MEET THE SPEAKERS

THEORETICAL PHYSICIST

Samuel Kováčik is a theoretical physicist at the Comenius University in Bratislava whose research focuses on the mysterious nature of quantum space—how the very fabric of reality behaves at the smallest scales. He is a passionate science communicator and the founder of Vedator, a widely followed science communication platform that transforms complex scientific ideas into engaging, accessible content for curious minds. Through articles, talks, and videos, he invites people to not only understand the universe but to see their place within it differently. He wrote several books, his last one, Conversation about Cosmos (Rozhovory o vesmíre), coauthored with astrophysicist Norbi Werner. 

FOUNDER OF ROHLÍK

Tomas began his entrepreneurial journey in 2010, quickly gaining recognition by successfully building and exiting two ventures in e-commerce and food delivery to Secret Escapes and Delivery Hero respectivelly. In 2014, he shifted his focus to online grocery retail, founding Rohlik with the vision of transforming the industry across Europe. Today, Rohlik operates in multiple European markets and has rapidly expanded its footprint, achieving unicorn status by 2021. Tomas’s innovative approach gives Rohlik a competitive edge and paves the way for further international expansion.

ARCHITECT, GROUP BOARD DIRECTOR AT CHAMPAN TAYLOR

Jon is a British architect who, in 1991, "got on his bike" when a UK recession hit just as he graduated. This decision led him to the relative unknown of Central Europe, where he began a career path he couldn't have imagined earlier. After a year of study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, he has spent the last 3 decades based in Prague, travelling and working in countries across the CEE region, and beyond.

A common thread throughout Jon's work has been his commitment to building sustainably in a competitive and often cynical commercial market. In his current board position at a global architectural practice, he focuses on mentoring colleagues and exploring innovative ways to deliver climate-resilient, healthy, and low-carbon built environments.

FOUNDER OF RI

Railey Molinario is the founder of RI (Relationship Intelligence™), a global thought leader on human connection, and an international speaker reshaping how we think about love, leadership, and culture.

Abandoned at birth and raised in an environment marked by abuse and instability, Railey became fiercely independent by the age of sixteen. She had book smarts from excelling in school, and street smarts from surviving on her own, but something fundamental was missing, a third, untaught intelligence: Relationship Intelligence.

DOCTOR AND A FOUNDER OF MEDITORIAL

Dr. Šebek is a physician, surgeon, and digital health innovator with over 20 years of medical and humanitarian experience. An MD since 2002, he has spent nearly two decades as a gastrointestinal surgery consultant specializing in colon cancer

In 2004, he founded MeDitorial, a pioneering eCME medical agency, followed by co-founding uLekare.cz a virtual hospital and telemedicine platform that has transformed patient access to healthcare in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2021, he launched the MED21 med-tech pre-fund, supporting the next generation of medical technology startups.

Alongside his medical and entrepreneurial work, Dr. Šebek has extensive humanitarian field experience with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). His missions as a war surgeon have taken him to Haiti, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Yemen, providing critical surgical care in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND SOON-TO-BE PSYCHOLOGIST

Bc. (soon to be Mgr.)  Jana Krejzová (née Albrechtová) is a soon-to-be psychologist and aspiring psychotherapist, a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Charles University, who is working on the topic of mental health on social networks, which is also her current research interest in her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on the use of digital space for mental health awareness and the role of professionals on social media.

FOUNDER OF ADOLPHINATA

Natálie Marie Vlčková is a Czech entrepreneur and founder of Adolphinata, a brand known for its handcrafted crochet products. 

While studying law at Charles University, she shifted her direction and embraced a passion for design and craftsmanship.

Adolphinata emphasizes sustainability by using 100% recycled cotton and collaborating with local Czech manufacturers, employing a dedicated team of around 20 artisans, including 15 crochet specialists. Adolphinata gained national attention through participation in the Czech version of "Shark Tank," known as "Jáma lvová," and has cultivated a strong community, connecting multiple generations through its products.

DOCTOR AND A SCIENTIST

Dr. Shenali Amaratunga, originally from Sri Lanka, is a pediatric endocrinologist at the Department of Pediatrics, Motol
University Hospital in Prague. Her determination to pursue medicine led her to Prague, where after completing her medical degree in English, she learnt Czech so she could work as fully fledged doctor in the local healthcare system.

In addition to her clinical work as a pediatrician, newly qualified
pediatric endocrinologist, and lecturer for medical students, she is
actively involved in research that bridges science and global health. Her focus lies in the genetics of short stature and monogenic diabetes, with a particular interest in underserved populations, including consanguineous communities in the Middle East and children in her home country. Her research has been recognized with awards for first-author articles published in leading, first-decile journals.