MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Rhonda has had an exciting and enriching career which began with a Fortune 100 company in Vancouver, Washington in 1991. She is passionate about all things people, culture and engagement. Rhonda is known for her heart and pragmatism and has dedicated her career to elevating performance through the creation and deployment of innovative, best-in-class leadership, talent development, DEI and culture programs. She studied in London, England and has a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Washington State University. Rhonda holds a master’s degree in education, from Moreland University and is a certified yoga instructor within the International Yoga Alliance. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Leading with Heart: Unleashing the Power of Human-Centric Leadership 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In this dynamic keynote address, discover the transformative potential of human-centric leadership in today's fast-paced world. "Leading with Heart" explores how embracing empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity can revolutionize organizational practices and drive success. Through compelling anecdotes and practical insights you will learn the role you play in cultivating an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. You will be inspired you to rethink traditional leadership paradigms and adopt a more human-centered approach that fosters meaningful connections, drives innovation, and enhances employee engagement.

Mattias Wallner currently holds the position of Global Director Learning & Development, Culture & Engagement at Electrolux Group. Mattias has been working in the learning and development space both as a consultant, as a leadership coach and in different corporate roles for over 15 years. Mattias has always explored new digital tools and ways how to create more impact and better efficiency in the learning and development area. The evolution of more advanced learning systems and AI have now opened the door for a skills driven approach to talent management and this is something Mattias is enthusiastic about. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Skills as the new currency 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In an ever-changing world the skills we use in our daily work have shorter and shorter shelf life. We need to keep on developing and learning new skills to stay relevant. Yet most workforce reports show that companies are struggling to find the right candidates with the right skills and over 50% of COEs worry about how to secure the skills they need for the future. It's clear that the old ways of upskilling employees in classroom trainings where the topics and focus needs to be exchanged for a more agile and faster way. At the heart of this lies skills, how can we become a skill driven organization and what does that offer.

Saskia is a passionate change manager with a heart for the people side of change, on a mission to drive business impact with care. At Philips, Saskia builds change competence across the organization, making sure Change Managers and business leaders have the knowledge, skills and attitude to drive change. With a background in both consulting and different parts of the corporate world, she is a real business partner, recognized as a warm and trusted expert by peers and leaders. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Unleashing the power of Change 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Change is a constant aspect of organizational life, but let's face it - it can also be challenging! With research showing that only one in three change initiatives succeed, it's clear that we need to do things differently if we want to be successful in leading and managing change. During this session we'll be exploring real-life stories on the principles of change management, identifying and overcoming resistance, and ensuring adoption throughout the organization. It will be interactive and engaging, so be ready to share as well as learn!

Doug Webb, Head of HR for AWS Germany and Eastern Europe based in Berlin, Germany with 20+ years of HR experience. Doug is well-versed in leveraging technology for organizational success. His expertise in talent management, leadership, and complex topics. Doug is recognized for his leadership abilities and ability to unify resources. He emphasizes the importance of balancing technology with humanity and is committed to preserving the core values of compassion and inclusivity in HR practices. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Rise of the Jed(AI): Balancing Tech and Humanity in HR 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: We explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in HR while emphasizing the critical need to balance technology with humanity. We delve into the ways AI can optimize talent management, streamline processes, and drive organizational success. However, we also shed light on the ethical and human considerations that HR professionals must navigate in this AI-driven era. We emphasize the importance of maintaining a human touch in HR practices, fostering empathy, and preserving the personal connection between employees and the organization. By striking the right balance between AI and humanity, HR professionals can leverage technology to enhance efficiency and decision-making while preserving the core values of compassion, fairness, and inclusivity. Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore how HR can unleash the force of AI while ensuring the human element remains at the heart of every HR initiative. May the force be with you.

Michelle, an award-winning TEDx Speaker and Founder of The People's Partner, drives leadership diversity and inclusion. With 20+ years in HR, she's shaped cultural sensitivity in SME’s and FTSE 250 companies. Leading UCL’s Emerging Leadership Programme and coaching senior women, Michelle extends her expertise to brands such as Amazon and Deloitte. She's a key voice in Lloyds Bank's Black Business Advisory Group, promoting inclusive practices, and has been featured on BBC, SKY, and major publications for her impactful work in leadership and inclusion. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Future-Proof Your Team: The Dual Power of Career Advancement and Intrapreneurship 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Unlock your team's potential and secure your company's future with our masterclass, "Future-Proof Your Team: The Dual Power of Career Advancement and Intrapreneurship." Discover innovative strategies to motivate your workforce, foster a culture of internal entrepreneurship, and elevate career development pathways. This dynamic session will guide you through empowering your employees to take ownership of their growth, driving both personal and organizational success. Equip your team with the skills to adapt, innovate, and lead in an ever-evolving business landscape. Join us and transform your workplace into a thriving ecosystem of progress and innovation.

