Future of Governance International Conference 2026

A Day to Reflect, Reimagine, and Redesign Governance

• 9.00 - 9.30 - Arrival & Welcome - Begin the day with informal networking over coffee and registration. A moment to reconnect and set the tone.
• 9.30 - 9.37 - Opening Reflections - Carmen Micu, CEO and Co-Founder of Envisia, Conference Chair, officially inaugurates the conference, bridging the milestones of Envisia’s journey with a vision for what is to come. As our anchor for the day, She will frame this year’s theme — The Great Governance Reset — setting the strategic pace and navigating the audience through the insights and dialogues that lie ahead.
• 9.37 - 9.45 - Envisia Dean's Address - Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean of Envisia, Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School, and Director at the Romanian-American University, explores the implications of the Great Governance Reset for the next generation of board leaders, translating her extensive research and board practice expertise into a roadmap for the future of governance education.
• 9.45 - 10.15 - Keynote: Time, Trust & Tension - What defines responsible leadership in the decade ahead? A provocative keynote exploring the parameters of future-ready governance.
  • Confirmed speaker - Tina Fordham, Leading Geostrategist, Author and Advisor to boards and C‑suite executives
• 10.15 - 11.30 - Panel Legitimacy and New Power - What makes authority credible in 2030? This conversation explores how institutions can rebuild relevance, public trust, and moral legitimacy in a rapidly shifting society.
  • Speakers: Tina Fordham, Leading Geostrategist, Author and Advisor to boards and C‑suite executives, Bogdan Chirițoiu, Chairman of the National Competition Authority and Ștefan Nanu, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Investment and Development Bank of Romania, catalyst of the discussion.
• 11.30 - 12.45 - Networking Lunch - Enjoy a curated lunch experience while connecting with peers across sectors and geographies.
• 12.45 - 14.00 - Fireside Chat Crisis-Ready Governance - From reactive to resilient: How do we build boards that not only survive disruption but anticipate and adapt with foresight?
  • Speakers: Alexandru Nazare, Minister of Finance of Romania and Andrian Gavriliță, Minister of Finance of Moldova. This session will be co-moderated by Radu Magdin, CEO Smarlink Communications and Carmen Micu, CEO & Founding Member of Envisia.
  • more speakers to be announced soon.
• 14.00 - 15.00 - Fireside Chat | Private Integrity, Public Impact - Where do personal values meet institutional influence? A one-on-one conversation on ethical decision-making, responsibility, and leadership legacy.
  • Speakers: Steven van Groningen, President of OMV Petrom Foundation, Dr. Andrei Stupu, Founder Andrew Beehive Consulting,Fulbright Alumnus Harvard University and Gabriela Crețu, Sales Vice President and Executive Board Member at Ursus Breweries, catalyst of the discussion.
• 15.00 - 16.00 - Panel "Professionalising Governance for Modern Financial Ecosystems: The Shift Towards Global Governance Standards" - A dedicated space for strategic partnerships, marked this year by a significant announcement in the future of governance education — joined by special guest Fedra Ribeiro, Member of the Supervisory Board, Non-Executive Director, Euronext Group. Following the intervention, the panel will explore how local financial markets are aligning with global standards of governance, transparency, and accountability, with Alexandru Petrescu, President of the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), Gabriela Hârțescu, Dean and Founding Member of Envisia, Daniela Biagi, Head of Academy at Euronext Group and Prof. Univ. Dr. Habil Costel Negricea, Rector Romanian-American University. 
• 16.00 - 16.15 - Coffee Break - A short intermission before the final sessions.
• 16.15 - 17.15 - Panel Intergenerational Co-Governance - From inclusion to collaboration — what happens when generations lead together? A dialogue on co-decision, long-term thinking, and shared accountability.
  • Speakers: Rebecca Robins, global expert in leadership, organisational transformation, and high-performing cultures, Theodora Popa, Vicepresident Transavia Group, Patrick Dunne, Professor, OBE, Author and Flavia Popa, Secretary General of BRD Groupe Société Générale, catalyst of the discussion.
• 17.15 - 18.15 - Governing the Machines - A live Boardroom Stress Test - Who holds accountability when algorithms make the decisions? Exploring governance in the age of automation, AI, and ethical disruption.
  • Speakers: Andreea Bulisache, Founder of Stratified Advisory and also catalyst of the session along Ștefan Baciu, Regional Director | SAS Central & Eastern Europe – Public Sector Unit and Nada Kakabadse, Professor of Policy, Governance and Ethics, Henley Business School.
• 18.15 - 18.30 - Closing Reflections - Key takeaways and parting thoughts. An invitation to carry the day’s insights beyond the room, delivered by Carmen Micu, CEO & Co-founder Envisia and Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean of Envisia.
• 18.30 - 19.30 - Cocktail Dinner & Networking

The evening closes with a celebration of community, purpose, and cross-sector collaboration.

