MEET OUR SPEAKERS
In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, Sustainability Stage [13 NOV 2024] explored how technology can drive sustainable practices while aligning with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Attendees discovered the current state of sustainability in Romania, explored sustainable supply chains, and learned about efficient energy consumption strategies.
Shane Faulkner
Head of Sustainability
Dynamic sustainability leader with 13+ years of experience in driving sustainable business practices and environmental responsibility. Expertise in developing strategies, reducing carbon footprints, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage projects, and deliver results on time and within budget. Led KPMG Ireland's Net Zero 2030 program and Mitie's Net Zero 2025 initiative. Accomplished educator with multiple awards, recognized for fostering impactful environmental change in corporate and academic settings. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Path to a Greener Supply Chain: Innovations and Insights 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Best Practices" covers the importance of integrating sustainability into supply chains, key challenges like resource scarcity and compliance, and effective strategies such as sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and technology adoption. The presentation highlights successful case studies and provides actionable insights on overcoming obstacles to build eco-friendly, efficient supply chains, concluding with future trends and best practices for ongoing improvement.
Rainer Karcher
Founder & CEO of Heartprint and Board Member & Chief Sustainability Officer of SustainableIT.org
Rainer is the founder and CEO of Heartprint Ltd. As the "Robin Hood" of sustainability, he now wants to make his many years of experience in large corporations accessible to SMEs and help them successfully master the transformation to digitalization and sustainability in a solution-oriented manner and at eye level. He is also Chief Sustainability Officer of SustainableIT.org, a global non-governmental organization with currently more than 100 member companies that aims to define standards for sustainable IT and make them available as open source. Rainer was the Chief Sustainability and Human Rights Officer at Allianz Technology from October 2022 to June 2024. He ensured that sustainability, human rights, and digital inclusion were integrated into all IT services and products and supported Allianz in achieving its ambitious goals for a sustainable future. - He has almost 27 years of experience in the IT industry at various companies, including IBM, TeleCash/FirstData, Arvato Systems/ Bertelsmann and Siemens AG, gaining expertise in various areas such as support, infrastructure, data centres and service operations. - Rainer developed his passion for sustainability when he started learning how to garden and how to reduce waste - mainly because of his three children. - With the growing awareness of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and unanswered questions on social issues, it became increasingly important for him to contribute to a better world, which prompted him to change his career path. - Before joining Allianz Technology, Rainer was Global Director IT Sustainability at Siemens AG, where he initiated and implemented the first company-wide IT sustainability strategy and led a team of dedicated IT sustainability experts. - For him, sustainability is not just about environmental protection, but rather about following the UN's Sustainable Development Goals agenda with a comprehensive view of all ESG aspects. - A climate activist at heart, Rainer calls himself a climate activist in a suit, and the name says it all! 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Digitalization, AI and sustainability - is technology the accelerator of the crisis or the solution? 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: The keynote speech "Digitalization, AI and sustainability - is technology an accelerator of the crisis or a solution?" will shed light on whether technological advances exacerbate ecological and ethical problems or promote sustainable solutions. Practical examples and current research will be used to show how digital innovations and AI can contribute to sustainability. At the same time, the risks and side effects of digitalization for the environment and society will be critically examined.
Ksenia Petrichenko
Policy Analyst with the IEA Office of Energy Efficiency & Inclusive Transitions
Ksenia Petrichenko is a Policy Analyst and a TED talk speaker with the International Energy Agency (IEA), where she is leading the work of the Office for Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions related to buildings. Her work includes analytical work, capacity building and policy advice for emerging economies on transition towards net-zero carbon building and construction sector. Ksenia holds PhD and Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Central European University, as well as Master’s in Economics in the Energy Sector from the Higher School of Economics (Moscow). 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Towards a Net-Zero Emission Future of the Buildings Sector 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In this session at GoTech World we will explore the pivotal role buildings play in achieving a net-zero emissions future. We will discuss how enhancing energy efficiency and integrating innovative technologies can transform our built environment. By reimagining buildings as active participants in the energy system, we can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This session aims to inspire policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public to prioritize sustainable building practices, encourage policy development and consumers choices in favour of more efficient and low-carbon actions.
