Keynote Speakers
Toms Rostoks
National Defence Academy of Latvia
Toms Rostoks, Dr.Sc.Pol. is Vice-Rector for Science at the National Defence Academy of Latvia. Toms has authored numerous academic publications, including the edited volume Deterring Russia in Europe (Routledge 2019) and articles in Defense & Security Analysis, JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, European Security, Journal of Baltic Studies, Nationalities Papers, and Journal on Baltic Security. His research primarily focuses on deterrence, military tripwires, reintroduction of conscription in Latvia, gender-neutral conscription, and the relationship between public opinion and national security and defence. His ongoing research projects include participation in the book project Russia’s War on Ukraine: A Zeitenwende for European Defence? (with Ghent University). Also, he is involved in the book project Military Cultures in Democracies (with Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences).
Bella Butler
Curtin University
Bella Butler is Associate Professor at Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) of Curtin University, Australia. She is a Course Coordinator for one of the best performing courses at SoMM – Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) and the newly launched course Master of Leadership and Governance. A/Prof Butler initiated, co-designed and led the development of the course Master of Governance and Leadership in collaboration with the Governance Institute of Australia. She has a diverse teaching portfolio and leads a team of academics at all campuses of Curtin University (Australia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates). The subjects which A/Prof Butler coordinates and teaches include Corporate Strategy, Organisational Change and Responsible Leadership. She received several teaching excellence awards and was recently nominated for the MBA Australasia Award in the category “the most Inspirational MBA Lecturer.” She served on several boards and currently serves at the MBA and Executive Education Board of Curtin University. A/Prof Butler’s innovative teaching is informed by her scholarship in learning and teaching as well as by her disciplinary expertise and professional networks. A/Prof Butler has published in top international journals, including Journal of World Business, Industrial Marketing Management, Management Decision, Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing. A/Prof Butler is an experienced HDR supervisor with 7 doctoral graduates under her supervision. Currently, she supervises 2 PhD and co-supervises 1 DBA student.
Marine Krasovska
Financial Technology Supervision Department at Bank of Latvia
Marine Krasovska is a Latvian financial sector leader known for her expertise in financial innovation and regulatory supervision. Before joining the regulators, Marine built substantial industry experience in the banking sector, working in senior roles at major Baltic banks including AS SEB bank, AS DNB bank, and Luminor Bank AS.
In 2020, Marine joined the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC) of Latvia as Director of the Financial Innovation Department. Following the merger of the FCMC into Latvijas Banka in January 2023, she became Head of the Financial Technology Supervision Department, leading oversight of payment services, crypto-asset services, crowdfunding services, horizontal ITC risk supervision across the financial sector and run SupTech development program.
Marine holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Latvia and a professional diploma in Management from the Open University Business School (UK). She has also completed the Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme at Said Business School, and the Innovations and AI program at INSEAD.
Mārtiņš Bērziņš
Commercial Bank of Dubai
Mārtiņš Bērziņš is a digital banking and open finance leader with more than a decade of experience building data‑driven products and customer‑centric experiences across the Baltics and the Middle East. He currently serves as Head of Open Finance and Digital Analytics at Commercial Bank of Dubai, where he leads the bank’s open finance strategy, digital partnerships, and advanced analytics to unlock new revenue streams and elevate customer engagement. Before taking on this role, Mārtiņš was Head of Digital Customer Experience and Deputy Head of Business Development at Citadele banka, where over seven years he led all digital channel development, including mobile banking, personalization, and early adoption of generative AI in customer interactions. Earlier in his career, he as a co-founder established Monea – the first licensed payment institution in Latvia and has consistently worked at the intersection of regulation, technology, and user experience to bring innovative financial services to market. Outside of his day job, Mārtiņš is an advocate for open finance, agile ways of working, and human‑centered design, frequently sharing practical insights on how banks can turn regulation and data into better everyday experiences for customers.
Cengiz Hakan Aydin
Özyeğin University
Cengiz Hakan Aydin, PhD, has offered courses in the fields of open and distance learning, educational communications and technology, and designing learning processes, experiences, media. After having served as an instructional designer, department chair, director and dean in Anadolu University, Dr. AYDIN joined Özyeğin University as the Director of the Office of learning and Teaching Enhancement (OLTE) in 2024.
Dr. Aydin’s research interests focus on a range of topics, such as innovative and flexible learning processes, environments in higher education and corporate settings, design and development of learning environments, integration of new technologies (AI, VR, AR, MR, etc.) into educational and training, Open Educational Resources (OERs), Open Educational Practices (OEPs), Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), micro-credentials, and current trends in higher education and corporate education.
Dr. AYDIN has been serving as a board member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and a member of the Centre for Distance Education Research (COER). He is also on the editorial boards the OpenPraxis and the Journal of Open, Distance, and Digital Education (JODDE).
Tim Brüggemann
AKAD University
Dr. Tim Brüggemann is Professor and Rector of AKAD University and a member of the board of EdTech-U e.V., the European Association for Educational Technology at Universities. His academic focus is on research into educational and career guidance and the digitalisation of educational processes.
Anri Leimanis
Public Private Partnership Association
Anri Leimanis is a senior legal and governance professional with board-level experience across infrastructure, telecommunications, finance, and digital transformation. He holds an LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and an MBA from Riga Business School. He serves as Chair of the Public Private Partnership Association. His professional work has focused on governance, strategy, regulatory frameworks, and the development and deployment of technology-enabled solutions in both business and public-sector environments.
He is currently a PhD candidate in AI governance, researching the international governance framework for artificial intelligence in the context of a broader legal and institutional paradigm shift. His work combines academic research with applied advisory and venture-building experience, with particular interest in how institutions can redesign decision-making and algorithmize processes in response to technological risks and opportunities.
Dāvids Štēbelis
European Space Agency, Latvian Space Agency
Dāvids Štēbelis is a Board Member at the Latvian Space Agency, an industrial coordinator of the European Space Agency, and a co-founder of several start-ups, such as Fabula, ALINA and EHO. Specialised in the development of business models and strategies, as well as expertise in the development of new products and services in the local and international markets. Climate-KIC Business Program Coach and Mentor of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology.
Ērika Todjēre
The State Chancellery of Latvia
Ērika Todjēre is Head of the Human Resources Policy Department at The State Chancellery of Latvia. She is an experienced professional in strategic human resource management, focusing on promoting sustainable organizational development and enhancing employee experience. Her experience shows that effective HR management is essential for creating competitive and exceptional work environments.