2024 Presenters
Polina Anastassieva
International Risk Management
Business Development Coordinator
World Affairs Council of Austin
Polina Anastassieva graduated with a BBA in International Business from St. Edward’s University in 2014. Born in Moscow, Russia, and being fluent in two languages, Polina possesses first hand experience in thriving in an international environment. During some of her undergraduate years Polina has also had the privilege to live in the heart of our nation, Washington D.C. This experience significantly contributed to her knowledge of political and global issues. While pursuing her career in Risk Management, Polina has been able to utilize her skills in the private sector at companies such as Netspend, Apple and eBay.
Her experience also includes working in the nation’s fourth largest environmental agency – the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In 2020, Polina was appointed to the Travis Appraisal Review Board for a two year term. Currently, Polina is in the Fintech industry and is focusing on consulting projects. Additionally, she is back at St. Edward’s University pursuing her MBA in Risk Management. Polina is actively involved in her university’s community which regularly hosts events in partnership with the Kozmetsky Center and WAC Austin.
Jesse Ander
Partner
Adcelerium
Jesse Ander is an entrepreneur and investor with experience in innovation strategy, community activism, and in various roles with various start-ups. He is currently a partner at Adcelerium, which is an early-stage investment firm headquartered in Austin.
Jesse holds BAs from UC Santa Barbara in Economics and Law as well as a JD from Boston College. He serves on the boards of Austin Sister Cities International, the Austin Florence Alliance, Ballet Austin, and various Austin-based start-ups.
Kiril Avramov
Assistant Professor
Department of Slavic & Eurasian Studies (DSES)
Kiril Avramov is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Slavic & Eurasian Studies (DSES) and a Fellow at the Intelligence Studies Project (ISP) at the University of Texas at Austin. He holds courtesy appointments at the Department of Government and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Co-Director of the Global Disinformation Lab.
Previously, he was the Acting Vice-Rector for International Relations and Research at the New Bulgarian University (NBU) in Sofia, Bulgaria, and an Assistant Professor of Political Science at NBU. He studied previously at Gustavus Adolphus College (USA/MN), the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), the University of Sofia (Bulgaria), Central European University (Hungary), and NBU. He taught in the Department of Political Science at the University of Sofia until 2005. From 2006 to 2010, he was the director of the international consultancy and research institute “Political Capital” in Bulgaria. In 2010, he was appointed Director for International Relations of Political Capital at the firm’s headquarters in Budapest. Dr. Avramov was a Fulbright Senior Visiting Research Scholar at the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREEES) at the University of Texas at Austin from 2015-2016. He earned a full scholarship for his Ph.D. research at the University of Sofia. He received an “Open Society Institute-Sofia” scholarship for his year-long Ph.D. specialization at the Central European University in Budapest.
Mike G. Baker
Cofounder
Diligence LLC, now Portman Square Group
During a career spanning almost 20 years as a covert field operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Mike specialized in counterterrorism, counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations. He engaged in, organized and supervised operations around the globe, working in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union and elsewhere. He was recognized professionally for outstanding performance and for operational achievements in hostile environments.
After leaving government service, Mike co-founded Diligence with the goal of building the premier intelligence and risk management firm. As a principal partner over the years he worked to grow the company as it expanded around the globe. He also worked to establish the company’s security operations in Iraq in 2003, as Diligence built a team of over 300 expat and local personnel involved in security and information collection. In 2019, after a management buyout of the business, Mike rebranded the company as Portman Square Group (www.portmansquaregroup.com) adding crisis communications and policy work to the company’s service lines. PSG now maintains offices in London, New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Phoenix, Monterrey Mexico and Mexico City, providing information, intelligence and investigative support to Fortune 50 companies, leading law firms and high net wealth individuals.
Mike is a regular contributor in the national and international media on intelligence, security and counterterrorism issues. He appears regularly on a variety of news networks including Fox News, CNN, Newsmax and the BBC, as well as other major media outlets, and is a regular on the Joe Rogan podcast. He is the host of the popular daily news podcast, the President’s Daily Brief, and has hosted television series for Discovery, BBC and the Travel Channel, including the popular Black Files Declassified series on the Discovery network.
Levan Bokeria
Head of the Czech Trade Promotion
Austin, TX
Levan Bokeria is a head of the Czech Trade Promotion Office in Austin, TX. CzechTrade is a Government trade promotion agency of the Czech Republic. Its main objective is to develop international trade and cooperation between Czech and foreign entities.