Massimiliano Rossetti
Global Sustainability Senior Manager
He is an expert in sustainability policies. He coordinates the network of Sustainability Ambassadors operating in the more than 50 countries of the DSV Solutions network with the main objective of reducing the carbon footprint in line with the decarbonisation targets set by the Group at 2030 and 2050. He boasts a decade of experience in the academia among countries such as Italy, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands where he was able to expand his knowledge and experiment with methods and techniques in the field. He is the author of more than 30 scientific publications and has participated in more than 50 national and international conferences and numerous scientific presentations. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: DSV approach to Sustainability: Towards sustainable future in logistic and transport sector. 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Starting with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 agenda we introduce the DSV sustainability strategy and how we anchored sustainability in our organization. Afterward, we present the decarbonization roadmap as a path towards the sustainability mid-term and long-term targets achievement. Themes, technologies and initiatives supporting the decarbonization plan as well as solutions for decarbonizing the customers' supply chain will be illustrated.
Imre Zoltani
Accenture IndustryX Romania, Environment, Health, and Safety Capability Lead.
15+ years in the software industry, with a computer engineering background. Together with his team of consultants he has been delivering complex projects in the EHS and sustainability space for global clients, for almost a decade. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Trust by Design: How Global Leaders Master ESG Data in an Evolving Landscape 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In today's landscape, trust in your ESG data is non-negotiable. With regulatory frameworks expanding, complexity is on the rise. Join us as we dive into how some of the biggest companies world-wide are harnessing generative AI, automation, and cutting-edge tools to transform their ESG data into trustworthy, insightful assets. This is how reporting brings real tangible value.
Lorena Telembici
Accenture IndustryX Romania, Health, Safety and Environmental Expert
Lorena advances sustainability solutions for various global clients, staying ahead in this rapidly growing field. With a teaching background in signal processing, she continues pursuing her PhD, while being involved hands on in developing digital systems for data collection, aggregation, and reporting. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Trust by Design: How Global Leaders Master ESG Data in an Evolving Landscape 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In today's landscape, trust in your ESG data is non-negotiable. With regulatory frameworks expanding, complexity is on the rise. Join us as we dive into how some of the biggest companies world-wide are harnessing generative AI, automation, and cutting-edge tools to transform their ESG data into trustworthy, insightful assets. This is how reporting brings real tangible value.
Karoly Borbely
CEO
Karoly Borbely was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board of Hidroelectrica on November 7, 2023, with more than two decades of experience in areas such as corporate governance, energy and telecommunications. Prior to this position, Borbely was a member of the Supervisory Board of Hidroelectrica between August 2017 and September 2023. He also held the position of Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at the company between 2015 and 2017. His career also extends to the telecommunications sector, where he was Director of Public Affairs at Telekom Romania and Orange Romania Communications, helping to strengthen the positions of these companies on the market. At the government level, he held positions of great responsibility, including Minister of Communications and Information Technology (2007-2008), Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and at the Ministry of Energy, where he coordinated projects of national impact in the energy sector. Karoly Borbely is a graduate of the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, where he obtained a degree in management. He attended postgraduate courses in corporate governance at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and in international business at Harvard Business School. His experience also includes managing Hidroelectrica's successful IPO in 2023, one of the largest IPOs globally, strengthening the company's reputation on the capital market. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Opening Speech Sustainability Stage
Ana Bobirca
Member of the Supervision Council
Ana-Barbara Bobrica is an experienced professional in the field of investments, serving as a partner in a local private investment firm and collaborating with international investment funds over the past 20 years. She has held and holds positions as a board member in companies across various sectors including financial services, real estate development and promotion, construction materials, agri-business, food products, distribution, logistics, transportation, and international shipping. Furthermore, she is the Vice President of the Romanian Businessmen Association, a member of the Coordinating Committee of the Coalition for Romania's Development, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Competition Board. Ana-Barbara BOBIRCĂ is a lecturer at the Faculty of International Business and Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, with relevant academic experience in fields such as international business and international service transactions. Additionally, she is an associate professor in the Romanian-French MBA program INDE, where she teaches advanced finance courses. She is the author of four books and over 40 specialized articles. Ana-Barbara BOBIRCĂ graduated from the Faculty of International Business and Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies and holds a Ph.D. in economics and international business. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Sustainability Now: Current Landscape, Innovations and Opportunities in Romania