Costin Tudor is the founder of Undelucram.ro, part of the Wherewework, a group of employer review platforms in CEE & MENA regions. Costin has over 15 years of experience in IT & Customer Satisfaction and has been an entrepreneur for +10 years, developing the platforms across 14 countries. Wherewework is adapted for each country and is the product through which he manages to contribute to the development of healthy and sustainable relationships between employees and employers. The online platform Undelucram.ro acts as a one-stop-shop for candidates who want to find out real-time information about the companies they want to work for. At the same time, it is the perfect employer branding and online recruitment solutions for employers who want the most effective targeting possible. 𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Not to be overlooked: digitizing the workplace

Stefan Budulan stands out as an energetic and inspiring leader in the fields of sales rewards and benefit systems. With rich experience in managing teams in sales (both tele sales and direct sales), customer care, and strategic planning for new markets, Stefan has demonstrated remarkable skills in handling various aspects of the business. With his contagious optimism, Stefan manages to convey to everyone he meets a positive attitude and unwavering determination. His ability to build and motivate teams, combined with his strategic skills, has made him a highly appreciated and respected leader throughout his career. Thanks to his clear vision and effective communication skills, Stefan Budulan has been a key factor in implementing and developing reward and benefit systems that motivate and retain talented employees within the organizations. Stefan Budulan is a dedicated leader with a passion for excellence and an unmatched ability to inspire and lead teams towards shared success.

Hello! I'm Alexandru Ana, CEO at Optimizor. Since 2007, I’ve evolved from Cisco Collaboration and Microsoft technologies to mastering Microsoft Azure. Today, I focus on fortifying companies with tailored Office 365 and Azure solutions. At Optimizor, my commitment to excellence drives us to exceed client expectations, pushing the boundaries of innovation. Join us as we empower clients with cutting-edge solutions and set new standards in the IT industry!

Mihai has over 15 years of experience in the field of human resources, specializing in digital transformation. With expertise in cutting-edge technologies and strategic frameworks, he advocates for robust HR principles' adoption and seamless integration into organizational culture. Holding a master's degree in marketing and strategic management from Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Mihai joined TotalSoft in 2016, leading the division for Charisma HCM, a renowned human capital management software that is currently used by over 600 companies, covering more than 10% of the total employed labour force in Romania. Under his supervision, in 2022, TotalSoft won the title of TOP DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SERVICES PROVIDER with a local HR chatbot project. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Embracing Digital Transformation in Human Resources

For more than 10 years, she has been leading the HR activities at Bosch Romania and has been involved in a wide range of HR projects and processes, all aimed at providing a valuable experience for current and future employees. Cristina is engaged in the development of all Bosch locations in Romania, and is focused on integrating the latest HR digitalisation trends into the company's operations. 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞: Embracing Digital Transformation in Human Resources

Alexandru Ionescu is an expert in organizational development and workforce trends, with a good understanding of the Romanian labor market. Alexandru has a strong background in HR, specializing in recruitment and addressing talent gaps. He has played a pivotal role in streamlining HR processes and enhancing organizational efficiency through innovative solutions. His insights into the evolving workforce landscape in Romania make him a valuable asset, especially given the constant need for adaptability and flexibility to meet market needs, fluctuations, and trends. Alexandru is dedicated to aligning HR practices with business goals, assessing employee satisfaction, and driving organizational success.

Business development Manager with over 15 years’ experience in trust services market and promoter of digital transformation concepts and projects using electronic signature and electronic identification. Along with his BD team has implemented e-Citizen projects within the Public Sector for citizen electronic interaction with public administration. On Private sectors constantly contributes to increase the trust services adoption rate within the Romanian market either by being invited as speaker in order to share expertize and best practices or directly involved in projects subject to onboarding and lending processes in the financial sector or HR, supply chain, clients and contractors digitalization processes.

Corina is an experienced People&Culture professional and an EMCC certified Team Coach with a demonstrated history of managing teams and designing & implementing successful strategies in Organizational Design, L&D, Internal Communication, but involved in all HR areas, from recruitment to engagement and change management projects, some at global level. In her last role she led the people team in Avon to create meaningful employee experiences throughout the entire lifecycle of her colleagues in 5 countries. She is an Associate CIPD, studied both Management & Psychology and has a Masters in Anthropology.