Levan grew up in Prague and studied International Relations and Security Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague. Previously, he worked for the Czech state agency for business and investment development CzechInvest, where he specialized in foreign direct investment and trade. He also gained experience as Director of the Czech Trade Promotion Office in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
He is currently responsible for the opening of the new Czech Trade Promotion Office in Austin, Texas. His goal is to support trade relations between the Czech Republic and the United States and to create new opportunities for cooperation in the field of trade and investment.
Jason Brown
Founder and Managing Partner
PGP Advisory
Jason Brown is Founder and Managing Partner of PGP Advisory, a Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) advisory firm based in San Antonio, TX. He is a seasoned business leader, M&A transaction professional, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of professional experience that he uses to help current and future entrepreneurs successfully navigate the business sale process. He advises clients, here and abroad, on how to successfully navigate each step of the business sale or acquisition process.
Jason held leadership positions in both business operations and merger & acquisition roles with several global Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. He’s helped small business owners implement growth strategies, execute profit improvement initiatives, and develop their leadership and organizational capabilities. Jason leverages his knowledge and experience across both the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds to create value for his clients. He is passionate about doing good deals for good people.
Jason earned his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, with a concentration in entrepreneurial finance and general management and his B.S. from Northwestern University in mechanical engineering. Jason was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the Texas Camino Real District Export Council and serves as the group’s Executive Director. He resides in San Antonio with his extraordinary wife and sons, ages 11 and 9. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, tinkering with home automation, biking, and coaching his son’s running club.
Len Hause
Senior Technology Advisor, International Cyberspace Security and Digital Polic
U.S. Department of State.
Len Hause is a Senior Technology Advisor for International Cyberspace Security in the bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State. In 2013, he started at the Department as an IEEE Science and Diplomacy Fellow in its precursor, the Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues. During his tenure at State, he has participated in numerous delegations for cyber consultations, training sessions, and dialogues across the globe and is a recurring faculty member in cyber diplomacy tradecraft training courses for Foreign Service Officers serving in U.S. embassies.
He has been recognized as a pioneer in the adoption of Internet protocols and culture within the Enterprise for innovation, collaboration and organizational learning. In 2008 he founded MashBrain Consulting LLC to assist clients with digital transformation strategies that leverage Internet technology and marketing. At Motorola for over 30 years, he was Fellow of the Technical Staff, Internetologist, Associate of the Science Advisory Board, Senior Marketing Director, held numerous global management roles and an individual technology contributor.
He has experience in systems and software development, semiconductors, telecom, Internet, marketing, and digital transformation strategies. He is a member of the IEEE, Association for Computing Machinery, The Recording Academy, and has served on industry, educational, corporate, and government advisory boards and consortiums. He holds U.S. Patents in telecom and a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Susan Faykus CEO & Founder, Wealth Manager
Faykus Financial
Susan Faykus is a remarkable steward of service whose life embodies a deep commitment to her faith in Christ, compassion, and transformative influence. Based in her hometown of Taylor, Texas—home to the new Samsung Plant and soon to be a tech mega-giant—Susan has emerged as a trusted business leader known for her innovative strategies and visionary thinking. She specializes in transforming substantial wealth into impactful, value-driven legacy plans that promote generational giving and philanthropic impact.
Susan graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987. She launched a career at Waddell & Reed, where she expertly managed a private equity portfolio focused on new technologies and biomedical advancements. In 2017, Susan founded Faykus Financial, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm dedicated to multi-generational wealth management. As a certified financial planner candidate with an advanced education from UT Austin, she remains at the forefront of innovation in financial planning and taxation, continually striving to provide her clients with tailored strategies that foster long-term financial success.
Susan’s influence extends well beyond her firm; she actively serves as a board member of the Greater Taylor Foundation and the Craftsman’s Center, and she is the president of NAIFA Austin. In her collaborative work with CEOs, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and other leaders, Susan excels in crafting holistic master plans that leverage goal-based investments, risk management, and tax strategies to create impactful legacy plans.”
Scott Firsing PhD
Founder/President
Scott Sky Advisors
Dr. Scott Firsing owns Scott Sky Advisors, a consultancy in Austin, Texas that assists European companies entering the American and Canadian aviation/aerospace markets. He also serves on the Board of the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) based out of Washington DC, and recently served on the Board of the University Aviation Association (UAA).