• Carmen Micu, MABPD, EMBA, MEng, CEO & Co-Founder Envisia - As the Conference Chair for the Future of Governance, Carmen Micu orchestrates the day’s narrative, bridging Envisia’s foundational milestones with the strategic vision of The Great Governance Reset. Carmen is a forerunner in governance education and a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in strategy and business portfolio development across FMCG, Pharma, and Media & Advertising. A seasoned director and Chair of the IASE Board, Carmen leverages her Henley and Wharton-trained expertise to lead the day’s dialogue on the most pressing global governance challenges..
• Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean of Envisia, Visiting Fellow Henley Business School, Director, Growth and Development Postgraduate Programs Romanian - American University - As the Dean of Envisia and a key voice at this year’s conference, Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, translates over two decades of leadership in finance and banking into a visionary roadmap for governance education. In her address and the conference's closing reflections, she explores the future of board leadership through the lens of her extensive academic research and board practice expertise. Leveraging her tenure as a European banking education leader and PhD in Finance, Gabriela provides the academic foundation for the day, translating complex governance research into actionable institutional excellence.

• Keynote speech:
  • Tina Fordham, Leading Geostrategist, Author and Advisor to boards and C‑suite executives, known for shaping how senior leaders integrate geopolitics into strategy. A pioneer in the field, she was Wall Street’s first Chief Global Political Analyst at Citigroup and later built Eurasia Group’s financial markets research business. Her concepts — including the Geopolitics Supercycle, Political Quotient (PQ), and Vox Populi Risk — are widely used by global organizations navigating uncertainty. Tina has advised the UK Prime Minister, senior military leaders, and the United Nations, serves on advisory boards at Columbia University and Cambridge University, and hosts The Navigator in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange. Her forthcoming book, Mad World: A Geostrategy Survival Guide for Leaders, will be published in July 2026.
    • Keynote speaker and speaker in "Legitimacy and New Power: What Makes Authority Credible in 2030?"

• Legitimacy and New Power: What Makes Authority Credible in 2030 Panel:
  • Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Romanian Competition Council since 2009. In 2019, Bogdan Chirițoiu became member of the Administrative Board of the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and since 2026 he is the Chair of the ACER Administrative Board. From 2005 to 2009 he has served as Presidential Advisor and he was the Head of the Romanian Delegation to the EU Economic Policy Committee. He holds, since 2008, a PhD in Economics at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. Bogdan Chirițoiu has a MA in political science (Central European University, Budapest, 1997) and a MSc in European Studies (London School of Economics and Political Science, 1998). Dr. Chirițoiu is a lecturer on Public Administration and European Studies at the University of Bucharest, since 1999. 
  • Ștefan Nanu, Catalyst for this dialogue, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Investment and Development Bank of Romania - Mr. Nanu is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Investment and Development Bank of Romania since 2023. He is also Director General of the Treasury and Public Debt Department within the Ministry of Public Finance, a position he has held since 2022, with previous mandates between 2013–2018 and 2007–2009. He began his career in 1998 at the Ministry of Public Finance, contributing to the development of the State Treasury and public debt management framework. Between 2004 and 2005, he worked within the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, focusing on bank privatizations and capital market development. Since 2006, he has represented Romania internationally, including within the Economic and Financial Committee in Brussels and the European Investment Bank. Between 2009 and 2013, he served as Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank Group, representing Romania and a constituency of 13 countries. He holds a degree in Cybernetics and Economic Forecasting and a Master’s degree in Public Institutions Management from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. He has also completed executive programs at Harvard Kennedy School and professional training with institutions such as the World Bank, Goldman Sachs, and the Joint Vienna Institute.

