Edvinas Grikšas

Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania

Edvinas Grikšas has served as the Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania since September 2025, with extensive experience in innovation policy and public administration. Prior to his appointment, he led the Innovation Policy Group at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and held several other positions within the ministry. He has also worked at the Chancellery of the Seimas and in local government. He has actively represented Lithuania at the international level, contributing to the work of the OECD, the European Space Agency, NATO DIANA, and the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. He holds a Master’s degree in Management from Mykolas Romeris University and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Vilnius University.

Dr. Dalius Misiūnas

President and Professor of Practice at the ISM University of Management and Economics

Dr. Dalius Misiūnas, Professor of Practice, serves as the President of ISM University of Management and Economics and brings over a decade of executive leadership experience in both international and national organizations, including SWECO, Ernst & Young, Lietuvos Energija, and Maxima Group. Dr. Misiūnas is actively engaged in higher education governance and public policy development, advising the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on strategic and economic development matters. At ISM University, he teaches governance, leadership, strategy, and business management, and is a frequent speaker at leading business and management conferences.

Prof. Martin Zahariev

Partner at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co Law Firm, lecturer at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

Prof. Martin Zahariev, PhD, is a partner at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co. (DPC) Law Firm, Bulgaria, and leads the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Breaches, Intellectual Property, and Life Sciences departments.

Martin is a regular lecturer at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" in various disciplines related to the regime of information, personal data and fundamentals of law and a guest lecturer on personal data protection at Stockholm University in Sweden, the American University in Bulgaria, Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski and Burgas Free University“. Martin is the author of three monographs on GDPR, two textbooks on the information regime and more than 70 publications on privacy and ICT, employment law, commercial law and dispute resolution. He is a co-author of the International Encyclopaedia of Laws series book: Cyber Law, 'Bulgaria', published by Kluwer Law International in 2022. He is a member of the editorial/advisory boards of the prestigious journals "Labor and Insurance TITA" and "European Patent Litigation in Practice (EPLP)", the latter published by Wolters Kluwer. Martin is a member of the Sofia Bar Association, Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG) and DPC representative in IT IP Law Group Europe. He is recommended for his expertise in TMT, data, and IP by prestigious international legal guides such as Lexology Index, Chambers Europe, Legal 500, IP Stars, and WTR1000.

Mikołaj Barczentewicz

Associate Professor in Law at the University of Surrey, Senior Scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics

Mikołaj Barczentewicz is an Associate Professor in Law at the University of Surrey and a Senior Scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics. He writes about how EU law influences the tech industry at EUTechReg.com. His research spans privacy law, general technology regulation, and legal philosophy.

Jekaterina Macuka

Director at the Data State Inspectorate of Latvia

Jekaterina Macuka is a qualified lawyer, with a master's degree in law (Latvian University) who worked more than 10 years at the Ministry of Justice of Latvia. During the Latvian Presidency in the Council of the European Union in 2015 Jekaterina Macuka was the chairperson of the EU Council working party “Data protection and information exchange working party”. From 2020 has a position of the head of the data protection supervisory authority – Data state inspectorate of Latvia. From the 2021 lecturer at the Latvian University teaching personal data protection rules.

Dijana Šinkūnienė

Director at the State Data Protection Inspectorate of Lithuania

Dijana Šinkūnienė is an experienced lawyer with a master's degree in law. She started her career in data protection in 2001 and has 23 years of professional experience in the field. Dijana Šinkūnienė has been appointed as a Director of the Lithuanian personal data protection supervisory authority for a five-year term since February 2023. She is also a member of the National Cybersecurity Council. Dijana has been a lecturer in Privacy, Security and Technology (Privacytech) and Data Protection at Mykolas Romeris University (Vilnius, Lithuania) since 2021.

Pille Lehis

Director General at the Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate

Pille Lehis has been working as Director General of the Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate since 19 August 2019. She has previously worked for the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, where she started in 2005 and worked until June 2019. She started there as a court lawyer and before leaving the Tax and Customs Board she was head of the Litigation unit. As the Director General of the Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate, she participates in the work of the European Data Protection Board and Convention 108 of the Council of Europe. Pille graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu.