With over 20 years of experience in aviation, defense, education, and intelligence, Dr. Firsing has worked globally for companies in France, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States, and held roles with institutions like the United Nations. He has a successful track record in business development, marketing, research, sales, and team management, prioritizing high-quality experiences for customers and employees. In addition to his “business” career, he has been a K-12 School Principal and an International Studies Professor.
Dr. Firsing’s PhD is in International Politics, and he is an international relations/security expert focusing on foreign power involvement in Africa. He has taught over a dozen university courses at institutions such as The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina, the University of the North Carolina, and Coastal Carolina University.
As a graduate of institutions like Rutgers University and LSE, Dr. Firsing has received awards for research, teaching, and community engagement. He has appeared on Al Jazeera, BBC, CNBC and others and his insight can be found in numerous outlets like AP, Huffington Post, The Conversation, and the US News and World Report. Dr. Firsing’s extensive written works, surpassing 100 publications, are widely referenced worldwide.
Andrea Hrusovska
Chief Executive Officer/Founder
HR4U Solutions
Andrea Hrusovska is an Experienced Strategic Manager in Human Resources and Human Capital with a strong track record in industries such as production, automotive, engineering, and sales who gained MBA from City University SEATTLE is leading the successful consulting company HR4U over 10 years in Europe and setting up subsidiary in Austin TEXAS, specializing in talent recruitment and leadership coaching and business development advisory.
Andrea is known for solution focus, visionary strategic thinking, effective communication, and results-oriented approach. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why is called present” emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment.
Tyler Johnson
Limited Partner/Venture Partner
Stony Lonesome Group
Tyler Johnson is an accomplished Global Fortune 50 Executive. He has engaged and partnered with executive business leaders across the globe to accelerate growth and expansion in large businesses and early-stage technology software automation start-ups. Tyler has over 30 years’ experience working with some of the largest companies in the world, in addition to co-founding a US-based software technology company. Tyler serves as a Limited Partner/Venture Partner for Stony Lonesome Group which funds companies focused on national security, dual-use and defense technology.
Tyler worked for Dell Technologies for 21 years in a variety of sales, marketing, and general management roles, including Shanghai, China for 10 of those years (2005-2015) as a local hired foreign national. He led sales and operational organizations for Dell within China and across Asia. Tyler’s organization was responsible for Dell’s Global Asia Business Unit which represented the largest companies in the world (Global Fortune 500). In addition, he was Managing Director of the Shanghai headquarters incorporating R&D, Procurement, Sales, and Government relations. Tyler received the Dell Worldwide Executive Leadership Award for Inspirational Leadership from the Chairman and Executive Committee.
Since 2015, Tyler has founded, operated, and invested in several software automation companies focused on cyber security, HRTech, EdTech and cloud migration technology. He co-founded an HR technology company called Your6, Inc. benefitting United States Veterans, and served as the Chief Sales Officer for iQuate, Inc. (now Cloudsphere), a cloud migration automation technology. Tyler also served as the Chief Executive Officer for VTS Cyber, a cybersecurity company focused on governance, risk, and compliance in highly regulated environments.
Tyler published his first book in March 2019 titled “The Way Of The Laowai”: The importance of international self-awareness for business. Tyler is the founder of Laowai Enterprises which facilitates people, organizations, and governments to expand economically. His thought leadership can be found on laowai.substack.com. Tyler is focused on building, accelerating, and strengthening dual-use and defense technology ecosystems which strengthens national security.
Michal Korman
Founder & Executive Director
Touch4IT
Michal Korman is the founder and executive director of Touch4IT, a software company specializing in product design and software engineering.
The company’s main expertise lies in creating digital products for companies aiming to innovate their business, progress, and transform their entire industry. Touch4IT focuses on UX/UI design, the development of cloud and mobile applications, and works on projects with advanced technologies such as AI and BI. Michal earned a software engineering degree in Robotics from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.
Michal excels at uncovering hidden opportunities for companies using the latest trends and technologies. He helps businesses optimize capital, achieve growth, and meet goals across various industries. With his tech background, Michal quickly identifies innovative business development opportunities and proposes immediate tech solutions for growth.