• Crisis-Ready Governance: Building Boards that Adapt and Anticipate Fireside Chat:
  • Alexandru Nazare, Minister of Finance of Romania – with more than two decades of experience in public administration, has coordinated major investment projects, advanced fiscal responsibility policies, and held key leadership positions in both Government and Parliament, including in the fields of transport and European affairs. Throughout his career, he has played a decisive role in securing EU funding for infrastructure, managing the economic challenges during the pandemic, and, since 2024, supporting Romania’s financial stability through his work on the Board of Directors of the National Bank.
  • Andrian Gavriliță, Minister of Finance of Moldova - is focused on building a fiscal system conducive to economic growth through investment, grounded in simplicity, compliance, and competitiveness. His current priorities include a new and modernized tax code, faster implementation of capital projects, modernization of the financial sector, and a more customer-centric approach to governance and public services. With over 20 years of experience across international trade and logistics, government advisory, and management consulting, he combines practical private-sector understanding with public policy expertise. He holds an MBA from ESMT Berlin.
  • Co-moderator Radu Magdin, CEO of Smartlink Communications - As a global analyst, throughout his career, Radu has worked with prime ministers, parliamentarians, business leaders, and has delivered training sessions for numerous institutions and multinational companies. He served as Honorary Advisor to the Prime Minister of Romania (2014–2015) and advised the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova (2016–2017). Radu Magdin is a member of the Forbes Business Council, Vice President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, and previously was named a NATO Emerging Leader by the Atlantic Council (2014), a Forbes Romania Trendsetter (2014), and a Leader of the Warsaw Security Summit (2015).
  • Co-moderator Carmen Micu, MABPD, EMBA, MEng, CEO & Co-Founder of Envisia - Carmen is a forerunner in governance education and a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in strategy and business portfolio development across FMCG, Pharma, and Media & Advertising, with regional and global assignments. She has served on several formal boards, including Omnicom Media Group Romania, the Professional Women's Network, and the International Association for Sustainable Economy, where she is currently Chair of the Board. She holds a Master of Arts in Board Practice and Directorship from Henley Business School, a Master in Business Administration from the University of Washington & ASEBUSS, and a Master in Engineering from Universitatea Politehnica București. She is an alumna of the Global CEO Program from Wharton Business School and IESE Business School, and of the Executive Development Program from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

• Private Integrity, Public Impact: Personal Ethics in Collective Decision-Making Fireside Chat:
  • Dr. Andrei Stupu, Founder Andrew Beehive Consulting, Fulbright Alumnus Harvard University, is an internationally recognised education expert and researcher specialising in intelligence, particularly in the innovative field of ethical-moral intelligence — a concept he pioneered through his academic research. A Fulbright alumnus of Harvard University he holds a doctorate in Educational Sciences  with cotutelle in Philosophy developed through a collaboration between Romania’s leading universities. He bridges intelligence studies, educational philosophy, and moral psychology with innovative approaches in values-driven learning. As an Oxford Mindfulness Teacher and Patron of the International Values-based Education Trust, he integrates ethics and mindfulness into contemporary educational environments to foster character development and lifelong learning. Through his consultancy, Andrew Beehive Consulting, and the Intergenerational Collaboration Initiative, he supports organisations in cultivating leadership grounded in ethical awareness and intergenerational dialogue.
  • Steven van Groningen, President of OMV Petrom Foundation - After a career spanning 40 years across four countries, Steven recently retired from banking. He served as CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Romania for two decades, leading the successful merger with Banca Agricola and helping transform the combined institution into one of Romania’s most successful banks. He served for many years on the Board of Representatives of Fondul Proprietatea and held several leadership roles in the business community, including President of the Employers’ Confederation Concordia, President of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC), and President of the Romanian Banking Employers’ Council (CPBR). He is a co-founder and former President of United Way Romania, a former member and President of the United Way Worldwide Leadership Council, and continues to serve on the United Way Worldwide Finance Committee. He is currently President of the OMV Petrom Foundation. Steven has a long-standing interest in business ethics and taught MBA students at the Bucharest School of Management for ten years. A former Olympian, he remains an active sportsman and, although Dutch, considers Bucharest his home.
  • Gabriela Crețu, catalyst for this dialogue, Sales Vice President and Executive Board Member at Ursus Breweries an Asahi Breweries Group subsidiary, where she leads the commercial organisation of 450 people across Field Sales, Modern Trade, Trade Marketing, and Sales Excellence, driving over 600 million euros in yearly net revenue. With over 25 years of experience in the FMCG sector, she has built a track record of business transformation, strategic growth, and market leadership across marketing, innovation, trade marketing, and commercial strategy. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Gabriela has served as Country Sponsor for the Diversity & Inclusion Agenda at Ursus Breweries and as Regional Sponsor of the Trade Marketing Community of Practices within the Asahi group. She has also held the role of Interim Managing Director, leading an organisation of 1,700 employees across four production facilities and steering the company's three-year strategic plan for 2026–2028. Gabriela holds a certification in Board Practice and Directorship from Henley Business School and has completed executive programmes including the Asahi Global Leadership Program in Japan and the European Management Development Program at Apter International, Switzerland.