Natascha Gerlach

Director of Privacy and Data Policy at CIPL

Natascha Gerlach holds the position of Director of Privacy and Data Policy at the Center for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL). Her work is focused on a range of privacy and data related topics including AI, Privacy Enhancing Technologies, children’s privacy and safety, data governance, and cross-border data flows. Before joining CIPL, Natascha was a Senior Attorney with Cleary Gottlieb in their Brussels office, where she headed Cleary’s European eDiscovery group, an early adopter of AI technology. As member of Cleary’s Data Privacy group she advised clients on a wide array of data privacy issues, with a special focus on the cross section of international discovery and data protection. Natascha is Chair Emerita of The Sedona Conference Working Group 6 on International Electronic Information Management, Discovery and Disclosure (WG6) Steering Committee. She is a member of the advisory board for the Georgetown Law AEDI, and a founding member of the IDLF. Natascha is a member of the OpenAge Advisory Board.

Migle Dewsbury

Partner at Sorainen

Migle Dewsbury is a Partner at Sorainen, where she co-leads the Commercial & Regulatory Practice Group with deep expertise in data protection, cybersecurity and legal tech strategy. She regularly speaks at industry events on privacy, AI, and regulatory trends, and engages with complex legal challenges at the intersection of technology and business. Migle actively contributes to discussions on data governance, digital regulation and compliance, and has moderated high-level forums on data ecosystems. Her insights bridge legal frameworks and practical innovation, helping organisations navigate evolving digital landscapes.

Tatjana Lukoševičienė

Privacy and Data Policy Manager for Nordics & Baltics at Meta

Tatjana is a recognized subject matter expert in privacy, data protection, and EU digital regulation, with extensive experience in EU and regulatory affairs. She leads Meta's privacy and data policy efforts and initiatives across Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordics. An award-winning professional in privacy and data protection, Tatjana brings over two decades of experience spanning regulatory authorities, highly regulated and data-driven industries, and EU affairs. She led the implementation of the GDPR and other regulatory compliance initiatives at one of the largest telecom, media, and ICT companies in Europe, where she also represented the company in leading industry associations in Brussels. Tatjana has deep expertise in EU policymaking, lawmaking, and advocacy, with a strong track record of navigating complex legislative processes and engaging a broad range of stakeholders at both EU and national levels. She is also the founder and board member of the Lithuanian Data Protection Association (LDAPA), the largest network of privacy professionals in the Baltics.

Aleksander Tsuiman

Head of Product Legal and Privacy at Veriff

Aleksander is Veriff’s Head of Product Legal and Privacy leading Veriff’s product, AI and data privacy compliance functions. With previous experiences as an attorney having advised tech- and data-intensive companies and a guest lecturer at various universities, his perspectives provide a pragmatic approach to how technology regulation affects private companies and what opportunities it might create.

Juras Juršėnas

Chief Operating Officer at Oxylabs

With over 16 years of experience in the IT field, Juras Juršėnas has established himself as an expert in SaaS product management and large-scale IT business operations. His ability to apply strategic problem-solving, critical thinking, and people management skills led him to become the COO at Oxylabs, a global web intelligence collection platform. Juras’ work routine revolves around stakeholder and innovation management, which often includes doing something that has never been done before. He is passionate about everything technology and the possibilities that it brings.

Karolina Griciūnė

AI leader, co-founder of SwirlAI

Karolina Griciūnė is an AI leader, co-founder of SwirlAI, and one of the voices shaping how modern AI systems are built. With over a decade of experience across data and AI leadership, she has led teams and delivered AI products in organizations including Danske Bank and Surfshark. She works at the intersection of AI strategy and engineering, helping organizations move beyond prototypes to build systems that actually deliver value. Her focus is on aligning AI initiatives with business goals and making them work in real-world environments.

