection and sustainable development industry for 20 years. She has been working at the Poznań Science and Technology Park for over 10 years, where she coordinates investment projects and supports the development of cooperation between science and business in the field of innovative solutions in the area of Circular Economy and ESG practices. For many years, she also served as Data Protection Officer, internal auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 20,000, and ISO 27,000, and coordinator of Waste-Klastra, which focuses its activities on areas related to waste management, chemistry, and biotechnology. She is a graduate of postgraduate studies in accounting and ESG at the University of Economics in Poznań. She completed her MBA studies, obtaining a diploma from the French University of Rennes. She holds a master's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań.

Muriel Lux holds a PhD in Physical oceanography. She works at Mercator Ocean International as “Environmental Policy and Major Account Manager” within the Portfolio and User Engagement team. She coordinates the National Marine Stakeholder Forum and also contributes to the Science for Policy task force at Mercator Ocean. In charge of the development of the Copernicus Thematic Hubs for Arctic and Coastal regions, she’s also the main contact point for Regional Sea Conventions such as HELCOM and OSPAR.

Director of Corporate Affairs at Samsung. He is responsible for cooperation with the government and NGOs regarding the company's investments in Poland and its social involvement. He coordinates activities in the field of ESG, PA, PR, CSR, PPP amd strategic partnerships.

He also serves as the VP of the Digital Poland Association and the Council Vicechair of the Polish Chamber of Information and Telecommunications - the largest organizations associating Polish digital business.

Jacek is a graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics and the University of Warsaw, as well as postgraduate programs at Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In his free time he loves exploration, like mountaineering, yacht skipping or open water diving.

An expert in sustainable development, recognised in 2024 in the ranking of ‘15 women who are changing the ESG industry’ and in 2025 as one of the ‘Top LinkedIn experts in environment & energy from Poland’. She implements tools for collecting and reporting ESG data in companies and advises on reporting in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. She creates and implements sustainable development strategies and assists in communication without greenwashing. She conducts training courses (ESG School of the Polish Chamber of Commerce) and dialogue sessions with stakeholders.

She ensures that the voice of business is heard in the media (regular column in money.pl), advocates for transformation processes towards clean industry, and develops the foundations of the green consumer movement.

She organises conferences, leads discussion panels, and lectures at universities – Warsaw University of Life Sciences and Poznań University of Economics (strategy, reporting, communication, sustainable development).

She is a member of the board of ESG Impact Network, an organisation supporting green business. She is the CEO and founder of Go Green. Strategy & Communication, an agency dealing with ESG strategies for companies and green communication. Member of the ESG Committee of the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Grand ESG Award jury and the jury of the competition for the best ESG report of the Responsible Business Forum.

Former director of the Warsaw City Greenery Management Board. She coordinated communications and PR for Warsaw offices and units dealing with ecology and sustainable development: the Green Management Board, the Environmental Protection Office and the Air Protection and Climate Policy Office.

She was a member of the management team of the www.tvn24.pl portal, editor-in-chief of TVN24 Magazine, head of the Kontakt 24 department at TVN24, journalist for Rzeczpospolita and PAP, and academic teacher (SWPS University). Graduate of postgraduate studies in ESG Management at Collegium Civitas.

A graduate of the Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw. He began his professional career at Bank Millennium as an economist in 2001. He has been the Bank's Chief Economist since 2010. Previously, he gained experience during internships at McKinsey & Co. and Dom Maklerski Instalexport. He also advised the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He is a guest lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics postgraduate programme. He is the author of commentaries and columns in the media and co-author of scientific publications. Project manager and co-author of the report ‘Millennium Index – the innovation potential of regions’ and the report ‘Millennium Eco-Index – the eco-innovation potential of Polish regions’. He is the winner of numerous awards and distinctions. He was named Economist of the Year 2014 by the Parkiet stock exchange newspaper. In 2020, he took second place in this ranking. Privately, he is passionate about travel, especially long-distance travel, as well as aviation.