Mark Lebovitz
Owner and CEO
L2 Aviation
Mark is an aviation industry veteran with a passion for bridging the gap between cutting-edge avionics technology and the needs of commercial aircraft operators. After graduating with a BSEE degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987, he gained extensive experience integrating new technologies while servicing commercial, cargo, VVIP, and government aircraft around the world.
Recognizing a market inefficiency, he founded L2 Aviation to provide quicker upgrade solutions for the diverse needs of the various aircraft fleets. Over the past 27 years, Mark has guided L2Aviation to become a world-class provider of turn-key avionics integration solutions, including design, certification, manufacturing kits, and touch labor installation and repair services, to include FAA and EASA authorizations.
He continues to lead L2 Aviation in tackling the challenges of integrating complex avionics and in-flight connectivity solutions while residing in Austin, Texas with his wife, Michelle.
Abdallah Mahmoud
Program Manager II
International Affairs
City of Austin’s Economic Development Department
Abdallah manages the international affairs for the City of Austin, leading on international partnerships, engagements, diplomacy and protocol matters. During his tenure at the City of Austin, Abdallah worked on several international partnerships, trade missions, and exchange programs. In his role, Abdallah also welcomes Austin’s international visitors and foreign diplomats, and works on establishing robust ties between Austin and the rest of the world.
Prior to joining the City of Austin, Abdallah co-founded an online tutoring startup in the Middle-East, and was the Marketing & Communication Manager for an employment and capacity building initiative by the World Bank in Jordan.
Abdallah is a Pacem-in-Terris scholarship recipient from the University of La Roche in Pittsburgh, PA and holds a dual Bachelor’s of Science degree with focus on International Business and Information Systems Technologies.
Cari McCachren-Shah
Deputy Coordinator. Digital Freedom
Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy
U.S. Department of State
Cari McCachren-Shah serves as Deputy Coordinator for Digital Freedom in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP).
Previously, she led the bureau’s cyber policy engagement in the Americas, including bilateral and multilateral outreach to promote the U.S. vision for the Internet and cyberspace. In the State Department’s former Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues, her portfolios included cyber capacity building, Internet freedom, public diplomacy, and cyber engagement in Africa. Ms. McCachren-Shah began her Civil Service career in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She has also served as a Special Assistant on Cyber Issues to the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.
Before joining the Department in 2011, Ms. McCachren-Shah worked in the non-profit sector in policy, programming, and advocacy focusing on women, youth engagement, and children’s issues in Latin America and Africa.
She holds a B.A. in International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a minor in Spanish and a focus on Women’s Studies. She earned an M.A. in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service where she specialized in Human Rights and Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Nina Harrell Means
Director
Austin Community College Fashion Incubator
Nina Harrell Means is a visionary leader in the intersection of fashion and technology, dedicated to advancing innovation in the industry. With a robust educational background, she has expanded her knowledge through Executive Education in Strategy and Innovation at MIT Sloan School of Management, where she honed her skills in strategic thinking, business model innovation, and leadership. Currently, Nina is pursuing doctoral studies in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on developing frameworks that integrate emerging technologies into educational curricula.
Nina’s passion for integrating artificial intelligence in fashion technology-driven businesses positions her at the forefront of industry evolution. As the Director of the ACC Fashion Incubator, she is committed to designing innovative curricula that equip future leaders with the tools to harness AI for creative and operational excellence in fashion. Her expertise lies in merging educational theory with practical applications, ensuring that students are prepared for the dynamic challenges of the industry.
As an advocate for sustainable practices and diversity in fashion, Nina works to create inclusive environments that promote creative expression and technological advancement. She believes in the transformative power of education and technology to drive positive change within the fashion sector.
Nina’s multifaceted background and forward-thinking approach make her a thought leader in fashion technology, poised to inspire the next generation of innovators. Through her work, she continues to contribute to a more sustainable and tech-savvy future in the fashion industry.
Brad Morrison
Founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries, Inc
The Space Weather Company
Brad Morrison of Boerne is the founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries, Inc., The Space Weather Company. He is also a partner at Donald Capital LLC, an Aerospace & Defense focused Investment Bank. Brad was recently appointed to the Board of Commissioners to the inaugural Texas Space Commission.