Laura Laid

Privacy Area Lead & Legal Counsel at Telia Estonia

Laura Laid is a Privacy area lead, driving privacy compliance and governance with a team of experts at Telia Eesti AS. She is also legal counsel for data protection, cybersecurity and AI. Although she has had almost 20 years legal experience in the technology and telecommunications sector, she has also served as DPO in the banking sector. In addition, she is a member of the Data Protection Council to the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia as the representative of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL). Laura has been awarded the CIPP/E, AIGP and CCEP-I certifications.

Lukas Adomavicius

Global Privacy and Data Policy Manager at CIPL

Lukas Adomavicius is a Global Privacy and Data Policy Manager at the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL). In this role, he primarily addresses the European Union's legislative agenda, focusing on data protection, privacy, regulatory engagement, and overarching digital strategy. Lukas works closely with global leaders from the private sector, alongside regulators and legislators, to advance global solutions and establish best practices in privacy and the responsible use of data. Before his tenure at CIPL, Lukas was a data protection specialist at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and worked as a researcher at the European Centre for Judges and Lawyers in Luxembourg. He holds an LL.M in European Public Law and Governance from Maastricht University, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and European and International Law.

Ona Valainė

Compliance, Privacy & AI Director, Group DPO at Vinted

Ona Valainė is a Compliance, Privacy & AI Director, Group DPO at Vinted. She leads GDPR compliance, cross-functional privacy strategy, and data protection governance. Since the introduction of the GDPR, she has served as DPO in various companies, leading privacy programs for digital marketplaces as well as across sectors including financial services, aviation, pharma, and travel.

Mihkel Miidla

Partner at Sorainen

Mihkel Miidla is a Partner at Sorainen, where he serves as the Head of the Data Protection practice in Estonia and Co-Head of the firm’s regional Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) sector.

With extensive expertise in data protection and privacy law, Mihkel advises clients on complex GDPR compliance, online privacy, cybersecurity frameworks (including NIS2 and DORA), and data breach response strategies. He is highly experienced in navigating the intersection of IT, intellectual property, and disruptive technologies, frequently guiding businesses through the regulatory requirements of launching innovative tech and AI products.

In addition to his legal practice, Mihkel has been a visiting lecturer on privacy and data protection at the University of Tartu. He is an active member of the Estonian Bar Association, where he serves on the Intellectual Property and IT Law Committee. Mihkel holds an MA in Law from the University of Tartu and an MSc in Engineering (Digital Transformation in Business) from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).

Prof. Dr. Rolf Schwartmann

Director of the Cologne Research Center for Media Law at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences; Chair of the Society for Data Protection and Data Security

Dr. Rolf Schwartmann, Professor at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences and Director of the Cologne Research Center for Media Law at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. Chair of the Society for Data Protection and Data Security (GDD) e.V., member of the Federal Government’s Data Ethics Commission (2017–2018), member of the Expert Commission on “Protection of Children and Youth in the Digital World” (2025–2026), permanent expert for the German Association of Universities on IT, AI, and data law. Co-editor of Recht der Datenverarbeitung (RDV) and Europäisches Daten und Informationsrecht (EuDIR). Co-editor and co-author of commentaries, handbooks, and publications on the AI Regulation, GDPR/BDSG, and TDDDG; regularly serves as an expert for the German Bundestag and state parliaments. Regular publications on topics related to digitalization and AI in the F.A.Z., Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, and EXPRESS. His book “Living with AI: How We Hold Our Own Against the Machine” will be published in June 2026 by Frankfurter Allgemeine Buch.Dr. Rolf Schwartmann, professor at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne and director of the Cologne Research Center for Media Law at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. Chairman of the Society for Data Protection and Data Security (GDD) e.V., member of the Federal Government’s Data Ethics Commission (2017–2018), member of the Expert Commission on “Protection of Children and Youth in the Digital World” (2025–2026), permanent expert for the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers on IT, AI, and data law. Co-editor of Recht der Datenverarbeitung (RDV) and Europäisches Daten und Informationsrecht (EuDIR). Co-editor and co-author of commentaries, handbooks, and publications on the AI Regulation, GDPR/BDSG, and TDDDG; regularly serves as an expert for the German Bundestag and state parliaments.Regular publications on topics related to digitalization and AI in the F.A.Z., Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, and EXPRESS. His book “Living with AI: How We Hold Our Own Against the Machine” will be published in June 2026 by Frankfurter Allgemeine Buch.