An expert and manager in the ICT and cybersecurity market with over 25 years of business experience. The key areas of his work include IT and business transformation, implementation of advanced IT solutions, cybersecurity and information protection, compliance, ICT services,

He was responsible for and developed the above areas at ABB, PTK Centertel, Telekomunikacja Polska, and the Orange Group. Since 2018, he has been working as a trusted advisor and independent consultant with international and Polish companies, program director, and co-founder of the Security Excellence community.

He is a graduate of the Silesian University of Technology. In 2002, he obtained an International Management Diploma (MBA) from the French Institute of Management, and in 2009 he completed the Advanced Management Program at the IESE Business School of the University of Navarra.

He was named CIO of the Year in 2010. In 2016, he was awarded the title of Digital Leader of the Year by CIONET POLSKA. In 2017, he was a finalist for European CIO of the Year.

Expert at the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Institute of Energy Policy and head of the Bioenergy Conversion Technology Laboratory at the Institute of Mineral Resources and Energy Management of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He deals with the use of energy from renewable sources, in particular new biomass fuels, as well as fuel and energy management in economic and environmental terms. In addition to his scientific work, he is also an expert at the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) on biofuels, and an expert at the Małopolska Regional Operational Program (RPO) on environmental protection, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency. He is also a partner in Green Coalition Sp. z o.o., responsible for projects involving the use of hybrid renewable energy technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint in industry.

Ewelina is an expert in ESG strategy development and sustainable supply chain management in PwC's regional team for Central and Eastern Europe. Ewelina specializes in strategic projects, key stakeholder relationship management, non-financial data disclosure, and managing an organization's impact on its environment. Ewelina has ten years of experience advising companies operating in global markets on issues related to the proper management of environmental, social, and corporate governance issues as part of an active shareholder strategy. She gained this experience in a number of roles at GES International, Sustainalytics, and Morningstar, where she advised entities and capital groups on ESG strategy, identifying material risks and key areas for development, as well as ESG disclosure frameworks. She has extensive experience in conducting ESG due diligence as well as working with experts and stakeholders at a global level.

Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, head of the Audiovisual Production program at AMU, member of the Board of the Adam Mickiewicz University Foundation in Poznań, and manager of external relations at the Poznań Science and Technology Park, which is part of FUAM.

Vice-Rector for Development and Head of the Department of Economic Geography at the College of Business Administration. A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics, where she also obtained her doctorate with a thesis entitled ‘The connection between customs infrastructure and technical infrastructure in Poland’. Her postdoctoral thesis was devoted to the regionalisation of energy markets. Member of the Warsaw School of Economics Senate and the Senate Programme Committee. Her research focuses on energy transition, energy security, energy markets, economic geography, regionalisation and globalisation.

Anna Ostręga is an associate professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. She is a mining and environmental protection engineer by education. Her research interests focus on the legal, ecological, and social aspects of mining operations, as well as the reclamation and revitalization of post-mining areas, including the protection of industrial heritage. She is the author and co-author of 77 scientific publications. She has participated in 83 research projects related to the development of mineral deposits and the reclamation and revitalization of post-mining areas, including towns affected by the mining industry, commissioned by the mining industry, local and regional governments, ministries, and European commissions. She has participated in 14 international projects and 11 scientific and technical internships in the field of revitalization in Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy. In the years 2021-23, a member of the Team for the Territorial Plan of Just Transition of Western Małopolska at the Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Voivodeship.

Irena Pichola has been associated with the Forum since 2002. She has been a member of the board since 2005 and served as vice-president from 2024 to 2025. She currently chairs the FOB board. She is also chair of the Chapter Zero Poland Steering Committee.

