Connecting Futures

Navigating Tomorrow in Uncertain Times: What Winners Know Today

September 10, 2026

ICON Tower

Wiedner Gürtel 11, 1100 Wien

CONNECTING FUTURES is back!

In a world defined by volatility, disruption, and rapid transformation, how do you stay ahead? After a sold-out debut in 2025, CONNECTING FUTURES returns for its second edition, bringing together young professionals, executives, founders, and international talent to explore the strategies, mindsets, and connections that separate tomorrow's winners from the rest.

Whether you're navigating a career pivot, scaling a business, or positioning yourself in a shifting global economy, this is the room you want to be in.

Who Is This For?

  • Young professionals ready to level up

  • Executives and founders navigating uncertainty

  • International talent, with a special focus on professionals from the Western Balkans

  • Anyone who believes the best time to shape the future is now

GET YOUR TICKET HERE

Belong

•

Grow

•

Thrive

•

Belong • Grow • Thrive •

 Agenda

  • Arrival & Registration

  • THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE: Turning Volatility into Opportunity, by Enver Sirucic, CFO, BAWAG Group AG

  • Exploring antifragile businesses, geopolitical shifts, and leadership in economic turbulence, featuring leaders from AI & tech strategy, academia, and finance.

    Panelists:

    • Sebastian Kortmann - Dean WUEA, Expert for Strategy, Innovation and Resilience in Leadership

    • Mark Philipp - Head of Treasury Investments at Bawag Group AG

    • Ana Simic - AI & Tech Business Strategist, CEO & Founder of Propeller

  • GAME-CHANGING MOMENTS: 3 Career pivots that redefined success

    Featured stories:

    • The Corporate Rebellion: Breaking rules inside big companies and getting promoted (Adelina Shickova, Director Program Management at Infineon, Founder at Vienna Etiquette Society)

    • The Startup Bet: Leaving security to build something meaningful - lessons learned (Maja Puskaric, Founder at aspeegee)

    • The Executive Pivot: Mid-career transformation success story (Özlem Önen, Founder of commonroom)

  • Recharge • Connect

  • Deep-diving into skill stacking, opportunity radar, financial empowerment, and negotiating from strength.

    Panelists:

    • Martina Ernst - CEO & Founder Fair Equal Pay

    • Tetyana Kohansal - Managing Partner at KS actuaries, book author on financial literacy for children

    • Katarina Roder - Head of People Development ÖBB, Board Member Women Leadership Alliance

  • A quickfire round of 2-minute company presentations by our sponsors.
    Each organization will briefly introduce their mission and activities. A great chance to discover potential partners, employers, or collaborators.

    Don't miss these power-packed intros!

  • Time to mingle before heading home.

Preliminary agenda. Changes possible.
**Please note that photos and videos will be taken during the event and may be used for publicity, documentation, or promotional purposes (e.g., on websites, social media, or in print materials). If you do not wish to appear in any recordings, please inform the event organizers on site or contact them in advance via email at: business.women.bh@gmail.com
Thank you for your understanding!

Speakers & Voices

Don't just watch the future unfold. Connect to it.

Don't just watch the future unfold. Connect to it.

Event Hosts and Co-Curators

Partners and Sponsors