CEO

WeAreOpen

Nóra, as the leader of WeAreOpen, is one of the key figures in the field of social sustainability in Hungary. Together with her team at WeAreOpen, they provide services to companies that help them make meaningful progress toward a psychologically safe, diverse and inclusive corporate culture. She has extensive, multidisciplinary leadership and academic experience.

Chairperson of Board of Directors

WeAreOpen

With 25 years of experience in digital and leadership roles, I have built a career at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and impact. I have lived, studied, and worked in New York, London, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Helsinki, shaping my global perspective and ability to drive change across diverse markets. As CEO of an advertising agency and Chairperson of the Board at WeAreOpen, I am passionate about leveraging AI, fostering open corporate culture, and creating meaningful connections between brands and audiences.

Country Manager, Executive Vice President

Sigma Technology Hungary, Sigma Technology Group

György has been managing the Hungarian operations of Sigma Technology, a Sweden-based tech consultancy, for 18 years. He also acts as VP of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary.

Director

A Budapest based next-gen filmmaker moving seamlessly between commercials and feature films, keeping narrative always at the core of his style.

Consulting Psychologist

Consulting Psychologist with experience in organizational development and team leadership gained through years in HR and Talent Management. Currently, she combines her private practice with organizational development and training projects, focusing on the intersection of psychology and business. Her key area of interest is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she actively engages in both research and practical implementation. As a Researcher and Project Manager at We Are Open, she contributes to various DEI initiatives, working to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

LGBTQ+ journalist, activist, social media expert, project manager

WeAreOpen

I wear many hats across the fields of communication and storytelling. As a marketing professional, I specialize in social media strategy and content development; as a journalist, I write, speak, moderate, and contribute to a diverse range of projects — from documentaries to exhibitions. Currently, I’m working on my first book. At WeAreOpen, I’m responsible for communications and oversee the organization of several key events, including our annual conference.

Associate professor, Institute of Intercultural Education and

Psychology

ELTE

Dr. Monika Kovács is associate professor at the Institute of Intercultural Education and Psychology at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, teaching social psychology of gender at BA, MA and PhD level. She is one of the lead researchers of the Horizon Europe EU-founded project titled “Anti-Gender Backlash and Democratic Pushback”

(PushBackLash) that focuses on actors, attitudes, agendas, and strategies that push back against gender equality and democracy as well as on evidence-based strategies to counteract this pushback.

Professor of Gender Studies

Central European University

Eva Fodor is Professor of Gender Studies and Pro-Rector for Teaching and Learning at the Central European University, Vienna. She has a PhD in Sociology from the University of California in Los Angeles and works in the field of comparative social inequalities. Her most recent book, The Gender Regime of Anti-Liberal Hungary (Palgrave MacMillan open access, 2022) analyzes some of the critical and alarming social consequences of Hungary’s recent anti-liberal turn.

Gender Equality Adviser

Amnesty International Hungary

Fanni Csernus, PhD, is the gender equality expert at Amnesty International Hungary, specializing in the elimination of discrimination against women in the labour market. Her work focuses on addressing the gender pay gap through initiatives at the individual, organizational, and national levels. She is actively involved in developing training programs, delivering lectures, preparing publications, conducting research, and formulating policy recommendations for both companies and political decision makers.

Economist with a Postgraduate Degree in Data Privacy, Freedom of Information and Cyber Security from ELTE Faculty of Law

Over 25 years’ experience in global and regional Communications, Public Affairs and Compliance in companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft and Telenor. Specialises in raising core company values such as ESG and Privacy to brand equity through integrated marketing and communications strategies.

NGO Consultant

Boglarka Fedorko has more than 15 years of experience working with marginalized groups in Hungary and globally. As a grantmaker, researcher, and project manager, she has supported migrant and racial justice, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ equality movements and organizations with a focus on the Eastern-European and Central Asian regions, particularly in the fields of resource mobilization, intersectional programming, and narrative change.

Business Developer

Skilly

Janina joined the Skilly team in 2024 as a business developer. Prior to this, she worked for 12 years as a social worker in both the civil and public sectors, and gained experience in the business sphere through the open labor market employment of people with disabilities.

Work and Oragnizational Psychologist, Founder

Mindsetland

As a consultant and training specialist I support the return process of mothers to the labor market after childcare leave. I also have a scientific expertise on the subject. As an Assistant Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics I conducted a scientific research in 2024 on the challenges and needs of parents returning to the labor market, in which 1,400 people participated. In 2023, I gave a talk on the topic at TedXBME and in 2024 at TEDXlibertyBridgeWomen event. I founded Mindsetland to support the conscious preparation and confident return of women to the labor market.