Irena is the founder and CEO of Artha Consulting Network. She has over 20 years of professional experience in ESG strategic consulting. She has led complex projects for clients from various industries, including ESG strategy implementation, ESG stakeholder relationship analysis, strategic planning to promote sustainable investment, and energy efficiency strategy implementation. In recent years, she has led Deloitte's Sustainability Consulting team in Central Europe, overseeing and managing a team of 140 experts from 18 countries in the region. At Deloitte, she was also the global leader for public sector sustainability and a member of the team dedicated to working with EU institutions in the area of sustainability.

Irena is actively involved in the work of international organisations dealing with sustainability issues, such as GRI, WBCSD and CSR Europe. She represents FOB at business and economic events in Poland and abroad, as well as in the media.

In 2021, she was honoured as one of the 25 leaders of sustainable development in Poland.

Deputy Director of the Investment and Renaturation Department at the State Water Management Authority (Wody Polskie). His responsibilities include the coordination and implementation of innovative projects, including research and development and surface water renaturation. He has been involved in water management for over 10 years – since 2020 at the State Water Management Authority Wody Polskie and previously at the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, among others. He holds a PhD in Earth Sciences and since 2025 has also been working at the Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz.

For 29 years, a researcher at the Institute of Ecology of Industrial Areas (IETU), until February 2022, IETU Lead Expert in the field of Soil Remediation, Nature-Based Solutions and Urban Agriculture, since September 2020 Scientific Secretary of IETU, since March 2022 Director of IETU.

Education: Doctor of Technical Sciences in Environmental Engineering, Habilitated Doctor of Agricultural Sciences in the field of agricultural, forestry and veterinary sciences in the discipline of environmental protection and shaping, Professor in the discipline of environmental engineering, mining and energy. Specialisation: environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering and protection, environmental ecotoxicology. In 2011-2022, she headed the research area of Soil Remediation, NBS and Urban Agriculture at IETU, conducting research within national and international projects on phytoremediation (phytoextraction, phytostabilisation) of soils contaminated with heavy metals, assessment of phytotoxicity of substrates for plants, creation of plant cover in contaminated areas and substitute substrates from waste materials. Currently, she focuses on research on the use of energy crops in soil remediation processes and the use of biomass as an energy source. She is a member of the Presidium of the Committee for Environmental Protection and Waste Management of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Environmental Protection Programme Committee of the University of Silesia, and the International Phytotechnological Society. Her scientific achievements include over 90 publications. From September 2019 to January 2022, she was a member of the Management Board of the Horizon Europe 2021-2027 Framework Programme Mission in the area of ‘Clean Soil and Food’ (‘Soil Health and Food’), and in 2020-2021 she was an expert in two European Commission EIP AGRI focus groups: ‘Protecting agricultural soils from contamination’ and ‘Sustainable industrial crops in Europe’. Since 2020, she has been an expert at the Ministry of Education and Science, supporting Poland's participation in a new European partnership under the Horizon Europe Programme, ‘Joint Undertaking for a Circular Bioeconomy in Europe’.

Research and teaching staff member at the Częstochowa University of Technology, scientifically involved in plastics and plastics processing technologies.

In 2016-2019, he was the head of the Department of Polymer Processing and the dean's representative for cooperation with business, and in 2019-2024 he was the head of the Department of Technology and Automation. In 2012, he participated in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education's TOP500 Innovation and Commercialization project and spent three months on an internship program at Stanford University in California, USA.

He is the author of numerous domestic and international scientific publications in the field of plastics processing, recycling, and research on polymer materials and their composites. He is also the author of seven patents and numerous scientific opinions, and has carried out many projects and studies commissioned by industry. He has participated in many industry conferences and seminars, presenting the results of scientific research and promoting modern technologies and expert knowledge in the field of polymer processing. He is an expert in the Climate Leadership program operating at UNEP Grid Warsaw (UN agenda). He was a member of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute in Warsaw for two terms.

