Speakers

Paweł Karbownik is an economist and diplomat, a graduate from the Warsaw School of Economics in finance and banking.

He served as an advisor to the president of the European Council on G7, G20 and EU strategic agenda from 2014 to 2019.

Previously, he was a deputy director of the EU Economic Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, where he led a team responsible for, among other things, for preparing the Polish Presidency of the EU Council in 2011, the drafting of the energy union concept and the concept of 2014 sanctions on Russia.

He also gained professional experience in the European Parliament in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, as well as in multinantional corporations.

He is the author of publications on the banking union, the Economic and Monetary Union and efficiency of tax systems.

Arba Kokalari has been a Member of the European Parliament since July 2019, representing Sweden and the Moderate Party. She has a broad background in both national politics and the private sector before being elected as a MEP. In her role on the committees for the Internal Market (IMCO) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), Arba is bridging the gap between internal market and capital market matters. She focuses on promoting tech, AI and circular economy and a stronger digital single market in Europe.

Stephanie Yon-Courtin is a Member of the European Parliament since 2019, a member of the Renew Group and of the French political party Renaissance. Stéphanie Yon-Courtin is Renew coordinator of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Vice-chair of the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) and substitute of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Stephanie Yon-Courtin’s main commitments at the European level are the establishment of fair competition rules that are favourable to innovation and business development, as well as the protection of consumers in the digital world. She was rapporteur on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), the Solvency 2 review of the rules of the insurance market and the Retail Investment Strategy.

She is also a member of the Delegation for the UE-Canada relations at the European Parliament.

Stephanie Yon-Courtin is a former lawyer. She was admitted to the Paris Bar in 2004. Specialized in competition law, she has worked in international law firms (Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer, Allen & Overy LLP). Before that, she worked as a jurist for the European Commission. Between 2007 and 2011, she joined the French Competition Authority as an international affairs adviser to President Bruno Lasserre.

Stephanie Yon-Courtin is also Regional Councillor of Normandy and she was mayor of Saint-Contest in Calvados until 2019.

She holds a Master’s degree in law from the Universities of Caen and Bristol and a Master’s degree in European law from the University of Brussels.

Since July 2019, Isabel Benjumea has been MEP after having been included as a candidate in number 10 of the PP list for the elections in the European Parliament of May 2019 in Spain. Currently, she is Vice Chair of the Committee on Regional Development, Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Member of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.

Isabel Benjumea graduated in Law and International Relations at Universidad Comillas. She spent her first year of professional career in Washington DC, where she worked at the World Bank implementing transparency and accountability programs for local governments in Latin America. After, she worked in the international relations department of the FAES Foundation. It was in 2011 when she decided to undertake her first business project in the tourism sector, Greatness, which she directed until 2017. In 2018 she joined as a partner of the strategic consulting firm IANUS Group. Currently, she teaches in the Entrepreneurship degree at Francisco Marroquín University in Madrid. Benjumea, member of the Popular Party, became part of the cabinet of President Pablo Casado as deputy head in 2019.

Isabel Benjumea is co-founder of the Red Floridablanca, a liberal-conservative think-tank from which she published numerous articles in the press.

Andrea Beltramello is the Head of the Resolution and Deposit Insurance Unit at the European Commission. In this role, he is responsible for reforming the EU’s banking crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework within the EU’s banking union.

Previously, Andrea served as a member of Valdis Dombrovskis’ team, supporting the Executive Vice-President in his daily work. His responsibilities included economic policy coordination, European Semester processes, budgetary and macroeconomic surveillance, and relations with the European Central Bank.

Andrea has also contributed to publications such as the European Financial Stability and Integration Review, reflecting his involvement in financial stability and integration matters.

For more insights into his work, you can listen to the EU Finance Podcast episode where Andrea discusses the CMDI framework.

Experienced regulatory and policy professional and negotiator in EU regulation within financial services having negotiated multiple pieces of regulation both as an expert and as an attaché (diplomat on posting within financial services). My experience stems both from the public and private sector ensuring a nuanced view on tackling policy issues.

Jakub Michalik joined the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in 2014 an he is currently International and Institutional Affairs Team Leader.

Previously he was Team Leader – International and Institutional Affairs, where Mr. Michalik provided strategic counsel on ESMA’s relations with Brussels-based EU Institutions and with non-EU securities regulators as well as in relation to ESMA’s activities within IOSCO.

From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Michalik served as a parliamentary assistant to MEP Wolf Klinz on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the European Parliament. Prior to joining the European Parliament, Mr. Michalik worked extensively on compliance and implementation matters, including both wholesale and retail business areas, within private sector.