Eglė Bakštytė

Lead Privacy & Marketing Legal Counsel at Nord Security

Privacy, advertising, and consumer protection lawyer. Eglė began her professional career in the public sector and later spent nearly a decade at leading Lithuanian law firms, advising clients on data protection, consumer rights, marketing, intellectual property, technology law, and various regulatory matters. For the past four years, Eglė has led the Privacy & Marketing legal team at Nord Security, a global cybersecurity company providing digital security and privacy solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide.

Monika Mališauskaitė Vaupšienė

Partner at Sorainen

Monika Mališauskaitė Vaupšienė, Partner at Sorainen, heads the Commercial & Regulatory team in Lithuania and the pan-Baltic Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector group. She has extensive experience advising clients on competition law, intellectual property, advertising law, and other compliance matters. Monika works closely with technology driven businesses, including startups and scale ups, supporting them throughout their growth cycle and helping them form their compliance strategies.

Liudas Karnickas

Co-founder and President at LDAPA / Managing partner at Law firm Karnickas & partners

Attorney at Law specialised in data privacy, intellectual property, technology management and regulatory compliance matters. Certified data protection officer. Frequent DPO training program lecturer.

Benediktas Girdvainis

Chief Advisor at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation

Benediktas Girdvainis is an expert in AI governance and innovation policy. He was previously closely involved in shaping Lithuania’s national approach to AI governance and now leads Lithuania’s regulatory AI sandbox project. His recent work includes collaboration with public institutions and stakeholders from academia and industry to develop adaptive policy tools, enhance AI infrastructure, and ultimately create an environment conductive to innovation. At the panel, he will share insights on how agile and easily navigable regulation can boost innovation capacity and provide legal certainty in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Antanas Liutkevičius

Head of Legal at carVertical

Antanas is a tech lawyer specialising in digital products, consumer protection, and occasionally privacy matters. He has spent nearly 10 years working in some of Lithuania’s fastest-growing tech companies, focusing on scaling consumer products across 30+ countries. For the past four years, he has served as the Head of Legal at carVertical.

Cecilia Álvarez

Director of Data and Privacy Policy, Europe at Meta

Cecilia Álvarez Rigaudias has been the EMEA Privacy Policy Director at Meta since March 2019. From 2015 to 2019, she served as European Privacy Officer Lead of Pfizer, Vice-Chair of the EFPIA Data Protection Group and Chairwoman of IPPC-Europe. For an interim period, she was also the Legal Lead of the Spanish Pfizer subsidiaries. She formerly worked 18 years in a reputable Spanish law firm, leading the data protection, IT and e-commerce areas of practice as well as the LATAM Data Protection Working Group.

Cecilia was the Chairwoman of APEP (Spanish Privacy Professional Association) until June 2019 and is currently in charge of its international affairs. She is also the Spanish member of CEDPO (Confederation of European Data Protection Organisations) and member of the Leadership Council of The Sedona Conference (W-6).

Cecilia is a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation in the Information Technology and Knowledge Law section. She has written numerous publications on data protection and regularly lectures on data protection, IT and e-commerce in various Master's programmes and seminars.

Rasa Jauniškienė

Head at Digital Ethics Center

Rasa Jauniškienė is a children’s digital wellbeing advocate with a particular focus on problematic internet use. As a researcher at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, she currently contributes to the international BootStRaP project, which spans 14 countries and seeks to reduce the harmful effects of technology through advances in healthcare and social policy. Jauniškienė actively promotes stronger online protections for children — including age limits for social media platforms and higher standards of responsibility for tech companies — while advocating for healthier digital environments through research, public education, and policy engagement.