An expert in sustainable development who supports various organizations in reducing their negative impact on the environment in her daily work. She specializes in climate change, focusing in particular on calculating the carbon footprint of organizations and products. She prepares decarbonization strategies and verifies greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with ISO 14064-3. She supports companies in non-financial reporting and to independent organizations such as CDP (Climate Change and Supply Chain).

Thanks to the experience gained in dozens of ESG projects for various industries (both on the Polish and foreign markets), she is able to effectively support companies not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with practical experience. She regularly conducts training courses, which are an opportunity for her to share her experience with others.

Chief Sustainability Officer at UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, an affiliated centre of the United Nations Environment Programme. Within the organisation, he is responsible for projects related to the triple planetary crisis (biodiversity, pollution, climate crisis) as well as sustainable cities. Until recently, he was the coordinator of the country's largest climate programme, Climate Leadership, and Re:Generation-Together for Ecosystems. He is responsible for cooperation within TNFD, Business for Nature, CLG Europe and UNEP FI.

He advises social economy entities, SMEs and large corporations on transformation, strategy building and risk analysis, changes in product and service offerings towards greater sustainability, building partnerships and cooperation across the value chain.

He is an ambassador for international projects: EU Climate Pact, Max Thabiso Edkins Climate Ambassador Programme, Climate Positive Rotterdam ERASMUS Programme, and a member of working groups on biodiversity and food chains YOUNGO UNFCC. Engaged in dialogue and as a trainer in adaptation and resilience for countries such as Uganda, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Kenya. Panellist and speaker at numerous national and international events.

Lecturer in postgraduate studies at the Kozminski University (Purchasing Policies. ESG in the Value Chain) and the Sopot Academy of Applied Sciences (Introduction to Environmental Issues and Green Governance).

He has been involved in the packaging industry for nearly two decades—from the production and distribution of packaging materials, through purchasing processes and packaging optimization, to strategic activities in e-commerce.

He began his career in the industrial sector, gaining practical experience in the selection, implementation, and trading of packaging materials. Over time, he moved to the largest players in the e-commerce market, where he is now responsible for the strategic direction of sustainable packaging.

Currently, as Sustainable Packaging Manager at Allegro, he is introducing solutions that support the reduction of the environmental impact of operations. He focuses on education, simplifying requirements, and creating tools that allow the packaging market to be changed step by step.

Lawyer, educator, and expert on green finance and ESG regulations. She advises companies on how to implement sustainable investment regulations and build credible ESG strategies. In her work, she combines law with a mission to educate, showing that green finance is not a trend but a prerequisite for trust and business competitiveness. She analyzes the risks of greenwashing, reporting transparency, and the impact of finance on the achievement of climate goals. She also deals with regulations on sustainable products and consumer rights, explaining how the law shapes conscious choices and responsible brand communication. Expert of the UNEP-GRID Climate Leadership initiative and volunteer of the Polish Zero Waste Association.

For 15 years, he has been working at the intersection of project acquisition, consulting services, lobbying, sales, management, and marketing. He is the author of numerous expert opinions and analyses. He advises entrepreneurs on process management and optimisation, and cooperates with accounting and audit departments. Przemysław Ruchlicki also participates in consultations on draft laws and regulations concerning economic law and national strategies.

He is currently involved in legislative processes concerning economic law and ESG. At the same time, he is responsible for non-financial reporting for a large Polish company in the medical industry.

Tomra Group is a provider of technological solutions for collection and sorting used in the food, mining, and waste management industries. In her professional role at TOMRA, Anna is responsible for shaping the Group's position within her region, concerning legislative changes in environmental protection and waste management. She also manages relations with public administration authorities and market stakeholders.

Anna has experience in evaluating and implementing projects funded through EAN grants and Norwegian grants. For the past two years, she has been a member of the Monitoring Committee for the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, and Environment Program.

She holds a PhD in Law from Jagiellonian University and a Master's degree in International Law from the University of Orléans. Additionally, she completed postgraduate studies in Finance and Accounting at the Krakow University of Economics.