Adriana Gută
Senior Local Procurement Manager
MRO, Industrial Equipment & , Environment, Energy & Logistics services, and more. At 43, I'm currently holding the position of Senior Manager, where I already implemented strategic insights actions and leadership significant in procurement efficiency and innovation. During these years I built robust supplier relationships and implemented cost-effective solutions that enhance operational performance. I am deeply committed to sustainability, having implemented eco-friendly procurement practices that significantly reduce the environmental impact of her organization's supply chain. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Sustainability Now: Current Landscape, Innovations and Opportunities in Romania
Denisa Simion,
Manager departament GDPR
Panel Host: Sustainability Now: Current Landscape, Innovations and Opportunities in Romania
Adela Bradu
Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director
Adela Bradu is the Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director of ROMCIM, a top company in the building materials sector. With an experience of over 20 years in advocacy, sustainability and communications, she has built knowledge in a wide range of domains spanning from media to FMCG, technology and industry. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Sustainability Now: Current Landscape, Innovations and Opportunities in Romania
Laurențiu Brumaru
Head of Delivery Factory
With eight years of experience in the energy sector and within the company, Laurențiu is a graduate of Politehnica University of Bucharest and has a solid background in both technical and marketing fields. Throughout his career at PPC, he has held various positions, from product manager to operational roles, gaining extensive expertise. Currently, he is responsible for developing energy efficiency products and services and creating value-added solutions for the company's clients. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Green energy for businesses - your company's path to sustainability and energy efficiency.
Mathieu Gregori
Founder
Mathieu Gregori is a 26 year old Frenchman of Chinese and Vietnamese origin, born in Hong Kong. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental Policy from the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) of Sciences Po, ranked 2nd in "Politics and International Studies" by the (QS) World University Rankings 2021. In 2020 he founded ECONOS, an advisory firm specialized in supporting companies, based in Romania, in the decarbonization strategies of their business activities. Since then, he has been assisting numerous clients from the private and public sectors in the implementation of low-carbon strategies, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement (COP21). 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Tech’s Role in Reducing Carbon Footprint: Practical Steps for Sustainable Impact 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: This session will inspire tech professionals and companies to leverage their unique position and influence in the fight against climate change. We’ll explore actionable ways the tech industry can contribute to global sustainability by reducing carbon emissions. From understanding the environmental impact of data centers- what is bitcoin’s carbon footprint? - and software infrastructure to implementing carbon-efficient practices, participants will gain insight into the importance of decarbonizing the tech sector. The session will also cover real-world solutions such as green cloud providers, eco-conscious software design, and transparent supply chains, demonstrating how technology can be a powerful tool for sustainable impact. Join us to learn practical steps, hear success stories, and discover how your organization can make a meaningful difference.
Oana Groșanu
Executive Director
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Passionate communication professional and enthusiastic sustainability advocate, Oana has over 16 years of experience in PR, marketing, event and project management in the private and non-profit sectors, and in international environments. She graduated from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Letters, Communication and Public Relations specialization, and she holds a master's degree in "Models of communication and public relations". Currently she is executive director at the Sustainability Embassy in Romania (SER), a non-governmental organization launched in 2018, with the mission to promote sustainability in the business environment, facilitating the transition to the new economic model, where companies can solve social and environmental problems without sacrificing economic efficiency and profit. SER’s flagship program is Sustainable Romania Coalition, the first non-political platform for sustainable development in Romania. Part of the monitoring and action plan framework of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Romania, the Coalition is officially recognized by the Romanian Government as the main dialogue partner on public policy issues focusing on sustainability and sustainable development in Romania for the next 10 years. The community gathers 160 responsible companies, committed NGOs and socially active opinion leaders willing to contribute to bringing closer the moment when Romanians live in a healthy environment, a fair and prosperous society.