Slovak PRO Summit

More than 200 leaders from business, science, education, and the arts spent the day sharing stories, forming new connections, and showing the strength that emerges when people with shared roots meet in one space.

The program translated this shared energy into focused sessions and talks where speakers could dive into their experiences.‍ Anton Zajac, co-founder of ESET & Klein Vision, opened the program with a talk on cyber, courage, and the cloud. Peter Komornik followed with a session focused on execution in global settings. Investor Bob Lesko, Tatiana Ondrejkova, and Andrej Kiska ml. joined a panel on betting on Slovakia. Professor Maros Ferencik, designer Kickie Chudikova, and Morgan Stanley executive director Katarina Bridova unpacked the hard work behind Slovak success stories. 

The summit continued with Miroslav Gasparek, Bratislava mayor Matus Vallo, followed by Martin Valihora session. The program concluded with President Peter Pellegrini. The day demonstrated how a shared purpose can push boundaries and hinted at the momentum our community can generate in the years ahead.

Professionals from business, science, tech, academia, and the arts spent the day trading insights, forming new ties, and showing how strong our diaspora can be when it meets with clear intent.

The program moved from personal stories to sharp lessons drawn from practice. Marian Gaborik opened with a look at discipline, pressure, and growth through the highs and lows of a sports career. A panel of leaders from the US business scene followed with straight talk on building companies in America and giving back in ways that matter at home.
Short talks then brought fresh angles from Dominika Durovcikova of MIT, Maria Bielikova of KInIT, and Martina Kolesarova of the Pontis Foundation, each offering a glimpse into work that shapes fields far beyond Slovakia. Later in the day, finance professor Lubos Pastor stepped into a fireside chat. The closing session featured President Peter Pellegrini.

The day showed how much strength sits in a group that spans generations, sectors, and continents. It also raised a question that will shape many of our next steps: how far can we go when shared roots become shared action?

Our community gathered in New York for the first Slovak PRO Summit 2023 — a meeting of Slovak professionals from across sectors that reached beyond geography. Around 80+ accomplished Slovaks from business, science, academia, arts and tech spent the day exchanging ideas and forming new connections.

The program turned shared heritage into clear-minded conversations. Ivan Miklos delivered the keynote, offering his perspective on economic potential and the role of the diaspora in shaping Slovakia’s future. A panel led by Michaela Krskova looked at business and innovation — with voices including a biotechnology director at Georgetown, a senior EY innovation leader, a climate-tech investor, and a cyber-security expert — each sharing what success abroad can mean for Slovakia. In TED-style talks, participants heard from individuals whose paths brought them from Slovakia to cutting-edge fields abroad — showing how Slovak talent thrives globally.

The summit proved that crossing borders does not mean losing roots— but gaining a platform.