• Panel "Professionalising Governance for Modern Financial Ecosystems: The Shift Towards Global Governance Standards" — exploring how local financial markets are aligning with global standards of governance, transparency, and accountability
  • Alexandru Petrescu currently serves as President of the Financial Supervisory Authority of Romania (A.S.F.), a position he assumed in December 2023 following his appointment by the Romanian Parliament. In this role, he also represents A.S.F. as a member of the Boards of Supervisors of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Previously, he was a member of the Romanian Government, holding successive portfolios as Minister of Economy, Minister for Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of Communications and Information Society. During his last ministerial mandate, he coordinated the European Digital Single Market agenda as President of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council during Romania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. He holds a UK BSc in Business Administration and has extensive senior executive experience in banking and financial services across the UK, Denmark, and Romania, including investment banking, payments, cybersecurity, and complex ICT infrastructures.
  • Daniela Biagi is Head of Academy at Euronext, where she leads the Group  training business with a strong focus on strategic development, team leadership and the delivery of high-impact programmes across European and international capital markets. In her role, she manages the Academy’s growth while working closely with key stakeholders—including listed companies, financial institutions, regulators, and partners—to strengthen skills, foster collaboration, and support the development of financial ecosystems across Europe and internationally. She previously led the Academy at London Stock Exchange Group from 2009 to 2021, where she built a solid track record in developing and executing the Academy growth, through the design and delivery of bespoke capacity-building programmes funded by development agencies around the world. Her work contributed to the development of capital markets across Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, supporting the Group international expansion strategies.
    Earlier in her career, she founded the training centre of Borsa Italiana, establishing a foundation for financial education within the exchange. She began her professional journey in multinational environments as a Training Manager in Paris and Milan. Daniela brings extensive international experience at the intersection of leadership, capital markets, and financial ecosystem development.
  • Prof. Univ. Dr. Habil Costel Negricea, Rector Romanian-American University, is a Professor of Marketing with over 20 years of academic and consultancy experience. He holds a PhD and habilitation in Marketing, with expertise in strategic and digital marketing, consumer behavior, and higher education management.
    He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific publications—books, articles, and research papers—and has participated in 11 national and international research projects, funded by business, social sectors, or government programs.
  • Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean of Envisia, Visiting Fellow Henley Business School, Director, Growth and Development Postgraduate Programs Romanian - American University will guide the conversation.
  • Special guest - Fedra Ribeiro, Member of the Supervisory Board, Non-Executive Director, Euronext Group, a senior executive and independent board member with a career spanning the automotive, technology and mobility sectors across Europe and beyond. She currently serves as Board Member and Executive Vice President at Bosch — Cross Domain Computing, and as an independent member of Euronext's Supervisory Board since May 2023. Previously, she held CEO and COO roles at Mobilize — Beyond Automotive, Renault Group, and served as CEO at Karhoo, with earlier positions at Volkswagen, Raytheon and SPX.
    She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Affairs and a Master of Science in International Finance from Universidade Moderna de Lisboa, complemented by executive education at INSEAD, ESMT Berlin and Indiana University.

