Ryan Reynolds, Dr. Anna Lembke, and Diella, an AI system serving as a state minister in Albania, are among the 200 confirmed speakers for Impact SEE. They will be joined by leaders and experts from Mastercard, McLaren Racing, INSEAD, the IMF, and Banca Transilvania. Presented by Mastercard, Impact SEE returns for its third edition in Bucharest on September 29-30, held at the Romexpo Exhibition Center and Face Convention Center.
The agenda of Impact SEE focuses on nine themes that gather business leaders, decision-makers, founders, researchers, and creators to analyze the transformations shaping Southeast Europe. Topics include the impact of creativity and artificial intelligence on company performance, the future of payments and digital commerce, as well as how leaders navigate risks and the complexities of change. The full agenda will be available at the beginning of September on www.impactbucharest.com.
Confirmed Speakers and New Additions
Marking his first appearance at an event in Romania, Ryan Reynolds will delve into the connection between storytelling, brand building, and entrepreneurial spirit. His business portfolio includes Maximum Effort, Aviation Gin, and Mint Mobile, where creativity has been pivotal in growth strategies. At Impact SEE, he will discuss creativity, leadership, and overcoming anxiety, engaging in a dialogue about the confidence needed to make bold decisions at critical moments.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor and medical director of the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Addiction Medicine Program, will discuss the attention economy and how the human brain responds to a constant stream of stimuli. Her research highlights how this exposure affects behavior, decision-making, and well-being, with implications extending beyond personal life into leadership, product development, and contemporary consumer culture.
Diella, launched as a virtual assistant for Albania’s public service platform e-Albania in January 2025 and later appointed as the state minister for Artificial Intelligence, will contribute to one of the event’s central questions: what changes when AI evolves from a mere tool supporting institutions to an institutional role, and where the accountability lies for decisions made with its assistance?
Global Expertise with Regional Stakes
The event will feature leaders coordinating organizations impacting millions. Kelly Devine, President of Mastercard Europe, oversees the company’s strategy and operations in Europe. Ömer Tetik, who has led Banca Transilvania since 2013, will represent the banking sector, as it is the largest bank in Romania and Southeast Europe.
The macroeconomic perspective will be enriched by Professor Ilian Mihov, INSEAD’s longest-serving dean, and Carlos Mulas-Granados, the IMF’s regional representative for Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
The program also includes experts in marketing, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer at McLaren Racing, will participate in the context of the partnership between Mastercard and McLaren. Richard K. LaTulip, Field CISO at Recorded Future, will share insights from his extensive experience as a special agent of the U.S. Secret Service, investigating cybercrime and protecting critical infrastructures. Marko Carević, CEO of Ananas E-Commerce, will provide insights on developing a regional marketplace, emphasizing trust, payments, logistics, and understanding local consumers.
The representation spans both public and private sectors, featuring Tsvetanka Mintcheva (UniCredit Bulbank) and Dana Dima (BCR) from banking, as well as Radu Georgescu (SeedBlink) and Ivan Kurtović (InterCapital Asset Management) from investments, alongside Erdem İnan (Trendyol) and Raluca Micu (NETOPIA) from e-commerce. Delina Ibrahimaj, Albania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, will also attend, along with Milica Stefanović (NALED Serbia) and Nina Angelovska Stankov (Macedonian E-Commerce Association).
The diverse lineup allows for a multifaceted discussion on the same transformations from various perspectives: business, banking, public administration, cybersecurity, academia, and e-commerce.
A Gateway to the Region Beyond a Stage
Impact SEE aims to build bridges between Southeast Europe and the global business ecosystem, assisting international firms in understanding the region’s dynamics and providing local companies with access to partners, expertise, and decision-makers beyond their operating markets.
“Our ambition from the start has been to transform Impact SEE into a gateway to the region, connecting leaders from business, public institutions, science, and culture, and shortening the path from an initial meeting to concrete collaboration. The starting point is always content: discussions that help participants understand the forces shaping the future before their impacts become visible in quarterly results or public policies, enabling them to make better decisions. At last year’s edition in Bucharest, two companies signed a collaboration agreement before the event concluded,” said Krystian Wolak, founder and CEO of Impact.
Networking continues beyond the stage sessions. At previous editions, 39% of attendees held C-level positions, with over 75% actively using the Impact app to connect with fellow participants. Dedicated networking sessions, the Evening Networking Cocktail, related events, and executive formats share a common goal: to facilitate meaningful meetings and develop new business relationships.
Full Agenda to be Announced in Early September
The complete agenda will be announced in early September, featuring sessions organized around nine themes: Artificial Intelligence; Cybersecurity and Digital Resilience; Global Economy and Banking; Financial Technology and Digital Commerce; Green Economy; Leadership; Investments and Startups; Marketing and Digital Consumers; Culture.
Over 2,500 international participants are expected in Bucharest for two days of discussions, meetings, and business connections among attendees from various markets. Tickets are available at pass.impactbucharest.com/tickets-bucharest. The current list of speakers can be found at impactbucharest.com/speakers, with more names to be announced soon.