He is also a member of the Business Executives for National Security, Boerne Kendall County Angels Network and Texas National Security Innovation Council. He is a former chair of the Cybersecurity Committee for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, member of the Texas Business Leadership Council, and Past Chairman of the Texas Lyceum. Additionally, Brad served as business accelerator chair for the Entrepreneurs Organization and as honorary commander for the United States Air Force 67th Cyberspace Wing. Brad earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Telecommunications from Southern Methodist University. He holds the FINRA Series 7, 79, 24 and NASAA Series 63 securities licenses.
Dr. Michael W. Mosser
Director, Center for European Studies
UT Austin
Dr. Michael W. Mosser is the Director of the University of Texas at Austin Center for European Studies (CES). He is also an Associate Professor of Instruction with a joint appointment in the Department of Government and the International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) program. He is a Distinguished Scholar in the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and was the Executive Director of the Global Disinformation Lab (GDIL) from 2022 to 2024.
He teaches courses in European and international security, European environmental policy, comparative and European politics, international organizations, and foreign policy analysis. From 2018 to 2023, he was the inaugural faculty advisor for the University of Texas at Austin’s “Peace Corps Prep” program, and has also served as a faculty liaison to the US Department of State’s “Diplomacy Lab” program. He serves on various academic advisory bodies on campus, including as a member of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Faculty Learning Community, an Ambassador in the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) and a member of the non-traditional student (NTS) advisory board. He has won multiple awards for his teaching at UT-Austin, most notably being selected as a member of the 2021 “Texas Ten” by the Texas Exes, and the 2016 Raymond Dickson Centennial Endowed Teaching Fellowship.
A southwestern Pennsylvania native, Dr. Mosser is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (BA, Political Science and History) and the University of Wisconsin – Madison (MA and PhD, Political Science). He has published articles and book chapters on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as in the fields of military art and science and military sociology more generally. He is active in student events and activities on campus related to his research and teaching fields, has published op-eds in major Texas newspapers and has been a regular guest on KUT Radio’s “Texas Standard” news program.
Paul Mydlo
Senior Business Development Manager
Scalo
Paul Mydlo is a digitization consultant with a passion for leading financial companies to digital success. With a solid background in technological services, Paul brings a decade of experience in the industry.
His expertise in the American and British markets has allowed him to build strong connections and effectively navigate the intricacies of international business.
Paul’s deep knowledge of the latest technological advancements in the FinTech space ensures that his clients stay ahead in this dynamic sector. His commitment to continuous learning and innovation is evident through his active participation in industry forums and organization of networking events, such as the Austin-based Fintech Breakfast sessions.
Sam Peterson
Founding Partner
Cislunar International
Sam Peterson brings 30 years of expertise in the aerospace industry. He has served in leadership roles in commercial, government, and military organizations including 17 years of international experience building relationships across six continents. Business development includes capturing more than $200 million in B2B/B2G sales in the space sector.
As an Operations Manager for the European Space Agency (ESA), he had the privilege to oversee the launch and early orbit phase of 10 ESA and partner spacecraft missions between 2011-2019. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles on more than 35 of exciting aerospace projects including the Defense Satellite Communications System, Milstar, MQ1 Predator, MQ9 Reaper, RQ4 Global Hawk, Herschel Space Observatory, Planck Space Observatory, International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (Integral), Bepi-Colombo, Cryosat-2, Swarm, and theGMES Sentinels spacecraft.
Sam is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He givesback to the industry through volunteer activities with a number of organizations including the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) and the Conrad Foundation.
Rick Rayne
Senior International Business Advisor
UTSA SBDC International Trade Center
Rick Rayne is Senior International Business Advisor at the UTSA SBDC International Trade Center (ITC). Established in 1992, the mission of the ITC is to foster small business globally via high-value trade advising services, international market research, and innovative training programs.
Rick provides international trade research, consulting, and advice to small and medium-size businesses located primarily throughout a 79 county area of South and West Texas. Rick helps develop export plans for clients so they can effectively compete in the global marketplace.
Rick earned his Master of International Management degree from Thunderbird School of Global Business, and he holds a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) designation. Prior to the ITC, Rick worked over 30 years at FedEx with most of that time spent in international sales and development.
Michael Rosales
Director, U.S. Commercial Service
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Mr. Michael Rosales is the U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region, which covers 81 counties and 14 Congressional Districts and is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
He is a visionary and strategic leader that works directly with American exporters to advance their global market share with the support of his colleagues at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Driven by professional integrity, Michael is committed to serving all members of each unique ecosystem. He listens directly to the needs of his stakeholders, customers, and global industry partners alike.