Doctor of Economics specializing in business management. Graduate of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, majoring in Law and Management at the Faculty of Law and Administration. Long-term research and teaching staff member at the University of Economics in Poznań and academic lecturer at the WSB University and Jagiellonian College. Author of several dozen scientific publications in the field of management. She gained her management experience in managerial positions, mainly in large manufacturing companies with Polish and foreign capital. She conducts training and business consulting in the field of management processes. She is a certified Design Thinking moderator and a certified PM Agile. She currently serves as Director of the Sustainable Development Office at the Energa Capital Group (Energa SA from the PKN Orlen group), where she is responsible for implementing new EU regulations in the field of sustainable development, ESG ratings, sustainable development reporting, taxonomic reporting, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. She is also responsible for cooperation with external partners, such as the UN Global Compact and PKEE. She is a member of the ESG Committee at the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Working Group for the improvement of ESG reporting among Polish companies at the Ministry of Finance, a member of the Responsible Business Forum, and a member of the Association of Independent Supervisory Board Members.

Stefano Soro was born in Genoa, Italy. He holds a degree in Management and Economics from Università Bocconi, Milan.

After working in the HR department of a multinational company, he joined the European Commission in 1994, serving in a variety of posts in Eurostat, the Enterprise and Industry DG, the Secretariat-General and the Health and Consumers DG, where from 2006 to 2011 he headed the unit responsible for non-food consumer safety. From 2012 to 2016 he was the Head of the "Medicinal products - quality, safety and efficacy" Unit and then of the “Animal nutrition, veterinary medicines” Unit.

Stefano joined the Internal Market, Industry Entrepreneurship and SMEs DG as Head of the "Food Industry" Unit in 2017. Since 1st May 2025 he is the Head of the DG’s new Sustainable Products Unit.

Levin Spiegel is a policy advisor for sustainability at Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Brussels. He monitors and analyses EU policy developments in the areas of energy, climate and the circular economy, and represents the interests of the European business community at the EU level. Previously, he worked on environmental and energy policy at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and gained experience in corporate mobility management and electric mobility at the Energy Institute Vorarlberg. He holds a Master’s degree in Energy and Transport Management from the University of Applied Sciences Joanneum and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental System Sciences with a focus on Economics from the University of Graz.

As an environmental and social entrepreneur, Sebastian is driven by a commitment to creating meaningful change and advancing a more sustainable future. He is the founder and CEO of Lion Environmental, a consultancy he has led since 2016. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a modest EHS firm into one of Poland’s leading ESG consultancies, supporting industry leaders across sectors.

A key milestone in his career was the creation of REMEDy, an annual conference dedicated to soil and groundwater contamination — now one of the largest and most recognized events of its kind in Poland.

Sebastian’s work spans Poland’s energy transition, contaminated land management, major infrastructure development, and ESG enhancement for corporate clients. Drawing on years of experience with global technical consultancies, he combines strategic insight with hands-on expertise to deliver practical, high-impact solutions.

Beyond the business sphere, Sebastian has also been active in humanitarian work. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he volunteered with the Polish Red Cross to support refugees. His advocacy for vulnerable populations later led him to testify before the U.S. Congress on issues of human trafficking and refugee safety, highlighting his deep commitment to social responsibility and ethical leadership. Sebastian studied in Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom at Cambridge University.

Aneta Stefańczyk is a public policy analyst at the Institute for Reform, an independent Polish think tank. She works on projects assessing European and national decarbonization and energy transition policies. She also specializes in quantitative analysis and data processing. She has experience in financial market analysis and forecasting economic indicators in the global economy, gained as an economist in the Department of Economic Analysis and Research at the National Bank of Poland. She has also been involved in quantitative and qualitative analyses in the field of social economics, participating in research projects for public administration carried out for other non-governmental organizations.

Managing Director of Plastics Europe Polska. Almost from the moment the organisation was established, she has been actively involved in setting up the Polish branch, implementing key projects in Poland and in activities at European level through close cooperation with the headquarters in Brussels and European regional offices.