Mr. Michalik earned his PhD in Law from University of Vienna and his Magister in Law from University of Graz. Mr. Michalik holds the professional qualification as a solicitor and is an author and a contributor to a number of articles in the area of banking and capital markets regulation.

Jyrki Katainen is a Finnish politician and executive with extensive experience in both national and European roles. In October 2023, he joined Nordea Bank as the Head of Group Public Affairs.

Prior to his role at Nordea, Katainen served as the President of The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, focusing on climate policy, the circular economy, and the development of a fair data economy.

Katainen’s political career includes serving as the Prime Minister of Finland from 2011 to 2014 and as Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2011. He later became the European Commission’s Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment, and Competitiveness from 2014 to 2019.

At Nordea, he leads public affairs activities, engaging with policymakers and stakeholders across the Nordic region and the EU on sustainability and digitalization.

Henriette Peucker is the Chief Executive and Member of the Board at Deutsches Aktieninstitut (DAI), a position she has held since July 1, 2024. She succeeded Dr. Christine Bortenlänger, who led the institute for nearly twelve years.

Before joining DAI, Peucker served as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Association of German Banks (Bundesverband deutscher Banken, BdB) until mid-2023. In this role, she was responsible for the “Politics and Innovation” division and acted as the deputy to the Chief Executive.

Peucker’s career includes significant experience in capital markets, banking, and political communication. From 2003 to 2010, she led European Public Affairs at Deutsche Börse AG, managing the company’s political advocacy in Berlin, Luxembourg, and Brussels. Following this, she was a Partner at Hering Schuppener (now FGS Global), advising companies across various industries on regulatory matters.

In addition to her executive roles, Peucker has been a member of the Supervisory Board at Redcare Pharmacy NV since 2021.

At DAI, Peucker represents the interests of its members, focusing on facilitating investments in growth and innovation through well-functioning capital markets.

Aleksandra Mączyńska is the Managing Director of BETTER FINANCE, the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users. She joined the organization in 2016 as Executive Director and was appointed Acting Managing Director in July 2023.

Before joining BETTER FINANCE, Aleksandra served as the Deputy Director of the International Relations and Communication Department at the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). She holds degrees from the Poznan University of Economics and the Warsaw School of Economics. Additionally, she participated in the Robert Bosch Foundation Programme for Young Executives in the Public Sector, working at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Throughout her career, Aleksandra has been actively involved in various European Union advisory groups. In 2019, she was selected as a member of the EU Ecolabelling Board. She also serves as Vice Chair of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority’s Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group. Furthermore, she is a member of the European Commission’s Consumer Policy Advisory Group and the European Securities and Markets Authority’s Consultative Working Group for the Coordination Network on Sustainability.

In her role at BETTER FINANCE, Aleksandra leads research and advocacy efforts to defend the interests of individual investors and financial services users at the European level. She has been a vocal advocate for financial equality, notably urging action on financial equality for women during a European Parliament ECON hearing.

Adam Kostyál is the President of Nasdaq Stockholm and Head of European Listings at Nasdaq. He began his tenure at OM Group in 2001, which later became part of Nasdaq, and has since held various senior leadership roles, including Head of the Strategic Initiative Groups and Vice President of Market Technology Business Development, where he was responsible for business development and account management across Europe.

In his current role, Adam oversees over 1,200 companies listed on Nasdaq’s exchanges in the Nordics and Baltics. He has been instrumental in promoting sustainable investments, introducing initiatives like the Nasdaq Green Equity Designation to encourage transparency among listed companies.

Adam is fluent in four languages: Swedish, English, Italian, and French. His extensive experience and leadership have significantly contributed to the growth and development of Nasdaq’s European markets.

Urban Funered is the CEO of the Swedish Securities Markets Association since 2019. He has 30+ years of experience from the private financial services and legal sector, having held senior positions in leading law firms, investment banks, and asset managers in Stockholm, New York, Vienna, and London.

Urban Funered has also held senior positions in the public sector, as State Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Swedish Minster for Financial Markets, and as Minister and Financial Services Attaché at the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

Urban Funered hold LL.M. and Post-Graduate Degrees in Civil, Banking and Financial law from Lund University in Sweden and Queen Mary & Westfield College of London University, and a BSc in Business Administration and Economics from the School of Economics and Management at Lund University in Sweden.

Tanguy became the head of EFAMA in December 2018. In that capacity, he leads in the formulation of industry positions on the main policy developments and engages with relevant EU and international authorities.