He zealously leads America’s workforce, building unique and lasting relationships, and leverages the U.S. Commercial Service as the backbone of the American economy. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Michael is 100% committed to this business community and advancing international trade for the State of Texas. Mr. Rosales earned both his BA and MBA from the University of Texas – San Antonio.
Richard Roštecký
Founder & Executive Director at
Touch4IT
Richard Roštecký is the founder and executive director of Touch4IT, a software company specializing in product design and software engineering. Touch4IT excels in UX/UI design, cloud and mobile application development, and advanced technologies like AI and BI.
Richard holds an engineering degree in Computer and Communication Systems and Networks from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. During university, he developed native mobile applications and web portals while expanding his knowledge in various tech fields and product management.
Currently, Richard leads major projects, designing complete digital products for clients. He consults with clients to create custom solutions that support digital transformation, driving business growth and enhancing their products and services.
Sharon Schweitzer
Expatriate Relocation Coach, Author & Attorney
Sharon Schweitzer is a globally recognized cross-cultural business consultant, attorney, and founder of Access to Culture. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and author of the Amazon #1 best-selling book in International Business, Access to Asia, named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books list. Sharon has worked with brands such as CBS, Hilton Hotels, JPMorgan, and Lexus to provide practical techniques for improving business communication and increasing revenue.
Sharon was named the winner of the British Airways International Trade, Investment & Expansion Award (small business category) at the Greater Austin Business Awards. She was an honoree in the City of Austin program Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Austin Women.
Sharon is a media resource for NPR and BBC World News and is quoted in Investor’s Business Daily, BBC Capital, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and others. Sharon currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Iowa. She has also served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie on Nat Geo People.
Sharon has traveled to over 100 countries across all 7 continents. She lives with her husband John of 30 years and their golden retrievers, Toffee and Ritzy, in Austin, Texas, USA.
Alexis Stokes
Dean
St. Edward’s University
Alexis Stokes is dean of the AACSB-accredited Bill Munday School of Business at St. Edward’s University in Austin. Dean Stokes is committed to facilitating socio-economically transformative opportunities for students, their families, and their communities, while also creating a vibrant and inclusive hub for business thought leadership in Austin. All ten majors and four online graduate programs at the Munday School of Business are built on the five pillars of the Austin ecosystem: entrepreneurial thinking, social enterprise, innovation management, global collaboration, and analytics.
Dean Stokes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science, and Managerial Studies, cum laude, from Rice University, and her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. Before joining academia in 2005, she practiced international law in Houston.
Martin Valko
Honorary Consul of Slovakia in Texas
Partner, Chavez & Valko, LLP, Immigration Law Firm
Martin Valko, a Slovak native, has served as the Honorary Consul for Slovakia to Texas for nearly 15 years. As a founding partner of Chavez & Valko, LLP, based in Dallas, he leads a dynamic practice specializing in a broad spectrum of immigration-related legal services. His clientele ranges from small startups to Fortune 500 and transnational corporations. He has also represented collegiate and amateur athletes, Olympians, and professional teams and players from the NFL, NHL, and the USA Cricket Association.
Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law and a Master of Laws from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Beyond his legal practice, he co-founded Lawpilot, a pioneering immigration case management platform. Additionally, Martin advises the Mexican Consulate General in Dallas and the Slovak Embassy in the U.S. on immigration law.
He is married to Martina Moravcova Valko, a 5-time Olympian and World Champion swimmer from Slovakia. Together, they are raising their two children, Karolina and Michal.
Michal Vydržel
Founder & CEO
TALENT’EM
Michal Vydržel’s journey from sleeping at Grand Central Station in New York City in 1999 to securing great jobs at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as a Czech citizen and first-generation immigrant is truly inspiring. With the help of prestigious scholarships, he studied at Berea College in Kentucky and earned an MBA from the prestigious Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Post-MBA, he joined Microsoft, managing $65 billion in analytics for CEO Steve Ballmer.
Michal is transforming recruitment with Talent’em, leveraging cutting-edge technologies. Talent’em prescreening robot can evaluate 160 candidates in just 5 minutes, efficiently and smartly using the time of recruiters. Talent’em is leading the transformation of the HR industry, creating an ideal connection between human potential and modern technology, and pushing the boundaries of innovation in recruitment.