She has extensive experience in conducting image, educational and promotional campaigns related to plastics and the plastics industry. She gained professional experience, among others, as a journalist and editor in the trade press, as well as a technical and legislative manager in an FMCG industry association. She is a chemist by education and holds a PhD in technical sciences (polymer technology) from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Warsaw University of Technology. She also completed postgraduate studies in Social Communication and Media organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

An advisor with many years of experience in the field of environmental protection in the broad sense, supporting entrepreneurs in the fulfilment of their legal obligations, implementation of management systems, ESG reporting, GHG calculations, third-party audits, due diligence, and during inspections by environmental protection authorities or third-party audits. Author of documentation and participant in administrative proceedings concerning the issuance of permits and decisions in the field of environmental protection. Co-owner of the consulting company EKOASSIST S.C., auditor of ISO systems, ISCC, KZR and EMAS sustainable development systems, court expert in the field of environmental protection. Since the introduction of the legal obligation, he has been conducting audits of entities issuing DPR/EDPR documents in packaging waste management, processing WEEE and WEEE recovery organisations.

A leader with many years of experience in building ESG strategies and communication in international organizations.

Since 2024, she has been Co-CEO and Member of the Management Board of GS1 Polska, part of the global GS1 organization operating in 150 countries.

At GS1 Polska, she is responsible for the strategic areas of sales, customer service, communication, and ESG. She represents the national organization in European structures as a sponsor of the ESG Group at GS1 in Europe.

Previously, she worked for 11 years at the Raben Group, where she managed communication and ESG activities in 11 countries at the European headquarters level. Her responsibilities included the development and implementation of ESG and PR strategies and social engagement.

He has been involved in the EU funds industry since 2009. At Stratego, he is responsible for coordinating the work of the team responsible for preparing grant applications for entrepreneurs. He specialises in projects related to innovation, new technologies and energy transition. He has many years of experience in the preparation and implementation of projects co-financed by the European Union, gained while working in public administration, on the beneficiary side and in the consulting industry.

Doctor of Technical Sciences. Deputy Director of the Environmental Monitoring Department at the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, responsible for the implementation of state environmental monitoring tasks in the field of air quality monitoring in Poland. Since 2004, working at the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, she has specialised in air quality measurement and assessment issues.

A graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw, barrister. She has been involved in the field of road transport for over 12 years. Between 2011 and 2019, she was employed at the General Inspectorate of Road Transport, where she held the positions of Head of the Administrative Proceedings Department in the Legal Office, Director of the International Transport Office, and Deputy Chief Inspector for the national toll collection system. Since 2022, she has been employed at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and since July 2025, she has held the position of Director of the Road Transport Department, where she is responsible, among other things, for national and international road transport, technical conditions of vehicles, type approval and technical inspections of vehicles. She has experience in the implementation of investment projects co-financed by EU funds (long-term project manager in state institutions) and in state control (auditor of the Supreme Audit Office).

Founder of Hynfra and Hynfra Energy Storage. He is an entrepreneur and strategic advisor, promoter of hydrogen technologies and large-scale renewable energy solutions. He focuses on accelerating market and technological progress towards climate neutrality. He chairs the Hydrogen Technology Committee at the Polish Chamber of Commerce, is president of the Hydrogen Poland association, and a member of Hydrogen Europe and the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. He sits on the board of the Chamber of Commerce for Energy and Environmental Protection (IGEOŚ) and is also a member of the Honorary Council of the Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Sources at the Wrocław University of Technology. He lectures at the Rzeszów University of Technology, specialising in Hydrogen Technology Management.

PhD in Environmental Engineering, Visiting Professor at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, and expert in environmental biotechnology and deep tech technologies.

He specializes in the development and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), including blue-green infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment systems, and urban climate adaptation.

