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 - 9.45 - Opening Reflections - A look back and a look forward: Envisia shares key milestones and sets the vision for the day with opening remarks that frame this year’s theme — The Great Governance Reset, held by Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean of Envisia. 
• 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, Ștefan Nanu, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Investment and Development Bank of Romania.
  • more speakers to be announced soon.
• 11.30 - 11.45 - Coffee Break & Media Moments - Pause for energizing conversation, short 1:1 interviews, and informal exchanges with speakers and guests.
• 11.45 - 13.00 - Panel 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 Romania, Radu Magdin, CEO Smarlink Communications and Carmen Micu, CEO & Founding Member of Envisia
  • more speakers to be announced soon.
• 13.00 - 14.00 - Networking Lunch - Enjoy a curated lunch experience while connecting with peers across sectors and geographies.
• 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, L&D Consultant, Trainer & Coach @Andrew Beehive Consulting.
• 15.00 - 16.00 - Partner Spotlight - A space for strategic partnerships, marked this year by a significant step forward in the future of governance education.
• 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.
• 17.15 - 18.15 - Panel Governing the Machines - 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 Ștefan Baciu, Regional Director | SAS Central & Eastern Europe – Public Sector Unit.
• 18.15 - 18.30 - Closing Reflections - Key takeaways and parting thoughts. An invitation to carry the day’s insights beyond the room, delivered by 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.

• Gabriela Hârțescu, PhD, Dean and Founding Member of Envisia will preside over the 5th edition of the Future of Governance International Conference. With over 25 years of experience in professional training and academic education in finance and banking, Gabriela has held leadership roles at both national and European levels. She previously served as CEO of the Romanian Banking Institute, was a member of its Board of Directors, and chaired the Triple E EFCB Committee within the European Banking and Financial Services Training Association. She is currently Chair of the Academic Committee of the International Association for Sustainable Economy and Chair of the Banking Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce within the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, and a member of professional associations including the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and the Romanian Association of Financial and Banking Analysts. She holds a PhD in Finance from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. As Dean, she oversees academic research activities, curriculum development, and the launch of new study programmes aligned with Envisia's strategic educational goals. Through her expertise, she actively contributes to shaping a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of board governance with integrity and vision.
• 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?"
• 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. 
  • Panel "Legitimacy and New Power: What Makes Authority Credible in 2030?"
• Ștefan Nanu, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Investment and Development Bank of Romania - Mr. Ștefan 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.
  • Panel "Legitimacy and New Power: What Makes Authority Credible in 2030?"
• 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. 
  • Intergenerational Co-Governance: Redesigning Stakeholder Leadership Panel
• 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.
  • 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.
  • Intergenerational Co-Governance: Redesigning Stakeholder Leadership Panel
• Flavia Popa, 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.
  • Intergenerational Co-Governance: Redesigning Stakeholder Leadership Panel, 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).
  • Crisis-Ready Governance: Building Boards that Adapt and Anticipate Panel
• Alexandru Nazare, Romania’s Minister of Finance – 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.
  • Crisis-Ready Governance: Building Boards that Adapt and Anticipate Panel
• Carmen Micu, CEO & Founding Member 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.
  • Crisis-Ready Governance: Building Boards that Adapt and Anticipate Panel, moderator 
• Andreea Bulisache, 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.
  • Governing the Machines: Ethical Authority Panel
• Ștefan Baciu - 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.
  • Governing the Machines: Ethical Authority Panel
• Dr. Andrei Stupu - 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.
  • Private Integrity, Public Impact: Personal Ethics in Collective Decision-Making Fireside Chat
• Steven van Groningen - 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.
  • Private Integrity, Public Impact: Personal Ethics in Collective Decision-Making Fireside Chat

More speakers to be announced soon

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.