He is a member of ESMA’s Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, chairs FinDatEx’s Steering Group and teaches ‘Business interest representation in the EU’ at the College of Europe in Bruges. Tanguy is also a member of the IIFA Board and vice-Chair of the Board of the European Parliamentary Financial Services Forum.

Before joining EFAMA, he was Head of the Brussels office of AFME (European investment banking industry – 2015-2018), Director General of Leaseurope and Eurofinas (European leasing and consumer credit industries – 2006-2015), and Head of Banking Supervision and Capital Markets at the European Banking Federation (2001-2006). Other relevant roles include positions at Euroclear and Dexia as well as non-Executive Director of Belgium-domiciled UCITS (2006-2018).

He holds a degree in law from the University of Louvain-la-Neuve (BE) as well as a diploma in Political Sciences & International Relations and a certificate of specialised studies (DES) in Financial Risks Management.

Emma Hedman is the Head of Operations at Ung Privatekonomi, an educational initiative by Unga Aktiesparare aimed at increasing financial literacy among Swedish high school students. She began her tenure at Unga Aktiesparare in December 2021 as a Membership Manager, bringing her passion for savings and personal finance to the organization.

Prior to joining Unga Aktiesparare, Emma worked at Sörmlands Sparbank, where she gained valuable experience in customer service and financial advising. She also has a background in the restaurant industry, which honed her skills in customer relations and service.

In her role at Ung Privatekonomi, Emma leads educational initiatives targeting high schools, aiming to enhance students’ understanding of personal finance and investments. She is also the host of “Småbolagspodden,” a podcast that introduces listeners to Swedish small companies, delving into their ideas, visions, and market perspectives.

Emma’s dedication to financial education is further exemplified by her position as Vice Chairman of Ung Företagsamhet (UF) Södermanland, where she supports young entrepreneurship. Her multifaceted experience underscores her commitment to empowering young individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary for financial success.

Anders Antas is the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Carnegie Investment Bank, a position he has held since June 2018. He began his career at Carnegie in 2004 as a broker in the Helsinki office and has since held various roles, including Head of Treasury and Chief Operating Officer for the Investment Banking & Securities business area. Prior to joining Carnegie, Anders worked in equity research at SEB Enskilda Securities.

In May 2024, Anders was appointed Chairman of the Swedish Securities Markets Association (Svensk Värdepappersmarknad), succeeding Maria Janson, Head of Institutional Banking at Swedbank. This role involves promoting a sustainable and competitive securities market in Sweden.

Anders’s extensive experience in financial services and leadership roles underscores his commitment to the development and integrity of the Swedish securities market.

Anke Klein is Managing Director of the Investment Company Institute’s Brussels Office. Before joining ICI, Klein worked as a consultant. Prior to that, she served as an Alderperson (Deputy Mayor) of the City of Utrecht. Klein has almost 20 years of experience in financial services policy. She served as Financial Attaché at the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to the EU. During the Dutch Presidency of the Council, she led negotiations on behalf of the (back then) 28 Member States with the European Parliament and the European Commission on Financial Services. After moving to Amsterdam, she worked as Programme Manager, Innovation & FinTech at the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), in close cooperation with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the European Central Bank. She started her career at the Dutch Ministry of Finance. Klein gained active political experience as Alderperson and previously as a candidate for the European Parliament. She studied International and European Law in Leiden and Berlin (Leiden University and Humboldt-Universität).

Håvard Gulbrandsen has a MSc in Management Sciences from the University of Warwick (1988), Master in Finance & Investments (1989) and is authorized financial analyst from 1992. His previous experience includes portfolio manager – fixed income in Storebrand Asset Management and Director of investments in DNB Investor AS. He joined KLP from the position of Head of Asset Strategies Equities / Head of Core Corporate Governance in the Bank of Norway Investment Management.

He is Managing Director of KLP Asset Management since September 1. 2009.

Florence leads EuropeanIssuers Brussels team to position the views of Issuers towards the Institutions and represents the association externally. She drives the mission with strategic and operational know-how from her work at the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA), where she was responsible for the management of relations with the European Commission, other European institutions and organisations, and her background in media communication. Florence previously worked in the Brussels office of Mapfre Re as underwriter and manager of the liability coinsurance portfolio and reinsurance treaty portfolio analysis. She holds a master’s degree in law, an International Executive MBA from Louvain School of Management and a post-graduate degree in law and economics from ULB, a certificate in risk management and is a Certified Director from Guberna. She is also past president of ESAE (European Society of Association Executives), Vice president of the FAIB (Federation of International Associations in Belgium) and speaks fluent French, Spanish and English and good Dutch.