Author of the largest blue-green infrastructure (BGI) implementation in Poland originating from science – covering over 30 hectares across 12 provinces – integrating biological and engineering processes to support the circular economy, water reuse, and biodiversity protection.

As a science diplomat, he bridges research and business communities through international initiatives on sustainable development and environmental technology transfer, promoting scientific and technical cooperation between Poland and Latin American countries.

Educator, speaker, internet creator, and mentor. Expert on circular economy and environmental producer responsibility.

Expert of the UNEP-GRID Climate Leadership initiative.

Founder of the podcast “Nasze Klimaty” (Our Climates).

Author of the blog Ograniczam Się (I Limit Myself) and the book Życie zero waste. Żyj bez śmieci i żyj lepiej (Zero Waste Life: Live Without Waste and Live Better) (Znak, 2017). Founder of the World Changers Club.

Initiator of the Givebox Poznań campaign (2016), which saw the launch of clothing exchange cabinets on the streets of the city. Co-founder of Po-Dzielnia (2018) - Poland's first freeshop, and the Po-Dzielnia Centrum Ekonomii Współdzielenia association. She works to educate people about waste reduction, recycling, conscious fashion, and social activation.

Member of the management board of KAN-WO-BUD. An experienced expert in ESG, strategic and operational management, and business process optimisation. For over 15 years, she has worked in international corporations, building effective teams, managing projects, and supporting management boards in planning and implementing operational structures and developing business strategies.

Since 2021, she has been combining ESG regulatory challenges with organisational business models. In particular, in the area of building ESG management structures and shaping and implementing ESG data management models. In 2022-2025, Head of Group ESG Data Governance and member of the CSR Steering Committee of a global IT capital group.

Graduate of the MBA programme at EADA Barcelona University. Lecturer in the Executive MBA programme at Kozminski University. Expert in the UNEP/GRID Climate Leadership programme.
Accredited CCA Coach and professional mentor. Actively supports women's communities in business and IT. She conducts workshops and individual development programmes for leaders in the areas of ESG and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Winner of the titles: ESG Angels 2024 – women setting the tone for the ESG industry in Poland and Strong Woman in IT – global edition 2023. Motivational speaker. Twice nominated for the Annual Speaker Awards (Women Tech Global Conference network).

Director of the Department of Air Protection and Climate Negotiations at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, responsible for Poland's European and global climate policy and Poland's chief negotiator at the UNFCCC.

Expert in climate diplomacy, multilateral international relations and strategic partnership building. She specialises in shaping, implementing and promoting economic, trade and environmental policies at EU and UN forums. She gained her experience at the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with international organisations such as UNIDO, UNCITRAL and UNFCCC.

Between 2012 and 2017, as a diplomat at the UN in Vienna, she successfully initiated and led projects involving Poland, strengthening its position on the international stage. At UNIDO, she managed a portfolio of Polish development aid projects in the field of renewable energy and agro-economy, building relationships with partners from developing countries and international institutions.

In 2025, she prepared and successfully led the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of global climate negotiations. She chaired the EU Council Working Party on International Environmental Issues and Climate Change (WPIEI-CC), managed a team of Polish and EU experts, and represented the EU in key global negotiation processes.

She graduated in international relations from Adam Mickiewicz University and in law from the Université de Rennes I in France.

Prof. Małgorzata Zaleska is Director of the Banking Institute at the Warsaw School of Economics, Corresponding Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Member of the Supervisory Board of mTFI.

Previously, she was, among others: President of the Management Board of the Bank Guarantee Fund, Member of the Management Board of the International Association of Deposit Insurers, Member of the International Relations Committee at the European Central Bank, Member of the Economic and Financial Committee at the Council of the EU, Member of the Management Board of the National Bank of Poland, and President of the Management Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Prof. M. Zaleska obtained her PhD in economics in 1997, her postdoctoral degree in economics in 2000, and the title of professor of economic sciences in 2004. She is the author of over 500 publications.