Co-Founder & Co-President

Be Social

She regularly appears at professional conferences, in media, and teaches at universities. Her expertise is frequently sought by mass media, she serves as a jury member in industry competitions, and she is also an active content creator. In 2010, she co-founded Be Social Kft. with her business partner, establishing one of Hungary’s first digital agencies focused on social media. Since then, she has held the position of co-managing director.

Independent Transgender Rights Activist

Transzegészségközpont (Transgender Healthcare Center) is a virtual center founded by Mónika Magasházi in 2022. THC is running a webpage, Facebook group and YouTube channel. THC provides mental and coaching support for the Hungarian transgender community in cooperation with medical and mental professionals. Educate the society who are the transgender people and fight for the transgender rights in Hungary. THC works for the transgender inclusive safe workplaces, like holding workshops, supporting the HR divisions, CEO's, and all the employees within the company. THC is a bridge between the transgender community and the employers.

CCO Diageo Europe and Managing Director Eastern Europe

Diageo

I’m Danish, moved to Budapest in 2019, worked in consumer goods for 23yrs, 14yrs at Diageo (mostly P&G and Gillette before Diageo). Married to Malene and two sons Bertram (18) and Anton (16). Love sports, cooking, travelling and spending time with family and friends. Have lived abroad before (California, Bangkok, Stockholm) and consider myself a global citizen.

Representative of the Bosch Group in Hungary and the Adriatic region

Bosch

Dr. István Szászi serves as the Bosch Group's Representative for Hungary and the Adriatic region, as well as the Head of the Central and Eastern European Engineering Cluster. He is also the General Manager of Robert Bosch Kft. He is a respected member of the Hungarian Academy of Engineering and serves as an Honorary Associate Professor at BME. Since 25th March 2022, he has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rudolf Kálmán Foundation for Óbuda University. As of 1st January 2024, he holds a position as a research professor at Széchenyi István University. Today, as a business leader, his strategic goal is to foster closer collaboration between academia and industry, strengthening Hungary's innovation capabilities. In December 2023, his contributions were recognized with the prestigious Gábor Dénes Prize.

Senior Vice President, CEE Region
Velux Group

I joined the VKR Holding / VELUX Group 23 years ago and have worked in various roles, in diverse teams over these years. Our company is very strongly and proudly value-driven, and from our core values, Mutual Respect is the one that drives my behavior, attitude, and approach to my colleagues. This value has helped me build numerous high-performing teams, drive changes, implement new ideas, and create an environment where colleagues feel safe, valued, included, and can bring their best for our mutual success. Additionally, I am a proud father of two teenage daughters, which gives me extra personal motivation to create a working culture where they have equal chances based on their performance and can enjoy a safe environment.

Leadership Coach and a Purpose Sherpa

I am a leadership coach and a purpose sherpa. I guide leaders, change-makers and their organizations through their transformation. I help my clients to align with their 'why' and break through their limitations.

Senior Leadership Consultant

Skanska

Eszter Árvai is a Leadership Consultant, regular Forbes contributor, and Licensed Psychological Safety Practitioner based in Budapest and Amsterdam. As the former CHRO of IKEA Austria and a Board Member at Decathlon Hungary & Slovakia, she helps leaders build psychologically safe, high-performing teams—the foundation of fearless organisations. Eszter is known for her strategic perspective, human-centered approach, and practical, real-world solutions to organizational challenges.

Lead Trainer

Grund Essentials

Declan is hosting the Open Conference for the 8th year! Lead trainer of Grund Essentials, he has been training in applied improvisation for 17 years and worked internationally with blue chip companies across the region and beyond. He still works as an actor so turn on Netflix, HBO or AppleTV and you'll find him there too!

Founding Member

Grund Theater

Brigi is a founding member of Grund Theatre, Hungary’s first applied improvisation company and a trainer in its education team. With international experience as an improvisational actress, she leads workshops on communication, presence, and creativity.

Communications Trainer and Inclusivity Expert

Katya is a communications trainer and inclusivity expert who combines theatre skills with years of experience in accessible education. As the founder of the JEL Foundation and a member of Grund Theatre LAB, she designs and delivers interactive trainings that empower marginalized communities and support personal growth through play, presence, and connection.

People & Organisation Consulting Leader

PWC

Marta leads the HR consulting and organizational development practice at PwC, where her team helps clients enhance efficiency, organization, and digital transformation. She frequently shares best practices on Employee Value Proposition, Employer Branding, Gender Equality, and Authentic Leadership. Marta is dedicated to fostering a progressive and inclusive workplace culture.