• Intergenerational Co-Governance: Redesigning Stakeholder Leadership Panel
  • Rebecca Robins, Global Expert in Leadership, Culture & Intergenerational Strategy - Rebecca is a world-recognised practitioner in leadership development and organisational transformation, and an expert in high-performing cultures. With over 20 years’ experience as a brand consultant, she has advised clients like LEGO, Microsoft, LVMH, and British Airways. She teaches at Cambridge, Oxford, and The Defence Academy of the UK, and serves on advisory boards including Quilt.AI and the Chartered Management Institute. Author of Five Generations at Work, she is a recognised voice on intergenerational leadership and a frequent commentator for the BBC, FT, and The New York Times.
  • Theodora Popa, Vicepresident of Transavia Group, is a second-generation business leader with over a decade of executive experience in the food industry. Actively engaged in governance and long-term strategy at Transavia, she brings a sharp perspective on sustainable growth, capital allocation, and innovation. She has completed executive programs at IMD, Harvard Business School, and Oxford Saïd Business School, strengthening her expertise in leadership, negotiation, and competitive decision-making. Her entrepreneurial vision extends beyond the group through initiatives like Theodora Golf Club and Nurrai, a wellbeing app launched in 2025. 
  • Patrick Dunne, Professor, OBE, author, is an experienced Chair, investor, and social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to effective governance. As Chair of Boardelta, Royal Voluntary Service, and Education Sub Saharan Africa, he supports leadership across sectors and continents. With a 26-year executive career at 3i Group plc and a background in mathematics and statistics, he brings analytical depth to boardroom dynamics. A Visiting Professor at Cranfield and former member of the University of Warwick’s General Council, Patrick is also the award-winning author of Boards and a recognized voice on decision-making and leadership.
  • Flavia Popa, Catalyst of the discussion, Secretary General of BRD Groupe Société Générale - She supports the board and executive management on corporate governance matters and oversees governance‑related functions, including communication, sustainability positioning, public and corporate affairs, and cross‑functional coordination of level one risk‑related activities. She has over 20 years of experience in the financial sector and serves as a trustee of selected cultural and business non profit organizations.

• Governing the Machines - A live Boardroom Stress Test
  • Andreea Bulisache, Catalyst of the discussion, Founder of Stratified Advisory - Is a Board Director and AI & Technology Governance strategist, advising chairs and investors on governing intelligence as infrastructure. A former Microsoft global leader across 30+ markets, she shaped AI, cloud, and cybersecurity strategy and contributed to EU-aligned digital resilience frameworks. She co-authors The Next AI Imperative and publishes on board stewardship in the intelligent age. She serves on multiple boards and holds the CFA Certificate in Private Equity.
  • Nada Kakabadse, Professor of Policy, Governance and Ethics, Henley Business School - Dr. Nada K. Kakabadse is Professor of Policy, Governance and Ethics, Henley Business School, University of Reading and Visiting Professor at US, Australian, French, Israeli, Kazakhstani and Chinese universities. She is elected member of European Academy of Science and Arts (EASA). She has published over 250 scholarly articles, 23 books and over 130 chapters in international volumes. Her current interests are boardroom effectiveness and diversity, governance, leadership, ethics, ESG, technology impact, and the policy design of the State. She is also a consultant to major global corporations, third sector organisations and governments and sits on international boards. She is a member of the Governing Council of the Empress Theophano Foundation.
  • Ștefan Baciu, Regional Director SAS Central & Eastern Europe – Public Sector Unit - Stefan joined SAS Romania in 2017 and currently leads the growth strategy and revenue performance of the Central & Eastern Europe Public Sector unit. With a strong conviction that technology should serve the public good, Stefan is dedicated to bringing the power of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to organizations committed to improving efficiency, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making. His work centers on helping institutions unlock meaningful insights, rigorously assess risks and opportunities, and build robust data management capabilities.Stefan brings over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, having held senior roles in sales management, marketing strategy, and channel development at IBM and Oracle. He holds an MBA with Merit from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick (UK), specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions.

This isn’t just a conference. It’s a table where the future of governance is being written.

At Future of Governance 2026, you’ll join a vibrant and growing community of European leaders committed to leading through trust, responsibility, and long-term value.

Whether you’re a board professional, policymaker, regulator, or strategist, this is your opportunity to:

• Engage with cutting-edge governance themes — legitimacy, trust, intergenerational leadership, ethics in AI, and crisis preparedness.
• Connect with peers and visionaries from corporate, institutional, regulatory, and academic backgrounds.
• Gain foresight and direction to lead confidently in an increasingly complex boardroom landscape.
• Co-shape the future — not just by observing trends, but by challenging and shaping them.

Ticket categories and registration options will be released in early 2026.

All registered attendees will receive:

• Full access to the day’s conference program
• Lunch, coffee breaks, and evening cocktail
• Digital booklet with insights and key takeaways

For registration and tickets, click HERE.