He is also the founder of THE HEADHUNTED podcast and author of few well known publications, continually innovating in the recruitment industry.
Sam Ximenes
CEO, Exploration Architecture Corporation (XArc)
Sam Ximenes is a Space Architect with over 30 years’ experience in the aerospace industry with NASA, DoD, and international space programs. He has held executive management positions at Lockheed Martin, L-3 Communications, and Futron Corporation with responsibility for business strategies for growth and development of their respective business units in advanced programs and technology insertion for space systems. While at Grumman Corporation he led systems integration and habitation efforts of international partner laboratory modules for the NASA Space Station program.
He is currently CEO of Exploration Architecture Corporation (XArc), a space architecture consulting firm he founded in 2007. The firm specializes in commercial spaceport development and design, and space systems development for space exploration initiatives for planetary surface systems for habitation and human settlement.
He was a member of the design team for the first commercial spaceport, Spaceport America, and United Kingdom spaceport site assessments, and led the effort developing the economic and business case for viability of Houston Spaceport for the City of Houston. He is also Founder and Board Chair of WEX Foundation, a non-profit organization for advancing careers in space exploration through Space-STEM education.
His latest venture is CEO of Astroport Space Technologies, Inc., founded in 2020 as a wholly owned subsidiary of XArc to develop lunar construction technologies for emplacement of critical elements of lunar surface infrastructure. In 2023, Mr. Ximenes was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Space Architecture from the University of Houston. He is a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Space Architecture Technical Committee, associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and affiliate member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Regolith Operations, Mobility & Robotics Technical Committee.
Summit Key Contributors
Mortada Mohamed
President, World Affairs Council of Austin
Co-Chair – Texas-EU Business Summit
Mortada Mohamed is the President of the World Affairs Council of Austin. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Bill Munday School of Business, Marketing, Operations and Analytics Department at St. Edward’s University. Prior to his present positions he was the Regional Marketing Director for Europe, Africa, Middle East, for the State of Texas, Office of the Governor, Economic Development & Tourism Division. During his service with the State of Texas, Mr. Mohamed designed international marketing campaigns in conjunction with Texas key industry executives to promote the export of Texas in his geographical region of responsibility. He traveled to more than 35 countries promoting Texas products and producers including: information technology, energy and renewable energy, medical and health care and food and agriculture. His work has included countless international trade development activities, as well as, export counseling.
Mr. Mohamed has served as a speaker for the US Department of State International Speaker’s Program across North Africa and the Arabian Gulf region. He lectured on doing business with the US private sector and promoted US business in those countries. Mr. Mohamed also leads projects on behalf of ACDI/VOCA, funded by the USAID, to assist in economic development programs for developing countries. This program, which selects experts in various business areas, has taken him deep into Africa, Siberia and Eastern Europe.
Mr. Mohamed has presented in conferences both domestically and internationally, including the International Academy of Management and Business Symposium, Istanbul, Turkey and the World Investment Conference, La Baule, France. Most recently he presented to the Aspen Institute Germany in a transatlantic exchange with a bipartisan group of German, U.S.-American, and Canadian state legislators speaking on the role of trade, business and global supply chains in relation to a resilient critical infrastructure. Mr. Mohamed is the co-chair of the annual Texas-EU Business Summit.
Mr. Mohamed was appointed to serve on the Texas Camino Real District Export Council by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Mohamed is on the Advisory Board of the University of Texas at Austin Center for European Studies. Also, he is a member of the Texas Advisory Council US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Mr. Mohamed has an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University. He also holds a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential awarded by the North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE).
Ben Ramirez III
CEO
Cogitare Global, LLC
Cogitare Global assists the transformation of local companies into global competitors. Ben works with organizations to identify specific business goals and implementation strategies which match their objectives. He provides executives and their teams with the tools they need to achieve sustainable growth in a continually changing international marketplace.
Ben manages the Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas with member companies’ annual exports totaling $250-$500 million. He was first appointed to the Texas Camino Real District Export Council by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. Ben is an Entrepreneur Advisor with Tech Ranch and serves as Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Austin and Executive Director of Austin’s Global Trade Center. Ben obtained a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Michigan, and a JD from the University of Toledo.
